摘要
This paper proposed a fluid-driven sterilisation equipment with a hydroelectric generator. The equipment consists of three components: (1) a fluid-driven power generator, (2) a sterilisation light source, and (3) a spiral flow channel. The potential energy of water is transformed into electric energy through the hydroelectric generator, and the generated electric energy is used to drive the ultraviolet (UV) light source. UV light can physically destroy pathogenic organisms such as viruses and bacteria in the water flowing through the device, so as to achieve water sterilisation. A UV light-emitting diodes (LED), as the light source of sterilisation, can miniaturize the volume of the sterilisation device and improve the utilisation efficiency of light energy. This research conducted the simulation on the characteristics of UV LED light source, thus evaluated the feasibility of its application in fluid-driven sterilisation. According to the test results, the potential energy of tap water can generate electricity greater than 30 W. The tap water flow was set at the entrance of the device, and the time of exposure to UV light was adjusted by the spiral channel. The sterilisation efficiency of different UV wavelengths was tested. In the experiment, the sterilisation efficacy of an Escherichia coli culture medium was tested. The results showed that UV C (200-280 nm) was the best light source for sterilisation. With an exposure time of 20 s, the sterilisation rate for E. coli could reach 92% through the spiral channel. As the feasibility of fluid-driven sterilisation is evaluated, there is a potential that this technology can be further applied to water purification in remote and underdeveloped areas or in portable water purification devices. © 2020 Taiwan Joint Irrigation Associations.