MAGNETIC TREATMENT OF WATER USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES

Abstract: The water is mechanically filtered to effect removal of ferromagnetic particles and is passed through a magnetic field of alternating polarity of an intensity of 0.06 to 0.65 tesla and a field gradient of 0.2 to 6.0 tesla/dm, the flow being substantially laminar at a velocity of 0.5 to 2.4 m/s and substantially vertical; the distance between the points of alternating polarity and the water velocity are such that each water particle experiences 2 to 6 polarity changes per second. In watering livestock, water which is not consumed by the livestock is recirculated through the magnetic field.

Description: The present invention relates to a method for the magnetic treatment of water used in agriculture, particularly for irrigation of plants and for watering of domestic animals. Magnetic treatment of water and other liquids has been known for a number of years, the purpose of the treatment being preventing build-up of scale in the pipes and vessels through which the water flows. The devices used for this treatment comprise essentially a multi-pole magnet positioned in an inner casing of a non-magnetic material, concentrically mounted in an outer tubular casing of a magnetic material, water flowing along the annular duct formed between the inner and the outer casing. The magnet creates a strong magnetic field which has an outer limit defined by the outer casing of magnetic material. The treatment deforms the molecules of the suspended minerals in a way preventing their adhering to the walls of the pipes and vessels along which they flow and thus preventing formation of scale. The molecules return to their original alignment after a few hours, and it is known that for recirculating water or other liquids the treatment is advantageously repeated for every circuit. Multi-pole magnets for this purpose were originally manufactured by Kentune Inc., Fort Wayne, U.S.A, and they are still the most suitable for this kind of treatment. The original patent having expired, various modifications and additions to the original design have been patented, by the above firm and by others, with the object of either better securing the magnet or for treating only a given part of the water, as in the case of vehicle cooling by recirculation through a radiator, or with other purposes in mind. A few years ago we learned of experiments regarding magnetic treatment of water for irrigation of plants and for wateriung livestock, which were carried out in both Russia and China. The results shown indicated improvement in growth and quality of the agricultural products, but as far as we know, these tests were not continued, probably due to the lack of suitable equipment; in any case, no commercial equipment has been brought onto the market in either country. This information induced us to make experiments with magnetically treated water for irrigation of plants and for watering cattle and other livestock, whilst using the hitherto known devices for treating the water flowing therethrough. It soon became evident that the existing devices were not adequate and suitable for these purposes for the following reasons:the devices were soon clogged by scale or by impurities in the water; the water was not always suitably treated owing to incorrect flow conditions; after a few hours the water returned to its original state which did not permit its storage in overhead tanks - as used in poultry growing -, or its standstill in pipes - as with in cattle watering stations -; not all water was suitable for magnetic treatment, especially near-pure water; water temperature became too high, especially recirculated water, and the treatment did not give the desired results. After years of in-vivo experimentation we found that there are relevant and critical conditions regarding the nature of the water to be treated, hydraulic flow conditions, magnetic flux, magnetic field intensity and direction, which have to be fulfilled in order to obtain improved and accelerated growth of plants and animals. During experimentation we improved the water treatment and found that, in addition to faster growing, the quality of both plant and animal was raised owing to the so-treated water given to them. While growing poultry, cattle, sheep and swine, results showed increased milk yield, better utilization of fodder, increased proportion of meat to fat and other improvements. Poultry showed increased egg production as well as the aforementioned results. Plants irrigated with treated water showed, in addition to faster growth, larger, healthier and greener leaves and larger and sweeter fruit. It was also noticed that the plants required less fertilizer and that the growing season could be lengthened. In order to attain these results we found that apparatus for magnetic treatment as well as the water flow conditions should preferably fulfill the following conditions:- 1) laminar or nearly laminar flow; 2) vertical upwards flow through the treatment device; 3) magnetic flux density to be between 0.095 and 0.32 tesla (between 950 and 3200 gauss); 4) the alternating multi-pole magnets to contain from 4 to 8 poles; 5) magnetic field vector to be substantially perpendicular to water flow vector; 6) spacing and numbers of poles to be determined so as to obtain a predetermined frequency of polarity acting on the water molecules at a predetermined flow velocity; 7) means to be provided to keep the device clean and free of scale and dirt accumulation; 8) both a cover of non-magnetic material as well as a tubular casing of magnetic material to be protected against corrosion and pitting by chemical action or by magneto-hydrodynamically generated voltage; 9) temperature of the water flowing through the device to be below 80°C. The present invention provides a method of treating water in an agricultural process including watering of plants or livestock with the treated water, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically cleaning the water so as to remove ferromagnetic particles and other suspended matter; and b) causing the water to pass through a magnetic field of alternating polarity, characterised in that: the magnetic field has an intensity of from 0.06 to 0.65 tesla (600 to 6500 gauss) and a field gradient of from 0.2 to 6.0 tesla/dm (kgauss/cm), the water flow through the magnetic field is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field vector, the water flow through the magnetic field is substantially laminar, at a velocity of from 0.5 to 2.4 m/s, and the substantially laminar water flow is at a velocity causing each water molecule to pass through the magnetic field of alternating polarity at a frequency of not less than 2 and not more than 60 polarity changes per second. The method is preferably carried out using water treatment apparatus which comprises at least one magnetic unit comprising an elongate, alternating multi-pole magnet mounted inside the device in substantially vertical alignment, the magnet comprising between 4 and 8 axially spaced poles; an inner casing of a non-magnetic material encasing and protecting the multi-pole magnet; an outer casing of a magnetic material of a cross section larger than the cross section of the inner casing and surrounding the inner casing and the magnet in co-axial alignment, forming an annular water duct therebetween which communicates at its bottom end with the water inlet and at its top end with the water outlet; hydrodynamic means for straightening the water flow at the entrance to the annular duct, to create a substantially laminar flow along the magnet; means for mechanical filtration of the water before its entrance into the magnetic unit with the object of removing ferromagnetic particles and other suspended matter; and means for backflushing and cleaning the device. In a preferred embodiment a streamlined end cover is attached to the inner casing at its bottom end and/or its top end, to cause laminar flow along the annular duct. With the object of cleaning the device from time to time, it is incorporated in a circuit which includes a bypass around the device and the necessary valves for directing the water flow in opposite direction, i.e. from top to bottom and into the open through a spillway. In all cases where water is to be treated as drinking water for poultry, cattle and other livestock by either storing it in overhead tanks or circulating it through pipelines provided with a plurality of drinking troughs, it becomes necessary to recirculate the once-treated water through the device, since it loses its special properties after a few hours. The watering circuits for this kind of treatment include circulating pumps and filtering devices, as well as means for backflushing, and it becomes imperative that the pumps be designed for the correct flow rate through the magnetic unit, as otherwise the water will not be treated correctly. Backflushing may be carried out manually or automatically by means of a timer adjusted to operate several solenoid valves at certain hours of the day or, alternatively, after a given throughflow of raw water through the device. With a view to protecting the inner and the outer casing against corrosion and pitting by magneto-hydrodynamically created corrosion or by chemical action, their surfaces are protected by a layer of anti-corrosive material. In all cases where the water flow is too large for one magnetic unit, two or more units may be advantageously placed in parallel alignment, whereby the two or more units are incorporated in a circuit which is provided with backflushing devices as well as a recirculating pump, if the water is to be used as drinking water for domestic animals. Since cool drinking water is beneficial to most animals and usually results in better yield, and since magnetic treatment is likewise improved at lower temperatures, it is proposed to use recirculation of treated water for its cooling. A preferred embodiment consists in a storage tank containing a splash plate mounted above water level onto which the water returning from the magnetic unit is directed, whereby the increased surface causes strong evaporation and thereby lowering of the water temperature. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a magnetic treatment unit of the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of a circuit including the magnetic treatment unit of Figure 1 suitable for field irrigation and provided with backflushing means, Figure 3 is a side view of a circuit including three parallel magnetic treatment units provided with backflushing means and with a stand, Figure 4 illustrates a circuit adapted for recirculation of drinking water for ruminants, showing a row of drinking troughs, and Figure 5 illustrates a circuit adapted for recirculation of water from an overhead reservoir, as used for watering of poultry. The magnetic treatment unit shown in Figure 1 comprises an elongated permanent magnet 1 provided with six poles marked by "N"and "S", which is generally manufactured of a aluminum-nickel-cobalt alloy (ALNICO). The magnet is covered by an inner casing 2 of copper or another non-magnetic material which protects the magnet against attack by the water flowing through the unit. Two stream-lined covers 3 and 3′ are attached to the ends of magnet 1 and casing 2 ensuring formation of a laminar flow through the unit, provided the flow velocity is kept within the proper limits, i.e. below the critical Reynolds Number. An outer, tubular casing 4 of a magnetic material, such a steel, surrounds the magnet and the inner casing in concentric alignment forming an annular water duct 5 between the two casings. The outer casing is fastened in two end fitting 6 and 6′ by means of screw thread, these fittings serving for connecting the unit to an inlet and outlet pipe 7 respectively. An outer shell 8 of copper or another non-magnetic material connects the two end fittings and protects the entire unit against mechanical damage, while being spaced apart from the outer magnetic casing 4 and forming an air space 9 there-between. The unit is placed in vertical - or substantially vertical - alignment, with a view to ensure complete filling of the annular duct with water to be treated. In a known manner the magnetic outer casing forms the outer limit for the magnetic field formed by the magnet poles which create a magnetic field of well-defined intensity, direction and distribution throughout the entire annular duct. Water enters the unit from below through the water inlet pipe 7′ and leaves it in treated condition at the top end through the outlet pipe 7. Figure 2 illustrates a circuit for once-through magnetic treatment and for backflushing of a magnetic unit from time to time in order to prevent build-up of scale or dirt in the duct. The present embodiment of a circuit has a water inlet 11 and a water outlet 12 leading to piping for plant irrigation. The water flows through the magnetic unit M through a line containing a stop valve 13 and a filter 14 to the outlet 12 which can be closed by a stop valve 15 for flushing purposes. A bypass 16 connects the inlet 11 direct with the outlet 12 and is, in its turn, closed by a valve 17. The bottom end of the magnetic unit communicates with a flush-water outlet through a valve 18. During normal irrigation the valves 13 and 15 are open, whilst the valves 17 and 18 are closed, forcing all irrigation water through the magnetic unit. For backflushing the valves 13 and 15 are closed and valves 17 and 18 are opened, thereby changing the direction of the water flow, forcing it through the magnetic unit from top to bottom and flushing out dirt and scale. The hand-operated valves shown in the drawing may be replaced by electrically operated valves, such as solenoid valves, to be actuated automatically, either after a certain period of irrigation or dependent on the measured throughflow. Figure 3 illustrates a circuit similar to that shown in Figure 2, however containing three magnetic units M1, M2 and M3 placed in vertical, parallel alignment. It is important that the distance between each two units is at least three times the magnet diameter, in order to prevent interference of the three magnetic fields. The piping and the arrangement of the valves is identical in both Figures 2 and 3, and for this reason the valves and lines are being denoted by the same numerals. The entire circuit is held and supported on a stand 20 which keeps the magnetic units in vertical position and permits its ready transfer from site to site. Magnetic treatment of drinking water for cattle is illustrated in Figure 4, showing a feed pipe 30 with a plurality of drinking troughs 31 attached thereto by means of automatic taps. The magnetic unit M is placed in a circuit which is adapted for recirculation of the drinking water flowing through the feed pipe 30 and through the magnetic unit; it is adapted for backflushing similarly as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and for this reason identical numerals are used for denoting identical or similar components. The recirculating circuit includes, additionally, a return pipe 32 extending from the tail end of the feed pipe 30, a circulating pump 33 and a check valve 34. Water returning from the feed pipe is pumped through the filter 14 and the unit M back into the feed pipe, while the check valve 34 prevents water from being pumped back into the supply pipe 11. The check valve opens as soon as the pump pressure drops due to an insufficient quantity of water returned from the feed pipe and causes fresh water to flow in from the supply. Backflushing is carried out as described with reference to Figures 2 or 3. The magnetic treatment circuit shown in Figure 5 is used in preparing drinking water for poultry. In hencoops the drinking troughs are usually fed from a central overhead tank or container, preventing water shortage in case of a breakdown of the water supply, and the apparatus shown in Figure 5 is designed for re-treatment of the water in the tank which would, otherwise, lose its special properties after a few hours, as mentioned in the foregoing. The drawing shows an overhead tank 40 supplied raw water from a central supply 11 through a pipe 12 which terminates in a float valve 41 in order to prevent overflowing. Water is pumped out of the tank by a pump 33 through an outlet pipe 42 and conveyed to the magnetic unit M after having ferromagnetic particles and other suspended matter removed by a filter 14. The pump is designed to an output to ensure water velocity and magnetization of water at the predetermined frequency as described in the foregoing. The treated water flows into the tank through piping 44 and an overhead outlet from which it drops down onto a splash plate 43. The water leaves the splash plate in the form of a fine spray and flows down into the tank while being cooled by evaporation. Water to the drinking troughs 31 leaves the tank through an outlet pipe 30, while a pump 46 serves for returning the non-consumed water to the overhead tank via piping 45 and over the splash plate 43 for further cooling and for recirculation through the magnetic unit M. Back-flushing is made as in the previously described embodiments by means of valves to be opened and closed, which are not specifically described here, since they correspond to the valves shown and described with reference to the aforedescribed embodiments and wherein identical components are denoted by identical numerals. It is reiterated that good results were obtained only whenever the water flow through the magnetic unit was laminar and whenever the units were positioned in vertical alignment so as to ensure complete filling of the annular space. It was also found that magnets should have preferably 4 to 8 poles, and that the magnetic field intensity should vary between 600 and 6500 gauss, with a magnetic field gradient of 0.2 - 6.0 kgauss/cm. These values dictate the dimensions of the magnets and the casings, and tests have shown that optimal values could be obtained with magnets of aluminum-nickel-cobalt alloys and of rare earth elements as known to the art. Magnets made from RER's are useful because they retain their high magnetic intensity. In addition to the above kinds of magnets it is also proposed to use electromagnets of similar strength and polarity, but it is pointed out that with permanent magnets no external energy is required, except for operation of the water pumps, and that the described apparatus have an extremely long life, provided they are kept clean and protected against corrosion. The flow velocity of the water in the annular duct should be between 0.5 and 2.4 m/s, so as to obtain substantially laminar flow in the annular duct, which also requires the fitting of streamlined caps to the ends of the magnet, which are, preferably but not necessarily, of parabolic cross section. Best results were obtained by chosing the flow velocity in a manner that each molecule passes each pair of alternating magnet poles between 2 to 60 times per second, i.e. at a frequency of 2-60 Hz. The flow velocity is therefore dependent on the number and spacing of the poles, as well as on the condition of laminar flow. Another important point for obtaining good results is to keep the water temperature below ambient temperature on hot days and in the hot season, which can be carried out by evaporation of a part of the water, either by means of separate cooling equipment or, in the case of an overhead tank, by splashing the incoming water on a flat plate, as described with reference to Figure 5. The water has at least a minimum electric conductivity, but should be free of electromagnetic particles which have to be removed by mechanical filtering. Treatment results improve with increased conductivity, whereby tap water has usually low conductivity, while treated sewage and brackish water answer far better. As described in the foregoing it is important to cover the surfaces bordering the annular duct with an anti-corrosive layer, as protection against corrosion. Although the full nature of the action of magnetically treated water is not yet fully understood, it is assumed that it cleans the alimentary ducts and membranes both in livestock and plants, improves metabolic processes and activates mass transfer of molecules and electrolyte ions through living membranes in both directions, which may be the cause of better digestion of fodder and subsequent increased growth and yield. For this reason treated water may likewise be used in aquaculture or even as drinking water for human beings. Tests with irrigation of plants have shown that magnetic treatment can be carried out before or after addition of liquid fertilizers; however, better results obtained with treatment before its addition.

Claims: A method of treating water in an agricultural process including watering of plants or livestock with the treated water, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically cleaning the water so as to remove ferromagnetic particles and other suspended matter; and b) causing the water to pass through a magnetic field of alternating polarity, characterised in that: the magnetic field has an intensity of from 0.06 to 0.65 tesla (600 to 6500 gauss) and a field gradient of from 0.2 to 6.0 tesla/dm (kgauss/cm), the water flow through the magnetic field is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field vector, the water flow through the magnetic field is substantially laminar, at a velocity of from 0.5 to 2.4 m/s, and the substantially laminar water flow is at a velocity causing each water molecule to pass through the magnetic field of alternating polarity at a frequency of not less than 2 and not more than 60 polarity changes per second. A method as claimed in claim 1, carried out using water treatment apparatus comprising: a) at least one magnetic treatment unit (M) including: an elongate permanent magnet (1) containing from 4 to 8 alternating spaced-apart poles, the magnet (1) being positioned in substantially vertical alignment, an inner casing (2) of non-magnetic material encasing the magnet (1), an outer casing (4) of magnetic material surrounding the inner casing (2) and defining an annular water duct (5) between the inner and outer casings, the annular duct (5) having a raw-water inlet (7′) at its bottom end and a treated-water outlet (7) at its top end, and hydrodynamic means for straightening the water flow through the annular duct (5) to substantially laminar flow; b) mechanical filtering means (14) positioned upstream of the magnetic treatment unit (M); and c) a bypass (16) connecting a raw-water supply line (11) with a treated-water line (12) and valve means (13,17,18) for reversing the water flow through the magnetic treatment unit (M) from its top end to its bottom end. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet (1) is in bar-shape manufactured from an aluminum-nickel-cobalt alloy. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet (1) is in bar-shape manufactured from sintered rare earth elements. A method as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the hydrodynamic means for straightening the water flow through the annular duct (5) comprises at least one cap (3′,3) positioned at the bottom end and/or the top end of the magnet (1) and the inner casing (2). A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which treated water which has not been consumed is recycled to step (b). A method as claimed in claim 6, including storing the treated water in an overhead reservoir (40) and pumping a portion of the water in the reservoir to step (b). A method as claimed in claim 6, including watering of livestock by means of drinking troughs (31), in which the water not consumed by the livestock is recycled to step (b) by pumping means. A method as claimed in claim 1, including irrigation of plants, further comprising addition of liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water after step (b). A method as claimed in claim 1, including watering of livestock, wherein treated water is stored in a storage tank (40), and the treated water returned to the tank (40) is cooled by evaporation while causing it to be divided into fine spray.

Inventors: LIN, ISREAL J., YOTVAT, JACOB
Applicants: ELIR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C02F1
IPC codes: C02F1