Abstract: A treatment system for treating a liquid containing contaminants is provided. The system can include a separation apparatus, an oxidation reactor and a power supply. The separation apparatus can include: a housing capable of maintaining a pressure of 50 psi or greater in an interior space; an inlet; an outlet; and an electrode assembly provided in the housing. The oxidation reactor can include: a housing defining an interior space; an inlet oriented to induce swirling in an incoming flow of liquid in the interior space of the housing, the inlet connected to the outlet of the separation apparatus; an ozone port leading into the housing; an outlet; and a conduit connected at a bottom end to the outlet and extending vertically in the housing to an opening at a top end. The power supply operative to supply a voltage to the first and second electrical conductors of the separation apparatus.

Abstract: A vertical member, which is preferably a support post used in a molten metal pump, includes a ceramic tube and tensioning structures to add a compressive load to the tube along its longitudinal axis. This makes the tube less prone to breakage. A device, such as a pump, used in a molten metal bath includes one or more of such vertical members.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of a contaminated liquid is described. The system includes a high voltage supply device, a general capacitor bank, one or more general limiting member, such as general switch devices or general resister devices, coupled to the high voltage supply device and to the general capacitor bank. The system further includes one or more working capacitor banks coupled to the general capacitor bank through the general limiting member, and one or more working switches arranged in series with the corresponding working capacitor bank. The system also includes one or more potential electrodes and grounded electrodes immersed in the contaminated liquid and coupled to the working capacitor banks for providing an electric discharge through the contaminated liquid.

Abstract: Sensor are generally provided that include a layer of silicon oxide on a portion of a n+ layer to form an uneven surface where the layer of silicon oxide defines a thicker region than an exposed portion of the n+ layer. First and second metal contacts can be on the layer of silicon oxide, with first and second nanowires extending respectively from a first base on the first metal contact and a second base on the second metal contact. The first nanowire and the second nanowire are connected together at an apex to form a v-shaped nanocantilever, wherein the apex is positioned over the exposed n+ layer, and wherein the nanowires comprise indium and nitrogen. Methods of fabricating such sensors, along with methods of their use, are also generally provided.

Abstract: A self contained, transportable, water pretreatment system and tank for use in a hydraulic treatment of subterranean formations with a well bore. The system treats recycled production water by electro-chemically generating mixed oxidants to sterilize the recycled water and to electro-chemically precipitate hardness without the addition of chemicals. The treatment system and tank form a self contained unit that is mounted with a truck trailer to facilitate easy and efficient relocation of the equipment.

Abstract: A device, located in a vessel having an inlet and at least one outlet, through which a mixture of fluids flows, for promoting electrostatic coalescence of a first conductive fluid emulsified in a second fluid. The device includes a number of tubular electrostatic coalescer elements extending in the flow direction which are arranged in a matrix arranged over the cross sectional area of the vessel, and an applicator operative to apply an electrical field to the fluids flowing through the coalescer elements.

Abstract: A fabricating method of a printing plate includes forming a first conductive layer on an upper surface of a printing plate, forming a second conductive layer on a lower surface of the printing plate, forming an etch-resist pattern by etching a portion of the first conductive layer, submerging the printing plate, the second conductive layer and the etch-resist pattern into an electrolytic solution, and applying an electrical field between the etch-resist pattern and the second conductive layer so that the electrolytic solution is dissociated to form an anisotropically etched fine pattern in the printing plate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sheet-shaped electrode for an electrostatic coalescing device. A layered material structure including an electrically conductive layer for forming a conductive member of the electrode and two electrically non-conductive insulation layers are arranged in an envelope. The insulation layers include thermoplastic or thermoset material for forming the insulation of the electrode. The conductive layer is arranged between the insulation layers. The envelope is sealed. Gas is evacuated from the envelope. The material structure is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material or above the curing temperature of the thermoset material so as to consolidate the material structure while keeping the material structure inside the evacuated envelope. The material structure is cooled and removed from the envelope.

Abstract: A high-voltage capacitive electrostatic device is used to improve the performance of membrane-separation processes, particularly reverse-osmosis units, wherein species of a given ionic polarity are separated from water. The device is immersed in the water flowing across the membranes and is operated continuously at very high voltages, preferably greater than 30,000 volts DC. The charge on the wetted surface of the suspended particles is altered by the electrostatic field so generated and is found to reduce biofilm formation, thereby materially enhancing the performance of the membrane-separation system. The application of high-voltage electrostatic fields is also found to reduce corrosion of metallic surfaces in the system.

Abstract: A spa, whirlpool or hot tub hydrotherapy system comprised of a unitized pump and motor assembly to provide a pipeless water circulation and air injection system that is easy to clean. The system can optionally provide an ionization device, which injects a stream of silver, copper and zinc ions into the water to kill bacteria, mold and algae, and solid-state lighting.

Abstract: Method for cleaning and disinfecting treatment of water, during which the water is exposed to at least one electric field, whereby the electric field is a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of pulsating direct voltage; two conducting elements, which are connected in a conducting manner to the source of pulsating direct voltage and which are arranged to achieve a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage between them; together with a device for changing in a time-dependent manner the direction of direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of a rectified pulsating magnetic field and a conducting element, which is arranged in the pulsating magnetic field such that, during operation of the device, an electric field is produced around the conducting element by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrode for electrostatic treatment of water in conduit. A polymer with relatively high dielectric properties covers the conductor of the electrode for operation of the system at above about 10,000 VDC.

Abstract: An electron-emitting device has a primary and a secondary coil wound on an I-core, an E-core combined with the I-core and a single output terminal extended from one end of the secondary coil. An electron-emitting electrode includes a stainless steel pipe, an insulator-coated conductor inserted in a pipe, and tourmaline powder filling the gap between the pipe and the conductor. The stainless steel pipe is enclosed in a polyethylene pipe, and the openings of the stainless steel pipe and polyethylene pipe are sealed by silicon resin. The electron-emitting electrode is connected to the output terminal of the electron-emitting device and is submerged in an object to be processed, which is in turn charged negatively and activated by high electrostatic potential.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an insertion type electrode adapted to operate at modulated high voltages by use of a thin layer polyer as a dielectric.

Abstract: A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed which activate aqueous liquids, particularly water, and liquid polymers, resulting in enhanced properties in chemical and biological processes in which the activated liquids are used. The device includes a liquid reservoir; an activation body formed of a polymeric matrix containing a number of finely divided materials, with the body disposed in a strong (2,500-25,000 Oersted) magnetic field and responsive to visible electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of 7.2-7.8 Hz and a wavelength of 400-800 nm, and with one end disposed proximate to the surface of the liquid; and an electrical circuit adjacent the other end of the body, activating diodes to emit flashes of light having that wavelength and frequency, so that the materials and the polymeric body are energized and emit low frequency oscillations, which activate the liquid contained in the reservoir. Polymers include polyurethanes and epoxies.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of a solid-liquid separation process by exposure to an electrostatic-field generator utilizes a vitrified ceramic tube of unibody construction having a single open end adapted to receive a high-voltage power cable through an insulated cap. The interior surface of the ceramic tube is lined with a layer of conductive material electrically connected to the power cable, thereby providing a relatively-large conductive surface in intimate contact with the dielectric surface of the ceramic tube. The device is used in connection with conventional chemical additives for separating suspended solids from water to reduce chemical consumption and improve operating efficiency. The device is immersed in the water carrying suspended particles upstream of the treatment with chemical agents and is energized with a high DC voltage, thereby creating an electrostatic field across the dielectric of the tube's ceramic and across the body of water.

Abstract: A unit for removal and prevention of scale deposits in a preexisting fluid containing system and destruction of microbes. The invention utilizes a.c. and d.c. superimposed electrical fields in combination with a sonic or ultrasonic transducer for supplying electrical and mechanical energy into a colloidal or particulate-containing solution. An impure fluid stream of reduced conductivity is passed between a cylindrical insulated electrode, having a first end and a second end, which electrode is axially centered within an insulated cylindrical electrode and housing. The configuration of the electrodes form a sealed cylindrical treatment chamber, having a inlet and an outlet for a fluid stream, and provide an electric field of a.c. waveforms superimposed on d.c. waveforms, comprising a resultant ripple voltage waveform. The ripple voltage is obtained by rectifying and filtering a standard and commercially available a.c. voltage.

Abstract: An electrostatic-field generator that consists of a vitrified ceramic tube of unibody construction having a single open end adapted to receive a high-voltage power cable through an insulated cap. The interior surface of the ceramic tube is lined with a layer of conductive material electrically connected to the power cable, thereby providing a relatively-large conductive surface in intimate contact with the dielectric surface of the ceramic tube. In operation, the device is immersed in a body of water connected to ground and the power cable is energized with a high DC voltage, thereby creating an electrostatic field across the dielectric of the tube's ceramic and across the body of water. Because of the difference in the dielectric coefficients of the materials, the majority of the applied potential is measured across the water, thus providing the desired electrostatic effect on its particulate components.