Patent ID: 8377280
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. A deionizing apparatus for fluids comprising: an inlet constructed and arranged for passage of a flowing stream of a fluid mixed with ions into a main channel, said main channel having a width defined by two side walls and a height defined by a top and a bottom wall wherein said main channel is a microchannel, said top and said bottom walls being constructed from non-magnetic material; a first positively charged electrode positioned along a first of said two side walls; a first impermeable barrier positioned between said first electrode and said fluid mixed with ions; said first electrode constructed and arranged to attract negatively charged ions to a position adjacent said first impermeable barrier, said negatively charged ions flowing with said stream of fluid adjacent said first impermeable barrier; a first blocking plate positioned substantially parallel and spaced away from said first side wall and said first impermeable barrier, said first blocking plate having a first end surface positioned at an intermediate portion of said main channel and extending to an end portion of said main channel, said area between said first blocking plate and said first side wall defining a first output channel; a second negatively charged electrode positioned along a second of said two side walls, said first and said second electrodes being separated by a distance not greater than 700microns; a second impermeable barrier positioned between said second electrode and said fluid mixed with ions; said second electrode constructed and arranged to attract positively charged ions to a position adjacent said second impermeable membrane barrier, said positively charged ions flowing with said stream of fluid adjacent said second impermeable membrane barrier; a second blocking plate positioned substantially parallel and spaced away from said second side wall and said second impermeable membrane barrier, said second blocking plate having a first end surface positioned at an intermediate portion of said main channel and extending to an end portion of said main channel, said area between said second blocking plate and said second side wall defining a second output channel; an area between said first blocking plate and said second blocking plate defining a third output channel, said first and said second blocking plates dividing said flowing stream of fluid into three flowing streams of fluid, whereby a first of said streams of fluid flowing through said first channel includes a high concentration of negatively charged ions, whereby a second of said streams flowing through said second channel includes a high concentration of positively charged ions and wherein a third of streams of fluid flowing through said third channel is substantially devoid of ions.