Abstract:
An improved magnetic water or fluid treatment system is provided, consisting of strong magnets arranged in a specific spacial and polar orientation with respect to each other to form a treating device for mounting on fluid-carrying pipes, and which produces a very strong and focused magnetic field. The method of magnetically treating fluids is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fluid treatment device and method for an improved and highly effective magnetic water treatment device that can be mounted on existing pipes which produces a very strong and focused magnetic field. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Magnetic devices were first used in Europe to condition water in the early 1950s after being discovered by a Belgian scientist in 1947. Ventures to sell such devices in the United States initially were not successful in part since the magnets used were of low grade and the claims made by producers regarding the effects of magnetic devices were overstated. The result was bad publicity and considerable skepticism. Since that time, considerable scientific research, engineering research, and anecdotal usage data has concentrated on the effects of magnetism on water and water solutions. 
     Magnetic Fluid treatment has been shown to suppress the undesirable effects of “scale” and “hard water”. While the exact mechanism for this effect is unknown, it is known that CACO 3  is the hard tenacious scale (calcite) that forms on most piping systems and especially in systems in which water is heated or evaporated. The scale clogs the passages, reduces heat transfer into the water, and reduces the efficiency of the system. It is also the major contributor to the household phenomenon known as “hard water”. Scale itself is not known to be directly affected by a magnetic field. 
     Some scientific laboratory experiments, which measure CaCO 3  deposits and deposition rates, have confirmed that magnetic fields have an affect under the laboratory conditions. These experiments have established a reduction in CaCO 3  deposits. The presence of non-calcium ions in water, especially those of iron or magnesium, affects scaling rates and properties. The formation of calcite is inversely related to the heating rate and the temperature with aragonite (soft CACO 3 ) being more likely to form at high temperatures and heating rates. Magnetism can affect some of the physical properties of water through deaggregation, corrosion rates of some materials in contact with water, and some of the properties of materials in water solutions, especially iron ions. 
     Many changes to the treatment of water can result in temporary scale reduction but may result in a long term increase in the scaling rate. Most of the successful procedures used for reducing the effects of scale are expensive, technical, and may increase the overall rate of corrosion of the system. 
     Engineering studies made around the world have shown decreases in scaling and increases in plant efficiency as a result of the use of magnetic devices (generally in connection with procedural changes to eliminate the additional sludge formed). 
     Engineering studies that show positive results commonly find that: a) the effectiveness of magnetic treatment decreases as the temperature at which the scale forms is reduced; b) a greater percentage of aragonite in scale is formed from magnetically exposed water; and c) the scale which forms after exposure to magnetism is softer and easier to remove. 
     Literally hundreds of industrial, commercial, private and public service providers in the United States have used and profited from magnetic water treatment. Despite their inability to scientifically explain the phenomenon, authors publishing for the American Chemical Society even classify it as a “scale control technique” and identify several manufacturers of devices useful for such treatment. Popular Mechanics in June 1992 reports on many successful applications of magnetic water treatment devices in both commercial and industrial settings. Many of the users to which they allude are very small businesses, not much larger than single home situations. 
     Presently, scientists dispute the details of the effects of magnetic devices on water and water impurities, but acknowledge that the phenomenon exists and that it merits further study. A model for understanding the phenomena is based on recognizing that magnetic fields impose forces on moving electric charges (ions in the water) and magnetic dipoles (molecular sized magnets). Forces acting on any matter can change its energy state. Water molecules have magnetic moments and are temporarily affected by passing through a magnetic field. This molecular change will relax over time. Most users of magnetic water conditioning devices are more concerned with the effect of the magnetic field of the device on ions. The forces caused by the magnet can provide the activation energy needed by the ions to form new molecular structures and break some other structures. The new structures essentially suspend the impurities in the water in a way that reduces their tendency to precipitate out of solution to form scale on pipes and in devices such as heaters or boiler tubes. 
     Clearly, the types of impurities in the water are going to affect the type response a system has to exposure to a magnetic device. Because one can not predict what impurities exist in a specific water system, one can not predict the exact results of putting the magnetic water conditioning devices on that system. 
     However if a system has suffered from build up of scale, installation of the magnetic devices probably will result in a significant reduction in new scaling and generally a removal of the old scale. Scale reduces heat transfer and therefore raises energy costs and often causes premature heating element failure. To keep scale from accumulating, many operators use chemicals. In such systems, the use of magnetic water conditioning can result in a reduction in the amount of chemical used. 
     Many engineers have used magnetic water treatment successfully to reduce scaling, improve efficiency, and prolong equipment life. A broad range of conditions seems susceptible to successful application of magnetic water treatment devices. Use in processes similar to those which were successful is likely to produce equivalent results and use in systems that are only marginally different from the known successes is a low risk venture. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
               
               
                 Applicant is aware of the following U.S. Pat. Nos. concerning 
               
               
                 magnetic water treatment. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Issue Date 
                 Inventor 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2,652,925 
                 09-22-1953 
                 Vermeiren 
                 MAGNETIC 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 TREATMENT 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 DEVICE FOR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 LIQUIDS 
               
               
                 4,265,754 
                 05-05-1981 
                 Menold 
                 WATER TREATING 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 APPARATUS AND 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 METHODS 
               
               
                 4,265,755 
                 05-05-1981 
                 Zimmerman 
                 MAGNETIC FLUID 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 TREATING UNIT 
               
               
                 4,265,756 
                 05-05-1981 
                 Schiesser 
                 CHANGE DEVICE FOR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 SIEVES FOR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 FILTERING PLASTIC 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MATERIALS 
               
               
                 4,711,271 
                 12-08-1987 
                 Weisenbarger 
                 MAGNETIC FLUID 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 CONDITIONER 
               
               
                 4,836,932 
                 06-06-1989 
                 Walsh 
                 WATER TREATMENT 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 USING FINE 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 PARTICLE SUPER 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MAGNETS 
               
               
                 5,113,751 
                 05-19-1992 
                 Holcomb 
                 BEVERAGE BREWING 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 SYSTEM 
               
               
                 5,200,071 
                 04-06-1993 
                 Spiegel 
                 TRANSLATING 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MAGNETIC FIELD 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 TREATMENT DEVICE 
               
               
                 5,227,683 
                 07-13-1993 
                 Clair 
                 MAGNET ASSEMBLY 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 WITH 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 CONCENTRATOR FOR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 PROVIDING FLUX 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 LINES 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 PERPENDICULAR TO 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 FLUID FLOW 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 DIRECTION WITHIN 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 STEEL PIPE 
               
               
                 5,238,558 
                 08-24-1993 
                 Curtis 
                 MAGNETO- 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 HYDRODYNAMIC 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 FLUID TREATMENT 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 SYSTEM 
               
               
                 5,296,141 
                 03-22-1994 
                 Ellison 
                 MAGNETIC WATER 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 CONDITIONER 
               
               
                 5,378,362 
                 01-03-1995 
                 Schoepe 
                 APPARATUS FOR 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MAGNETICALLY 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 TREATING WATER 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 PAPERS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Title 
                 Author 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 MAGNETIC WATER TREATMENT 
                 Merle Henkenius 
               
               
                 EFFECTIVENESS OF MAGNETIC WATER 
                 David Hasson and 
               
               
                 TREATMENT IN SUPPRESSING CaCO 3   
                 Dan Bramson 
               
               
                 SCALE DEPOSITION 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Vermeiren U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,925 teaches a treatment device which produces a magnetic field and a passage for the liquid to be treated. 
     Menold U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,754 provides an apparatus for treating fresh water by producing a magnetic field in proximity to a flow of water within a water conduit. 
     Zimmerman U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,755 provides a magnetic water treating device within a conduit. This device provides easy assembly without adversely affecting the ultimate functional capability of the overall unit. 
     Schiesser U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,756 provides a change device for sieves used for filtering plastic materials. The sieves can be changed with this device without interrupting the transport of the material which is being processed. 
     Weisenbarger U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,271 provides a magnetic fluid conditioner for abating the adherence of precipitates in conduits transmitting a variety of fluids which contain unwanted compounds which will precipitate and adhere to the inner walls of the conduits. 
     Walsh U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,932 provides a method for the fabrication and use in modifying the physicochemical properties of water. This device uses fine particle super ferromagnets or super paramagnets dispersed in nonmagnetic media. 
     Holcomb U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,751 provides water treatment by using magnetic treatment or electromagnetic treatment by direct injection in the fluid stream or a combination of such water treatment systems. Note Column 3, lines 33-48, regarding the magnet orientations. 
     Spiegel U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,071 provides a fluid treatment system for changing the rates of growth of certain crystals formed within a fluid. This device has a variable speed motor and a wheel assembly mounted on the shaft. An array of magnets is concentrically arranged in a circular pattern about the shaft on the inner surface of each of the disks wherein sufficient magnetic force is provided to accomplish beneficial effects on impurities of the fluid. 
     Clair U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,683 provides a permanent magnet fluid generator with powerful magnetic field condensers which utilize neodymium magnets to magnetically saturate steel pole pieces. In this device, the fluid generates an electrical current that can be utilized to protect the pipe from scale and corrosion. 
     Curtis U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,558 teaches a magneto-hydrodynamic system and method for the treatment of pipes and the fluid carried in the pipes to prevent scaling and build-up of deposits. In this device, a pipe for carrying fluid and four magnets are utilized, with each magnet having a magnetic field density of about 6,700 gauss, end pole pieces on each end of the magnet units and a top pole piece covering the surface of the magnets on a side of the magnets opposite the side in contact with the pipe to be treated. 
     Ellison U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,141 provides a magnetic device for treating fluid flowing through a conduit. Permanent magnets are utilized and a mass of non-ferromagnetic filler material in the interior compartment encapsulates the magnets. 
     Schoepe U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,362 provides a system for treating water to reduce calcium carbonate deposits. Pairs of magnets are utilized to facilitate changing of the spacing between adjacent magnets. 
     The Merle Henkenius article entitled “MAGNETIC WATER TREATMENT” and the David Hasson and Dan Bramson article entitled “EFFECTIVENESS OF MAGNETIC WATER TREATMENT IN SUPPRESSING CaCO 3  SCALE DEPOSITION” discuss the current technology of magnetic water treatment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The model for understanding the present invention provides a base for predicting the required physical characteristics for the magnets for the maximum effect. These physical characteristics are strength of the magnetic field, focus of the magnetic field, and the length of time the field can act on the moving solution. As the strength of the magnetic field is increased, the force on the charges and dipoles is increased and the energy is transformed into activation energy in the solution. Stronger magnets are going to yield better results. Since magnetic fields are dispersed in the space around the magnet, even a strong unfocused magnet next to a pipe will result in a relatively weak field inside the pipe where the strength is desired. Properly designed magnets can focus their field so that most of the field strength is inside the pipe. Lastly, since the fluid must be moving, in order to lengthen the time the solution is in a strong magnetic field, the magnet (the field) must be long. Again, properly designed magnets of high strength can accomplish this length. 
     The present invention relates to a magnetic water treatment device which uses the latest in high tech materials to help ensure that the magnetic field is as strong as is presently technologically feasible. Ceramics are not used. The present invention is set up so that the magnetic field is almost exclusively in the pipe to which it is attached. This magnetic field is spread over several inches of pipe length. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of magnetic fluid treatment. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for improved magnetic fluid treatment. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for generating a magnetic field which is strong, focused, and of sufficient length so that the field can act on the moving solution. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for generating a magnetic field which uses multiple magnets so that the resulting magnetic field can be focused. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for generating a magnetic field which uses multiple magnets so that the resulting strength of each magnetic field is increased by as much as two times over the natural strength of each magnet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front or rear view of the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a protective cover for the invented magnetic water treatment device. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the protective cover for the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is top view of the protective cover for the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a front or rear view of the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG. 1 showing the spacial relationship of the side wall of a fluid pipe. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG. 1 showing the spacial relationship of the side wall of a fluid pipe. 
     FIG. 9 is a front or rear view of the invented magnetic fluid treatment device as shown in FIG. 1 showing the magnetic field generated by the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front or rear view of a magnetic water treatment device of the Prior Art showing the magnetic field generated by the invention of the prior art. 
     FIG. 11 is an alternative side view of the invented magnetic water treatment device as shown in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the invented magnetic fluid treatment device  8  includes a first elongated magnet  10  having a top and a bottom, the top having a north polarization. A second elongated magnet  14  has a top, a bottom, a first end  20 , and a second end  22 , wherein the first end  20  has a north polarization and the second end  22  has a south polarization. This first north end  20  of the second elongated magnet  14  abuts the first elongated magnet  10 . A third elongated magnet  12  has a top and a bottom, the top having a south polarization. This third magnet  12  abuts the second end  22  of the second magnet  14 . The magnets are made preferably from a neodymium alloy such as neodymium-iron-boron (Nd 2 Fe 14 B), but also can be made from selenium cobalt or samarium cobalt alloys. These magnets are preferably bonded or glued together. The second magnet  14  has a top with more surface area, FIG. 1, than the top of the first magnet  10  or third magnet  12 . The magnetic field of magnet  14  is parallel to its long axis while the magnetic field of magnets  10  and  12  is parallel to their width axis. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the magnetic fluid treatment system, a spacer unit  16 , FIG. 2, has a top, a bottom, a first end and a second end. This spacer is positioned so that top of the spacer unit  16  is in contact with the bottom of the second magnet  14 . This first end of the spacer unit is in contact with the first magnet  10  and the second end of the spacer unit is in contact with the third magnet  12 . An elongated member  18  having a top, and a bottom, is located under the unit. The top of the elongated member  18  is in contact with the bottom of the first magnet  10 , the bottom of the spacer unit  16 , and the bottom of the third magnet  12 . 
     The magnetic fluid treatment apparatus of the preferred embodiment also has an elongated member  18  having a top, and a bottom, where the top of this elongated member is in contact with the bottom of the first magnet and the bottom of the third magnet. This elongated member  18  is made from a magnetic material, and could be considered a pole piece. Elongated member  18  helps focus the magnetic field  74 , FIG. 9, of the present invention where it effectively can be applied to liquid flowing through a pipe  74 . It is clear from the prior art, FIG. 10, that the apparatus taught by this reference does not produce a single magnetic field across the surface of the magnets used. As shown in FIG. 9, the first, second and third magnet each have a planar surface, and together define a single, flush planar surface opposite the elongated member  18 . While use of polar end pieces  52  did effectively focus magnet fields  68  and  70 , it also had the effect of greatly diminishing magnet field  72 . 
     The following derivation is presented to show that field length is as important to magnetic conditioning of fluids as field strength. The Lorentz force, F, is proportional to the charge on a particle, q, its velocity, V, and the size of the magnetic field, B. 
     
       
         
           F=qVB.  
         
       
     
     The impulse, I, change in momentum, of a particle due to a force, F, acting for some time, t, is: 
     
       
         
           I=Ft.  
         
       
     
     For a moving particle in a field the amount of time available for an interaction is the effective field length, d, divided by the velocity, V. i.e.: 
     
       
         
           t=d/V.  
         
       
     
     Therefore the impulse, I, and the velocity change, v, are: 
     
       
         
           I=Fd/V=qBd; v=I/m=qBd/m.  
         
       
     
     Kinetic energy is proportional to the mass, m, times the square of the velocity, V. 
     
       
           E=mV   2 /2.  
       
     
     The additional energy, e, of a magnetically susceptible particle after an interaction with a field can be expressed as: 
     
       
           e=mv   2 /2  
       
     
     because the additional velocity is perpendicular to the original velocity. 
     Substitution then provides the approximate relationship: 
     
       
           e =( qBd ) 2   /m.    
       
     
     The transfer of this energy is through molecular and atomic collisions. Clearly, the length of the field, d, as well as its strength, B, both are critical to this phenomena. Doubling the field length will be as effective as doubling the field strength. 
     As the neodymium alloy magnets are prone to oxidation, it is preferred that they be coated to inhibit oxidation. This process can be accomplished by electroplating the magnets, painting the magnets or encasing the magnets in resin. When the magnets are encased or encapsulated in resin, it is preferred that the resin encased magnets are protected by an elongated container  26  having a rectangular bottom  36 , a pair of rectangular side walls  38  connected to the bottom  36 , a pair of end pieces  40 , connected to the bottom  36  and the rectangular side walls  38 , having a top configured for mating with a round pipe  32 . Each elongated container  26  has at least one retaining projection  34  for each rectangular side wall  38 . These retaining projects have a first elongated member  42 , which has a first end and a second end, the first end being integral and perpendicular to the side wall. A second elongated member  44  which has first end and a second end, is positioned so that the first end is perpendicular and integral with the second end of the first elongated member. The third elongated member  46  also has a first end and a second end. The first end is integral and perpendicular to the side wall  38 . The second end of the third elongated  46  member is perpendicular to and integral with the second end of the second elongated member  44 . 
     The elongated container  26  also may be fitted with a plurality of elongated spacers  28  having a first end and a second end, the first end being perpendicular and integral to the upper surface of the rectangular bottom. Further, the elongated container  26  may be fitted with at least one spacer such as L-shaped spacer  30  having a first elongated member  48  having a first end, a second end, and a third end. A second elongated member  50  has a first and second end. The first end of the first elongated member  48  is integral with the upper surface of the rectangular bottom  36 . The second end of the first elongated member  48  is integral with the inside of the side wall  38 . This first elongated member is perpendicular to both the rectangular bottom  36  and the side wall  38 . The first end of the second elongated member  50  is integral with the third end of the first elongated member  48 . Where the second end of the second elongated member  50  is integral with the upper surface of the rectangular bottom  36 , the second elongated member is perpendicular to both the rectangular bottom  36  and the first elongated member  48 . 
     With this elongated container  26 , the magnetic fluid treatment device  8  is placed in the container so that the second end of the elongated spacer is in contact with the bottom of the elongated member  18  of magnetic fluid treatment device  8 . The first elongated member of L shaped spacer  30  can either be in contact or spaced (a short distance) from elongated member  18 . A resin such as, but not limited to acrylic, melamine, polyester, urethane or phenolic resin then can be poured into the elongated container  26  so that magnetic fluid treatment device  8  is completely submerged in the resin. The resin, which would contain an appropriate catalyst, then is allowed to harden. This encasement of the critical magnets  10 ,  12  and  14  inhibits oxidation. 
     In operation, the magnetic device  8  encased in hardened resin and the elongated container  26  then is mated to round fluid pipe so that top  32  is in contact with the fluid pipe. Straps are threaded through retaining projections  34  to firmly secure the entire assembly to the pipe. The magnetic field, FIG. 9, is projected through the resin and pipe wall where it has an effect on the flowing fluid. 
     ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The strength, as measured by the gauss level, of the individual magnet can be varied from about 1000 gauss to the maximum capacity of the neodymium-iron-boron or samarium cobalt alloy. In the preferred embodiment, magnets have a minimum strength of at least 2000 gauss per magnet. 
     In the preferred embodiment, all of the magnets have the same dimensions. However, someone of skill in the art will recognize that these dimensions can be altered to optimize the magnetic field. The length and width of the device can be increased. However, it is preferable that the length to width ratio remains approximately constant. 
     One way to increase the width is to add additional end magnets having the same polar orientation to the ends. Therefore, one can have five magnets with the first two end magnets having a north polarization, then an intermediate magnet so that its north polarization end abuts one of the first two magnets and its south polarization end abuts the first of two south polarization end magnets. This orientation of magnets forms a planar surface having a single magnetic field across the entire surface. It will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that any number of magnets can be used at either end and that the numbers can be different for each end. The important feature is that each end has the same polar orientation and that opposite ends have opposite polarization. Further, multiple intermediate magnets can be used in place of the single unit. As long as these magnets are aligned with opposite poles abutting the intermediate magnets and like poles aligned with like poles on the end magnets, it will result in a single magnetic field across the entire surface of the magnets of the apparatus will result. 
     The insert or spacer  16  can be of any material composition including neutral, diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials. This spacer  16  can either be the same width as magnet  14  as shown in FIG. 3, or it can be narrower as depicted in FIG.  11 . 
     While water treatment is an important aspect of the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that any fluid stream which is capable of ionization can be affected by the present invention. Further, fluid as used throughout this application is defined as a substance that flows which includes gases, liquids, a bed of solids with a velocity high enough for the particles to separate from one another and become freely supported in a fluid, or any combination thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that I have invented an improved method and apparatus for magnetic fluid treatment. A key to my invention is providing an apparatus which generates a magnetic field which is strong, focused, and of sufficient length so that the field can act on a moving solution. This apparatus uses multiple magnets because the resulting magnetic field can be focused, and the resulting strength of each magnet&#39;s magnetic field is increased by as much as two times over its natural strength. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the apparatus by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.