Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that uses a device that presents a surface of a dielectric material to a flowing or circulating fluid that results in charge being created at a boundary layer of the dielectric where it contacts the fluid by ion exchange and charging of compounds, for example insoluble dielectric particles such as colloids, and using at least one control impedance to control an impressed current in the fluid caused by the fluid flowing through the device and to cause suspended particles in the fluid to be charged, whereby the charge of the suspended particles is then neutralised causing coagulation of the particles as suspended insoluble particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an environmentally friendly fluid treatment assembly comprising: a back-flushable filter, a fluid conditioning device and a control valve. During normal operation, fluid is directed by the control valve to pass through the conditioning device wherein the precipitation of solids dissolved within the fluid takes place. The fluid is then directed to flow through a filter medium within the back-flushable filter where precipitates and other solids are removed from the flow. The fluid then exits the assembly via the control valve. During back-flushing, the direction of fluid flow through the assembly is reversed and the filter medium is fluidised while precipitates and other solids are flushed out of the filter through the control valve. The assembly finds particular but not exclusive application to the treatment of water. Water treatment devices comprising an embodiment of the present invention lead to the precipitation of carbonates from hard water and removes those precipitates from the water flow.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device, especially for reducing or removing the effects of hard water, has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. A dielectric channel separator (preferably of plastics material, more preferably PTFE) is located in the cavity between the inlet and the outlet and extends at least part way along the cavity. The dielectric channel separator divides thecavity into a plurality of elongate channels which are mutually coextensive for at least part of their length in the direction of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet and are at least partially bounded by dielectric material. A metallic channel separator, preferably of zinc, can also be provided to provide a degree of protection against corrosion. The channel separators are preferably configured to encourage turbulence in the fluid flowing through the device.