CA2041198A1 - Method and apparatus for ionizing fluids utilizing a capacitive effect - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for ionizing fluids utilizing a capacitive effectInfo
- Publication number
- CA2041198A1 CA2041198A1 CA002041198A CA2041198A CA2041198A1 CA 2041198 A1 CA2041198 A1 CA 2041198A1 CA 002041198 A CA002041198 A CA 002041198A CA 2041198 A CA2041198 A CA 2041198A CA 2041198 A1 CA2041198 A1 CA 2041198A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrodes
- electrically conductive
- fluid
- electrically
- treating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/48—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with magnetic or electric fields
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/4602—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods for prevention or elimination of deposits
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention is drawn to a method and apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid. In once such apparatus, positive and negative electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials are spaced apart. At least one of the electrodes has a covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound. Thus, the only electroconductive connection that develops an electrochemical potential between the electrodes is established by a capacitive effect through the fluid to be treated, which fluid is passed between the electrodes. In another apparatus of the present invention, first and second electrodes of electrically conductive material are spaced from one another, and at least one of the electrodes is provided with a covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound. An external source of electric energy is connected to the first and second electrodes. Accordingly, when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated is interposed between the electrodes, an electroconductive connection between the electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect and the fluid is ionized. In each of the apparatus above, by providing at least one of the electrodes with a covering of electrically insulative material, current flow between the electrodes is inhibited which contributes to the efficiency of the apparatus in ionizing fluid, even fluid having a high degree of electroconductive capability.
The present invention is drawn to a method and apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid. In once such apparatus, positive and negative electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials are spaced apart. At least one of the electrodes has a covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound. Thus, the only electroconductive connection that develops an electrochemical potential between the electrodes is established by a capacitive effect through the fluid to be treated, which fluid is passed between the electrodes. In another apparatus of the present invention, first and second electrodes of electrically conductive material are spaced from one another, and at least one of the electrodes is provided with a covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound. An external source of electric energy is connected to the first and second electrodes. Accordingly, when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated is interposed between the electrodes, an electroconductive connection between the electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect and the fluid is ionized. In each of the apparatus above, by providing at least one of the electrodes with a covering of electrically insulative material, current flow between the electrodes is inhibited which contributes to the efficiency of the apparatus in ionizing fluid, even fluid having a high degree of electroconductive capability.
Description
2 ~
ME'I`IIOD i\llD l~l'PAl~l\'rl)S 1;'01~ LONIZIIIG l;LUIDS
U'l'IT.,IZIl`lG A CAPI\CI'l'IVE EI~I~ECT
~CICGROI)III) 1~ TllE_I~ Vl;~NT101`1 ~ l'he present inventioll relates to a method and apparatus ~or treating electrically concluctive 1uidl, that is fluid havirlg some electroconductive capability. More particu-larly, tlle present invelltioll relates to a method and appara-tus utilizing a capacitive effect for ioniziny water having a hi~ll mineral content to prevent the precipitation of solids from the water which would tend to form a scale on the inner surface of piping through whicll the water flows, and to aid in the removal of a previously formed scale.
It has been known in the past to use chemicals for cleaning a scale from fluid piping, which scale was formed by the deposition of the soluble content of the fluid passing through the piping. Ilowever, the waste products of such chemical treatment are becoming hazardous to the ecology, and give rise to other harmful effects. Therefore, many methods and apparatus which do not use chemicals have been developed for the treatment of fluid, and which methods and apparatus give rise to no residual harmful effects.
Such systems typically employ magnetic or electric energy to treat the fluid.
In the systems employing electric energy, electrodes having different electrochemical potentials are employed, and a resistor is connected between the electrodes. The fluid to be treated is passed between the electrodes and in direct contact therewith. The resistor is employed as a current control device so as to establish an appropriate electroconductive connection between the electrodes through the electroconductive fluid to be treated, whereby the fluid becomes ionized.
_ I
2 l~
llowfn~er~ ~1l1 Ol ~:he h~ wll nol-l-cllemical systems for ~ C'.It in(~ ui(l pO':Se';!: a deCJree 0~ ullre.Li.ab:i.Lity due to wide val.;.akiolls in ~ e con(li.tiolls o[ ~he fluid to be treated, s~lcll as ~lle el.ectrocoll(lllrt:iv.i~y of the fl.u;.(.l, soluble contellt ~f tlle fluid, pll, etc.
Tlle present inventor has conclucted research into the developmellt oE non-cllelllical flu;.d treatment apparatus and metlloc~s usincl a l~a.i.r of electrodes havillg ciifferent electro-chemical potentials to ionize fluid.
In conducting such research, the present inventor has carried out tests which illustrate that when electric current flowing through the fluid to be treated and between the electrodes i5 reduced, there is an improvement in the ability of the device to prevent the precipitation of solids (Ca, Mg and Si) dissolved in the fluid and thus~prevent the formation of a scale, particularly a silica scale which is the most difficult type of scale to prevent. In such tests, it was observed that the precipitation of Ca, Mg and Si particles commences very early when there was a direct electrical connection between the electrodes, i.e. maximum current flow. When the resistance between the electrodes was i.ncreased to sueeessively reduee the electric current flow, it was observed that the precipitation of the Ca, Mg and si particles became further and further delayed along with a corresponding reduction in the amount of precipitative material and hence a reduction in the formation of a crystalline scale. As these tests were continued, and the values of resistance was increased to reduce the electric current flow, the formation of a Ca, Mg and Si precipitate ceased and only a colloidal suspension was observed. And, wlth an even further increase in resis-tance between the electrodes, even the colloidal suspension began to form more slowly and then only in water having a high degree of hardness and greater electroconductive ap;ll.)i I il.~m ';1l( h ~(~<;~:s .ll:e di.s( I~.e(~ in mol-e d~tQi~ g copetl(lillg apF)IIl. U.S. Seriil] ~lo. 07/556,:l70 ~iled July 20, 1 990 .
IIOWeVCL, wi.~:h .~n :in('r.eaSe .i.ll elcc~rocorlductivity of the lluicl to be treated, thel-e I.s a corrcsponding i.ncrease in the currelll- llow betweell the cl.ectLodes. ~ccordingly, it follows that flal;.ds wi.th a high electrocollductive capability are ver.y di~icult to efEectively treat with such systems because they give rise to a relatively high el`ectric current flow resulting in an accompanying lowering of the efficiency of the system.
Thus, in a unique embodiment featured in U.S. Patent No. 4,902,391 by the present inventor, the electroconductive ~ connection between the electrodes was only established by the fluid to be treated extending therebetween, thereby providing a structure in which minimum current flow and maximum potential differcnce between the electrodes was expected.
The present invention, representing a development from the above-described patented and pending devices, is drawn to a method and apparatus for treatinq even fluid having a high electroconductive capability by relying on the rela-tionship found by the present inventor between the degree of effectiveness of the fluid treatment and the amount of current flow through the fluid as produced by the device.
More specifically, the present invention is the result of research by the present inventor into means of further restricting electric current flow through the fluid to be treated so as to arrive at an appropriate method and apparatus for treating fluids having various electroconduc-tive capabilities, even very high electroconductive capabilities.
';~Jrl~lAl~Y ()1~ II`IVI:`~I'I'10~1 ... .. . . . .
~ n objecl: ot the pl-escn~ invelltion is to provide a met.llc)d all(l al)parcltmls Lor treatirlg electricall.y conductive rllli(l bel~.weell eiec~lo(les, in wllich met:hod anc.l apparat~s thé
at le<lst one o~ tlle electrodes is sea].ed against direct contact w.i~ he ~ id beinq treated so that substantially no currellt ;.s generat:ed dur;llcJ the ioni.zatioll Or the ele(-t:l-;c;ll1y col~d~lctive rl~li(l wilel-c!l)y the precipi.tatioll oL
di.sso].ved sol;.ds i.n even fluid having a high dissolved solid content level and hiyll electroconductivity level can be prevented.
The above object is achieved accordincJ to the present invention by the use of a "capacitive effect" to effect the ioni~ation of the fluid to be treated.
More particularly, the present invention pr~ovides a metllod and apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid employing electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials, at least one of which electrodes having a covering of electri-cally insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the at least one electrode from direct contact with the fluid to be treated such that an electroeonductive eonneetion that develops an eleetroeon-duetive potential between the eleetrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaeitive effect. In this method and apparatus the current flow through the fluid is self-generated owing to the electroeonduetivity of the fluid to be treated and the different electrochemical potentials of the electrodes, whereby minimum current flow and maximum potential difference between the electrodes is established.
As discussed above, in known devices the ~luid to be`
treated comes in direct contact with the electroconductive material of the electrodes, and a voltaie cell effeet is generated in wllich the fluid acts as an electrolyte so that 2 ~ f~
a smal1 ~o1.t:a(~e is apE)~ie(l acro.s t~1e electrodes to ionize tl~e ilui(1. ~ el1 the e1ectrocon(1u(t;.vity o~ tlle fluid itself i.s re:l.at;.vely sma1.1., the current flow i.n tile system was correspol1c1;n~1.y sma1l. 11owever, wl1ell t:he electroconduc-tivi.ty of the fluid was rel.ati.vely higl1, tlle current flow was cor.respor1dillgly hic311 rcsulting in poor efficiency of the system w;.th respect to ionizi.ncl the f].uid. In tl1e method and apparatus accordincJ to the present il1vel~tion, the sealing o at least one of the electrodes prevents direct contact of the fluid with such at least one electrode so as to strongly limit the current flow even when the electrocon-ductive capability of the fluid is l1igh.
Accordi.ng to another features of the present invention, a resistor or only an electrical lead wire may be connected between the electrodes as a control on the range.of electro-conductive properties of tl1e fluid over whieh the system will be effective. It is noted that in the known fluid treatment devices in which the electroconductive materials of the electrodes are fully exposed to the fluid, a resistor has been eon1leeted between the eleetrodes as a current eontrol deviee. Therefore, it ean be seen that the funetion of the resistor in the eontext of the present invention is different from that of the resistor used when the eleetroeonduetive materials of the eleetrodes are fully exposed to contact with the fluid to be treated.
Moreover, the present invention also provides a method and apparatus for treating eleetrieally conductive fluid employing first and second electrodes, at least one of which electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the at least one eleetrode from direet eontaet with the fluid to be treated, and means for eonnecting the electrodes to an external source of electric energy such that an electroeonductive conneetion between the electrodes 2 ~ 8 is est:al~ hl-ouc~ll tlle bc)dy oE flui.d a]so by a capaci-t;ve erfect. 1n pract;c , the 1evel oC voltage applied to the electro(1es wil~ be in the or(1er o~ only a few volts.
1`he actua1 app1ie-1 vo~tage is depen-,lellt 011 tlle range of the electrocon(1uc1-iv;l:y Or tl1e rlui(1 to be treated.
N-o~ D1~ GS
1urtl1er objects, feat1res a1ld a1vantages of the present inve11tio1l will become ~p1c1re t t:o t1~se of ordin~ry skill in the art by rev;ewing the detailed description below of preferred embodiments in conjunction witll the attached drawings, in whicll:
Fig. l is a perspective view, in section, of electrodes constituting a constituent part of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective vicw, in section, oE an embodi-ment of an apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid acc~rding to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in section, of another embodiment of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention;
Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views, in section, corresponding to Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, but showing the additional feature of electrical connection means for establishing a direct electrical connection of the elec-trodes according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view, in section, of another embodiment of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention, in which an external source of electric energy is to be connected to the electrodes; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view, in section, of a practi-cal form of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T1~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is well established that in electrical systems having a conductor defining an edge or a point, that there uill l~e i~ b~ ) Or el~ctl-ol)- (electric enerc3y ConC:entl:atiOn) at nllc:h arl edcJe or point. ~Itl-ouyh this ef~cc~ is mail-ly ac;sociated with lligll voltage systems, such n eCCec~: t.;ll is presen~ in ~ow vo]tage systems to a correspondin-,ly small amo-u-t. 'I`herefore, s;nce the present invel~Lioll was clevelopecl with an aim to reduce the amount o~
current 110w hct:weell ~hc cloclro(les (concluctors) in the ~;yn~eT,~ rnr treating rlni~l, thc abovc-~cscr;be(l ~ffect Jas consi~lerecl ;n the following manner during the development of the present invention.
That is, it was realized that even in the fluid treatment apparatus of the present invention, the above-described effect could be observed as a build-up of a scale along sharp edges and points of the electrically conductive material of the electrodes exposed to~the fluid.
Because it is not desirable to have concentrations of electrieal energy in the fluid treatment device, it was first considered to obviate such coneentrations by rounding off all of the edges of the electrically conductive material, by removing all rough areas, etc. and by finally polishing the eleetrically conductive material of the electrodes. Ilowever, sueh procedures were found to be time eonsuming and expensive with respeet to manufacturiny costs.
It was thus conceived to facilitate a reduction in the build-up of eleetrons at speeifie edges or points of the electrodes by removing all of the sharp edges, etc. of the eleetrodes only to a minimum extent and by additionally applying a eoating of eleetrieally insulative material around and along the edges, points etc.
Referring now to Fig. 1 showing an example of a con-stituent element eomprising electrodes of the present inven-tion, the ends of a tubular negative aluminum eleetrode 2 and a rod-shaped positive earbon eleetrode 1 provide the most potential for the build-up of eleetrons and eonsequent 9 ~
2-elease thel-eof, therel~y raci.li~at:incJ a concentrated current fl.ow bet~eell th~ el.ectroc~es. :Initially, it was deeided to merely al~p].y a coat;.ng of electrically i.nsulative material arourl(l tlle ends oE the el.ectrodes. 'l'~li.s appli.cation could be accomp.l.islle-l by a si.mp1.e metllod in ~/hicll the electrodes ere (.li~ e(l il\~o a ~lui.d p.lasti.c meclium wl~ich when dried left a llom-)cJ{!nec)us coatil~g o[ elecl:l-i.cal. .insu~a~ion over the encls or t:he ol.ectl-o(los. :ln ~-hi~ rer.pect, the electrodes were dipped into the fluid plastic medium to only a small extent leaving an electrically insulative coating which extended only a few millimeters back from the ends of the electrocles. Tes-ts were conducted with these electrodes which showed an obvious improvement over similar electrodes which did not have any eleetrical insulatiorl over the e].ectrode ends.
Further investi.gations revealed that more effective results could be aehieved by dipping the eleetrodes further into the fluid plastic medium, i.e. by increasing the longi-tudinal amount to which the electrodes were eovered with the electrical insulation. Such a finding tllen prompted the idea of providing the electrodes with a covering of electri-cal insulation substantially over the entirety thereof.
Again, tests of eleetrodes having a covering of electrical insulation substantially over the entirety thereof showed that sueh eleetrodes could ionize fluid having a high elee-troeonduetive eapability with a great deal of effieiency.
These tests were earried out by a step-by-step proeess of sequentially inereasing the eoverage of the electrodes with an eleetrieally insulative material and testing the effeets of sueh eleetrieally insulative material after eaeh time the insulative material was applied over the eleetrodes.
These tests showed that the effeetiveness of the device with fluids having high degrees of el~etroeonduetive eapa-bilities was successively improved until the tubular aluminum e l e~ ~ rO(10 '~ wa '. (- Olllp 1 e l O I y COVe ~ cd W i. t~ he electr.ically i.nslllative mater;al. sucll that tllere was no direct contact betweell tlle r.l.~lid to be treated and the el.ectrical].y contlllcti.ve materi.al (a:l.umi.llum) o~ the electrode.
I:t wollld be expect:ed tllat there would be very little possibi.l.ity o~ current ~low be.illg produced between the tubll.l.ar alumilllllll electrode 2 and tlle ro(:l-sllape(l carbon C~ l.l!('t.l C)(l(` :I Wll~'ll 011(` ) f ~:il(! (' I (`C~ W;l!i ('0111~ 1 y !;0.1 1 o~l ~rom the flui.(l to be treate(l by the covering o~ electrically insulative material. ~ven the existence of a voltage potential seemed doubtful to the present inventor. However, a very sensiti.ve volt meter showed that there did in fact exist a voltage potential between the two electrodes described above.
Accordingly, after finding out that a voltage potential did exist with one electrode (aluminum electrode 2) being insulated, it was then decided to also examine what would occur if the electrically conductive materi.al of the other electrode (carbon electrode) 1 were sealed as well against direct contact with the fluid to be treated. Testing of an apparatus in which the electrically conductive material of both the negative aluminum electrode and the positive carbon electrode were completely sealed against direct physical contact with -the fluid to be treated by respective coverings of electrically insulative material showed a further improvement in the performance of the apparatus in the ionization of fluids having very high electroconductive capabilities. Again, a voltage measurement was taken to show the presence of a voltage potential between the electrodes.
In view of the fact that the presence Oc a voltage potential between the positive and negative electrodes was unexpected, because the electrically conductive materials of the electrodes were completely covered with electrically 2 ~ 8 in~.;u.lative material ~(:)rmill~ a ~;oal aCI.li.lls'C clirect physical con~act with tlle rluiil lo be treclteCI~ i.t was decided to more Eull.y veri.Ly the existence o~ tlle vo:l.tage potential anA
ascertai.~ etller tllere was .in ~act a complete seal of ~he electrically conductive material agains~ tlle fluid to be.
treated.
~ negative a:Luminllm electl-ode W..1S comp.l.etely covered w;tll el.ectri.ca].ly .insll.lal:.ivc matel-icll. I)y dil)~ lc3 ~he electrode into a fluid plastic medium. 'rl-le negative electrode was then partly immersed in water and a minute portion of tlle electrically conductive material was exposed at the end of the electrode and cleaned to allow the electrically conductive material to be conneeted to a sensitive meter for measuring electrie resistance. A piece of uncovered aluminum was attached to the other~pole of the meter and was partly immersed i.n the water together with the covered aluminum electrode. Under these conditions, the meter showed a reading of infinite electric resistance indicating that there was no direet physical contaet of the water with the covered eleetrode.
The uneovered pieee of aluminum was replaced with a pieee of earbon, and a voltage reading of o.g volts was measured by a sensitive volt meter. ~s it had been previously eonfirmed that the eleetrically conductive material of the aluminum electrode was completely sealed against direct physical contact with the water, the above presence of a measurable voltage is postured to be due to a eapacitive effeet.
The same testing procedure was then carried out with a earbon eleetrode whieh was also covered with eleetrieally in~ula~ive m~terial . A voltage potential ol~ O . 9 volts was measured by a sensitive volt meter when a eovered negative aluminum eleetrode and a eovered positive carbon electrode were both partly immersed in water with the exposed ends thereof eonnected to the volt meter.
2 ~ 8 ol\ce havi~lg lesc~ e-l ~die ~`oulldatioll upon which the clreel:~ Or l-l~e l~-ese~ illvel~t;oll are helieved to be based, p]-~fel-re~l ~ml~o~linlerlts ~-1 the present invent;on will now be de~ etl w;~:h rererellcc to ligs~ 7.
In ligs. 7-~" rel`c~ellce numeral 1 clesign~tes a rod-sll.lpe(l poL;;tive electro(le o~ electrically conductive material (carbon) wllile relerellce numeral 2 designates a J;l~.i.V(~ (,r ~i(.'C~ Iyl (:oll(l~lctivc~
~ater;al (aluminum) that is spaced (radially) from the electrically conductive material Or the positive electrode L. Such compollellts are basically identical to that clescribed above with reference to ~ig. 1.
In the embodiment of Fig. 2, each of the electrodes 1, 2 has a covering 3, ~ o~ electrically insuLative material extending around the entirety thereof so that each of the electrodes 1, 2 are sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus. ~ny plastic material can be used as the insulative material. Non-toxic plastic has to be used when the apparatus is used to treat drinking water. Tough plastic is preferable for preventing wear. The fluid is caused to flow in the direction of the arrows between the electrodes.
The electrically conductive materials of the electrodes 1, 2 have different electrochemical potentials such that when the body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed bet~een the electrodes, as represented by the arrows, an electroconductive connection that develops an electric potential between the electrodes 1, 2 is established through the body of fluid by the capacitive effect described above, whereby the fluid is ionized. In the embodiment Of Fiy. 2, the electrodes are electrically isolated from one another in the apparatus so that the electroconductive connection of the electrodes is only established through the body of fluid to be treated.
~iUCIl a CC)ll(~ iO11 al~o eY~i51-~. ;11 tlle emhoclime1lts of Figs. 3-5 whic11 w;11 be c1escr1he(1 ;n more detail below. Each of the embo(1irne1lts o~ FicJs. 2-5 can ~hus be considered to be se~f-ge11erat;1lcl systems as no ex~-ernal energy is required to erfect a volt:age ~o~entia1 givi11~ rise to the ionization oE
t1-1~ f~1ic1.
~ en t11e apparatus Or 1;ig. 2, co111pris~11g a negative a~ m;1l~1 eLeetroc1e 2 ar1d a positive carbo1l e1ectrode 1 eac~
having a covering o electrical]y insulative material, was tes~ed excellent results were observed with fluid having a high level of electroconductive capability. 11owever, when the apparatus was tested with fluid llaving a low level of elec- troconduetive capability, of approximately 200 to 300 S/cm, reduced efficiency was apparent. It should be noted that when the electrodes of Fig. l without the c~over of electrically insulative material were tested with fluid having a low degree of electroconductive capability of approximately 200 to 300 1-S/cm, excellent results regarding the ionization of the fluid were observed; however, with fluid having a very higl1 degree of electroconductive capability, the efficiency of ioni~ation was very low. It beeame apparent from these tests that some form of control was neeessary to balance the performance of the device to suit a most desirable range of fluid electroconductivity levels. Three methods of control were tested:
(l) Providing the eovering of eleetrieally insulative material over only one of the eleetrodes;
(2) Providing an electrically conductive eonnection between two eleetrodes eaeh having a eovering of eleetrieally insulative material; and t3) Providing an eleetrieally eonduetive eonneetion between an uneovered eleetrode and one eleetrode eovered with eleetrieally insulative material.
2 ~
~ 1n tl1e el11l)o~1i.me11t oll 1`i~. :3, only one of ttle electrodes (negative a Illllli lllllll elC(,I ro(le) ha5 a coveril1g of electrically i.ns\11ative mat(?~-ia:l 4 cxtel1(:1il)cJ arour1d the entirety thereof.
'I`l~e electriccll1y cond11ctive materia.1. of the other electrode 1 (tl~c positi.ve carbon electrode) i.s exposed to the space l~ctwccn tl~c el.e~tr;.ca.l1.y cor~ ctive materi.als oE the elec-trodcs sl~ch tl~at it is not sea.led agail1st di.rect physical conta1ct wi.tl1 ll~e r1ui(:1 t(> be treatc(.1. ~ s1lch nn em)10di-ment was tested with f]uid having a low deyree of electro-conc111ctive capabi.1ity, o~ about 200 to 300 lLs/cm~ the results o1~served sl~owed an acceE~table performance with regard to the ionization of the fluid. I~owever, the effectiveness of this embodiment with f1.uids having high degrees of electroconductive capability is comparatively small.
In tl1e embodiment of Fig. 4, each of the electrodes l, 2 has a coveriny 3, ~ of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so that each of the electrodes l, 2 are sealed from direct contact with the body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus.
Electrical connection means 5 or 5~ extend between and are directly electrically connected to the electrically conduc-tive materials of the electrodes l, 2. T1-us, an electric circuit is established in the embodiment of Fig. 4 from one of the electrodes, througt1 the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of the electrodes, and back to said one of the electrodes via the electrical connection means 5 or 5A. The electrical connection means can include a resistor 5 or can consist of an electrical lead wire 5A.
A series of tests employing different electric resistive levels were carried out with the embodiment of Fig. 4. The different electric resistive levels range from a high resistance of l,000,000 ohms down to the direct electrical connection of 0 ohms. It was found that a range of control of the effectiveness of the device over fluids varying from 2` ~
hi-JIl ~Icql-ees Or elecl:l-icoc:ondllctive capability to low dccJrees Or electl-ocollducti.ve c ~pahi.l.ity coukl be obtainecl by ~ppl.y;nq (li.f~erellt resist-ivc levels het~/eerl the two covered electrodes.
'I`he ~mbo(limellt: ol` I:ig. 5 is tlle same as that of Fig. ~
e.Ycet?t in that only one o~ t:he electrodes (negative alumillum electrode) llas a coVerincJ ~ o[ eLectrical]y insulative matcrial e~tell(l;llcJ arollll(l s~lhslnlllt:;ally t-l~e rlltirct:y thereof. Again, tests were conclucted using a range of electric resistance from 1,000,000 ohms to O ohms. These tests showed that a suitable control could be obtained for fluids varyiny from a lligh degree of electroconductive capability to a low degree of electroconductive capability.
I~owever, the values of resistance employed were required to be greater tllan when both the positive and negat~ive electrodes were covered with electrically insulative material as in the embodiment of Fig. 4.
Again, reference is made herein to tlle fact that the resistor 5 or direct electrical connection by electrical lead wire 5A is used as a control on the range of electroconductive capabilities of the fluids over which the apparatus of the present invention is effective. As discussed above, a resistor or direct electrical connection between the electrodes in prior devices, in which the electrodes were both fully exposed to contact the fluid, was employed as a current control device.
In the embodiments of Figs. 2-G in which a self-generated electric potential is produced between the electrodes, at least one of which has a covering of electrically iosulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof, the resulting ionization of the fluid may be explained by reason that an electron under certain conditions is able to pass through a thin insulative barrier. Ilowever, there would be only a small 2 0 ~ 8 rlO~J ol: electrolls ulldel^ suc~ nditioll a~d tllerefore the presel1ce Or electric currellt wou:ld be e~tremely limited ~ JIlell al-lmi.llum and cclrholl e.Lectrodes are e~mployed, tlle e~.ectroll flow is rrom the aLumirlllm electrode to the carbon electrode. ~ lus, i~ the alum;.llum ~ncl carbon electrodes are provided ~Jith electr;.cally .insulative materi.al, the amount of electrolls f.l.owillg rrom the al-lmil~um electrocle to the carhon el.ectl-c)de :is sevel-ely ~ ed ~-t- n~t: comr)letely stopped. There will still be a number of electrons escapinq throuyll the thin insulative material and passing between the electrodes through the fl.uid. If only one electrode, for example, the aluminum electrode, is covered with the electrically insulative material, and the other electrode (carbon electrode) is left exposed, the exposed carbon electrode will be free to strongly receive electrons thereby inducing an increase in the number of electrons flowing through the electrically insulative material covering the aluminum electrode.
Whell the electrical connection means, such as 5 or 5A, external of the fluid to be treated is connected between the electrodes, the electrical pressure is increased resulting in a corresponding increase in the number of electrons escaping through the electrically insulative material.
As the discussion makes evident, the electroconductive capability of the flu;d is a very important factor because the fluid is the principle medium between the electrodes.
When the electroconductive capability of the fluid is high, the resistance to electric flow is low. In f luid having a very high degree of electroconductive eapability, the fluid electric resistanee may be as low as a few ohms per square eentimeter. This fact of course promotes a flow of electrons between the electrodes and an increase in the number of electrons escaping through the electrically insulative material.
2 ~
~ v~ o~ ;c~ r~Eerence to l'igs. ~ -'i, i.c. in t:l~c s~ gcllel-at~i.llg systems, the fluid ;~c~:s .1S al~ l rolyte ~:o l)ro(luc~ t~lle requi.red voltaye l~otential.17ct~ecl) the electrocles arld also acts in part as a di.elect1-ic bet:ween the el.ectrodes ;.n faci.litating ~he .lp~lci.tive ~rr~ct.
]:t b~came aprlal-el~t that clesiral):le results could also be of electri.c erlergy. In such a case, tlle electrodes could be made of any electroconductive materials, even tlle same material. Furtllermore, in the initial research of the self-cJellerating systems described above, the electric potential was polarized. Ilowever, wllen an external source of electric energy is applied, the electric potential could be either polarized or alternating. In such a case, the fluid being treated would act only as a dielectric, and not as both an electrolyte and dielectric as in the above-described self-generating systems.
In the embodiment of Fig. 6, reference numeral 6 designates a first electrode of electrically conductive material and reference numeral 7 designates a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced (radially) from the electrically conductive material of the first electrodes. ~t least one of the electrodes, and in this case both of the electrodes, has a covering 8 or 9 of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the respective electrode(s) from direct contact with the body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus. External electric supply connection means in tie form of contacts 10, 11 are electrically connected to the electrodes 7, G, respectively, for connecting the electrodes to an external source of electric energy. Thus, when a body of electrically conduc-ti.ve fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed y~
i~et:weel1 Ihe elecl:ro(1es, ac; showl1 l~y the arrows, and a source Or c~.eotrie enel-gy 1~ i. conl1ectecl to tl1e eleetrocles via e1.ectrical. col1tacts ]o~ 1.1., an electroconductive connection betweel1 the e].ectroc1es ;.s estab1.;.shec1 througi1 the body of fl.ui.c1 by a capac;.ti.ve c~Cfect ~/hereby the f1.uid is ionized.
'I`l1e e1l1boc1imel1t oE ~;.g. 6 was testec1 using first and second e1ectroc1es of tl1c same electrocc)l1(1uctive materia].s, c - ~J (-C~ (.'r ~ "" Cill~ t~ ` r-c~ l t-~l Or ~ sC~ ~:e-;t~3 were comparable with those of the self-generatil1g systems in which the electrodes havil1g dif~erent eleetroehemieal potenti.als, e.g. aluminum and earbon, were employed.
It is possible to provide a range of eontrol in the embodiment of Fig. 6 to aecommodate various degrees of e1.eetroeonduetive eapabilities of fluid by simply adjusting the level of voltage potential provided by the external eleetrie energy souree(13~
Fig. 7 show5 the practical form oE the apparatus aeeording to the present invention. In Fig. 7, referenee numeral 14 designates a pipe in whiel1 eleetrodes l, 2 are disposed. As shown i.n the figure, the pipe l4 has flanges at the ends thereof whieh seeure the apparatus in-line to flui.d piping. At least one eleetrieally insulative supporting member 13 extends diametrieally of the pipe 14 and is eonneeted to the rod-shaped eleetrode l so as to support the rod-shaped eleetrode l within the pipe 14. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, eaeh of the eleetrodes l, 2 has a respeetive eovering 3, 4 of eleetrieally insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof. Referenee numeral lS designates a seeondary layer of eleetrieal insulation.
Although the present invention has been fully deseribed in eonneetion with the preferred embodiments thereof with referenee to the aeeompanying drawings, it is to be noted that numerous el-anges and modifieations will beeome apparent to Ihoc:e Or or(Ii~ ry ~.Iil:I in ~:IIe art. Ior examp~e, .
aII.houcJII l-IIe pI-el`elre(I cmI)o(IimeIlts In~ve beeIl dcscribed ~/ith respect ta an outer t:ubuI.ar electrode ancl rod-1.ike inner clectrocle extencIi.IlcJ ax;.alI.y w;.thiIl tlIe outer tubular e].ectrode, otIIer rorms of tlle electrode may be emp10yed. In a(.Id;.ti.on, materials otller thaIl tIIose specifically clisclosed carl be emI)I.oye(I a5 the eIectri.calIy cond-1ct;.ve material.of t:l~c c l ~ o~ r3 . A(. ~ -J l y ~
modi.r;.cat;.ons, wIIich are seen to be within the true spirit ancl scope of tlle present invention, are to be understood as encompassecI by the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
~ .
- 18 :
ME'I`IIOD i\llD l~l'PAl~l\'rl)S 1;'01~ LONIZIIIG l;LUIDS
U'l'IT.,IZIl`lG A CAPI\CI'l'IVE EI~I~ECT
~CICGROI)III) 1~ TllE_I~ Vl;~NT101`1 ~ l'he present inventioll relates to a method and apparatus ~or treating electrically concluctive 1uidl, that is fluid havirlg some electroconductive capability. More particu-larly, tlle present invelltioll relates to a method and appara-tus utilizing a capacitive effect for ioniziny water having a hi~ll mineral content to prevent the precipitation of solids from the water which would tend to form a scale on the inner surface of piping through whicll the water flows, and to aid in the removal of a previously formed scale.
It has been known in the past to use chemicals for cleaning a scale from fluid piping, which scale was formed by the deposition of the soluble content of the fluid passing through the piping. Ilowever, the waste products of such chemical treatment are becoming hazardous to the ecology, and give rise to other harmful effects. Therefore, many methods and apparatus which do not use chemicals have been developed for the treatment of fluid, and which methods and apparatus give rise to no residual harmful effects.
Such systems typically employ magnetic or electric energy to treat the fluid.
In the systems employing electric energy, electrodes having different electrochemical potentials are employed, and a resistor is connected between the electrodes. The fluid to be treated is passed between the electrodes and in direct contact therewith. The resistor is employed as a current control device so as to establish an appropriate electroconductive connection between the electrodes through the electroconductive fluid to be treated, whereby the fluid becomes ionized.
_ I
2 l~
llowfn~er~ ~1l1 Ol ~:he h~ wll nol-l-cllemical systems for ~ C'.It in(~ ui(l pO':Se';!: a deCJree 0~ ullre.Li.ab:i.Lity due to wide val.;.akiolls in ~ e con(li.tiolls o[ ~he fluid to be treated, s~lcll as ~lle el.ectrocoll(lllrt:iv.i~y of the fl.u;.(.l, soluble contellt ~f tlle fluid, pll, etc.
Tlle present inventor has conclucted research into the developmellt oE non-cllelllical flu;.d treatment apparatus and metlloc~s usincl a l~a.i.r of electrodes havillg ciifferent electro-chemical potentials to ionize fluid.
In conducting such research, the present inventor has carried out tests which illustrate that when electric current flowing through the fluid to be treated and between the electrodes i5 reduced, there is an improvement in the ability of the device to prevent the precipitation of solids (Ca, Mg and Si) dissolved in the fluid and thus~prevent the formation of a scale, particularly a silica scale which is the most difficult type of scale to prevent. In such tests, it was observed that the precipitation of Ca, Mg and Si particles commences very early when there was a direct electrical connection between the electrodes, i.e. maximum current flow. When the resistance between the electrodes was i.ncreased to sueeessively reduee the electric current flow, it was observed that the precipitation of the Ca, Mg and si particles became further and further delayed along with a corresponding reduction in the amount of precipitative material and hence a reduction in the formation of a crystalline scale. As these tests were continued, and the values of resistance was increased to reduce the electric current flow, the formation of a Ca, Mg and Si precipitate ceased and only a colloidal suspension was observed. And, wlth an even further increase in resis-tance between the electrodes, even the colloidal suspension began to form more slowly and then only in water having a high degree of hardness and greater electroconductive ap;ll.)i I il.~m ';1l( h ~(~<;~:s .ll:e di.s( I~.e(~ in mol-e d~tQi~ g copetl(lillg apF)IIl. U.S. Seriil] ~lo. 07/556,:l70 ~iled July 20, 1 990 .
IIOWeVCL, wi.~:h .~n :in('r.eaSe .i.ll elcc~rocorlductivity of the lluicl to be treated, thel-e I.s a corrcsponding i.ncrease in the currelll- llow betweell the cl.ectLodes. ~ccordingly, it follows that flal;.ds wi.th a high electrocollductive capability are ver.y di~icult to efEectively treat with such systems because they give rise to a relatively high el`ectric current flow resulting in an accompanying lowering of the efficiency of the system.
Thus, in a unique embodiment featured in U.S. Patent No. 4,902,391 by the present inventor, the electroconductive ~ connection between the electrodes was only established by the fluid to be treated extending therebetween, thereby providing a structure in which minimum current flow and maximum potential differcnce between the electrodes was expected.
The present invention, representing a development from the above-described patented and pending devices, is drawn to a method and apparatus for treatinq even fluid having a high electroconductive capability by relying on the rela-tionship found by the present inventor between the degree of effectiveness of the fluid treatment and the amount of current flow through the fluid as produced by the device.
More specifically, the present invention is the result of research by the present inventor into means of further restricting electric current flow through the fluid to be treated so as to arrive at an appropriate method and apparatus for treating fluids having various electroconduc-tive capabilities, even very high electroconductive capabilities.
';~Jrl~lAl~Y ()1~ II`IVI:`~I'I'10~1 ... .. . . . .
~ n objecl: ot the pl-escn~ invelltion is to provide a met.llc)d all(l al)parcltmls Lor treatirlg electricall.y conductive rllli(l bel~.weell eiec~lo(les, in wllich met:hod anc.l apparat~s thé
at le<lst one o~ tlle electrodes is sea].ed against direct contact w.i~ he ~ id beinq treated so that substantially no currellt ;.s generat:ed dur;llcJ the ioni.zatioll Or the ele(-t:l-;c;ll1y col~d~lctive rl~li(l wilel-c!l)y the precipi.tatioll oL
di.sso].ved sol;.ds i.n even fluid having a high dissolved solid content level and hiyll electroconductivity level can be prevented.
The above object is achieved accordincJ to the present invention by the use of a "capacitive effect" to effect the ioni~ation of the fluid to be treated.
More particularly, the present invention pr~ovides a metllod and apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid employing electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials, at least one of which electrodes having a covering of electri-cally insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the at least one electrode from direct contact with the fluid to be treated such that an electroeonductive eonneetion that develops an eleetroeon-duetive potential between the eleetrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaeitive effect. In this method and apparatus the current flow through the fluid is self-generated owing to the electroeonduetivity of the fluid to be treated and the different electrochemical potentials of the electrodes, whereby minimum current flow and maximum potential difference between the electrodes is established.
As discussed above, in known devices the ~luid to be`
treated comes in direct contact with the electroconductive material of the electrodes, and a voltaie cell effeet is generated in wllich the fluid acts as an electrolyte so that 2 ~ f~
a smal1 ~o1.t:a(~e is apE)~ie(l acro.s t~1e electrodes to ionize tl~e ilui(1. ~ el1 the e1ectrocon(1u(t;.vity o~ tlle fluid itself i.s re:l.at;.vely sma1.1., the current flow i.n tile system was correspol1c1;n~1.y sma1l. 11owever, wl1ell t:he electroconduc-tivi.ty of the fluid was rel.ati.vely higl1, tlle current flow was cor.respor1dillgly hic311 rcsulting in poor efficiency of the system w;.th respect to ionizi.ncl the f].uid. In tl1e method and apparatus accordincJ to the present il1vel~tion, the sealing o at least one of the electrodes prevents direct contact of the fluid with such at least one electrode so as to strongly limit the current flow even when the electrocon-ductive capability of the fluid is l1igh.
Accordi.ng to another features of the present invention, a resistor or only an electrical lead wire may be connected between the electrodes as a control on the range.of electro-conductive properties of tl1e fluid over whieh the system will be effective. It is noted that in the known fluid treatment devices in which the electroconductive materials of the electrodes are fully exposed to the fluid, a resistor has been eon1leeted between the eleetrodes as a current eontrol deviee. Therefore, it ean be seen that the funetion of the resistor in the eontext of the present invention is different from that of the resistor used when the eleetroeonduetive materials of the eleetrodes are fully exposed to contact with the fluid to be treated.
Moreover, the present invention also provides a method and apparatus for treating eleetrieally conductive fluid employing first and second electrodes, at least one of which electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the at least one eleetrode from direet eontaet with the fluid to be treated, and means for eonnecting the electrodes to an external source of electric energy such that an electroeonductive conneetion between the electrodes 2 ~ 8 is est:al~ hl-ouc~ll tlle bc)dy oE flui.d a]so by a capaci-t;ve erfect. 1n pract;c , the 1evel oC voltage applied to the electro(1es wil~ be in the or(1er o~ only a few volts.
1`he actua1 app1ie-1 vo~tage is depen-,lellt 011 tlle range of the electrocon(1uc1-iv;l:y Or tl1e rlui(1 to be treated.
N-o~ D1~ GS
1urtl1er objects, feat1res a1ld a1vantages of the present inve11tio1l will become ~p1c1re t t:o t1~se of ordin~ry skill in the art by rev;ewing the detailed description below of preferred embodiments in conjunction witll the attached drawings, in whicll:
Fig. l is a perspective view, in section, of electrodes constituting a constituent part of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective vicw, in section, oE an embodi-ment of an apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid acc~rding to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in section, of another embodiment of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention;
Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views, in section, corresponding to Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, but showing the additional feature of electrical connection means for establishing a direct electrical connection of the elec-trodes according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view, in section, of another embodiment of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention, in which an external source of electric energy is to be connected to the electrodes; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view, in section, of a practi-cal form of an apparatus for treating electrically conduc-tive fluid according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T1~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is well established that in electrical systems having a conductor defining an edge or a point, that there uill l~e i~ b~ ) Or el~ctl-ol)- (electric enerc3y ConC:entl:atiOn) at nllc:h arl edcJe or point. ~Itl-ouyh this ef~cc~ is mail-ly ac;sociated with lligll voltage systems, such n eCCec~: t.;ll is presen~ in ~ow vo]tage systems to a correspondin-,ly small amo-u-t. 'I`herefore, s;nce the present invel~Lioll was clevelopecl with an aim to reduce the amount o~
current 110w hct:weell ~hc cloclro(les (concluctors) in the ~;yn~eT,~ rnr treating rlni~l, thc abovc-~cscr;be(l ~ffect Jas consi~lerecl ;n the following manner during the development of the present invention.
That is, it was realized that even in the fluid treatment apparatus of the present invention, the above-described effect could be observed as a build-up of a scale along sharp edges and points of the electrically conductive material of the electrodes exposed to~the fluid.
Because it is not desirable to have concentrations of electrieal energy in the fluid treatment device, it was first considered to obviate such coneentrations by rounding off all of the edges of the electrically conductive material, by removing all rough areas, etc. and by finally polishing the eleetrically conductive material of the electrodes. Ilowever, sueh procedures were found to be time eonsuming and expensive with respeet to manufacturiny costs.
It was thus conceived to facilitate a reduction in the build-up of eleetrons at speeifie edges or points of the electrodes by removing all of the sharp edges, etc. of the eleetrodes only to a minimum extent and by additionally applying a eoating of eleetrieally insulative material around and along the edges, points etc.
Referring now to Fig. 1 showing an example of a con-stituent element eomprising electrodes of the present inven-tion, the ends of a tubular negative aluminum eleetrode 2 and a rod-shaped positive earbon eleetrode 1 provide the most potential for the build-up of eleetrons and eonsequent 9 ~
2-elease thel-eof, therel~y raci.li~at:incJ a concentrated current fl.ow bet~eell th~ el.ectroc~es. :Initially, it was deeided to merely al~p].y a coat;.ng of electrically i.nsulative material arourl(l tlle ends oE the el.ectrodes. 'l'~li.s appli.cation could be accomp.l.islle-l by a si.mp1.e metllod in ~/hicll the electrodes ere (.li~ e(l il\~o a ~lui.d p.lasti.c meclium wl~ich when dried left a llom-)cJ{!nec)us coatil~g o[ elecl:l-i.cal. .insu~a~ion over the encls or t:he ol.ectl-o(los. :ln ~-hi~ rer.pect, the electrodes were dipped into the fluid plastic medium to only a small extent leaving an electrically insulative coating which extended only a few millimeters back from the ends of the electrocles. Tes-ts were conducted with these electrodes which showed an obvious improvement over similar electrodes which did not have any eleetrical insulatiorl over the e].ectrode ends.
Further investi.gations revealed that more effective results could be aehieved by dipping the eleetrodes further into the fluid plastic medium, i.e. by increasing the longi-tudinal amount to which the electrodes were eovered with the electrical insulation. Such a finding tllen prompted the idea of providing the electrodes with a covering of electri-cal insulation substantially over the entirety thereof.
Again, tests of eleetrodes having a covering of electrical insulation substantially over the entirety thereof showed that sueh eleetrodes could ionize fluid having a high elee-troeonduetive eapability with a great deal of effieiency.
These tests were earried out by a step-by-step proeess of sequentially inereasing the eoverage of the electrodes with an eleetrieally insulative material and testing the effeets of sueh eleetrieally insulative material after eaeh time the insulative material was applied over the eleetrodes.
These tests showed that the effeetiveness of the device with fluids having high degrees of el~etroeonduetive eapa-bilities was successively improved until the tubular aluminum e l e~ ~ rO(10 '~ wa '. (- Olllp 1 e l O I y COVe ~ cd W i. t~ he electr.ically i.nslllative mater;al. sucll that tllere was no direct contact betweell tlle r.l.~lid to be treated and the el.ectrical].y contlllcti.ve materi.al (a:l.umi.llum) o~ the electrode.
I:t wollld be expect:ed tllat there would be very little possibi.l.ity o~ current ~low be.illg produced between the tubll.l.ar alumilllllll electrode 2 and tlle ro(:l-sllape(l carbon C~ l.l!('t.l C)(l(` :I Wll~'ll 011(` ) f ~:il(! (' I (`C~ W;l!i ('0111~ 1 y !;0.1 1 o~l ~rom the flui.(l to be treate(l by the covering o~ electrically insulative material. ~ven the existence of a voltage potential seemed doubtful to the present inventor. However, a very sensiti.ve volt meter showed that there did in fact exist a voltage potential between the two electrodes described above.
Accordingly, after finding out that a voltage potential did exist with one electrode (aluminum electrode 2) being insulated, it was then decided to also examine what would occur if the electrically conductive materi.al of the other electrode (carbon electrode) 1 were sealed as well against direct contact with the fluid to be treated. Testing of an apparatus in which the electrically conductive material of both the negative aluminum electrode and the positive carbon electrode were completely sealed against direct physical contact with -the fluid to be treated by respective coverings of electrically insulative material showed a further improvement in the performance of the apparatus in the ionization of fluids having very high electroconductive capabilities. Again, a voltage measurement was taken to show the presence of a voltage potential between the electrodes.
In view of the fact that the presence Oc a voltage potential between the positive and negative electrodes was unexpected, because the electrically conductive materials of the electrodes were completely covered with electrically 2 ~ 8 in~.;u.lative material ~(:)rmill~ a ~;oal aCI.li.lls'C clirect physical con~act with tlle rluiil lo be treclteCI~ i.t was decided to more Eull.y veri.Ly the existence o~ tlle vo:l.tage potential anA
ascertai.~ etller tllere was .in ~act a complete seal of ~he electrically conductive material agains~ tlle fluid to be.
treated.
~ negative a:Luminllm electl-ode W..1S comp.l.etely covered w;tll el.ectri.ca].ly .insll.lal:.ivc matel-icll. I)y dil)~ lc3 ~he electrode into a fluid plastic medium. 'rl-le negative electrode was then partly immersed in water and a minute portion of tlle electrically conductive material was exposed at the end of the electrode and cleaned to allow the electrically conductive material to be conneeted to a sensitive meter for measuring electrie resistance. A piece of uncovered aluminum was attached to the other~pole of the meter and was partly immersed i.n the water together with the covered aluminum electrode. Under these conditions, the meter showed a reading of infinite electric resistance indicating that there was no direet physical contaet of the water with the covered eleetrode.
The uneovered pieee of aluminum was replaced with a pieee of earbon, and a voltage reading of o.g volts was measured by a sensitive volt meter. ~s it had been previously eonfirmed that the eleetrically conductive material of the aluminum electrode was completely sealed against direct physical contact with the water, the above presence of a measurable voltage is postured to be due to a eapacitive effeet.
The same testing procedure was then carried out with a earbon eleetrode whieh was also covered with eleetrieally in~ula~ive m~terial . A voltage potential ol~ O . 9 volts was measured by a sensitive volt meter when a eovered negative aluminum eleetrode and a eovered positive carbon electrode were both partly immersed in water with the exposed ends thereof eonnected to the volt meter.
2 ~ 8 ol\ce havi~lg lesc~ e-l ~die ~`oulldatioll upon which the clreel:~ Or l-l~e l~-ese~ illvel~t;oll are helieved to be based, p]-~fel-re~l ~ml~o~linlerlts ~-1 the present invent;on will now be de~ etl w;~:h rererellcc to ligs~ 7.
In ligs. 7-~" rel`c~ellce numeral 1 clesign~tes a rod-sll.lpe(l poL;;tive electro(le o~ electrically conductive material (carbon) wllile relerellce numeral 2 designates a J;l~.i.V(~ (,r ~i(.'C~ Iyl (:oll(l~lctivc~
~ater;al (aluminum) that is spaced (radially) from the electrically conductive material Or the positive electrode L. Such compollellts are basically identical to that clescribed above with reference to ~ig. 1.
In the embodiment of Fig. 2, each of the electrodes 1, 2 has a covering 3, ~ o~ electrically insuLative material extending around the entirety thereof so that each of the electrodes 1, 2 are sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus. ~ny plastic material can be used as the insulative material. Non-toxic plastic has to be used when the apparatus is used to treat drinking water. Tough plastic is preferable for preventing wear. The fluid is caused to flow in the direction of the arrows between the electrodes.
The electrically conductive materials of the electrodes 1, 2 have different electrochemical potentials such that when the body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed bet~een the electrodes, as represented by the arrows, an electroconductive connection that develops an electric potential between the electrodes 1, 2 is established through the body of fluid by the capacitive effect described above, whereby the fluid is ionized. In the embodiment Of Fiy. 2, the electrodes are electrically isolated from one another in the apparatus so that the electroconductive connection of the electrodes is only established through the body of fluid to be treated.
~iUCIl a CC)ll(~ iO11 al~o eY~i51-~. ;11 tlle emhoclime1lts of Figs. 3-5 whic11 w;11 be c1escr1he(1 ;n more detail below. Each of the embo(1irne1lts o~ FicJs. 2-5 can ~hus be considered to be se~f-ge11erat;1lcl systems as no ex~-ernal energy is required to erfect a volt:age ~o~entia1 givi11~ rise to the ionization oE
t1-1~ f~1ic1.
~ en t11e apparatus Or 1;ig. 2, co111pris~11g a negative a~ m;1l~1 eLeetroc1e 2 ar1d a positive carbo1l e1ectrode 1 eac~
having a covering o electrical]y insulative material, was tes~ed excellent results were observed with fluid having a high level of electroconductive capability. 11owever, when the apparatus was tested with fluid llaving a low level of elec- troconduetive capability, of approximately 200 to 300 S/cm, reduced efficiency was apparent. It should be noted that when the electrodes of Fig. l without the c~over of electrically insulative material were tested with fluid having a low degree of electroconductive capability of approximately 200 to 300 1-S/cm, excellent results regarding the ionization of the fluid were observed; however, with fluid having a very higl1 degree of electroconductive capability, the efficiency of ioni~ation was very low. It beeame apparent from these tests that some form of control was neeessary to balance the performance of the device to suit a most desirable range of fluid electroconductivity levels. Three methods of control were tested:
(l) Providing the eovering of eleetrieally insulative material over only one of the eleetrodes;
(2) Providing an electrically conductive eonnection between two eleetrodes eaeh having a eovering of eleetrieally insulative material; and t3) Providing an eleetrieally eonduetive eonneetion between an uneovered eleetrode and one eleetrode eovered with eleetrieally insulative material.
2 ~
~ 1n tl1e el11l)o~1i.me11t oll 1`i~. :3, only one of ttle electrodes (negative a Illllli lllllll elC(,I ro(le) ha5 a coveril1g of electrically i.ns\11ative mat(?~-ia:l 4 cxtel1(:1il)cJ arour1d the entirety thereof.
'I`l~e electriccll1y cond11ctive materia.1. of the other electrode 1 (tl~c positi.ve carbon electrode) i.s exposed to the space l~ctwccn tl~c el.e~tr;.ca.l1.y cor~ ctive materi.als oE the elec-trodcs sl~ch tl~at it is not sea.led agail1st di.rect physical conta1ct wi.tl1 ll~e r1ui(:1 t(> be treatc(.1. ~ s1lch nn em)10di-ment was tested with f]uid having a low deyree of electro-conc111ctive capabi.1ity, o~ about 200 to 300 lLs/cm~ the results o1~served sl~owed an acceE~table performance with regard to the ionization of the fluid. I~owever, the effectiveness of this embodiment with f1.uids having high degrees of electroconductive capability is comparatively small.
In tl1e embodiment of Fig. 4, each of the electrodes l, 2 has a coveriny 3, ~ of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so that each of the electrodes l, 2 are sealed from direct contact with the body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus.
Electrical connection means 5 or 5~ extend between and are directly electrically connected to the electrically conduc-tive materials of the electrodes l, 2. T1-us, an electric circuit is established in the embodiment of Fig. 4 from one of the electrodes, througt1 the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of the electrodes, and back to said one of the electrodes via the electrical connection means 5 or 5A. The electrical connection means can include a resistor 5 or can consist of an electrical lead wire 5A.
A series of tests employing different electric resistive levels were carried out with the embodiment of Fig. 4. The different electric resistive levels range from a high resistance of l,000,000 ohms down to the direct electrical connection of 0 ohms. It was found that a range of control of the effectiveness of the device over fluids varying from 2` ~
hi-JIl ~Icql-ees Or elecl:l-icoc:ondllctive capability to low dccJrees Or electl-ocollducti.ve c ~pahi.l.ity coukl be obtainecl by ~ppl.y;nq (li.f~erellt resist-ivc levels het~/eerl the two covered electrodes.
'I`he ~mbo(limellt: ol` I:ig. 5 is tlle same as that of Fig. ~
e.Ycet?t in that only one o~ t:he electrodes (negative alumillum electrode) llas a coVerincJ ~ o[ eLectrical]y insulative matcrial e~tell(l;llcJ arollll(l s~lhslnlllt:;ally t-l~e rlltirct:y thereof. Again, tests were conclucted using a range of electric resistance from 1,000,000 ohms to O ohms. These tests showed that a suitable control could be obtained for fluids varyiny from a lligh degree of electroconductive capability to a low degree of electroconductive capability.
I~owever, the values of resistance employed were required to be greater tllan when both the positive and negat~ive electrodes were covered with electrically insulative material as in the embodiment of Fig. 4.
Again, reference is made herein to tlle fact that the resistor 5 or direct electrical connection by electrical lead wire 5A is used as a control on the range of electroconductive capabilities of the fluids over which the apparatus of the present invention is effective. As discussed above, a resistor or direct electrical connection between the electrodes in prior devices, in which the electrodes were both fully exposed to contact the fluid, was employed as a current control device.
In the embodiments of Figs. 2-G in which a self-generated electric potential is produced between the electrodes, at least one of which has a covering of electrically iosulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof, the resulting ionization of the fluid may be explained by reason that an electron under certain conditions is able to pass through a thin insulative barrier. Ilowever, there would be only a small 2 0 ~ 8 rlO~J ol: electrolls ulldel^ suc~ nditioll a~d tllerefore the presel1ce Or electric currellt wou:ld be e~tremely limited ~ JIlell al-lmi.llum and cclrholl e.Lectrodes are e~mployed, tlle e~.ectroll flow is rrom the aLumirlllm electrode to the carbon electrode. ~ lus, i~ the alum;.llum ~ncl carbon electrodes are provided ~Jith electr;.cally .insulative materi.al, the amount of electrolls f.l.owillg rrom the al-lmil~um electrocle to the carhon el.ectl-c)de :is sevel-ely ~ ed ~-t- n~t: comr)letely stopped. There will still be a number of electrons escapinq throuyll the thin insulative material and passing between the electrodes through the fl.uid. If only one electrode, for example, the aluminum electrode, is covered with the electrically insulative material, and the other electrode (carbon electrode) is left exposed, the exposed carbon electrode will be free to strongly receive electrons thereby inducing an increase in the number of electrons flowing through the electrically insulative material covering the aluminum electrode.
Whell the electrical connection means, such as 5 or 5A, external of the fluid to be treated is connected between the electrodes, the electrical pressure is increased resulting in a corresponding increase in the number of electrons escaping through the electrically insulative material.
As the discussion makes evident, the electroconductive capability of the flu;d is a very important factor because the fluid is the principle medium between the electrodes.
When the electroconductive capability of the fluid is high, the resistance to electric flow is low. In f luid having a very high degree of electroconductive eapability, the fluid electric resistanee may be as low as a few ohms per square eentimeter. This fact of course promotes a flow of electrons between the electrodes and an increase in the number of electrons escaping through the electrically insulative material.
2 ~
~ v~ o~ ;c~ r~Eerence to l'igs. ~ -'i, i.c. in t:l~c s~ gcllel-at~i.llg systems, the fluid ;~c~:s .1S al~ l rolyte ~:o l)ro(luc~ t~lle requi.red voltaye l~otential.17ct~ecl) the electrocles arld also acts in part as a di.elect1-ic bet:ween the el.ectrodes ;.n faci.litating ~he .lp~lci.tive ~rr~ct.
]:t b~came aprlal-el~t that clesiral):le results could also be of electri.c erlergy. In such a case, tlle electrodes could be made of any electroconductive materials, even tlle same material. Furtllermore, in the initial research of the self-cJellerating systems described above, the electric potential was polarized. Ilowever, wllen an external source of electric energy is applied, the electric potential could be either polarized or alternating. In such a case, the fluid being treated would act only as a dielectric, and not as both an electrolyte and dielectric as in the above-described self-generating systems.
In the embodiment of Fig. 6, reference numeral 6 designates a first electrode of electrically conductive material and reference numeral 7 designates a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced (radially) from the electrically conductive material of the first electrodes. ~t least one of the electrodes, and in this case both of the electrodes, has a covering 8 or 9 of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal the respective electrode(s) from direct contact with the body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus. External electric supply connection means in tie form of contacts 10, 11 are electrically connected to the electrodes 7, G, respectively, for connecting the electrodes to an external source of electric energy. Thus, when a body of electrically conduc-ti.ve fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed y~
i~et:weel1 Ihe elecl:ro(1es, ac; showl1 l~y the arrows, and a source Or c~.eotrie enel-gy 1~ i. conl1ectecl to tl1e eleetrocles via e1.ectrical. col1tacts ]o~ 1.1., an electroconductive connection betweel1 the e].ectroc1es ;.s estab1.;.shec1 througi1 the body of fl.ui.c1 by a capac;.ti.ve c~Cfect ~/hereby the f1.uid is ionized.
'I`l1e e1l1boc1imel1t oE ~;.g. 6 was testec1 using first and second e1ectroc1es of tl1c same electrocc)l1(1uctive materia].s, c - ~J (-C~ (.'r ~ "" Cill~ t~ ` r-c~ l t-~l Or ~ sC~ ~:e-;t~3 were comparable with those of the self-generatil1g systems in which the electrodes havil1g dif~erent eleetroehemieal potenti.als, e.g. aluminum and earbon, were employed.
It is possible to provide a range of eontrol in the embodiment of Fig. 6 to aecommodate various degrees of e1.eetroeonduetive eapabilities of fluid by simply adjusting the level of voltage potential provided by the external eleetrie energy souree(13~
Fig. 7 show5 the practical form oE the apparatus aeeording to the present invention. In Fig. 7, referenee numeral 14 designates a pipe in whiel1 eleetrodes l, 2 are disposed. As shown i.n the figure, the pipe l4 has flanges at the ends thereof whieh seeure the apparatus in-line to flui.d piping. At least one eleetrieally insulative supporting member 13 extends diametrieally of the pipe 14 and is eonneeted to the rod-shaped eleetrode l so as to support the rod-shaped eleetrode l within the pipe 14. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, eaeh of the eleetrodes l, 2 has a respeetive eovering 3, 4 of eleetrieally insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof. Referenee numeral lS designates a seeondary layer of eleetrieal insulation.
Although the present invention has been fully deseribed in eonneetion with the preferred embodiments thereof with referenee to the aeeompanying drawings, it is to be noted that numerous el-anges and modifieations will beeome apparent to Ihoc:e Or or(Ii~ ry ~.Iil:I in ~:IIe art. Ior examp~e, .
aII.houcJII l-IIe pI-el`elre(I cmI)o(IimeIlts In~ve beeIl dcscribed ~/ith respect ta an outer t:ubuI.ar electrode ancl rod-1.ike inner clectrocle extencIi.IlcJ ax;.alI.y w;.thiIl tlIe outer tubular e].ectrode, otIIer rorms of tlle electrode may be emp10yed. In a(.Id;.ti.on, materials otller thaIl tIIose specifically clisclosed carl be emI)I.oye(I a5 the eIectri.calIy cond-1ct;.ve material.of t:l~c c l ~ o~ r3 . A(. ~ -J l y ~
modi.r;.cat;.ons, wIIich are seen to be within the true spirit ancl scope of tlle present invention, are to be understood as encompassecI by the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
~ .
- 18 :
Claims (27)
1. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid, said apparatus comprising:
a positive electrode of electrically conduc-tive material; and a negative electrode of electrically conduc-tive material that is spaced from the electrically conduc-tive material of said positive electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus, and the electrically conductive materials of said electrodes having different electrochemical potentials such that when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed between said elec-trodes, an electroconductive connection that develops an electroconductive connection between said electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect whereby the fluid is ionized.
a positive electrode of electrically conduc-tive material; and a negative electrode of electrically conduc-tive material that is spaced from the electrically conduc-tive material of said positive electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus, and the electrically conductive materials of said electrodes having different electrochemical potentials such that when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed between said elec-trodes, an electroconductive connection that develops an electroconductive connection between said electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect whereby the fluid is ionized.
2. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said electrodes has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around the entirety thereof so that each of said electrodes is sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus, and said electrodes are electrically isolated from one another in the apparatus so that said electroconductive connection is only estab-lished through the body of fluid to be treated.
3. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein only one of said electrodes has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around the entirety thereof, the electri-cally conductive material of the other of said electrodes is exposed to the space between the electrically conductive materials of said electrodes, and said electrodes are electrically isolated from one another in the apparatus so that said electroconductive connection is only established through the body of fluid to be treated.
4. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said electrodes has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so that each of said electrodes is sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus, and further comprising electrical connection means extending between and directly electrically connected to the electrically conduc-tive materials of said electrodes for establishing an electric circuit in the apparatus from one of said elec-trodes, through the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of said electrodes, and to said one of said electrodes via said electrical connection means.
5. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electrical connec-tion means includes a resistor.
6. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electrical connec-tion means consists of an electrical lead wire.
7. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein only one of said elec-trodes has a said covering of electrically insulative mater-ial extending around substantially the entirety thereof, and further comprising electrical connection means extending between and directly electrically connected to the electri-cally conductive materials of said electrodes for establish-ing an electric circuit in the apparatus from one of said electrodes, through the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of said electrodes, and to said one of said electrodes via said electrical connection means.
8. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrical connec-tion means includes a resistor.
9. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrical connec-tion means consists of an electrical lead wire.
10. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said positive and said negative electrodes is rod-shaped.
11. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 10, wherein the other of said electrodes is tubular and extends around said one of said electrodes.
12. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 11, and further comprising a pipe in which said electrodes are disposed, said pipe having attaching means for securing the apparatus in-line to piping, and at least one electrically insulative supporting member extending diametrically of said pipe and connected to the rod-shaped electrode so as to support the rod-shaped electrode within said pipe.
13. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said elec-trodes has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof.
14. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive material of said negative electrode is aluminum, and the electrically conductive material of said positive electrode is carbon.
15. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid, said apparatus comprising:
a first electrode of electrically conductive material;
a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced from the electrically conductive material of said first electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus; and external electric supply connection means electrically connected to said electrodes for connecting said electrodes to an external source of electric energy such that when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed between said elec-trodes and a source of electric energy is connected to said electrodes via said external electric supply connection means, an electroconductive connection between said elec-trodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaci-tive effect whereby the fluid is ionized.
a first electrode of electrically conductive material;
a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced from the electrically conductive material of said first electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus; and external electric supply connection means electrically connected to said electrodes for connecting said electrodes to an external source of electric energy such that when a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus is interposed between said elec-trodes and a source of electric energy is connected to said electrodes via said external electric supply connection means, an electroconductive connection between said elec-trodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaci-tive effect whereby the fluid is ionized.
16. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said elec-trodes has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound.
17. Apparatus for treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said first and second electrodes are of the same electroconductive materials.
18. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid, said method comprising:
providing a positive electrode of electrically conductive material;
providing a negative electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced apart from the electri-cally conductive material of said positive electrode, and which has an electrochemical potential that is different from that of the electrically conductive material of said positive electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus; and causing a body of electrically conductive fluid to flow over said electrodes so as to establish an electroconductive connection of said electrodes by a capaci-tive effect, thereby developing an electroconductive poten-tial between said electrodes which causes the body of electrically conductive fluid to be ionized.
providing a positive electrode of electrically conductive material;
providing a negative electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced apart from the electri-cally conductive material of said positive electrode, and which has an electrochemical potential that is different from that of the electrically conductive material of said positive electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of electrically conductive fluid to be treated in the appara-tus; and causing a body of electrically conductive fluid to flow over said electrodes so as to establish an electroconductive connection of said electrodes by a capaci-tive effect, thereby developing an electroconductive poten-tial between said electrodes which causes the body of electrically conductive fluid to be ionized.
19. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing positive and negative elec-trodes electrically isolated from one another and each having a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around the entirety thereof so that each of said electrodes are sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus, and so that said electroconductive connection is only established through the body of fluid.
20. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing positive and negative elec-trodes electrically isolated from one another and only one of which has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around the entirety thereof so that the electrically conductive material of the other of said electrodes is exposed to the space between the electrically conductive materials of said electrodes, and so that said electroconductive connection is only established through the body of fluid.
21. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing positive and negative elec-trodes directly electrically connected to one another and each of which has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so that each of said electrodes are sealed from direct contact with a body of fluid to be treated in the apparatus, and so that an electric circuit is established from one of said electrodes through the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of said electrodes, and to sad one of said electrodes.
22. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing positive and negative elec-trodes directly electrically connected to one another and only one of which has a said covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so that the electrically conductive material of the other of said electrodes is exposed to the space between the electrically conductive materials of said electrodes, and so that an electric circuit is established from one of said electrodes through the body of fluid to be treated, to the other of said electrodes, and to said one of said electrodes.
23. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of causing a body of electroconductive fluid to flow comprises connecting said electrodes in-line with piping of a fluid system.
24. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing a negative electrode of aluminum and a positive electrode of carbon.
25. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid, said method comprising:
providing a first electrode of electrically conductive material;
providing a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced from the electrically conductive material of said first electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of elec-trically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus;
connecting an external source of electric energy to said electrodes; and causing a body of electrically conductive fluid to flow over said electrodes with electric energy supplied to the electrodes by the source of electric energy so that an electroconductive connection between said elec-trodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaci-tive effect which causes the electrically conductive fluid to be ionized.
providing a first electrode of electrically conductive material;
providing a second electrode of electrically conductive material that is spaced from the electrically conductive material of said first electrode, at least one of said electrodes having a covering of electrically insulative material extending around substantially the entirety thereof so as to seal said at least one electrode from direct contact with a body of elec-trically conductive fluid to be treated in the apparatus;
connecting an external source of electric energy to said electrodes; and causing a body of electrically conductive fluid to flow over said electrodes with electric energy supplied to the electrodes by the source of electric energy so that an electroconductive connection between said elec-trodes is established through the body of fluid by a capaci-tive effect which causes the electrically conductive fluid to be ionized.
26. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 25, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing first and second electrodes each having a said covering of electrically insulative material extending substantially therearound.
27. A method of treating electrically conductive fluid as claimed in claim 25, wherein the steps of providing the electrodes comprise providing first and second electrodes of the same electroconductive material.
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|---|---|---|---|
| US07/649,461 | 1991-02-05 | ||
| US07/649,461 US5234555A (en) | 1991-02-05 | 1991-02-05 | Method and apparatus for ionizing fluids utilizing a capacitive effect |
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|---|---|
| CA2041198A1 true CA2041198A1 (en) | 1992-08-06 |
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| CA002041198A Abandoned CA2041198A1 (en) | 1991-02-05 | 1991-04-25 | Method and apparatus for ionizing fluids utilizing a capacitive effect |
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| US (1) | US5234555A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0498098B2 (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3801492A (en) * | 1970-05-18 | 1974-04-02 | A King | Apparatus for electrically treating liquids |
| US3871989A (en) * | 1972-10-17 | 1975-03-18 | Arthur S King | Apparatus for flocculation of dissolved substances |
| US4073712A (en) * | 1976-11-19 | 1978-02-14 | Electrostatic Equipment Company | Electrostatic water treatment |
| US5102515A (en) * | 1990-07-20 | 1992-04-07 | Ibbott Jack Kenneth | Method and apparatus for treating fluid |
-
1991
- 1991-02-05 US US07/649,461 patent/US5234555A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-04-09 AU AU74200/91A patent/AU645300B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-04-25 KR KR1019910006665A patent/KR960000305B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-04-25 CA CA002041198A patent/CA2041198A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-30 ES ES91303888T patent/ES2061180T5/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-30 DE DE69104471T patent/DE69104471T3/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-04-30 AT AT91303888T patent/ATE112539T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-04-30 EP EP91303888A patent/EP0498098B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-30 DK DK91303888T patent/DK0498098T4/en active
- 1991-12-19 JP JP3337076A patent/JPH0798188B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-11-03 GR GR990402846T patent/GR3031747T3/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR920016351A (en) | 1992-09-24 |
| EP0498098B2 (en) | 1999-08-18 |
| GR3031747T3 (en) | 2000-02-29 |
| KR960000305B1 (en) | 1996-01-04 |
| DE69104471T2 (en) | 1995-05-11 |
| JPH04310282A (en) | 1992-11-02 |
| AU645300B2 (en) | 1994-01-13 |
| JPH0798188B2 (en) | 1995-10-25 |
| DK0498098T4 (en) | 1999-12-06 |
| US5234555A (en) | 1993-08-10 |
| DE69104471D1 (en) | 1994-11-10 |
| EP0498098B1 (en) | 1994-10-05 |
| ES2061180T3 (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| DK0498098T3 (en) | 1995-03-13 |
| EP0498098A1 (en) | 1992-08-12 |
| AU7420091A (en) | 1992-08-13 |
| ATE112539T1 (en) | 1994-10-15 |
| ES2061180T5 (en) | 2000-01-16 |
| DE69104471T3 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |