Abstract: The concentrically disposed inner and outer electrodes of the treater are electrically insulated from one another across the annular treating region therebetween such that fluid flowing through the region is exposed only to an electric force field and not to electrical current flow. The lines of force between the two electrodes would normally extend radially across the region, but the introduction of a ring of separate conductors around the inner electrode and in parallelism therewith causes the field to be warped into a series of discrete concentrations as the region is circularly traversed. As a result of their insertion into the electric field, the warping conductors become oppositely charged over the two oppositely facing halves thereof, each conductor having its half facing the inner electrode charged oppositely to such inner electrode, while the half facing the outer electrode is charged oppositely of the outer electrode.

Abstract: A fluid treater relies upon the presence of an electric field in a treating region, without electrical current flow, to cause solids suspended in the fluid to precipitate therefrom after the fluid has passed through the treater. The treater has concentrically disposed electrodes, the inner of which is negatively charged and is bare, having direct, physical contact with the fluid flowing in the region between the electrodes so that the electric field produced in such region is greatly intensified, thereby accelerating and promoting the action of the field upon the fluid. The housing of the treater is constructed from a suitable polyvinylchloride resin and serves as a dielectric between the electrodes to prevent electrical current flow through the treating region. The dielectric housing enables the treater to withstand high power applications, thereby further promoting precipitation.