Abstract: An improved electro-coalescent/magnetic separation (ECMS) system for removing contaminants from water, including desalinization, comprises a device for exposing a stream of water to be treated to an electric field, followed by introduction of ionized coagulating substances, including ionized gases and/or metal ions, followed by plural filter stages. The first filter stage may comprise a polarizable glass, alumina, or ceramic media provided as a bed in a tank with an underdrain, so as to provide substantial residence time. A polishing filter may comprise a very fine fiber or organic gel filter element confined between relatively flexible electrically-conductive screen members and provided with a DC power supply to polarize the filter. This assembly is confined between relatively rigid, perforated members such that the filter assembly can move slightly upon backwash to dislodge caked-on contaminants or the like, while preserving the structural integrity of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting water streams comprises a source of ionized plasma, that is, a stream of air including ionized oxygen and nitrogen gas molecules, including ozone, and an additional source of metal ions. The gas plasma is introduced into the water stream upstream of the metal ion stream to produce a variety of oxidizing, coagulating, and disinfecting reactions. Further, the metal ions combine with the gas ions to form additionally known disinfectant compounds. The source of ionized gas molecules is an ultraviolet lamp juxtaposed to a coil providing electric and/or magnetic fields, to excite and ionize oxygen and nitrogen molecules of the air. The sacrificial electrodes may comprise alloy members of the metal elements to be provided to the water stream. A DC potential applied to the electrodes is uniformly reversed at intervals, to encourage sacrificial erosion thereof.

Abstract: An improved sterilizer for destroying biological contaminants in water comprises an annular water jacket through which the water stream flows, disposed around a high-intensity ultraviolet source comprising a number of lamps and a source of an intense magnetic field. Additionally, an air stream flows past the lamps, cooling the lamps, while being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation and the magnetic field, so that oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmospheric air stream are ionized. This ionized air stream is further mixed with the water stream to continually reduce and oxidize contaminants therein, and to promote coagulation of contaminants for physical filtration and removal.

Abstract: An improved electro-coalescent/magnetic separation (ECMS) system for removing contaminants from water, including desalinization, comprises a device for exposing a stream of water to be treated to an electric field, followed by introduction of ionized coagulating substances, including ionized gases and/or metal ions, followed by plural filter stages. The first filter stage may comprise a polarizable glass, alumina, or ceramic media provided as a bed in a tank with an underdrain, so as to provide substantial residence time. A polishing filter may comprise a very fine fiber or organic gel filter element confined between relatively flexible electrically-conductive screen members and provided with a DC power supply to polarize the filter. This assembly is confined between relatively rigid, perforated members such that the filter assembly can move slightly upon backwash to dislodge caked-on contaminants or the like, while preserving the structural integrity of the filter assembly.

Abstract: An improved system and a novel vessel and method for treating contaminated liquids, e.g., aqueous effluent streams, contaminated with a variety of contaminants. The vessel comprises upper and lower mixing chambers connected by an intermediate tubular section and a fluid exit tube running coaxially down the center of the intermediate tubular portion. The contaminated fluid stream to be treated flows in a spiral pattern generally upwardly entering the exit tube at its upper end and flowing downwardly to a lower exit. A magnetic field may be induced in the flow stream. Streams of the fluid to be treated and of an ionized coagulant are combined prior to entry into the vessel and are subjected to very turbulent flow and to the magnetic field, to encourage both very thorough mixing and magnetic coalescing of the coagulant with the fluid to be treated. Magnetite particles may additionally be added to the flow stream to further encourage coagulation in the presence of a magnetic field.