Patent ID: 6338789
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
An apparatus for treating water by means of an electric field, comprising a water treatment chamber having inlet and outlet means for insertion into water conduit means to permit, when so inserted, water flow through said chamber; a cathode having a cathode surface, said cathode being arranged in said water treatment chamber such that said water flow flows over said cathode surface; an anode; means for permitting a voltage to be applied between said anode and said cathode to generate an electric field between said anode and said cathode, whereby seed crystals of minerals contained in said water are deposited on said cathode surface; and means for removing said seed crystals from said cathode surface to permit these seed crystals to be carried along with the water; and further comprising an aftertreatment chamber; anode and cathode means mounted in said aftertreatment chamber; means for permitting an electric voltage to be applied to said anode and cathode means of said aftertreatment chamber to generate an electric field in said aftertreatment chamber; and means for directing water from said treatment chamber through said aftertreatment chamber in such a way that the dwell time of the water in said aftertreatment chamber is longer than the dwell time of the water in said treatment chamber.