APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC TREATMENT OF A FLOWING LIQUID

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic treatment of a flowing liquid, comprising a housing (1) made at least in part of ferromagnetic material and at least one permanent magnet (2) provided with at least one pole shoe (4) so mounted in the housing that at least one pole shoe defines a gap (7) adapted to conduct the flowing liquid. For the purpose of defining the gap (7) in which the flowing liquid is subjected to the influence of the magnetic field, each pole shoe (4) is provided with at least one projection (6) which extends along the surface of the permanent magnet at an angle to the flow direction of the liquid to be treated flowing through the gap (7).

Description: "Apparatus for magnetic treatment of a flowing liquid". The present invention relates to an apparatus for magnetic treatment of a flowing liquid, such as water for the pur¬ pose of preventing precipitation of dissolved substances and corrosive effect of the liquid on the conduits and service apparatus contacted by the liquid. Such magnetic treatment of flowing liquids and various apparatus for effecting the treatment are previously known and are of particular interest in relation to water of the type which is apt to cause scale like calciferos deposits. Such previously known treatment apparatus comprise a flow through housing which is made, at least in part of a ferro¬ magnetic material and at least one permanent magnet provided with at least one pole shoe so mounted in the housing that a pole shoe defines a gap through which the liquid to be treated is caused to flow, and therein subjected to the magnetic field between the pole shoe and the wall of the housing. When using permanent magnets in the shape of a rod or an annular cylinder, the flow section and length of the gap is relatively restricted, so that it is necessary to provide very great permanent magnets, with the inconveniences inherent to the dimensions of the permanent magnet. Further, the magnets must be prepared from cast magnetic alloys hav¬ ing a high cobalt content. The apparatus according to the present invention is so made as to satisfy the desire for a great flow section and the use of magnets prepared from ferritic material of moderate dimensions. According to the invention, this purpose is fulfilled in an apparatus of the type referred to above, thereby that the pole shoe is formed with at least one projecting part extending along the pole surface of the permanent magnet at an angle to the flow direction of the liquid through the gap. When using feritic or other ceramic magnets which, while retaining a high remanence may be prepared in the shape of discs or cylinders of relatively little height, it is possible to form the gap between the pole shoe and the housing along a line which extends obliquely, possibly in the form of an angle or a screw line from " one end of a pole surface to the other so that the gap will be of a comparatively great length parallel to the pole surface in the flow direction of the liquid. The efficiency of the apparatus may be increased by arran¬ ging two or more permanent magnets in parallel in the flow path of the liquid to be treated, with one pole shoe on each of the pole surfaces which face each other. Further, the flow section of the gap between the pole shoe and the housing may be adjusted in accordance with the de¬ sired quantity of flow, by arranging a member made of ferro magnetic material in the gap for the purpose of short cir¬ cuiting the magnetic field. The apparatus according to the invention is now to be more closely described under reference to the accompanying draw¬ ings which illustrate various embodiments of the apparatus. In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus as a whole. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus, as seen in the flow direction of the liquid, the apparatus being pro¬ vided with one magnet and two magnet gaps arranged in paral¬ lel in the liquid flow. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus, provided with two magnets arranged in parallel in the liquid flow. Figure 4 illustrates the surface of a pole shoe, as seen towards N in Figure 2, the Figures 4a and 4b being sectional _ .. ~~ views taken along the line a-a and b-b, respectively in Figure 4. Figure 5 illustrates a pole shoe provided with a V formed projection, the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c being sectional views taken along the lines a-a, b-b and c-c, respectively in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a sectional view of an apparatus provided with eight sets of magnets, arranged in parallel. Figure 7 is a side view of an apparatus, with a part of the housing wall broken away, illustrating the arrangement of a short circuiting member. Figure 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7, taken along the line a-a. In the drawings 1 is the apparatus housing which, at least in part, is made of a ferromagnetic material, and is shown in the form of an annular cylinder having its length axis extending in the flow direction of the liquid to be treated. In the housing 1 a permanent magnet 2 made of ferritic or ceramic material is mounted, extending in the direction of length of the housing 1 and supported against the inner wall of the housing through n'on ferromagnetic blocks 3.On the pole surfaces N and S the magnet 2 is provided with pole shoes 4 which are formed with a projection 6 which extends outwardly towards the inner wall of the housing 1 thereby defining a narrow gap 7 relatively to the housing 1. Thus, the magnetic flux of the magnet 2 will be closed through the pole shoe 4 and the two gaps 7 and the housing 1. Accordingto the invention, the projection 6 is so formed that the direction of length of the same extends along the pole surfaces N and S at an angle to the direction of length of the housing 1, so that the gaps 7 when projected on to the surfaces N and S will extend rectilinearily, as shown in Fig. 4, or angularly, as shown in Fig. 5. Facing a cylindrical housing 1, the gaps 7 extend along a helical line. The essential is that the length of the gap 7 in the direction of length of the housing 1 is such that a big total sectional area of the gap is obtained, even with a narrow gap, through which the liquid may flow while being subjected to the magnetic field. In this man¬ ner a comparatively thin layer of flowing liquid is sub¬ jected to an influence which becomes .'speci ically strong¬ er the thinner the layer is, so that the apparatus may be equipped with a magnet of moderate strength and the dimen¬ sions of the apparatus may be kept low. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the apparatus is equipped with two magnets 2 arranged in parallel in the liquid flow. Each of the two magnets is provided with a pole shoe 4, similar to that which is described with reference to Fig.2 while a second pole piece 5 is formed with segment shaped cross section so as to fill the space between the magnet and the housing. In this apparatus the gap 7 will arise between the two projections 6 and extend obliquely as de- described under reference to Fig. 2. Figure 4 illustrates an apparatus which is similar to that which is shown in Fig. 3, and shows how the gap 7 extends bet een two corners of the two pole surfaces and S which face each other. Figure 5 illustrates an apparatus which is similar to that shown in Fig. 4, the projections 6 being, however, so for¬ med that the gap 7 will extend in V shape along the pole surfaces ~ and S which face each other. Consequently, each of the pole shoes 4 is provided with two projections 6 ' which from their respective corners of a pole surface meet in the middle of the width of the pole shoe at the other end of the surface. Figure 6 is a sectional view of an apparatus which represents an eight doubling of an apparatus of the type shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, comprising eight sets of co¬ operating magnets with corresponding eight gaps 7 for in¬ stance as shown in Fig. 4 or 5. Figures 7 and 8 are, respectively, an outside view and a sectional view of a complete apparatus, including means for the adjustment of the flew section of the gap or gaps 7 illustrated in the preceding Figures 3 to 6. As shown, the apparatus comprises a housing 1 provided with a control unit 11 and a connecting piece 12, the latter making the apparatus adapted to be inserted in a liquid piping. The flow direction is indicated by an ar¬ row. In Fig. 7 the active part of the adjustment means together with the adjoining portion of the magnet system are shown in a broken away part of the walls of the unit 11 and the housing 1, respectively. As more clearly shown in Fig. 8, the adjustment means comprises a sheet 13 made of ferromagnetic material of a thickness corresponding to the width of the magnetic gap 7. The sheet 13 is adapted to be moved in the gap 7 in and against the direction of the liquid flow through the gap. Such movement is effected by means of gears 14 engaging racks 15 in a side face of the sheet 13 and mounted on a shaft 16 which may be rotated in either direc¬ tion by a hand wheel 17 mounted in the wall of the unit 11. Idle rollers 18 are mounted on the opposite side of the sheet 13 for the purpose of supporting the same against the pressure of the gears 14. Through adjustment of the position of the sheet 13 in the direction of length of the permanent magnet 2, the flow section of the gap 7 may be adjusted to the liquid flow desired at any time. All the apparatus shown in the enclosed drawings are intended to be inserted in a pipe line carrying the liquid to be treated, such liquid being passed through the apparatus in the direction indicated by an arrow, i.e. at right angles to the sectional views shown in the draw¬ ings. When the liquid is passing though the gap 7, it is subjected to a magnetic field, the flux lines of which are extending at right angles to the flow direction of the liquid. Hereby, the components of the liquid which are apt to cause deposits or corrosion in pipes or apparatus upstream of the treatment apparatus will be affected.

Claims: CLAIMS. 1. An apparatus for magnetic treatment of a flowing liquid, comprising a housing (1) made at least in part of ferromagnetic material and at least one permanent magnet (2) provided with at least one pole shoe (4) so mounted in the housing that at least one pole shoe defines a .gap (7) adapted to conduct the flowing liquid, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the pole shoe (4) is provided with at least one projection (6) extending along the pole surface of the permanent magnet at an angle to the flow direction of the liquid through the gap. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the projection (6) extends rectilinearly along the pole surface of the per¬ manent magnet (2) . 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the projection (6) extends along a V shaped line along the pole surface of the permanent magnet (2) . 4. An apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the provision of a pole shoe (6) on each of a pair of permanent magnets (2) facing each other. 5. An apparatus as . claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the provision of a number of permanent magnet sets mounted in parallel in the liquid flow. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the provision of an adjust¬ able sheet made of ferromagnetic material adapted to ad¬ just the flow section of the gap (7) .

Inventors: SUNDT E
Applicants: FJELDSEND AS OLAF, SUNDT E, OLAF FJELDSEND AS
Application year: 1980
Main classification: B03C1
IPC codes: B03C1, C02F1