Abstract: A system combines complete, ultra-thin cells into a monolithic and robust framework necessary for desalination applications which yields orders of magnitude faster desalination. The electrode pairs are located so that a flow of feed water flows through or around the electrode pairs with the flow perpendicular to sequentially applied electric potentials. The system is controlled to charge the series of electrode pairs sequentially or phased. That means the charging of the second electrode pair is delayed with regard to the charging of the first electrode pair and the charging of a third electrode pair is delayed with respect to the charging of the second electrode pair.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating drilling fluid is provided. A housing is provided with a number of vertical parallel spaced apart electrode plates within. The housing is filled with a batch of drilling fluid so that the drilling fluid fills up the spacings between the electrode plates and the drilling mud is subjected to an electro-separation cycle by placing a DC voltage across the electrode plates so that adjacent plates have opposite polarity and an electric field is created in the drilling fluid in the spacings between the electrode plates. During the electro-separation cycle, periodically subjecting the drilling fluid to a vibration cycle by inducing vibrations in the drilling fluid. When the treatment of the drilling fluid is completed, removing an upper layer of fluid from the housing.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for decaffeinating a liquid. The device includes at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode which are spaced apart and which are immersed in the liquid; a power supply coupled to the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode and configured to apply power thereto, wherein the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode are configured to generate an electric field in the liquid upon application of the power to attract caffeine molecules in the liquid to the at least one cathode electrode; wherein the at least one cathode electrode is made of or coated with an absorbing material configured to absorb at least part of the caffeine molecules that are attracted to the at least one cathode electrode.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrostatic coalescing device that includes a vessel or a pipe through which a mixture of fluids flows. At least one metal electrode plate and transformer are arranged inside the pipe/vessel. The electrode plate and transformer are fully enclosed by insulation, and the transformer is energized from an external alternating low voltage source/power supply located outside the vessel/pipe. The transformer includes a first end of a high voltage winding connected electrically to the metal plate within the insulation.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation apparatus is disclosed integrated with a plate clarifier and sludge chamber for effluent treatment. The clarifier includes first and second tanks, an electrocoagulation reactor positioned in the first tank. The sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet.

Abstract: An electrolyte system includes a reactor having a pair of electrodes that may sorb ions from an electrolyte. The electrolyte system also includes at least one power supply in electrical communication with the reactor. The at least one power supply may supply a DC signal and an AC signal to the pair of electrodes during sorption of the ions. In addition, the power supply may supply only the AC signal to the pair of electrodes during desorption of the ions.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions including a plurality of capacitive electrode stacks. Each capacitive electrode stack may have: a plurality of first electrodes including a plurality of first current collectors; a plurality of second electrodes including a plurality of second current collectors; and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The second current collectors of a first of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks may be connected to the first current collectors of a second of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks.

Abstract: A soft water forming device includes; a capacitive deionization stack (“CDI”) stack including at least one anode and at least one cathode that are separately and alternately stacked to adsorb ions contained in water, and a pumping unit which pumps one of water supplied to the CDI stack and water which has passed through the CDI stack, the pumping unit including; a casing have a water inlet and a water outlet and a rotor which rotates due to motive power supplied by an external motor and pumps the water supplied into the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid treatment module, which comprises power distribution panels, electrode plates and a framework with side plates. The two power distribution panels are fixed on the two side plates. The power distribution panels have electrode plates located on inner side of the panels. There are two or more double-sided electrode plates placed in stacks between the two distribution panels which are connected to the DC power supply through the electric wires. There are separators placed between the adjacent electrode plates to provide the flow channels. Each flow channel is connected with the inlet and outlet holes on the side plates. The exposed surface of the power distribution panels, double-sided electrode plates and the separators are bonded and sealed by the insulating package.

Abstract: An electrolytic reactor consisting of a substantially hollow rectangular plastic housing for supporting a plurality of electrode plates using embedded metal fasteners and metal cap brackets for releasably fastening and sealing end cap members to the end of the reactor housing for sealed and pressurized operation in addition to providing a method for sealing and concentric alignment of electrode connectors within the reactor housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unit for producing sterilized water. The unit comprises an electrode module, a pair of electrode rods and a frame. The electrode module includes a pair of electrode plates and a hollow electrode separator positioned between the electrode plates to separate the electrode plates from each other. Each of the electrode plates has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein. The electrode rods apply different voltages to the respective electrode plates. The frame is positioned at one side of the electrode module and has portions for receiving the respective electrode rods. Each of the electrode plates has a pair of holes formed at the circumference thereof. The electrode rods penetrate through the respective holes. The holes have different sizes. The electrode plates are stacked in such a manner that the holes having different sizes overlap each other. This stack enables the application of different voltages to the electrode plates through the respective electrode rods.

Abstract: A method of improving electrocoagulation (“EC”) treatment processes for treating waste water and similar applications. The method includes providing a variable power supply that outputs an alternating current (“AC”) to one or more EC treatment cells. The alternating current from the variable power supply is rectified before delivery to the EC cell. As an intermediate step between the variable power supply and rectification, the method described and claimed here uses a variable step down transformer to modify the output delivered to the EC cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.

Abstract: An in-water discharging apparatus is provided. The in-water discharging apparatus may be manufactured with a high voltage electrode formed in one piece with a corresponding electrode, thus facilitating installation and enabling the apparatus to be miniaturized.

Abstract: A method of removing entrained salt containing water from an inlet crude oil stream includes the steps of applying an electrical energy to at least one electrode of a plurality of horizontally oriented, spaced-apart electrodes (12, 14, 16) housed within an elongated desalting vessel (10) and distributing an inlet crude oil stream between the electrodes. Each electrode in the plurality of electrodes is housed in an upper portion of the desalting vessel and may be in communication with a first, second and third transformer (42, 44, 46), respectively. The electrical energy may be at a single frequency and voltage or at a modulated voltage. Or, the electrical energy may be a modulated frequency at a single or modulated voltage. Fresh water may be mixed with the inlet crude oil stream either exteriorly or interiorly of the vessel.

Abstract: An electrode module capable of improving productivity by integrally bonding a current collector and a pair of electrodes using a protective film. The current collector receives power from an external power supply, and the pair of electrodes receives power from the current collector. The current collector and electrodes are integrally bonded by thermocompression using a protective film.

Abstract: A coalescing apparatus including a casing having an inner chamber for accommodating insulating fluid. At least one tube of electrically insulating material extends through the casing and the chamber. Each tube forms a flow channel for emulsion to be treated. A set of electrodes is mounted in the chamber. The tube is allotted at least one pair of electrodes of the set. A voltage set is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the electrodes of each electrode pair so as to form an electric field between them and thereby an electric field inside the respective tube. A heater is configured to heat the insulating fluid so as to allow the insulating fluid to transfer heat to emulsion flowing through at least one tube and thereby raise the temperature of the emulsion. An emulsion treatment system includes a coalescing apparatus. A coalescing method.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to remove ions from water. The apparatus includes a housing, an inlet to let water into the housing, an outlet to let water out of the housing, a first and second electrode connected to a power supply configured to create an electrical potential difference between the first and the second electrodes, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes, the spacer comprising a pillar structure.

Abstract: A desalination apparatus is disclosed which uses a salt sponge unit to remove a majority of salt from water. A parallel plate capacitor can be connected after the salt sponge to remove remaining salt ions. The salt sponge is a nanoporous, high surface area carbon scaffold to which crown ethers are attached. A power supply is connected to the salt sponges for applying a bias voltage to regenerate the salt sponges. A chlorine treatment unit can be connected after the parallel plate capacitor. A method of purifying sea water using the apparatus also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present device is a microchannel separator that uses a separation driving force created by an electric field. An ionic fluid flows through the microchannels and is subjected to an electric field by two spaced apart parallel electrodes possessing an electric charge. The ions in the ionic fluid are attracted towards the charged electrodes and thus are concentrated in the region of flow near the charged electrodes and depleted from the central region of flow between the charged electrodes. The charged electrodes are insulated from the ionic fluid by an impermeable barrier which prevents arcing and adherence of the ions to the charged electrodes. After a sufficient length of passage of the ionic fluid through a main channel two blocking plates separate the flow into a central and two outer output channels. The central channel draws a portion of the ionic fluid from the central region of the main channel that has fewer ions than the ionic fluid in the regions near the charged electrodes.

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: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate (e.g., wafer) in the fabrication of semiconductor devices utilizing electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids to remove contaminant residual particles from the substrate surface are provided.

Abstract: An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing, drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of the salt water pool to be cleaned, and an integral electrochemical chlorine generator mounted in the housing, includes a processor/controller that is programmed to activate the chlorine generator, the pump and drive means in predetermined operational sequences that minimize wear and tear on the water pump and drive means, while at the same time distribute and maintain a safe level of sanitizing chlorine in the pool, to thereby obviate the need for an in-line chlorinator or other chemical additive treatments; an optional automated sensor device can be provided to activate a secondary maintenance program which enables the pool cleaner to operate over prolonged periods of time as the sole means for filtering and sanitizing the pool water.

Abstract: An electrostatic coalescing device including at least one pair of sheet-shaped electrodes arranged at a distance from each other side-by-side. Each one of the electrodes includes a sheet-shaped conductive member of electrically conductive material. The mutual distance between the conductive members of the two electrodes of the pair varies along the electrodes as seen in a direction perpendicular to the intended flow direction of fluid passing through the flow passage between the electrodes. A power supply is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the conductive members of the electrodes of the pair so as to form an electric field between the electrodes. The conductive member of one electrode of the pair is planar, whereas the conductive member of the other electrode of the pair is corrugated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating time variant and invariant electric fields (E-fields) for various applications. Generating the E-field utilizes high impedance dielectric materials having a collection of three imperative material properties: high permittivity (?), high volume resistivity (?) and high maximum allowable E-field stress (?) and physical geometries that take advantage of the manner in which E-fields are divided or distributed in series capacitance networks. The generated E-field can act upon a subject material, including a gas, liquid or solid, wherein the material is stationary or in motion. The method allows an E-field of given intensity to be set up in the subject material with a significantly lower applied voltage ?a, or conversely, a significantly higher E-field intensity with a given applied voltage ?a.

Abstract: A transition metal/carbon nanotube composite includes a carbon nanotube and a transition metal oxide coating layer disposed on the carbon nanotube. The transition metal oxide coating layer includes a nickel-cobalt oxide.

Abstract: An anodizing apparatus for forming an anodized film on the surface of a workpiece (11) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy includes a treatment tank (1) for containing an electrolytic solution, a cathode plate (2) disposed in the treatment tank, a supporting means (3) for supporting the workpiece so as to be immersed in the electrolytic solution, and a power supply (4) for continuously or intermittently applying a short-period bipolar or unipolar pulse voltage or an alternating voltage to between the workpiece and the cathode plate. The cathode plate (2) is arranged in a crosswise direction with respect to the workpiece (11).

Abstract: Apparatuses for mixing droplets, such as a binary mixing apparatus, are provided. The binary mixing apparatus includes an array of electrodes and a conducting element positioned in relation to at least one of the electrodes to enable a droplet placed in electrical communication with the at least one electrode to electrically communicate with the conducting element. The binary mixing apparatus additionally includes an electrode selector for sequentially biasing one or more selected electrodes of the array to move a droplet disposed on the array into contact with another droplet. The apparatus further includes a first droplet supply area communicating with the array and a second droplet supply area communicating with the array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.

Abstract: A water desalination system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs capacitive deionization to remove ions from source water to produce deionzed and waste water. The process employs charged electrodes to attract ions of opposite polarity from the source water.

Abstract: A device for dielectrophoretic separation of particles contained in a fluid, includes two sets of electrodes, each of the two sets of electrodes being brought to a different potential, so as to generate an electric field inside said fluid. The two sets of electrodes are positioned inside a chamber, itself provided with a particle collecting surface. Each of the two sets of electrodes is immersed in the fluid inside the chamber and is located in a plane different from the plane of the particle collecting surface. The two sets of electrodes are supplied with electrical current in phase opposition. The potential of each of the two sets of electrodes have a gradient based on the distance along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the particle collecting surface.

Abstract: The electrodes of the described CDI cell are porous and permeable. The liquid to be deionized (e.g. salt water to be desalinated) flows through the electrodes. The electrodes are arranged in a stack, alternating anode/cathode, and water being treated passes through every electrode in the whole stack. For regeneration, the cells are connected (short-circuited) together, and the ions are dislodged mainly by flushing action. The through-flow arrangement can be realized in a number of different configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.

Abstract: An electrical appliance including at least one sheet-shaped electrode and a connecting device for electrically connecting the at least one electrode to a voltage source. The connecting device includes a casing having two or more tubular casing parts. Each casing part enclosing a channel filled with a dielectric medium, and an elongated conductor for feeding electric power from the voltage source to the at least one electrode. The conductor extends through the channels of the casing parts and is surrounded by the dielectric medium therein. The conductor extends through a hole in an electrically conductive member of each individual electrode. The conductor is electrically connected to the conductive members of the electrodes and each individual electrode has a part arranged between two of the casing parts with the two casing parts clamped against opposite sides of the intermediate electrode part.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for treating polluted water by electrocoagulation. The apparatus comprising at least two electrodes (1,2). The apparatus also includes a housing (4), electrically isolated from the at least two electrodes (1,2), to which the at least two electrodes (1,2) are fixed spaced apart from one another. When the at least two second electrodes (1,2) are at least partly submerged in the polluted water and provided with an electrical potential, one of the at least two electrodes (2) is sacrificial so as to provide ions to the polluted water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating wastewater is described. The apparatus includes an entry mixing chamber equipped with a wastewater inlet port and a gas inlet port configured for receiving the wastewater and pressurized gas, respectively. The apparatus further includes a housing attached to an open top of the entry mixing chamber, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged within the housing, and a collecting chamber mounted on an open housing top. The collecting chamber has a wastewater outlet port for discharge of the treated wastewater. A conductive particulate material is placed between the first and second electrodes to fill a space between the electrodes. The apparatus also includes an electrically powered mixer comprising an axle equipped with one or more whirling blades. The axle passes through the housing such that the whirling blades are located within the conductive particulate material.

Abstract: A layer composition of an electrowetting system with a first electrode layer, an insulator layer on the first electrode layer, and a fluid layer over the insulator layer, wherein the fluid layer comprises at least two immiscible fluids which, under the influence of an applied voltage, reversibly change their wetting behavior of a surface allocated to the insulator layer, wherein the insulator layer being at least in part built of a material with a permittivity of ?r?20. The fluid layer is adjacent to at least one layer being repellent for the at least one of the fluids. On the surface of the repellent layer pointing away from the fluid layer is provided an adhesion enhancing layer before the subsequent layer.

Abstract: An anode and cathode for an electrolytic cell configured as a low inductance transmission line to enable control of an interphase at an electrode surface. The anode and cathode are coupled to a switched current source by a low inductance path that includes a parallel plate transmission line, a coaxial transmission line, or both. The switched current source provides fast switching between current sources to provide fast charging and discharging of the double-layer capacitance associated with the electrode surface so that an isotope may be selectively transported to the electrode surface for oxidation or reduction. A photon source may be used to create a population of isotope containing species within the electrolyte. An additional static magnetic field and/or an alternating current magnetic excitation source may be used to modify the composition of the population of species containing the isotope to be separated.

Abstract: Device for displacing drops of liquid by electrowetting, and a method for isolating two areas delimited by at least one wall including a step for: placing by electrowetting, in an aperture of said wall, a substance capable of reacting to at least one external stimulus in order to pass from a liquid state to a gel or solid state, forming a closure member.

Abstract: An electrode for capacitive deionization, the electrode including an active material having an oxygen/carbon (“O/C”) atomic ratio between about 0.1 and about 1 and a specific surface area between about 500 square meters per gram (“m2/g”) and about 3,000 m2/g.

Abstract: A soft water forming device includes; a capacitive deionization stack (“CDI”) stack including at least one anode and at least one cathode that are separately and alternately stacked to adsorb ions contained in water, and a pumping unit which pumps one of water supplied to the CDI stack and water which has passed through the CDI stack, the pumping unit including; a casing have a water inlet and a water outlet and a rotor which rotates due to motive power supplied by an external motor and pumps the water supplied into the casing.

Abstract: Fluid head height and foam/gas level control apparatus associated with a primary reaction chamber of an effluent processing electrocoagulation assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable disks each having an orifice located therethrough toward an outer circumference of the disk. The disks are mounted in a horizontal array of openings located at an upper portion of the primary reactor chamber, the orifices communicating through the openings, height of the orifices in the chamber being selectable by rotation of the disks. Rotatable restrictor plates are mounted on the disks for selective restriction of flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A vertical electrostatic coalescer comprises a first and second electrode surface and a horizontally disposed foraminous surface. The first electrode surface and horizontally disposed foraminous surface are at ground potential. The first and second electrode surfaces share the same planar orientation relative to the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The unique arrangement of the vessel and opposing pairs of first and second electrode surfaces provides for a substantially uniform voltage field around a perimeter of the vessel and an effective voltage field for coalescence within a center of the vessel. A circular-shaped distributor pipe or a distributor housing serves to absorb momentum of the incoming emulsion stream and distribute the stream into an interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for treating polluted water by electrocoagulation. The apparatus comprising at least two electrodes (1,2). The apparatus also includes a housing (4), electrically isolated from the at least two electrodes (1,2), to which the at least two electrodes (1,2) are fixed spaced apart from one another. When the at least two second electrodes (1,2) are at least partly submerged in the polluted water and provided with an electrical potential, one of the at least two electrodes (2) is sacrificial so as to provide ions to the polluted water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid treatment module, which comprises power distribution panels, electrode plates and a framework with side plates. The two power distribution panels are fixed on the two side plates. The power distribution panels have electrode plates located on inner side of the panels. There are two or more double-sided electrode plates placed in stacks between the two distribution panels which are connected to the DC power supply through the electric wires. There are separators placed between the adjacent electrode plates to provide the flow channels. Each flow channel is connected with the inlet and outlet holes on the side plates. The exposed surface of the power distribution panels, double-sided electrode plates and the separators are bonded and sealed by the insulating package.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing sterilized water, spraying apparatus thereof and capsule containing salt using therein, more particularly, comprises a container having a water receiver for accommodating water; at least one negative electrode having at least one negative electrode projection formed thereon in the water receiver; at least one positive electrode having at least one positive electrode projection formed thereon arranged to face the negative electrode projection in the water receiver; and a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby promptly manufacturing a large amount of sterilized water within a short time, and thus, enabling users to use for disinfecting and sterilization the fresh sterilized water immediately after directly manufacturing the sterilized water without having aseptic to injured area or the inside of a nose for rhinitis' patients.

Abstract: An electrostatic coalescing device including at least one pair of sheet-shaped electrodes arranged at a distance from each other side-by-side. Each one of the electrodes includes a sheet-shaped conductive member of electrically conductive material. The mutual distance between the conductive members of the two electrodes of the pair varies along the electrodes as seen in a direction perpendicular to the intended flow direction of fluid passing through the flow passage between the electrodes. A power supply is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the conductive members of the electrodes of the pair so as to form an electric field between the electrodes. The conductive member of one electrode of the pair is planar, whereas the conductive member of the other electrode of the pair is corrugated.

Abstract: A photo-catalyst cleaning device includes a first photo-catalyst layer and a first electrode plate. The first photo-catalyst layer is capable of generating electrons and holes when absorbing excitation light. The first electrode plate is positioned corresponding to the first photo-catalyst layer. The first electrode plate is capable of polarizing the electrons and holes generated from the first photo-catalyst layer when bias voltage is applied to the first electrode plate.

Abstract: A liquid purification apparatus, including a flow cell having an opening at each end for conducting a liquid therethrough. The liquid purification apparatus also includes a pair of electrode plates disposed within the flow cell, each electrode plate comprising an elongated rectangle having a length, width, and thickness, the length and width defining a face of each electrode plate, the width being greater than the thickness. The electrode plates are arranged such that the faces of the electrode plates are parallel and opposite one another with a gap therebetween.

Abstract: An electrode module, and more particularly, an electrode module capable of improving productivity by integrally bonding a current collector and a pair of electrodes using a protective film is provided. The electrode module includes a current collector to receive power from an external power supply, and a pair of electrodes to receive power from the current collector, in which the current collector and electrodes are integrally bonded by thermocompression using a protective film.