RESONATING MAGNETIC FLUID CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: A magnetic fluid treating device to reduce mineral scale deposits in a fluid conduit comprising a non-magnetic conduction case (10), having a plurality of spaced apart modules, therein. Each module contains a bar magnet (1) side faced magnetized and made preferably of a true permanent magnet. Adjacent to each side face of magnet (1) are flux collector plates (2). The magnets are spaced apart by a series of non-magnetic flux separators (3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) increasing in which from 3 to 7. An attachment means (12) is used to secure the case to a conduit (13).

Description: Description Resonating Magnetic Fluid Conditioning Apparatus and Method Cross-Reference to Related Application This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Serial No. 341,062 filed January 20, 1982. Technical Field This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods of conditioning fluid flow in a conduit so as to prevent and reduce the build up of mineral deposits on the inner walls of the conduit. More particularly, the invention improves upon those devices which condition by impression of alternating magnetic fields upon the fluid. Mineral deposits known as "scale", usually consist of carbonate, silicate, or sulfate salts of calcium or mag¬ nesium. When deposited on interior surfaces of pipes, turbine, or boiler equipments, they tend to reduce heat transfer and fluid flow, resulting in increased energy costs and maintainance actions. Background Art Numerous magnetic devices or systems have been proposed for preventing the reduction of mineral build up in water lines. Early art dates to at least 1865, when Parry in U.S. Patent 50,773, described conditioning of water with a fixed magnetic field. In Belgian Patent No. 460,560 and in U.S. Patent 2,596,743 Vermeiren noted that improved efficiency could be obtained by use of a reversing magnetic field produced by an alternating current supply driving an electromagnet. In U.S. Patent 2,652,925 Vermeiren replaced the time variation of an alternating current generated field with a spacial alterna¬ tion of the field direction. This was obtained by placing , like poles of the magnets adjacent to each other. Fluid was thus subjected to a series of reversals of magnetic field direct OMH βιi " -v ■ -r '- T as it passed through a conduit. Improvements in this basic art have been generally directed to methods of increasing the magnitude of fluid exposure to higher flux density amplitudes. The relationship of repetitive alternating field exposure to the velocity of the fluid in the conduit was found by Kron- enberg, and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,428,837. He noted that at a given field separation spacing, effic¬ iency of scale reduction improved at a particular fluid veloc¬ ity. Variation of spacing or of fluid velocity about this point reduced the scale reduction process. He thus disclosed a spacial resonance phenomenon which could be adjusted by posi¬ tioning of the magnetic field generating devices along the axis of the conduit. Even if optimized as noted above, scale reduction effic¬ iency can drop significantly, typically by more than 50%, when the flow rate increases or decreases by half from the narrow optimum treatment range. Some drop is also observed when mineral content and structure of the liquid changes. In cer¬ tain Metropolitan water districts, for instance, water mineral characteristics change due to seasons. Mineral content also changes with man-made blending of available water, from well, river and reservoir sources, each of which can change with seasonal rain water content. Thus magnetic treatment range, even when optimized for onevelocity can be too narrow to ac- comodate normal variations of flow velocities within the fluid conduit and to changes in fluid structure and mineral content. In addition, early devices were physically constructed such that magnetic field spacing could not be readily varied to accomodate these changes once a system had been installed. Disclosure of Invention The invention disclosed here overcomes the above limita¬ tions by combining a. series of individual magnetic treatment sections, called frequency modules, each of which has been separately optimized in accordance with the above principles. Thus, indi-vidual sections, which have had their magnetic ele¬ ments spaced so as to optimize conditioning at a particular flow rate, are cascaded in order to broaden the range of fluid velocities effectively treated. Spacing between each frequency module is selected to enhance coupling and to avoid destructive coupling. In effect, by analogy to electrical filter frequency tuning, such groups of multiple frequency sections, can be considered as a spacial stagger-tuned device over a broad range of fluid velocities. Indeed, it is believed that the physical phenomena exhibited results from harmonic excitiation, by the spacial field-reversing frequencies, of molecular oscillations within the fluid which tend to disassociate the mineral . mole¬ cules from their ionic bonding and produce a soft precipitate. My invention is arranged so that the group of individual frequency modules are physically combined axially into a unit, which for convenience, is referred to as a generator pack. A generator pack will contain an even number of frequency modules, each set for maximum efficiency at a particular spacial frequency or fluid velocity. The number of modules cascaded will depend upon the broadness of the range of fre¬ quencies or fluid velocities expected to be treated. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the genera¬ tor pack will be covered and supported adjacent the outside of a fluid conduit by means of an attachment chassis. This ar- rangment provides the advantages of minimum fluid flow obstruc¬ tion and maximum ease of installation and replacement. When changes in fluid flow or mineral content so dictate, the vel¬ ocity range may be quickly tailored by insertion of a new generator pack. Although my device is not designed to be a magnetic par¬ ticle separator, it will attract such particles over a period of time. The particles will collect on the inside of the con¬ duit wall and will tend to shunt the magnets. With my portable outside attachment means, the device may be easily and rapidly loosened and slid upstream on the conduit. In an alternate embodiment of this invention, the magnetic treatment sections of the generator pack may be arranged co- axially about the fluid conduit. Since such configurations can result in increased flux density with given volumn constraints, ', - OMPI they would be preferred in those applications where ease of removal or returning is not necessary. Brief Description of Drawings The details of my invention will be described in connec¬ tion with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the cover used to protect the generator pack. Figure 2 is an isometric view of the generator pack re¬ moved from the cover of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an isometric view of the mounting chassis structure with attached strap type fasteners, positioned over the enclosed generator pack. Figure 4 is an end cross section of our assembled inven¬ tion in working engagement with a fluid conduit work piece. Figure 5 is an end cross section of one unit attached to a cluster of three pipes by means of a strap-type fastener. Figure 6 presents graphical data showing the variation in magnetic field strength under a set of variable spaced poles. Figure 7 presents graphical data showing the variation in water conditioning efficiency with velocity in the conduit. Figure 8 shows a seri.es of partial side cross-sectioned views of alternate generator pack embodiments. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a set of individual frequency modules are perspectively shown arranged into a gen¬ erator pack. Each individual module contains a bar magnet 1, side face magnetized and made preferrably of a true permanent magnet material such as strontium ferrite. Adjacent to each side face of magnet 1 are flux collector plates 2. These plates make close contact with each pole face, and can typically be made of milled steel. The edges of each plate 2 are partial¬ ly beveled to reduce the edge thickness by approximately two- thirds so as to better concentrate the magnetic flux lines into increased flux density for communicating across the fluid conduit. The magnets are spaced .apart by a series of non-magnetic - - * • ■ ■ " OMPI flux separators, shown as 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in Figure 2. These are depicted as increasing in width from 3 to 7. When so spaced, lower velocity fluid will be more effectively treated at the smaller spaced end of the device. Although each magnet 1 is shown in Figure 2 as being of equal width, they may also be arranged in staggered thickness or field strength fashion as a further aid to obtaining the desired spacial frequencies. The above set of frequency modules are assembled into a thin walled non-ferrous case 10, shown in Figure 1. The as¬ sembly may be rigidly sealed with end cap 9, into a permanent unit, or fitted with a removable seal for field replacement or cleaning . Figure 3 shows chassis structure 11 which is used to support the case 10 of the generator pack firmly against the fluid conduit. Attachment means, such as the strap 12, is used to wrap around and secure both the case and the conduit. Figure 4 shows generator pack 10, so held in place within chassis 11. A hook and eye attachment 12, such as Velcro, is used to hold the chasis and the generator firmly against the conduit 13 containing fluid 14. Figure 5 presents an alternate arrangement in which a plurality of conduits can be serviced by one magnetic conditio¬ ner. Three conduits 13 are maintained in direct contact with case 10 without the chassis by attachment strap 12. The number of conduits so serviced is thus limited only by the number sides placed on the magnetic modules and the case. The physical phenomenon underlying this invention is indi¬ cated by the measurement data of Figure 6. Field strength in Gauss has been measured under each of a set of magnetic poles at the tapered collector plate edges. The spacing between the magnetic modules has been varied and it will be noted that a spacial frequency is developed in flux amplitude. Separation distances are shown which result in a constructive broadening of the flux peaking. The resulting performance curve associated with the flux-distance curve of Figure 6 is indicated in Figure 7. Here OMPI ' ϊ the conditioning efficiency of the device is indicated by measurement of the percent reduction in calcite crystals re¬ maining in a drop sample of water. The independent variable in Figure 7 is the velocity of water flow through the conduit. It will be noted that the efficiency curve tends to follow the broadened composite curve of the individual units in keeping with the flux-distance variation of Figure 6. Pro¬ per selection of spacing between the magnetic modules therefore has improved the efficiency of mineral removal over a broad range of fluid velocities. Figure 8 A through F present a series of cross-sections of alternate coaxial embodiments arranged for comparison con¬ venience with a top half cross-section of the external embodi¬ ment, 8G. Figure 8A shows a basic harmonic treatment device composed of six magnetic circuit elements (1,2) separated by five sep¬ arators (3), all placed concentrically around a cylindrical tube which contains in its center a coaxial concentrator core (15). All magnetic units have similar dimensions, and all separators are of approximate equal length. The unit is maxi¬ mally effective at one specific flow rate, but its effectivity can be improved by changing the length and number of magnetic units. Figure 8B shows a combination of two of the basic devices of figure 8A separated by a spacing element called a harmonic bridge, 16. A plurality of such frequency or impact sections can be arranged to maintain high treatment effectively over a wide range of variable flow rates. In Figure 8C, the embodiment utilizes similar sized magne¬ tic units but with different sized spacers. The variable flow range can thus be covered with fewer magnets where space con¬ servation is important. Figure 8D shows a device with equally sized separators but differenly dimensioned magnetic circuit elements. This pro¬ vides for a variation of magnetic flux densities which can be useful in cases where the specific mineral content of the liquid presents unusual conditions. OMPΪ Figure 8E presents the most hardware effective case in which both the magnet and separators are dimensionally varied. The arrangement of figure 8F is especially useful with smaller flow rates through more narrow conduits. The smaller diameters involved permit sufficient magnetic field strength without the aid of the concentrator core, 15 of Figure 8A. Industrial Applicability This invention has utility in any liquid consuming indus¬ try, and has special application to those industries that use water as a motive power. In the former class, older plants with internal water line corrosion often find that replacement of pipe sections is impossible since wrenching of the pipe produces further deterioration. The externally placed device in accordance with the best mode of our invention can thus be used to reduce the internal scale build-up without physical pipe line disturbance. In addition to pipe conduits, water chamber devices such as boilers and heat exchangers will benefit from less frequent fouling . In those industries using water motive power, such as electrical power generators, the life of apparatus such as turbines are often governed by impeller corrosion. Prevention of scale build-up results in lower energy loss and improved flow in addition to longer life. t»4_.

Claims: Claims Claim 1. A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit over a wide range of fluid velocities, comprising: a plurality of re oveable magnetic frequency modules co- linearly positioned along an axis parallel to the fluid conduit each said module comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart magnetic members of alternating polarity, each, said member consisting of a flat bar magnet positioned between a pair of side magnetic collector plates which thereby communicate magne¬ tic flux lines from the side of said magnets and further com¬ municate radially from tapered edges through the wall of said fluid conduit, and each said magnetic member being spaced apart from its adjacent member in order to maximize fluid treatment efficiency at a specified flow rate; a plurality of adjustable non-magnetic flux separators connected between said- frequency modules whereby the spacing between said frequency modules may be set to constructively combine the peak treatment efficiency of individual modules over a range of fluid velocities which encompasses the totality of the ranges of the individual modules; a chassis structure to provide removeable support and maintain fixed alignment of said -frequency modules and of said flux separators; and attachment means to connect said chassis structure to said fluid conduit so that said frequency modules and flux separators are maintained in firm parallel contact with said fluid conduit. Claim 2. A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 1, further comprising adjustment means to vary said flux separator spacing between said frequency modules. Claim 3. A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit SUBSTITUTE SHEET over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cover connected to said chassis and enclosing said magnetic modules and said flux separators in a weathertight manner. Claim 4. A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 3, wherein said attachment means consists of a hook and loop fastener strap. Claim 5. A method of maximizing the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit over a wide range of fluid velocities, which comprises: impressing plural sets of equally spaced apart magnetic fields of alternating flux polarity orthogonally through the fluid in said conduit; reducing the spacing between at least one firsf set of said plural spaced apart magnetic fields so that said deposits are more effectively removed at the lowest velocity of fluid to be treated; increasing the spacing between at least one second set of said plural sets of spaced apart magnetic fields so that said deposits are more effectively removed at the highest velocity of fluid to be treated; and adjusting the spacing between said first sets and said second sets of said plural sets of spaced apart magnetic fields so that said deposits are effectively removed over the combined said velocity ranges between the lowest and highest velocities of fluid to be treated. Claim 6 A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of mineral scale deposits within a fluid conduit over a wide range of fluid velocities, comprising: a non-magnetic cylindrical fluid conduction tube through which the fluid to be treated flows; an elongated hollow non-metallic cylindrical concentrator T I TUTE S HEET core tube positioned within said fluid conduction tube and concentrically spaced therefrom to form an annular chamber there between for axial fluid passage; a plurality of magnetic impact sections colinearly and axially spaced about said fluid conduction tube, each said impact section comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart magnetic members each said member consisting of a flat ring magnet positioned between a pair of side magnetic collector rings which thereby collect magnetic flux lines from the side of said magnets and communicate said lines normally through the wall of said fluid conduction tube, and each said magnetic member being spaced apart from its adjacent member by a plur¬ ality of non-ferrous flux separators which have been axially spaced apart to maximize fluid treatment efficiency at a speci¬ fied flow rate; a plurality of ferrous magnetic concentrator cores aligned colinearly within and supported by said concentrator core tube, each said core having an axial length similar to the axial length of one of said impact sections positioned coaxially around said core so that magnetic flux lines emanating from each one of said pair of magnetic collector rings are received by said core and magnetically communicated in a closed circuit to the second of each said pair of magnetic collector rings; and a plurality of non-magnetic spacing means connected around said conduction tube and between said impact sections whereby the spacing between said impact sections may be set to con¬ structively combine the peak treatment efficiency of individual sections over a range of fluid velocities which emcompasses the totality of the ranges of the individual sections. Claim 7 A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of scale deposits within a fluid pipe over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 6 further com¬ prising adjustment means to vary said spacing means between said impact sections. STITUTE SHEET '^ OEMP?I Claim 8 A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of scale deposits within a fluid pipe over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 6 further com¬ prising: means of removably connecting said concentrator core tube with said fluid conduction tube. Claim 9 A magnetic fluid treatment device to maximize the reduction of scale deposits within a fluid pipe. over a wide range of fluid velocities as recited in claim 8 wherein said removable connecting means consists of a threaded segment of said concentrator core tube engaged with a like threaded seg¬ ment of said fluid conduction tube. EE

Inventors: BONDE ROBERT G, KRONENBERG KLAUS J, BONDE, ROBERT, G., KRONENBERG, KLAUS, J.
Applicants: BONDE ROBERT G, KRONENBERG KLAUS J, BONDE, ROBERT, G., KRONENBERG, KLAUS, J.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B03C1
IPC codes: C02F1