Abstract: Water treatment involves delivering an instantaneous electric current to one or more pairs of activated electrodes immersed in the water, each of the pairs of electrodes comprising a sacrificial electrode operating predominantly as an anode and an inert electrode operating predominantly as a cathode. The sacrifical electrode, when as an anode, is able to provide dissolved ions to the water as current passes between the pairs of electrodes, to assist in treating the water. The polarity of the electrodes is periodically reversed to reduce electrode clogging. The amount of charge passed by the instantaneous electric current is indicative of the degree to which the water has been treated, and is used to control the treatment process.

Abstract: A device and a method for production of magnetized water by changing the arrangement of molecules of water takes advantage of the phenomenon that molecules of water form clusters and become enriched in a pulsating magnetic field. The device may include a chamber, for placing a container of purified water in, wound with coils of wire a predetermined number of rounds; a means of supplying power to convert originally supplied alternating current of electricity into pulsating direct current signals and impress them on said coils for induction of a pulsating magnetic field to said chamber; a means of cooling said chamber; a means of sensing changes in temperature of said coils; a means of measuring time to gauge the time of magnetization of said purified water; and a means of control to stop input of direct current pulsating signals when the time spent on magnetizing has reached a preset time.

Abstract: To manipulate microparticles in a fluid that intersects a first channel or several first channels as a stream, one or more microparticles (14) are exposed to electrical field barriers that change their direction from the direction of flow toward the edge of the flow to a lateral hole (17) of the respective first channel. As a result, microparticles can be moved back and forth between streaming fluids. Preferred applications include treatment, separating, sorting or confinement procedures.

Abstract: A purifying apparatus for purifying flowing water includes a negative electrode plate disposed on a flowing water bed and a positive electrode plate disposed at an upper face opposite to the negative electrode plate, wherein the positive electrode plate is adapted to be dipped below a water surface of the flowing water with floats being disposed at least at upstream and downstream end portions or opposing side portions of the positive electrode plate in a flowing direction of the flowing water. A structure is provided for positioning the positive electrode plate at a position opposite the negative electrode plate. Also, as necessary, a vertical-movement structure is provided to allow vertical movement of the positive electrode plate and of a gas collecting unit. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are provided with an electric field generator.

Abstract: System for treating fluids, especially water, in a pipe to resist scale deposits from building up in the pipe, includes a field generating coil (10) mounted exteriorly of the pipe, an electronic circuit (14) for energizing the coil to develop an alternating electromagnetic field in the fluid, a sensor (18) for sensing a parameter related to the functioning of the system and for generating a parameter dependant signal, a feed back circuit for feeding back the parameter dependent signal to the electronic circuit to control the circuit, wherein the sensor comprises a field measuring coil (16) mounted exteriorly of the pipe near the field generating coil, the feed back circuit comprises the electronics which together with the measuring coil acts as a field strength meter.

Abstract: In a circulation system of treatment-object water (waste water), a water treating apparatus and a pH adjuster are provided. A carbon fiber that can collect at least microorganisms is disposed in the water treating apparatus. The carbon fiber is immersed in the treatment-object water, and potential is applied to the carbon fiber. Further, pH of the treatment-object water is adjusted by the pH adjuster in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to the carbon fiber is facilitated. As a result, the microorganisms are strongly attracted and adsorbed to the carbon fiber.

Abstract: In order to improve the efficiency of the separation of an insulating liquid from a dispersum, in particular of water dispersed in oil, the electric conductivity of a dispersion having the dispersion constituents is measured continuously or discontinuously. An optimum frequency is calculated as a function of this conductivity. Pulsations of at least one pulsating electric field are thereby prescribed, this dispersion being led through said field. This frequency is preferably in the frequency range of >60 Hz-1 kHz. An electric field with a separating AC voltage can be arranged downstream of an electric field of a pulsating separating voltage of adjustable frequency in the flow direction of the dispersion, and an electric field of a pulsating charging DC voltage can be arranged upstream.

Abstract: This invention relates to the enhancement of chemical reactions by applying a high frequency electric field to a material. The frequency and amplitude of the electric field are selected in accordance with the properties of the reacting components in the bulk of chemical reactor. In general, the high frequency range is determined by the dielectric properties of reactant(s), that is, at any given temperature, when, for example, the specific conductivity starts to grow from its low frequency value. Typically, frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 200 MHz or greater are suitable for the enhancement of the reactions. An electric field of any shape having Fourier components that when applied to a chemical process exhibits growth in the real part of conductivity relative to the low frequency value is of particular importance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reduction of flow resistance in pipes and ducts where a fluid or a powder is flowing in single or multiphase. In the method, the flow resistance is reduced by applying an electrical field on the pipe or duct wall. Also, the strength of the field is regulated according to measurements of the flow regime before and after the unit which exposes the fluid or powder to the electrical field. The fluid may be a pure fluid, colloidal fluid or contain inclusions in the form of particles.

Abstract: An energy efficient flow-through capacitor, particularly for the concentration and/or separation of seawater. The flow-through capacitor is successively charged and discharged prior to the cell voltage exceeding 1.5 volts.

Abstract: A system for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution using a delivery apparatus to modify its characteristics. Preferred systems are described that deliver electromagnetic energy into a target solution for modifying its characteristics by first treating a primary solution, e.g., water or any hydrogen bonded liquid, and then causing the primary solution to be proximate to the target solution. The treated secondary solution improves the performance of various processes including: scale control in water heater systems, printing ink treatment, de-inking of pulp paper, etc.

Abstract: Method for separating the constituents of a dispersion In order to improve the efficiency of the separation of an insulating liquid (3) from a dispersum (4), in particular of water dispersed in oil, the electric conductivity (&sgr;s) of a dispersion (S) having the dispersion constituents (3, 4) is measured continuously or discontinuously. An optimum frequency (f) is calculated as a function of this conductivity. Pulsations of at least one pulsating electric field are thereby prescribed, this dispersion (S) being led through said field. This frequency (f) is preferably in the frequency range of >60 Hz-1 kHz. An electric field with a separating AC voltage (U3) can be arranged downstream of an electric field of a pulsating separating voltage (U2) of adjustable frequency (f) in the flow direction of the dispersion (S), and an electric field of a pulsating charging DC voltage (U1) can be arranged upstream.

Abstract: An amperometric bromine control system accurately maintains a desired concentration of bromine within a home spa or in other water features. The control system employs amperometric sensing to measure the bromine concentration in the spa water and uses this measurement to control the electrochemical production of bromine through the oxidation of aqueous bromide. The level of bromide in the spa water desirably is greater than 50 ppm in order to obtain a linear relationship between the current level sensed through the amperometric measurement and the concentration level of bromine in the water. In this manner, the control system can accurately measure the bromine concentration in the spa water and precisely maintain the bromine concentration within a desired range between about 2 ppm and 6 ppm.

Abstract: A process treats contaminated media and comprises detecting a non-uniform contaminated media property selected from electrical conductivity or electroosmotic permeability; and selectively applying an electric field to the contaminated media to effect the process in a selected area of the contaminated media.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating liquid with electromagnetic flux, one or more coils surrounding a liquid conducting pipe are excited by a switching circuit including a triode switch turned on and off in response to the voltage applied to the coil or coils in such a way that during each operative half cycle of the supply voltage a current is conducted through the coils during an initial portion of the half cycle and then at a substantial time before the end of the half cycle, the switch is turned to an open condition causing the current built up in the coils to be taken up by a series resonant circuit, formed by the inductance of the coil or coils an associated given capacitance and the power supply, to produce a ringing current in and a ringing voltage across each coil and consequent ringing electromagnetic flux in the liquid passing through the pipe. The apparatus may have either a half wave or full wave mode of operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating a charged substance from a conductive fluid in which the conductive fluid is transported to a charged substance separation assembly where an electrostatic field is imposed to separate the charged substance from the fluid which passes through a porous separator and is collected.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for removing particles from a nonconductive liquid, including: first sensing apparatus to sense a first net electrostatic charge on the particles in the liquid and to provide a first output signal indicative of the first net electrostatic charge; control and power apparatus to receive the first output signal; charging apparatus connected to the control and power apparatus to provide positive and negative electrostatic charging potentials to the particles; mixing apparatus connected to the charging apparatus to receive the liquid therefrom and to permit oppositely charged and noncharged ones of the particles to flocculate; and separating apparatus to remove flocculated particles from the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing micro-organism concentrations in a liquid having a surface has a portion of a first electrode that is disposed within the liquid. A portion of a second electrode is also disposed within the liquid. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode and, in one embodiment, consists of a copper and silver alloy wherein the ratio of copper to silver is in the range of from 1:1 to 11:3. A direct current power supply, having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, applies an electrical potential between the second electrode and the first electrode, thereby creating an electrical current from the second electrode to the first electrode and thereby liberating copper ions and silver ions from the second electrode into the liquid. In one embodiment, the electrodes are suspended from a floating member. In another embodiment, the electrodes are placed in a porous sheath that is suspended in the liquid.