Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment media for purifying water, and methods for forming such treatment media. Formation of the treatment media of the present invention entails heating an alumina substrate to a temperature in the range of 375° F. to 300° F. and then depositing a predetermined quantity and concentration of silver onto the activated alumina substrate such that silver ions are released and catalysis reactions occur, thus beneficially ensuring both an immediate and a residual germicidal effect to water that is treated by the treatment media.

Abstract: A catalyst for the purification, e.g., disinfection, of water is disclosed. The catalyst of the invention comprises a substrate, a first metal, and at least one additional metal. The metals are codeposited on the substrate to form a unified structure. Methods of using the catalyst to disinfect water and devices for the purification of water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water purifier for killing bacteria in water located in a confined area includes a water inlet, a water outlet, and a purification unit that kills the bacteria in the water. A first fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet so that water flowing along the first fluid path flows from the water inlet to the water outlet without passing through the purification unit, and includes a constricted region that has a cross sectional area that is smaller than a cross sectional area of the water inlet. A second fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet, and includes the purification unit, so that water flowing along the second fluid path flows through the purification unit as the water flows from the water inlet to the water outlet.

Abstract: A method of treating water to kill bacteria therein includes exposing the water to a silver catalyst in the presence of oxygen to form an active oxidizer in the water. The silver catalyst includes elemental silver deposited on a high surface area alumina matrix. In one form of the method the active oxidizer formed is predominantly hydrogen peroxide, whereas in a second form of the method an oxidizable salt is added to the water so that the active oxidizer formed is predominantly oxidized ions of the salt. The method can be effectively carried out by adding oxygen in the form of O.sub.2 ozone to the water prior to exposing it to the catalyst.

Abstract: A composition and method for the bactericidal treatment of water with oligodynamic metal ions. The composition comprises a particulate silver yielding material and a particulate filler material which is intermixed with the silver yielding material. The silver yielding material comprises a highly porous carrier having a hardness which is greater than that of elemental silver and a layer of elemental silver on the surfaces of the carrier, and the filler material comprises a material, such as charcoal, having a hardness which is less than that of elemental silver. The composition is utilized in accordance with the method of the invention by passing a stream of water through a quantity of the composition to cause the particles of silver yielding material to mechanically interact with each other to release silver into the water.

Abstract: A water purification system for use with a pool or the like in which a small quantity of water can be continually withdrawn from the pool for recycling. The system involves the use of silver impregnated activated charcoal granules as a combination filter and antimicrobial agent such that the need for chlorine and other conventional chemical treatment of the pool is eliminated or vastly diminished. A small portion of the water being recycled is diverted and so treated with the silver impregnated activated charcoal such that small amounts of silver ions are released into the water such that the silver concentration in the pool is maintained at a level effective to kill essentially all bacteria present therein.