CPC C02F 1/325 (2013.01) [C02F 1/302 (2013.01); C02F 2201/3228 (2013.01); C02F 2303/04 (2013.01); C02F 2307/12 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An apparatus comprising:
a microwave oven having an interior space;
at least one flow tube assembly disposed in the interior space of the microwave, and comprising of at least two sections comprising a first section and a second section that are physically isolated from each other, the said flow tube assembly comprising a fused silica or a UV transmitting material and having a melting point exceeding 500° C.,
the first section comprising a first flow channel comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second section comprising a light bulb that generates UV radiation; wherein the light bulb comprises an electrodeless UV-emitting bulb,
wherein the first section is concentrically outside the second section such that the first flow channel for a liquid is formed outside the electrodeless UV-emitting bulb;
wherein an external surface of the flow tube assembly comprises a UV-reflector,
wherein when the microwave oven is powered up:
(i) the microwave oven generates microwave energy,
(ii) the liquid flows through the first flow channel, a first portion of the microwave energy heats the liquid flowing through the first flow channel at a temperature, and
(iii) a second portion of the microwave energy ignites the light bulb and UV radiation is generated from the light bulb,
(iv) the liquid in the flow tube assembly is heated to the temperature equal or more than 35° C. at an exit of the microwave oven, and
(v) sterilizes the liquid exiting the microwave oven such that all microbial life is destroyed.
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