Abstract: A system and component, as well as a method of using them, according to disclosed embodiments of the present invention, relate to the use of at least one electrode positioned in a flowing fluid having entrained unwanted substances. The electrode is energized electrically to provide current flow in the fluid to produce a sufficient amount of electrical power in the flowing fluid to cause substances in the fluid to be disturbed for effectively treating the fluid.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that exposure of a variety of fluids to electrical energy improves the purity thereof. In addition, exposure to electrical energy also imparts a variety of additional advantages to purification processes to which fluids are commonly subjected, such as, for example, reverse osmosis, filtration, liquid separation processes, and the like. For example, invention treatment may prolong the operating life of reverse osmosis membranes, may reduce the propensity of contaminants in fluid being treated to foul a membrane, may increase the flow rate of fluid through a membrane being used for the purification thereof, may reduce the volume of fluid required to produce a unit of treated fluid in a reverse osmosis process, may reduce the pressure required to transport fluid across a membrane being used for the treatment thereof, and the like.