Wo 95/21795 2 1 8 3 0 6 2 PCT/USg5/01730 5 Title: T~rT~C~rRt t~A~rATyTIc DISSOLVED OXYGEN GENERATOR
FOR WATER pR~ ~'r`C! , COpyRTt:~T NOTICE
Copyright 1994, James R. Vance. All Rights Reserved.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent ~gf c ~ tA;nR material that is subject to copyright protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the facs;m;le l~ro~u~;l ion by anyone of the patent :`~ t. or the patent t9;~closl~re, as it appears in the Patent and ~L " rk Office 15 patent file or records, but otherwise -:seLve~ all copyrights whatsoever .
TE-'~NTrAT, FTT'Tn This invention relates to apparatus and methods for electrolytically treating li~uids. More particularly, this 20 invention relates to apparatus and methods for generating dissolved oxygen within water and for electrolytically purifying and/or removing cnrlt~m~n~nts from the water.
r~ )UNL~ ART
A widely ref~ o~n; ~od problem within open and closed 25 hydraulic systems is the depletion or degradation of dissolved oxygen within water. This problem is partic~ rly siqn;f;~-~nt within environments that are highly d~rPn~9~nt upon dissolved oxygen. For example, large and small bodies _ _ .
Wo 95/21795 2 i ~ 3 0 6 2 PCT/USg5/01730 of water that support aquatic and marine life require the generation and malntenance of large amounts of dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is a neca~s~ry requirement for the survival of aquatic organisms living in lakes, rivers, and 5 other bodies of water. Fish will die if the dissolved oxygen level drops below a given point. Persons familiar with aquatic and marine life often measure the quality and health of a body of water by the amount of dissolved oxygen present.
Similarly, certain processes such as those used within 10 paper procD~ c:in~ plants, water purification plants, and sewage ~ ; I plants require the generation of large amounts of dissolved oxygen.
Various attempts have been made to aerate such bodies of water and, thereby, increase the amount of dissolved oxygen 15 contained therein. Por example, air or gaseous oxygen have been forced under water and allowed to escape and bubble to the surface in an attempt to increase the level of dissolved oxygen within water. The main problem with gaseous oxygen, however, is that it is difficult to dissolve into water above 20 a given saturation point.
other attempts to e..~ uu~ ~Ige oxygen entry into water include spraying the water into the air, - -nlc~lly splashing the surface of the water, and subjecting the water to intense elevated ~Le~-u~ e:S within a ~ Z,Ur lzed container.
25 Mechanical methods of spraying the water into the air or mechanically splashing the water are very inefficient methods to produce dissolved oxygen. Furth~ , such mechanical methods are unable to reach higher levels of dissolved oxygen ~ wo9snl79s 2 1 830D2 P~ -rl/~u with any degree of stability.
In an unrelated area of technology, electrolysis has been used to break apart the various molecules of H20 or water to produce gaseous h~lLu~en and gaseous oxygen. It is important to note, however, the significant di~ference between gaseous oxygen and dissolved oxygen.
The inventor has dedicated much of his life to the study of open and closed hydraulic systems. On April 17, l9g0, U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,917,782, issued in the name of the inventor for an electrolytic liquid purification process and ~pparatus. The apparatus and ~luce~:ses disclosed within U.S.
Letters Patent No. 4,917,782 are significantly different from those of the present invention. Other disclosures that were considered in the prosecution of that patent include: Hughes, Jr. et al. tU.S. Letters Patent No. 2,864,750; issued D~ ~r 16, 1958); Mehl (U.S. Letters P~tent No. 3,523,891;
issued August 11, 1970); Dot,ven,,~eck (U.S. Letters Patent No.
3,679,556; issued July 25, 1972); Preis et al. tU.S. Letters Patent No. 3,728,245; issued April 17, 1973); Cassanovas et al. (U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,835,018; issued September 10, 1974); Phipps tU.S. Letters Patent No. 3,865,710; issued February 11, 1975); Okert tU.S. Letters Patent No. 3,925,176;
issued 1 e- -r 9, 1975); Frame tU.S. Letters Patent No.
4,419,206; issued December 6, 1983); Neymeyer tU.S. Letters 25 Patent No. 4,425,216; issued January 10, 1984); Branchick et al. tU.S. Letters Patent No. 4,436,601; issued March 13, 1984); Paniagua (U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,572,775; issued February 25, 1986); and Umehara (U.S. Letters Patent No.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ wo 95/21795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PCT/usgs/0l73o 4,623,436; issued November 18, 1986).
The inventor believes that the listed disclosures taken alone or in combinatlon neither anticlpate nor render obvious the present invention. The cited rl1~rlo~llres do not 5 constitute an admission that such are relevant or material to the present claims. Rather, the aforementioned disclosures relate only to the general field of the invention and are cited as constituting the closest art of which the inventor is aware.
DISCLoSUI7~ OF INVENTION
The present invention comprises simple, easily used, 1 nPYrpnF:ive apparatus and methods for generating high levels of dissolved oxygen within water and for electrolytically purifying and/or removing contaminants from the water in an 15 environmentally safe fashion. The invention ls compact, ul-obLLusive~ function~l, efficient, reliable, reusable, durable, rugged, easily constructed, tnpyrpn~ive and ~ lC~l to manufacture, and is easily installed and removed if needed. Minimal installation and access room is 20 needed. A minimum amount of manipulation is required for installation. Once installed, the invention is extremely simple to use and maintain. The apparatus of the invention does not require very much space. Consequently, replacement parts also require a minimal amount of storage space. The 25 present invention significantly increases the speed, simplifies the p~uceduL~, and dramatically Pnh~nrP~ the efficiency of elevating the oxygenation level within a body of water.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , ~ W095121795 21 83G62 PCr/US9~/01730 In addition to the foregoing benefit5 and other advantages that will be described further below, the present invention also ~ er. ~ all of the previously mentioned disadvantages of apparatus and ~l~c~sses heretofore used for 5 the ~tated purpose. For example, a significant benefit of the present invention is that it can be used within a closed, hydraulic conduit or pipeline. The present invention eliminates the need for bulky, expensive, complex, and maintenance intensive surface spray and mechanical aerators.
lo No longer must a business enterprise or i~irAIity purchase large tracks of land for aeration, settlement, and treatment ponds. The aeration or dissolved oxygen generation process no longer must be exposed to ~urface air which creates aromatic, zoning, and ecology related problems.
Installation of the invention does not mandate an extensive capital investment that would otherwise be required. The cost to maintain the invention is insigniflcant in comparison to the expense of building and maintaining the type of commercial aeration projects now in 20 use. The savings to commercial enterprises by using this invention also ~n~lu~3Oc not having to hire, pay, and contribute fringe benefits to ~ u.~s support personnel.
The dangers of falling into open ponds and catching a finger, hand, limb, or clothing in operating m--hinpry are also 25 eliminated.
To accomplish the aforementioned objectives, the present invention uses electrolysis ~,c~sses to break apart water ~olecule~ and caus8 oxygen, created thereby, to go directly WO95121795 21 83062 r~ O
into a dissolved state. Due to the catalytic properties and action of the invention, the oxygen molecules do not pass through a gaseous state but rather are forced to assume an immediate dissolved state t11~uu~1~uul. the conver6ion process.
5 The oxygen, in effect, bypasses the gaseous stage that is otherwise required by other processes.
The resulting dissolved oxygen levels are relatively stable due to the cell design and do not require pLe~,.u~ ization during the process . In addition, the lO dissolved oxygen generating abilities of the invention are relatively unaffected by the presence of minerals, chemicals or organic materlals that ~re present within the water. Tn fact, the invention scrubs or removes such contaminants from the water. The cell is n ....L~ ~n~ting and does not 5 illLLu14- e any additional metal, mineral, or ~hPm1c;
!n~ into the water.
The invention l.:~ t sen~s a dramatlc and signi~icant uv~ -nt over the electrolysis-type processes disclosed in the inventor's earlier granted patent (U.S. Letters Patent 20 No. 4,917,782). There is no need to precondition the water, as is usually required in other electrolysis-type plu~esses.
There is no need that particular minerals be present in the water for operation of the plucesLes. In addition, water passing through the apparatus is not further contaminated by 25 the process, as commonly occurs during other electrolysis-type processes where untreated metal electrodes dissolve.
The inventor knows of no other apparatus, wherein apparatus using an electrolysis process has been solely ~ wo 95/21795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PcT/usgs~ol730 designed for the production of dissolved oxygen within water.
Some electrolysis plc,cea~es do produce minimal amounts of dissolved oxygen as a LyuL~-Iu-_-. However, such ~ucesSes are unable to produce the higher levels of dissolved oxygen that s can be achieved by using the present invention.
Heretofore, using u..~loce~sed water at 30 degrees centigrade such mechanical devices and/or processes could only obtain a maximum level of dissolved oxygen cu~.ce.,~Ltion of 7 . 6 parts per million (ppm) . P.ùcessed water at 30 degrees centigrade could contain a maximum level of disEiolved oxygen cul~c~ L<Ition of 10 parts per million (ppm) before reaching an ;-- ~able saturation point.
In comparison, ull~Lu~essed water at 30 degrees centigrade that i8 passed through the present invention can readily obtain a dissolved oxygen cu,,~.~,,LL~Ition level of 20 parts per million.
Another method that has been used to generate elevated co--ce,-~ tions of dissolved gases is exposing the water or fluid to excessive gas p~c~uLlzation. Por example, carbonated water or soda generally uses ~Les"uL lzation to obtain higher levels of gas saturation.
The elevated dissolved oxygen levels obtained through the present invention, however, are not obtained through the use of carbonation or elevated pIesDul~s. The water is not 25 carbonated. The aforementioned results are accomplished with no si~n; f~~nt additional pIes~.urization. The lack of pLe~ Lization is important to note. The processes used within the present invention in effect change the gas WO9S/21795 21 83062 r~ u hi~l^n~ of the water. In other words, the present lnventlon rearranges the various gas percentages of oxygen, nitrogen, and contaminant~. within the water.
Henry's law generally states: The ;vI.- e..L.ation of a 5 gaseous solute in a solution, C9, is directly proportional to the partial ~L~uLG, p9, of the gas above the solution. The resulting equation is Cq s k9p9, wherein k9 Le~Le~e..i.s Henry's law proportionality constant. For example, at 25 degrees Celsius, oxygen gas collected over water at a total ~LGS~ULe of l. oO al , ore (atm) is soluble to the extent Of 0 . 0393 grams per liter.
Accordingly, if the altitude and temperature of an open body of water are lcnown, one can determine the level of dissolved oxygen within the water by using Henry ' 5 law.
Henry's law, however, assumes that the peL.GnLag~ of gas contained within the water will be the same as that of the DuLLuu.,ding al ~F~-^riC air, or in other words seventy-eight percent (78%) nitrogen and L~ Ly-v~le and nine-tenths percent (21.9%) oxygen.
The inventor has dis-uveLtd that by electrocatalytically forcing oxygen within the water into a dissolved state, the ~pparatus of the present invention can create an unstable or qùasi-stable condition. In effect, the dissolved gases contained within the water can exceed the heretofore believed absolute saturation limit of one hundred percent (100%).
During the electrocatalytic process, some of the dlssolved oxygen within the water Gv~uLates, or bleeds or boils off, along with a UULL ^~ ~llng amount of nitrogen. As ~ WO 95/21795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PC'rlUS95/01730 _g_ a result, an almost stable condition is obtained. At this point the one hundred percent (100%) dissolved gas limit is not yet ~ ed. However, since nitrogen has been purged or expelled from the system, the water can directly and S immediately absorb a comparable amount of dissolved oxygen without the oxygen having to enter a gaseous state. Thus, the c...cel~L- ~.tion of dissolved oxygen can be increased without a similar increase in dis501ved nitrogen. The oxygen level increases, and the nitrogen level decreases.
Con~equ~ntly, the present invention allows one to reach triple saturation very easily and not violate Nenry ' s law.
The amount of gas in the solution ~emains at 100% to 101%, but processed repetitively, most if not all of such gas will be oxygen.
The apparatus is preferably placed within 6ystems that recirculate water. Every time the water passes through the apparatus, more nitrogen is d~ ~rl~-~ed and the level of dissolved oxygen increases. This process can continue until approximately twenty-two (22) parts per million of dissolved oxygen are achieved and maintained, regardless of the temperature of the water, as long as the water temperature is below fifty (50) degrees Cel6ius. For example, the present invention can achieve and maintain a c~i~ce~.LLc~tion of twenty-two (22) parts per million of dissolved oxygen all day long 25 when the water was at thirty (30) degrees Celsius.
A conventional use of Henry's law, however, would generally limit the concentration amount dissolved oxygen to around six (6) or (7) parts per million. In other words, WO 95121795 2, 8 3 ~ 6 2 PCT/USg5101730 ~Iccording to Henry's law, the given body of water should have a dissolved oxygen co~ ,LLation level of around 6 parts per million, but by using this invention the cu-.-el-LLdtion level may be maintained at about 22 parts per million.
When trying to aerate water by pumping or blowing air underwater ~nd then allowlng the gas to bubble to the surface, the injected air comprises approximately seventy-eight percent t78%) of nitrogen and twenty-two percent t22%) of oxygen. The relative percentage of absorption of such lo gases is comparable to the respective amounts of gas injected below the water. r~-nceq~ ntly, with the increa5e in dissolved oxygen, there is a siqnific~nt (in excess of threefold) increase in the amount of dissolved nitrogen.
Many fish and other aquatic life are sensitive to high nitrogen levels and can become embolized if the nitrogen levels are excessive.
In comparison, the level of dissolved oxygen can be effectively doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled in a single pass of water through the system without any absorption of dissolved nitrogen. The results of this process far exceed that what can be achieved by using air blowing or other older techniques .
A different method to obtain dissolved oxygen is to first liquefy air to separate off the oxygen. The oxygen is then stored in pLe~nuLlzed tank8 for later injection back into the water reservoir. After being injected back into the water reservoir, the oxygen is allowed to again bubble back to the surface. Several problems with this method include _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ , _ , _ .
WO 95121795 . . 2 1 ~ 3 1~ 6 2 ~ l ~u~
the added expense and difficulty to separate off the oxygen, and the cost and trouble to handle, store, and transport flammable pL~s~,uLized oxygen tanks.
Besides the significant reduction in cost, required 5 eq~ . t, and manual labor as compared to the previously mentioned pressurized method, the present invention generates dissolved oxygen. Unlike gaseous oxygen, dissolved oxygen i8 not explosive. Consequently, the present invention is much safer to use and operate. In addition, once the apparatus is 10 installed, the only needed . --t. to operate the apparatus is a flow of water and a direct electrical current. It is usually much more convenient to obtain and maintain a supply of electricity than to keep repl~n ~ ~h ~ n7 a supply of pL eS::iUL ized oxygen tanks .
In effect, the inventor has disc-,v~Led that by increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, the oxygen molecules can actually displace and thereby remove or reduce the amount of dissolved minerals, oils, and organic matter contained in the water. Not only is healthier water created, but the cleaning process does not use additional chemical additives to do so.
The inventor has actually created an electronically controlled scrubbing device that scrubs contaminated water at a molecular level.
~ore particularly, the apparatus of the present invention can be used to treat water having physical, rh-~mlc~l, and/or biological contaminants. Although not a cure-all for every water problem, dissolved oxygen generation _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . , . _ _ _ _ ,, Wo95121795 2~ 83062 P~ u with electronic purification will help or cure contamination problems in most cases. The following explanation describes how the invention affects each type of contamination.
The electrical flow and field generated by the invention causes a coagulation or lumping together of sollds, colloids, and thin oils that comprise physical contaminants within water .
In addition, the electrolysis within the electrolytic or electrocatalytic cell of the invention adds large amounts of dissolved oxygen to the water that in turn cause the oxidation and destruction of many other contaminants. As a result of the coagulation and oxidation just mentioned, once the water is allowed to settle, the cont~m~n~nt~ easily fall or settle out of the solution.
Such coagulation, oxidation, and removal of settled contaminants eliminate algae, II~IL~ sulfide, and other elements that create most obnnY~oll~ odors. For example, the e of hydrogen sulfide generally creates a smell of raw sewage .
It is important to note that by using the electrocatalytic purification apparatus and ~c.ces~es described herein, such purification can be accomplished without using or adding other rh~'m~C;~lFI or agents to treat the water.
rh~-m~ contaminants can also be reduced by subjecting the water to the high levels of dissolved oxygen. The di~solved oxygen ~Yidiz~s and breaks down many ~-hPmiçll~ and hydrocarbons in low co~,ael.L~tion5. Minerals and dissolved WO95121795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 Pcr/uss5101730 metals in the water also coagulate into filterable solids as do many soaps and phosphates.
Bioloqical contamination can be safely and effectively - treated using the present invention. It is important to note that dissolved oxygen is an effective, natural bactericide that is not toxic to animals, ~ish, or plants.
Anaerobic bacteria live without oxygen. An example of a virulent type of anaerobic bacteria i5 that commonly found in stagnant water. The simple introduction of oxygen into the water generally kills anaerobic bacteria.
Aerobic bacteria, which live with oxygen, can also be killed by introducing additional dissolved oxygen into the water. This is accomplished by raising the level of dissolved oxygen until the aerobic bacteria die. What happens is that excess oxygen breaks down the outer wall of the bacteria cell causing the death of thc organism.
C~n~equ~ntly, to the inventor's knowledge no bacteria, not even the microscopic organisms, are immune to high levels of dissolved oxygen.
Because dis601ved oxygen remains in the water, long pipe lengths and storage tanks can be cleansed and purified of contaminants by what is referred to as a residual kill attributed to dissolved oxygen.
Dissolved oxygen can also be used very effectively to kill fecal coliform bacteria this is found in waters having sewage contamination. For example, many cities use oxygen to purify the water output being expelled from sewage plants.
This is done because the i11L- v~ Li on of oxygen is an WO 95/2I795 . 7 i ~ 3 0 6 2 PCT/US95~01730 effective way to treat water without incurring harmful environmental side effects.
The noncontaminating nature ~nd qualities of this invention make the apparatus particularly valuable for use 5 with fish farms, lakes, drinking water, and other environmentally sensitive water reserves. The invention can similarly be used within aquatic, waste water treatment, sewage treatment, water purification, paper processing, and many other industries that require high levels of dissolved 10 oxygen within the water. Large open bodies of water can now be Pcxln~ ;CAlly maintained having a stable, hAlAncPd, super#aturated state of dissolved oxygen.
The primary purpose o~ the invention, i8 not nProccarily the coagulation of con~AminAnt, although this is an 15 ~ LL. ~1Y beneficial by-process. Instead, the primary purpose of the invention is to increase the level of dissolved oxygen within the water.
The present invention is a flow-through system. In other words, the invention allows the water to pass right 20 through the apparatus without having to force the water in or out of the apparatus. The system is preferably not serpentine in shape or operation. If the system was serpentine within the cell itself, turbulence would be i~LLuduced and the system would not work as well.
25 C~lncesrlpntly~ the invention permits high water flow rates with only a minimum amount of drag or flow resistance. The rate of flow can and should be substantially constant.
_ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ ,, . . . _ ~ wo 95nl7g5 -- 218 3 0 6 2 l I/L~
The invention can be installed into and will not interfere with most water pumping and storage systems.
The construction and materials u~ed within the invention make the apparatus and pIuce~ses used nearly, if not 5 completely, immune to normal water ~e~--uLe and t~ t changes .
To achieve the aforementioned general and specific objectives, the present invention generally comprises a housing, a first electrode or electrical conductor, a second 10 electrode or electrical conductor, securing means, and current means. Each of these elements and additional elements will be ~;cc~lcspd in substantial detail below within the Best Node For Carrying Out The Invention portion oS the patent and are included herein by reference.
These and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following disclosure and referring to the attached drawings.
RRT~F nrA~lA~TpIlIvN OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred ~ t of 20 the invention illustrating a specially designed eleuLLuuc.t.llytic cell, dPricted in phantom lines, within an exterior housing.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, UL-JSS 3r ~ie,AAl, side-elevational view of the invention shown in Figure 1, further illustrating 25 placement and intt:Luu~...ecLion of the various ~ A lts of the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded, 1c Llic view of the invention illustrating the internal ~-~ Ls of the
2 1 ~ 3 0 6 2 PCT/US95/01730 electrocatalytic cell.
FIG. 4 iB a transverse, cross-sectional view of the invention as seen within a plane defined by line 4-4 in Figure 2.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing various additional ~- -n~s that can be used with the apparatus to aerate, oxygenate, and treat an open a~auatic or marine pond, such as a fish pond.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternative form of putting the invention into practice to aerate, oxygenate, and treat waste water from a paper mill.
one should understand that the drawings are not ner~Arily to scale and the elements are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic ~pr~E~ tions, ~nd r. t ary views. In certain instances, the inventor may have omitted details which are not nec~Ary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIQN
P~eferring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the present invention generally comprises an apparatus 20 having a housing 22, a first electrode 24, a ~econd electrode 26, securing means 28, and current means 3 0 .
The housing 22 defines an enclosure 32 within which an electrolytic or electrocatalytic cell 34 is contained. The housing 22 can have any desired cros5-sectional configuration and be of any desired length. In the preferred '~ t of _ _ _ _ _, _ _ . . , _ _ _ , , , _ , _ _ _ _ _ W095121795 `~ 830b2 Pcr/Ussslol73o the invention, the housing 22 has an elongated, tubular, generally cylindrical shape. ~Pc~AnqulAr~ triAn~lAr, ~guAre, or other ul~ ss-s__~lonal shapes may alternatively be used .
The inventor believes that the minimum exterior size of the housing 22 can be as small a~ a one (1) inch outer diameter. The inventor believes that the maximum exterior size of the housing 22 can be as large as a six (61 feet outer diameter.
The housing 22 has a first end 36 and an opposed second end 38. An inlet opening 40 or port is located at the first end 36. An outlet opening 42 or port i5 located at the opposed second end 38.
The housing 22 can be directly connected or secured to a conduit or pipe 44 in any manner that permlts the generally collinear pasliage of water 46 into the inlet opening 40, through the enclosure 32, and out of the housing 22 through the outlet opening 42.
The inventor prefers that the pipe 44 have a diameter of about two (2) to three (3) inches. Of course, other slzes of pipe 44 can alternatively be used.
The housing 22 may be provided with an inlet coupling 48 that ls corlnPc tPd between the pipe 44 and a main portion 50 of the housing 22 that encloses the cell 34. The inlet courlln~ 48 is designed to provided a gradually increasing taper from an inlet end 52 to an opposed outlet end 54. The tapered design is intended to provide for a smooth flow of the water 46 through the apparatus 20. The inlet end 52 has _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WO 951~1795 2.1 8 3 0 6 2 PCT/US95101730 ~ narrower L;L~J-S l~ectional area or circumference as compared to the opposed outlet end 54. Similarly, the outlet end 54 has a larger cross-sectional area or circumference as compared to the opposed inlet end 52. The narrower inlet end 52 is sized and dimensioned to be secured to an opening within the pipe 44.
The housing 22 could also be provided with an outlet coupling 56. The outlet coupling 56 is generally similar to the design of the inlet coupling 48. More particularly, the lo outlet coupling 56 is connected between the pipe 44 and the main portion 50 of the housing 22 that encloses the cell 34.
The outlet coupling 56 has an inlet end 58 and an opposed outlet end 60. The inlet end 58 of the outlet coupling 56 has a wider cross-sectional area or circumference as compared to the opposed outlet end 60. Similarly, the outlet end 60 of the outlet coupling 56 has a narrower cross-sectional area or circumference as compared to the opposed inlet end 58.
The narrower outlet end 60 is sized and dimensioned to be secured to an opening within the pipe 44.
The housing 22, inlet coupling 48, and outlet coupling S6 should be manufactured from a material that does not conduct electrical current. For example, it is preferred that the housing 22, inlet coupling 48, and outlet coupling 56 be manufactured from a PVC, Teflon, nylon, or any other no~ ive material. of course, other materials could alternatively be used.
The joint or jull._LuL. s between the inlet coupling 48, main portion 50 of the housing 22, and the outlet coupling 56 -~ WO 95121795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PCT~U5951~)1731~
msy be fiealed and secured by sny a~},Lu~llate means, such as by a threaded aonnection or use of an adhesive.
The cell 34 contains a plurality of bipolar, preferably tubular-~l.a~ed ele..LLudes. The fir5t electrode 24 and second electrode 26 are positioned or located within the enclosure 32 defined by the main portion 50 of the housing 22 between the inlet opening 40 and outlet opening 42.
The first electrode 24 may comprise any desired shape or configuration that accomplishes the desired objectives. The first electrode 24, however, should be capable of carrying an electrical charge and current.
The second electrode 26 may also comprise any desired shape or con~iguration thst accomplishes the desired objectives. The second electrode 26 should also be capable of carrying an electrical charge and current.
The first electrode 24 is ~uxtaposed near to the second electrode 26. However, there is a spaced relationship between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26.
It i6 important to L- ' r that the water 46 must be capable of passing between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26 in a generally lln; -~ecl manner, and an electrical charge and current must be capable of being passed through the water 46 from the first electrode 24 to the second electrode 26.
To achieve a fixed or adjustable spaced relationship between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26, securing means 28 that accomplish this taslc are provided.
Such securing means 28 secure the first electrode 24 and the _ _ . . . , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WO951~1795 2 ~ ~ 3 ~ ~ ~ PCT/US95101730 second electrode 26 within the main portion 50 of the housing 22 in such a manner that the spaced relati~nchir between the first electrode 24 and second electrode 26 can be easily maintained. The securing means 28 may take any desired form 5 or design that accomplishes the required tas;c. One particular form for the securing means 28 will be i;~crl~c~c~ed in more detail further below.
Although other configurations can be used with this invention, the interior of the cell 34 preferably consists of l0 two (2) or more coated tubular shaped catalytic electrodes 24 and 26 or curved plates. Por example, in the preferred ' '; L of the invention, the first electrode 24 comprises a plurality of elongated, co:~Y;:~lly-positioned, tubular plates 24 ' . For increase efficiency, the plates 24 ' of the 15 first electrode 24 should have a generally collinear orientation with respect to passage of the water 4 6 through the Dl~ sl~re 32.
In a similar manner, the second electrode 26 also comprises a plurality of elongated, co~Yi~11y-positioned, 20 tubular plates 26 ' . The plates 26 ' of the second electrode 26 should also have a generally collinear orientation with respect to passage of the water 46 through the Dnrlos~1re 32.
Since most hydraulic conduits or pipelines have a generally hollow, cylindrical shape, it i6 preferred that the 25 plates 24' and 26' of the first electrode 24 and second electrode 26 also comprise elongated, generally hollow, cylindrlcal shapes. When placed wlthin the housing 22, the plates 24 ' and 26 ' should have successively larger diameters , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ . . _ _ _ _ _ ~ wo 95/2179~ 2 1 8 3 0 6 2 r~ 1~S:~Y5~01~.~0 50 that they f it in a telescopla manner within one another .
Of course, other con~igurations of the plates 24 ' and 26 ' can alternatively be used, if desired. However, to mln1m~7e the amount of turbulence of the water 46 passing 5 through the enclosure 32, the inventor prefers to use plate~
24 ' and 26 ' that have successively larger but similar cross-sectlonal design as that of the pipe 44. The preferred configuration of the plates 24 ' and 26 ' is that of a hollow, cylindrical tube, pipe, or bent plate.
The plates 26' of the second electrode 26 are interposed between respective, proximate plates 24 ' of the first electrode 24. Although the present invention functions in a very different manner, the design is slmilar to that of a multi-plated capacitor using successively larger or smaller 15 spaced tubes placed within one another.
The spaced interposition o~ the plates 24 ' and 26 ' is important so that a cloE~ed electrical circuit can be created only when water 46 is passed between the plates 24 ' and 26 ' .
Furthermore, with one exception that will ~e ~i~cll~sed 20 further below, it is desirable that the amount of surface area facing the respective interposed plates 24 ' and 26 ' be r-m;ml Yed to better facilitate passage of current therefrom and affect a greater amount of water 46 passing therebetwcen.
Such interposition may be accomplished by using securing 25 means 28 that spaces the plates 26 ' of the second electrode 26 in an interposed relationship between the plates 24 ' of the first electrode 24. For example, the inventor prefers to use generally "Y"-shaped plate or electrode spacers, end _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
braces, or guides 28 ~ to quickly and easily hold and space the plates 24 ~ and 26 ~ relative to one another. The spacers or guides 28 ~ are adhered or otherwise secured to the plates 24 ~ and 26 ~ . A friction fit between the spacers or guides 28 ~ and the plates 24 ~ and 26 ~ may be sufficlent.
Alternatively, the spacers or guldes 28~ may be provided with notches 62, ~`hAnn~ or indentations therein that are designed to receive and retain the variously sized plates 24' and/or 26 ~ . The outermost edges 64 of the nonelectrically conductive spacers or guides 28 ~ may be braced or otherwise secured to the interior sidewalls 66 of the housing 22.
The securing means 28 may further comprise means for preventing the passage of the water 46 through the enclosure 32 except between the first electrode 24 and the 6econd electrode 26. For example, a spacing or spacer ring 68 may be placed between the plates 24 ~ and 26 ~ and the interior sidewalls 66 of the main portion 50 of the housing 22.
To r-Ylm~7e the amount of retained dissolved oxygen within the water 46, the housing 22~ the first electrode 24, the second electrode 26, the securing means 28, and the current means 30 are all configured and ~ ior~cl to reduce turbulence within the water 46 passing through the enclosure 32, thereby allowing the water 46 to maintain a maximum laminar flow.
To m;n;m~7e turbulence, the inventor prefers to use a housing 22 that has the same general cross-sectional configuration as the pipe 44. In addition, after placement of the cell 34 within the housing 22, the I~ ~ninq cross-Wo 9SI21795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PCT/[JS95/01730 sectional area available for passage of the water 46 through the enclosure 32 should comprise approximately the same area, or generally comparable .;.oss-secLional area, as that of the interior area of the pipe 44. As a result, there should be 5 no appreciable increase or decrease in the ~-~..DuLe within the water 46 as the water 46 passes through the enclosure 32.
The inventor desire6 to eliminate adverse venturi affects within the apparatus 20 and system. If a venturi affect occurs, there will be a lowering of water pressure.
lO If there is a pressure drop, gases will come out of the solution which is undesirable.
Consequently, the cross-sectional area of the apparatus 20 is enlarged, as compared to the input pipe 44. Such enlargement accounts for the added .,.oss-se~ional dimensions 15 of the internal, ~. Ls within the apparatus 20. The rate of flow of the water 46 through the system should not dramatically increase or decrease.
To further reduce turbulence within the enclosure 32, the inventor prefers to use plates 24 ' within the first 20 electrode 24 and plates 26 ' within the second electrode 26 that have a respective leading edge 24" and 26" that is tapered to a relatively sharp edge. Similarly, the trailing edge 24" ' of the plate 24 ' should be tapered to a relatively sharp edge. The trailing edge 26" ' of the plate 26 ' should 25 also be tapered to a relatively sharp edge. Tapering of the leading and trailing edges further reduce turbulence within the water 4 6 .
Wo95/21795 2 ~ 33C~ r~ o The invention also contemplates the use of current means 30 for supplying a direct electrical current to the fir6t electrode 24, through the water 46, and into the second electrode 26 to form a closed electrical circuit or loop. In s effect, the current means 30, the first electrode 24, the water 46, and the second electrode 26 define the electrolytic or electrocatalytic cell 34.
In the preferred '; ---t of the invention, the current means 30 comprises an electrical power supply 80 or source that is positioned externally from the housing 22 or cell 34. For example, a power supply 80 similar that described in U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,917,782 may be used with the present invention.
The first and second electrodes 24 and 26 are connected to the power supply 80 and are thereby electrically active in the water 46 solution. In is important to note that each electrode 24 and 26 are set in electrically insulated material that insures proper spacing and minimum current leakage between the eleL~lu-les 24 and 26.
A very low voltage is used. For example, in a typical application the power supply 80 delivers about one (1) volt to sixty (60) volts of direct current to the plate 24 ' and 26 ' defining the cell 34 . The actual amount of voltage will depend upon the cnndur~ivity, temperature, and elevation of 2 5 the water 4 6 .
The cell 34 operates on about 0.5 amperes to 600 amperes d~r~n~ltnq upon the size and length of the first and second electrodes 24 and 26 (respectively comprising plates 24 ' and WO 95/21795 - ~ 1 g 3 0 ~ 2 PCTflJS95/01730 26'), and ~l~rrnrlin~ upon thQ characteristics of ths water 46 such as its conductivity.
Electrical charges and ~ULL~I)L:i within these ranges do not adversely effect fish.
In addition, the system uses an isolated direct current (DC) voltage system within the cell 34. Since the fish are not allowed to go through the cell 34, the f$sh are not adversely effected. The passage of the fish can be blocked by an input screen tnot shown). Even if the input screen was removed, the fish would not be able to pass through the filters and related equipment used with the cell 34. There i5 no voltage leakage outside of the cell 34 back to the pond at all. The transformer is isolated from the alternating current (AC) line and only director current (DC) is exposed to the water 46. ~on~eqn~ntly, the only electrical flow occurs within the cell 34 itself.
Normally, when water 46 is heated the amount of dissolved oxygen contained therein will necec~rily decrease.
Because of this problem, one would be motivated not to heat the water 46. Since subjecting the water 46 to an electrical current will nec~FsArily heat the water 46, commonly accepted principles teach away from the present invention.
However, when water 46 is heated its conductivity actually increases. The increased conductivity of the water 46 counteracts any lowering of the total amount of dissolved gas contained within the watQr 46 due to the temperature increase. C~n~eq~l~ntly, the ~ ;e.j~es of the present invention can be effectuated without adverse impact from the .
WO 9~/21795 2 l 8 3 9 6 2 PCTIUS95/01730 water 46 he. in~ partially heated.
Since water i5 not as electrically conductive when cold, the present invention functions even better when the water is warmer or heated. At higher temperatures, the apparatus 20 5 works e,.LL~ -~y well.
The first electrode 24 and the second electrode 26 are bipolar. f- nc~ t;ly, an electrical timer 82, similar to that described in U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,917,782, can be used to periodically reverse the polarity within the cell 34.
10 By reversing the polarity within the cell 34, debris adhering to the plates 24~ and 26' can be urged to fall off.
The time periods for electrical current reversals vary nr~n~ i n7 upon the type and amount or level of water contamination and the debris buildup. The inventor prefers 15 a minimum reversal time period of about ten (10) minutes. A
maximum reversal time period should be about eight ~8) hours.
Due to this electrically self-cleaning feature, no r- llAn~c~l cleaning of the cell 34 is generally required.
The oxygen generation process described herein uses non-20 ' hl e catalytic type ele~L~.,des 24 and 26 and/or plates24 ~ Elnd 26 ~ . The spacing of the first and second electrodes 24 and 26 and shape of the cell 34 are designed to r-Yimt 7~
or optimize dissolved oxygen production. The applied voltage and current levels are also designed to r-Yiml 7e production 25 of dissolved oxygen.
The spacing between respective plates 241 and 26~ varies from about O .1 inch to 1. 0 inch rlPr~-n~l~ ng on the type of water contamination that is being treated. The desired flow -~ Wo 95121795 2 1 8 3 0 6 2 PcTIus9~0~73a rates, pipe size, and type of contamination being treated will primarily dictate the number of electrode plates 24' and 26 ' that must be used.
Power is supplied to the electrode plates 24 ' and 26 ' 5 positioned within the enclosure 32 by means of one or more cables, wires, and/or straps 84 and 86 that are welded or otherwise electrically connected or secured to plates 24 ' and 26', respectively. In the preferred ~ - L, an electrically conductive 6trap 84 is provided for the set of lO plates 2i ' that comprise first electrode 24 . Similarly, an electrically conductive strap 86 is provided for the set o~
plates 26 ' that comprise second electrode 26.
The strap 84 is connected in a parallel fashion to each plate 24 ' within the first set of ele.;l Lude~ 24. The strap 15 86 is connected in a parallel fashion to each plate 26 ' within the second set of ele~;L.udes 26.
The opposed t~-rm;nA1 ends 84' and 86' of the straps 84 and 86 are past through the sidewall 66 of the housing 22, whereupon the t~r~inAl ends 84' and 86' are connected to the 20 external power supply 80 by any convenient manner. Thus configured, an electrical current can be past through the cell 34 once water 46 fills the gap between the respective plates 24 ' and 26 ' .
To reduce the amount of maintenance required by the 25 invention, the electrically cûnductive straps 84 and 86 are welded to each electrode plate 24 ' or 26 ' within that particular set of electrodes 24 or 26, respectively.
WO 9S/21795 2 1 8 3 0 6 2 r~ Su If the straps 84 and 86 have any signlficant width thereto, a slot 88, channel, or notch may be cut into each electrode plate 24 ' or 26 ' to ~ te the placement of the straps 84 or 86 therein. As a result, the straps 84 and 5 86 may be mounted or placed edgewise wlthin the flow path of the water 46 and thereby minimi7e its affect on turbulence within the water 4 6 .
Within the preferred . 'i- L of the invention, a centermost portion of the cell 34 comprises a solid, thin, 10 cylindrical water block 90. Water block 90 may or may not be tapered to a point. The water block 90 is designed to further prevent water 46 from passing through the enclosure 32 without first passing between two oppositely charged electrode plates 24 ' and 26 ' and thereby being 15 ele~;~L.,.;~ltalytically treated.
The reader is reminded of the above-mentioned spacing or spacer ring 68, that is placed between the plates 24 ' and/or 26 ' and the interior sidewalls 66 of the main portion 50 of the housing 22. That spacing or spacer ring 68 also prevents 20 the passage of the water 46 through the ~n~l oS~re 32 except between the first set of plates 24 ' that define the first electrode 24 and the secondl set of plates 26' that define the second electrode 26. Thus positioned, water 46 cannot bypass the cell 34 unless a di~ferent bypass pipe tnot shown) ls 25 used.
The centermost cylindrical water block 90, the outermost spacing or spacer ring 68, the plate or electrode spacers or guides 28', the inlet coupling 48, the outlet coupling 56, wo 95/21795 2 7 3 3 ~ 6 2 PCI/US95/01730 ~md the interior sirlewæll~ 66 of the housing 22 are all preferably manufactured from an electrically ~ ive material such as, but not limited to, PVC, Terlon, or nylon.
To facilitate proper welding of the electrical straps 84 5 and 86 to the appropriate sets of plate5 24 ' and~or 26 ', both the straps 84 and 86 and both sets of plate5 24 ~ and 26 ~ or elevLLv~es 24 and 26 are preferably r-nl~fA~-t~ed ~rom titanium. of course, other metals may al60 be used, but the inventor prefers to use titanium.
In addition, either or both of the sets of plates 24 ' nnd/or 26 ', such as the first electrode 24 and/or the second electrode 26, are coated with iridium oxide, ruthenium oxide, rhodium oxide, palladium oxide, osmium oxide, platinum oxide, or any other coating material that f:~nh~n~ the capability of 15 the cell 34 to perform its function. The inventor, however, has found that the particularly selected metals and coatings used for the cell 34 as stated herein have unique catalytic properties .
To further enhance the efficiency of the cell 34, the 20 leading edge 24" of each plate 24' wlthin the first electrode 24 is set forward of or set backward of each proximate leading edge 26" of each plate 26 ' within the second electrode 26. The aforementioned spacing along the longitudinal axis 92 of the cell 34, as det~m;ne~l by the 25 pasgage of water 46 through the enclosure 32, should be about one to one and one-half inches tl" to l-l/2") between the leading edges 24" of the plates 24 ' of the first electrode 24 and the leading edges 26" of the plates 26 ' of the second _ _ _ _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wo 95/21795 -2 1 3 3 0 6 2 PCT/US95/01730 electrode 26. In other word5, the leading edges 24" of the plates 24 ' forming the first electrode 24 should not be aligned with each proximately positioned leading edge 26" of the plates 26 ' forming the second electrode 26 . This S misalignment is intended to make sure that the plates 26' are not within the electrical flow that supplies power to plates 24 ' . Similarly, the plates 24 ' should not be within the electrical flow that supplies power to plates 26'.
Fur~hP ~:, the leading edges 24" and 26" and the lO trailing edges 24" ' and 26" ' of plates 24 ' and 26" should not be actively involved within the electrolysis process or excessive wear may occur.
The present invention may be practiced without the use of a mechanical filter. In effect the invention can be 15 practiced without the use of ~ hle ~hPm;r-A-~:, filters, or other related eql~i, L. No chemicals are used in this process other than for ph adjustment.
Alternatively, if desired, one or more filters 94 may be operatively co~nPctPtl to the housing 22 or be placed upstream 20 and/or ~ ..DL~ L~ from the apparatus 20 within the pipe 44.
For example, the filter 94 may remove c~lntAm;nAntC ~rom the water 46 before the water 46 passes through the Pn-losllre 32.
Figure 5 illustrates the filter 94 installed upstream of the apparatus 20. The filter 94 may take any desired form.
25 However, the filter 94 should not significantly retard the flow of water 46 through the apparatus 20.
The water 46 may be gravity fed through the pipe 44 and through the apparatus 20.
~ Wo 95/21795 2 1 3 3 ~ 6 2 PCT/US95/0173a To prevent excessive build-up within the holding tank lOo, the inventor uses a flood sensor (not shown) that governs the input of waste water 46 ' through the input pipe 44 .
Alternatively, one or more pumps 96 may be used to increase the pressure of the water 46 and thereby urge the water 46 to pass through the enclosure 32. The pump or pumps 96 can be operatively connected to the apparatus 20 or to the pipe 44, or actually be integrally formed within the housing lo 22 of the apparatus 20.
The invention is intended for use with water circulation apparatus to clean and purify the water 46 and remove the minerals therefrom. Prior to passing through the apparatus 20 and~or after having passed through the apparatus 20, the water 46 may be deposited into a holding pond 98, holding tank 100, or the llke. Figure 5 schematically illustrates the use of the holding pond 98, such as an open aquarium, fish pond, waste water treatment pond, aquarium, hot tub, or swimming pool.
2~ Figure 6 schematically illustrates the use of the apparatus 20 with one or more enclosed holding tanks 100. In essence, the holding tank 100 is operatively cnnn~ct~d to an input pipe 102. The holding tank loO is capable of holding or detaining the water 46 after the water 46 has past through 25 the enclosure 32, thereby permitting contaminants within the water 46 to settle to a bottom 104 of the holding tank.
To achieve this end, contaminated water 46 is initially pumped into the holding tank 100 through input pipe 102 where _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . . _ _ . _ _ WO 95121795 2 ~ 8 3 0 ~) 2 PCTI~JS95/01730 the water 46 i8 stored. Each holding tank 100 is provided with an inlet port 106 and an outlet port 108. The inlet port 106 is po6itioned near a lower portion 110 of the holding tank 100 to receive u~Loces5ed water 4 6 ' 5 therethrough. The outlet port 108 is positioned near an upper portion 112 of the holding tank 100 to permit removal of processed water 46" therethrough.
Some of the contaminants may be mechanically removed from the u,.~Lucessed water 46 ' by means of one or more 10 f ilters 94 that are placed within the input pipe 102 .
once passed into the holding tank 100 through the inlet port 106, some of the contaminants may settle out of the ul-~Lucessed water 46' before the water 46 is past into the cell 34.
The unprocessed water 46 ' is drawn from near the bottom 104 or middle portion 114 of the holding tank 100 and is pumped into the cell 34 where the water 46 is electrocatalytically scrubbed. After exiting the cell 34, the ~luces~ed water 46" is pumped back into the holding tank 20 100 whereupon the coagulated contaminants can settle to the bottom 104 of the holding ~ank 100.
Due to the high electrical flow between the plates 24 ' and 26 ', high dissolved oxygen levels ionize and coagulate the solids within the water 46 thereby causing such solids to 25 precipitate. The ~Y;~ qd solid waste can then be removed from the bottom 104 of the holding tank 100. Hydrogen-sulfide, phenols, and trace oils can all be broken down by using this method. In particular, when 80D and COD have W0951~1795 _33_ PCT/US95~01730 their oxygen demand met and then PYceecl~l by a large amount, the breakdown of the waste is very rapid.
In comparison, the generation of dissolved oxygen using other technologies is very slow, from hours into days ~nd 5 weeks, due to an inability to effectively produce high dissolved oxygen levels.
With the present invention, however, the cell 34 is specially designed to maximize the production of dissolved oxygen in water 46 flowing through it. The shape of the 10 parts of the apparatus 20 are designed to reduce turbulence and to maintain a high level of dissolved oxygen within the water 46. Fur~hP ~, the selection of voltage and current levels are also set to --Y~m~P dissolved oxygen generation.
With each succcssive pass through the cell 34, the water 15 46 is further purified. In addition, with each pass nitrogen gas is being expelled from the pLu~;~ssed water 46" and is being immediately replaced with dissolved oxygen that is created during the electrocatalytlc process.
The holding tank 100 preferably has a vent 116 located 20 near its uppermost portion 118. Gaseous nitrogen, oxygen and/or other undesired gases that are expelled from the cell 34 will float to the upper surface 120 of the holding tank 100, whereupon such gases can be vented, released, or expelled to another holding tank 101' for further processing 2S or be vented to the outside ai ,` ?re. The venting of such gases eliminates the possibility that such gases will be reabsorbed back into the E-L~n essed water 46".
Wo 95/21795 2 ~ 8 3 0 6 2 PCr/US9~/0l730 0 As a c~ e~ of using the disclosed apparatus 20 and p.ucesnes, processed, purified water 46" will naturally migrate to the upper portion 112 of the holding tank loo.
In effect, a stratification of the water 46 occurs. As the 5 water 46 becomes more gasified or has less contaminants therein, such processed water 46" rises upward. U..~-v~iessed water 46 ' containing contaminants that nre clumped together fall to the bottom. cnn~eq~ tly, natural stratif$cation occurs. Eventually the processed water 46" floats to the top 10 of the holding tank lOo and ul,Lvcesn~d or less processed water 46 ' falls to a lower level for ~.ucessing.
The apparatus 20, and particularly the holding tank 100, may also be provided with means for removing settled contaminants from the bottom 104 of the holding tank 100.
Any ~I .v} .late means to ~ h thi~ task may be used.
The ~lucessed water 46" that remains near the upper surface 120 of the holding tank lOo can be drawn off by gravity or be pumped off into another holding tank 100', whereupon the process is again repeated.
The present invention can be used without a holding tank 100 (as shown in Figure 5), with a single holding tank 100, or with a plurality of holding tanks 100, lO0 ~ and 100" . At each s~lcG~s~ive level or passage to the next holding tank 100, 100' and 100", the processed water 46" will become pLu~L~-ynively purified of contaminants, will have significant amounts of dissolved nitrogen di~rlaced therefrom, and will eventually have e,L~ 1 y high volumes of dissolved oxygen contained therein.
~ WO 95/21795 2 1 ~ 3 0 6 2 PCT/US95/01730 As seen in Figure 6, a cell 34 is not installed within the third or last illustrated holding tank loO~. By the time the water 46 reaches the third tank 100", the levels of - dissolved oxygen contained within the water 46 are very high.
C l~c~ l l ly, the advantageous effects imparted by high levels of dissolved oxygen will continue even after the production of dissolved oxygen ceases. The inventor refers to this as a residual kill process where contaminants are continuing to be purged from the water reservoir within lo holding tank 100".
In comparison, if only ozone is introduced into the water 46, fifteen seconds down the pipe 44 the ozone has dissipated and is no longer effectiv~. If the present invention is used, a residual kill continues for an extended lS period o~ time because, according to Henry's law, the balance of dissolved gases within the water 46 must be maintained.
Chlorine may be placed within the water 46 and residual kill will occur for a substantial period of time. ~owever, chlorine stays in the solution.
Dissolved oxygen functions in a similar manner as chlorine but dissolved oxygen is eventually released into the re ~nd the water solution is allowed to equalize.
Thus, the present invention is much more ecologically friendly to the environment than u6ing chlorlne.
The present invention contemplates not only the npparatus 20 disclosed and claimed herein, in all of its forms and alternative ~ ir-- ts, but also contemplates the described methods and processes for increasing the amount of _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ wo95121795 2~ 33062 .~ u ~
dissolved oxygen within water 46 and breaking down the molecular structure of water borne orgsnisms.
Basically the process pa5ses low direct current (DCJ
voltage, using a catalytic-type cell 34, through water 46.
5 The catalytic action of the cell 34 forces most of the oxygen that iB broken apart from water molecules to go dlrectly into a dissolved oxygen state.
The dissolved oxygen levels that can be created by these processes can increase a dissolved oxygen E;aturation point 10 from around three parts per million (3.0 ppm) to about twenty parts per million (20.0 ppm), ~l~r~n~l;n~ on the starting conditions of the water 46. Under some circumstances, certain dissolved minerals react with the oxygen slow~ng down the oxygen generation process.
Such L,.v~esses or methods may include the following steps:
First, passing water 46 through a conduit or pipe 44 into a housing 22 that defines an enclosure 32.
Second, passing the water 46 between a first electrode 24 and a second electrode 26 contained within the enclosure 32. The first electrode 24 and second electrode 26 each are capable of carrying an electrical charge and current. The first electrode 24 is juxtaposed near the second electrode 26 in a spaced relationship to the 5econd electrode 26.
Third, supplying a direct electrical charge and current to the first electrode 24 50 that the direct electrical current passes through the first electrode 24, through the water 46, and into the second electrode 26 to form a closed ~ W095121795 , 2 1 83062 -37~
electrical circuit or loop. The means for supplying the direct electrical current, the first electrode 24, the water 46, and the second electrode 26, in fact, define an electrolytic and/or electrocatalytic cell 34. The direct electrical current should be sufficient, when passed through the water 46, to brea3c apart water molecules. The direct electrical current should also be sufficient to break down the molecular ~LLU~:~ULa of water borne organisms and/or chemicals by means of electrolysis and by oxidization created from the breaking apart of the water molecules.
E;x~ampL~
A small pond having a temperature Or 30 degrees Celsius and a medium fish loading would typically have a dissolved oxygen saturation point of 7 . 6 parts-per-million (ppm) . If the fish loading or cont~t ~ ls higher, the dissolved oxygen saturation point would be slightly less than 7 . 6 ppD.
Nhen using other t~rhn~logies, such as with air blowers as described above, the dissolved oxygen saturation point of 7. 6 ppm can be maintained. Under perfect conditions, using such apparatus might obtain a maximum saturation point of around 9 . 0 ppm. A higher amount of dissolved oxygen would result in healthier fish wlth better food conversion ratios.
Use of air blowers, however, reguires a substantial amount of electrical power. For example, a typical rate of - 25 power usage would be approximately 5. 0 kilowatts per hour.
Uslng the apparatus of the present invention, the very same pond can be easily maintained with a dissolved oxygen saturation point of 14.0 to 16.0 ppD. The power requirements Wo 95/21795 2 1 3 3 0 6 2 F~l/~8 ~ 17~
to obtain such a dissolved oxygen saturation point would only be o . 9 kilowatts of electrical power per hour.
To accomplish this ph-~n ~ L, the apparatus only needs to use eight (8) electrode plates and have a 5 diameter o~ three (3) inches. The power requirement would be twenty-four (24) volts of direct current at thirty-seven (37) ampere6. The flow rate of the treated water would be seventy (70) gallons per minute. The entire treatment system would consist of only the power supply, the cell, a filter, and a 10 pump for water - ~ ~ L.
It should be noted that the inventor has experimented with apparatus 20 having different cross-sectional conflgurations and has discovered that the design illustrated in the ~c -nying drawings can generate approximately 15 eighty percent t80%) more di6solved oxygen per watt of power than a system that uses flat, planar plates, as opposed to the cylindrical plates 24" and 26" fli cc~cs~i above.
The means and col,DL,u~;Lion disclosed herein are by way of example and comprise primarily the preferred forms of 20 putting the invention into effect. Although the drawings depict preferred and alternative ~ ir-~ ts of the invention, other embodiments have been described within the preceding text. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed device may have a wlde variety of shapes and 25 configurations. Additionally, persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains might consider the foregoing t~arhingc in making various modifications, other ~ ~ir- Ls, and alternative forms of the invention.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . , _ .. . . ..
WO 95121795 2, ~ 3 0 6 2 PCTIIJS95/01730 It ls, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments or specific features shown herein. To the contrary, the inventor claims the invention in all of its forms, including all alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and alternative ~ i - Ls that fall within the legitimate and valid scope of the Arp~n~d claims, aL~p~u~liately interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents.
lNW~ cTAr. AppT~TcARTr~TTy The present invention may be utilized wherever simple, reliable, easlly used apparatus and methods are needed to increase the level of dissolved oxygen within a body of water. For example various aquatic, waste water treatment, sewage treatment, water purification, paper processing, and many other plants and lndustries requlre high levels of dissolved oxygen within the water. The apparatus of this inventlon is compact, functional, u--o~L~ .ive, efficient, reusable, durable, rugged, is easily co~ L-.~;Led, and is i nP-rr~-n~:ive and economical to manufacture .
The present invention has a special benefit of allowing its use with a wide variety of differently sized water conduits or pipelines. The apparatus may be easily r~nllf~ red with the appropriate length, width, and/or diameter to ~it the needs of a particularly required application.
The present invention may be secured to the conduit or pipeline in areas of e.bLl~ ely limited access. This feature makes the apparatus particularly ~-.w~LL,l~ive and useful in WO 95/2179S 2 1 8 3 a 6 2 PCTIUS95/01730 areas where aesthetics are important, such as with residentlal f ish tanks .
Preexisting conduits or PirPl inPa may be utilized.
Other than to install the apparatu6, there i8 no need to 5 modify, alter, or deface the preexisting ~ hin~ry.
Alternatively, the invention may be incorporated into or formed integrally within new hydraulic systems.