Abstract: Foam is produced electrolytically in a liquid having foaming tendencies through the use of closely spaced electrodes of opposite polarity that are disposed in substantially upright dispositions within the body of liquid being treated. The electrodes extend from a position deep within the body to a point at or above the surface of the body, and the electrodes are so formed or are associated with such other structure that bubbles generated within the columnar treating region between the electrodes cannot escape from the electrodes until reaching the surface of the liquid, thereby being confined and exposed to the electrodes throughout the full extent of travel by the bubbles to the surface. By regulating the position of the bubble outlet relative to the surface of the liquid, the characteristics of the foam produced from the bubble discharge may be varied, e.g.

Abstract: A liquid containing suspended solids is first passed through an electrostatic treater, having no current flow across its electrodes, to initiate nucleation and coagulation of the particles. Thereafter, it passes through an electrolytic treater wherein current may flow between the electrodes to further encourage coagulation to such an extent that flocculation begins. The residual effects of the electrostatic treater prevent plating out on the electrodes of the electrolytic treater such that electrolysis can occur without sacrificing an electrode, and the electrodes are so arranged that the liquid passes sequentially through groups of concentrated lines of force whose repetitious, powerful action further encourages flocculation.

Abstract: A liquid containing suspended solids is first passed through an electrostatic treater, having no current flow across its electrodes, to initiate nucleation and coagulation of the particles. Thereafter, it passes through an electrolytic treater wherein current may flow between the electrodes to further encourage coagulation to such an extent that flocculation begins. The residual effects of the electrostatic treater prevent plating out on the electrodes of the electrolytic treater such that electrolysis can occur without sacrificing an electrode, and the electrodes are so arranged that the liquid passes sequentially through groups of concentrated lines of force whose repetitious, powerful action further encourages flocculation.

Abstract: Hypochlorite is produced by mixing chlorine and a strong alkali solution within a completely closed region filled with solution to eliminate the presence of any air pockets, thereby assuring that the gaseous chlorine will not escape from the solution during the mixing process. In carrying out the mixing step, the alkali solution and chlorine are introduced through relatively closely-spaced small streams into an enlarged chamber so that, effectively, mixing occurs by small amounts at the point of introduction of the two streams, instead of simply introducing a small amount of chlorine into a large volume of alkali solution. Mixing is further enhanced by the fact that the two streams are introduced tangentially into the chamber at diametrically opposed locations so that they swirl upwardly through the chamber in laminar flow relationship.