Non metalic salt chlorinator for spa or swimming pool

Abstract

An Electrolytic cell to produce Electrolysis with the use of graphite, a non metallic electrolysis element in the cell, into water passing through the cell without the use of metallic electrolysis elements. Water passing through the cell is thereby affected by the electrolysis with the use of non metal components in contact with the water to generate the electrolytic reaction. The cell being oriented with the inlets and outlets in a downward direction so that if the water remains in the cell, gaseous vapor produced by the electrolysis will eventually fill the cell cavity and stop electrolysis thereby limiting the accumulation of excess amounts of hydrogen gas from the electrolysis in the cell.

Description

Views; The drawings views are as follows:

FIG-1 is the front view of the cell housing.

FIG-2 is the end view cross section showing the internal components and cell core.

FIG-3 is an over head end view showing the non wired end of the cell.

FIG-4 is the core assembly that fits into the cell housing on FIG-1.

The unit herein described is sized for but not limited to a portable spa as an offline salt chlorination unit. It will have the dimensions and materials described below,

1. The non metallic electrolysis element (FIG. 4) will consist of four rods (FIG. 4)—11 with a diameter of ⅜″ and length of 6″ consisting of graphite.

2. The elements will be ultra fine extruded graphite rods for this application but may also include extruded graphite plates and/or rods in units adapted for swimming pools or other bodies of water.

3. The rods ends will be inserted into a 2″ diameter, flat, circular, ¼″ thick plate (FIG. 4)-10 of poly plastic. The plate is then drilled with four holes so that the ends protrude ⅜″ through the plate where they will be secured with adhesive. The holes will be spaced evenly on the disk (FIG. 2)—11 so that the holes would form a square pattern. A smaller hole will be drilled between each rod (FIG. 2)—12 and in the center of the disk (FIG. 2)—13 to allow water to flow past the rods. There will be a plate located at each end of the rods (FIG. 4)—10 to securely hold them parallel to each other. The plate assembly will then be rotated one end opposite the other until there is a 45 degree twist in the element from one end to the other. This twisted arrangement of the rods allows water to more thoroughly to contact the elements while passing through the cell.

4. The rods will be drilled on one end (FIG. 4)—14 to allow vinyl coated electric wires to be inserted into the ends of the rods. Then a waterproof heat resistant adhesive designed for graphite will be applied to seal the wires into the rods.

5. The completed core assembly of the rods with the wires attached (FIG. 4) is then inserted into an 8″ length of clear 2″ diameter (FIG. 1)—3 poly pipe. This allows for visual inspection of the cell during operation. Once inserted the discs will be in contact with the circular walls of the cylinder (FIG. 2)—10 where they can be secured with adhesive effectively holding the cell core from moving. The plates at the ends of the rod assembly (FIG. 4)—10 will force the gas vapors out of the chamber when the liquid is forced to travel through the holes in the plates as vapor is far less dense than liquid.

6. The cylinder of clear poly pipe is then capped by two poly caps (FIG. 1)—2 & 4 with threads on the end closet the wiring (FIG. 1)—4 so it can be opened for inspection or cleaning. The end caps will be drilled and tapped for one water exit hole on the end (FIG. 3)—2 away from the wires. This hole will oriented at the lower part of the cap end and will provide the outflow of liquid and any vapor through a ⅜″ threaded hole with a threaded hose barb (FIG. 3)—1 designed to fit vinyl hose. The threaded barb is utilized herein to facilitate easy replacement as necessary.

7. The end with the wiring (FIG. 1)—4 will have two holes drilled into the end of the cap, one drilled and tapped for a ⅜″ threaded hole with a threaded hose barb fitting (FIG. 1)—7 inserted for vinyl hose. This will allow for fluid entry and the other hole to allow for a wire fitting (FIG. 1)—6 where the wire will pass out through the end cap.

8. The cell will be energized in this case by a power supply (FIG. 1)—8 providing 12 to 24 volts DC current to energize the elements. This current may be polarity reversed at intervals as this has been known to assist in keeping the elements dean.

9. The cell unit will have a separate (FIG. 1)—8 power supply unit. This power supply will be energized by the spa control pack using the ozone generator plug. This can also utilize a splitter so that an existing ozone unit can still remain operational.

10. The power supply (FIG. 1)—8 will provide DC power derived from 110v AC connection at the ozone plug of the existing power pack of the spa. The power supply will rely on the spa safety features and G.F.C.I. inherent in the spa electric circuit to condition and provide the power only when the circulation pump is moving water through the cell unit

11. The cell unit will be mounted on top of the spa pack with the power pack mounted where convenient The cell will have vinyl tubing that connects the cell inlet (FIG. 1)—7 to the pump and the outlet (FIG. 1)—1 to the return plumbing with the cell being at the highest point in the loop. It is a known law of physics that vapor trapped in a high point of an object will push liquid down and out. In this case with the required mounting position of the cell, this provides additional protection for the cell as it will fill with vapor from electrolysis if it operates without flow. This vapor will eventually shut down the cell when there is no fluid contacting the elements.

12. The cell design may also include an additional probe (FIG. 1)—5 to detect electric current, as this has been shown to be an effective means of protection for the cell to facilitate shut down in case of vapor entrapment in the cell.

Claims

1. Non metallic electrolysis cell for the production of electrolysis in water passing through the cell comprised of anodes and cathodes consisting of graphite, these being in a cell cavity where water flowing through the cell can come in contact with the anodes and cathodes simultaneously thereby producing the electrolytic reaction in the water without the use of metallic components in contact with the water as it passes through the cell.

2. The cell of claim 1 wherein water is forced into contact with the non metallic graphite elements by means of restrictive holes at the ends of the disks of the core assembly that secure the graphite anodes and cathodes, these restrictive holes causing less dense air to forced from the cell as the more dense water moves more slowly through the restrictive holes.