Apparatus and method for controlling molecular cluster in fluid

Abstract: An apparatus provides for controlling molecular clusters in fluid in which an electric or a magnetic energy field is applied to a fluid transversely to the flow direction thereof passing through a pipe means. The width of the energy field parallel to the direction of the fluid flow is less than 1 millimeter. The energy field may be applied by two electrodes or two magnetic ploes in which the overall thickness of the electrodes or magnetic poles is less than 10 millimeters. The electrodes or magnetic poles are preferably provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe means.

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid by applying electric or magnetic field to a flowing fluid. A device for treating fluid by using two electrodes having different electrochemical potentials disposed inside of a pipe through which fluid flows is provided in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,324 by the present inventor. In this device at least some of the electrically conductive material of one of the electrodes is disposed downstream of all of the electrically conductive material of the other of the electrodes, so that fluid flowing axially through the pipe sequentially contacts the electrodes and is only acted on by the downstream electrode before flowing from the pipe. By using a carbon electrode on the upstream side and an iron electrode on the downstream side, the device will remove iron oxide coloration of the fluid. Also provided by the present inventor is a method and apparatus to prevent the deposition of calcium and magnesium scale by which positive and negative electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials are provided on the outer peripheral surface of an electrically insulating tubular member through which the fluid flows. The positive and negative electrodes are tubular shape and disposed in a spaced relationship or in direct physical contact. An electroconductive connection between the electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect so that the fluid is ionized. While conducting continuous research and development on the method and device of the type set forth above, it became apparent to the present inventor that an electric field or magnetic field transverse to the flow direction of the fluid can effect the molecular cluster size of that fluid. That is, in fluids which exhibit molecular clustering such a water, etc. the cluster formation is not constant. The molecular clusters are in a continual state of change, forming clusters, breaking down, reforming clusters, also the cluster size is a continual change condition, some molecules forming large clusters and others forming small clusters. The clustering build-up and change is a continuous fluctuation. This continuous fluctuation of clustering and cluster size shows the very weak bonds which are the cause of the clustering. There is insufficient bond strength to maintain a constant cluster size and even temperature changes or movement of the fluid itself can have an appreciable effect on the cluster condition, therefore, it can be easily seen how a low level magnetic field or electric field can control the clustering effect. The present invention is based on the above findings and, accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method which can reduce molecular cluster size in fluid by application of electric field or magnetic field. To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid comprising: a pipe means through which fluid flows, and means provided in a peripheral direction of said pipe means transversely to the fluid flow for applying an electric or a magnetic energy field to the fluid transversely to the flow direction thereof passing through said pipe means, the width of said energy field parallel to the direction of said fluid flow being less than 1 millimeter, the overall thickness of said means for applying an electric or magnetic energy field being less than 10 millimeters parallel to the direction of said fluid flow. Preferably, the two electrodes or magnetic poles are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe of electrically insulating material or non-magnetic material. The present invention may employ all types of energy field producing methods, such as having electrodes which are energized from an external electric supply source, or electrodes having different electro-chemical potentials as self generating electric field, or a very narrow magnetic gap produced by electromagnetic means or by the normal permanent magnet. The principle of the present invention shall be described with reference to a magnetic head for recording and reproducing sounds on and from a magnetic tape, since it has some similarity with the present invention. It is well known and understood in the electric world of tape recording that the quality and frequency range of recording and reproduction is controlled by the width of the electro-magnetic field transverse of the tape movement, and that smaller magnetic gaps considerably enhance the range of recordable frequencies, and with such narrow magnetic fields a reduced speed of the tape travel is made possible without causing deterioration of the frequency range which can be recorded and reproduced. The present invention can be considered in the view that the fluid flow is equivalent to the moving magnetic tape, and the very narrow transverse field is equivalent to the required very narrow electro-magnetic gap of a tape recording and reproducing head. In the case of fluid treatment, and in particular water or any fluid which has a water content, or any fluid which has the grouping of molecules to form clusters similar to water, the effectiveness of the very narrow electrodes spacing and/or electro-magnetic gap is directly related to the molecular cluster size existing in the fluid. For ease of explanation of the invention the description and details will be given as related to water, however, as explained above the invention relates to any fluid, other than water, in which the molecules can group to form clusters. In the case of this invention whereby a fluid is to be treated, the electric or magnetic transverse field is constant and has no intensity variations as compared to the magnetic tape recording. However, the moving fluid which may be viewed as the moving tape contains variations of energy due to the formation of molecular clusters, and maybe viewed as a recorded tape. To erase the recorded signals on a magnetic tape it may be passed through a magnetic field either polarized or at low frequency e.g. 50 Hz (50 cps.), or a similarly polarized or oscillating e.g. 50 Hz (50 cps.) electric field, and by so doing the grouping and impressed rearrangement of the magnetic component of the tape is broken down and allowed to assume its natural condition. Similarly the fluid passing through the transverse electric or magnetic field is exposed to the effect of these fields and the clusters formed by molecular grouping are disturbed by the induced electric or magnetic effect which causes changes to the very weak bonding between the molecules and accordingly the molecular clusters are reduced to smaller clusters. In the case of natural water research has shown that the molecular clusters can be extremely large, up to 1 to 2 millimeters down to less than micron size, if considered as being spherical shape, although it is expected that the clusters could form any shape including that of being generally spherical. The relationship and efficiency of the device of this invention is the control of the molecular clusters and preferably causing a reduction to minimum size clusters. Accordingly, the essential feature of this invention is in the use of a very narrow electric field or magnetic field transverse to the flow direction of the fluid to control the molecular cluster size of that fluid. In the case of an electric field, very thin electrodes with a very narrow separation of the electrodes, are positioned transverse to the flow of fluid, similarly in the case of using a magnetic field the pole pieces should have minimum separation to form an extremely narrow magnetic field transverse to the fluid flow direction. In order for the device to be effective for cluster size reduction the effective width of the transverse field should be less than the cluster size, for example a cluster size of 1 mm (assumed to be the maximum dimension of the cluster) would require a narrow transverse field with a width parallel to the direction of fluid flow of less than 1 mm, however any cluster having dimensions less than the width of the transverse field would be unaffected. Therefore, in order to achieve efficiency and maximum control over the greatest number of molecular clusters, the width of the transverse field should be the minimum. However, there are certain limitations on the physical size of a device in relation to molecular cluster size of a fluid, and for the present this physical size limitation must be accepted. However, it can be clearly understood that the manufacturing technology will improve allowing for further reduction in the physical electrode spacing width or electro-magnetic/magnetic gap width. In a practical way, as in the tape recording and reproducing heads, the pole pieces can be in actual physical contact with each other and it is only the break in continuity of the material of the pole piece which allows a magnetic field to extend away from the pole pieces at the point of physical contact. This construction is also applicable in this invention. Also electrodes to produce a very narrow transverse field may be in direct physical contact, and similarly an electric field is caused to extend away from the electrodes at the point of physical contact. However, in both cases of magnetic pole pieces and electrodes an extremely thin spacer of non-magnetic material may be used between the faces of the magnetic pole pieces to provide a more clearly defined magnetic gap, and similarly with electrodes a very thin spacer of an electric insulating material may be used between the electrodes to provide a more clearly defined transverse electric field. It is understood however, that employing some spacing medium between the magnetic pole pieces or the electrodes does provide a wider transverse electric or magnetic field which is a disadvantage, however, on the advantage side the employment of a spacer does provide a more intense magnetic or electric field. In actual practical application a compromise condition must be accepted which allows the maximum of efficiency with the cluster size being reduced to an appropriate size suitable for the particular application or requirement. In view of the fact that the fluid should be exposed to minimum effect from the physical magnetic pole pieces or the electrodes, it has been found that the least effect from the pole pieces or electrodes is achieved when these pole pieces or electrodes expose minimum thickness or width in the direction of the fluid flow. A series of tests was made in an effort to decide the optimum thickness of the pole pieces or electrodes and it was found that as the thickness of the poles pieces or electrodes was reduced to a minimum attainable thickness the efficiency of the device increased. Experimental thickness tests of that part of the pole pieces or electrodes which is contacting the outer surface of the non magnetic pipe or the plastic pipe were made, and thickness as small as a few micrometers was used. It was found that the electrodes could be used in complete form at a few microns with a resulting upgrade in efficiency, however, for the magnetic pole pieces such an overall thickness was impractical, therefore, the pole pieces were formed to be wedge shape thereby allowing the edge of the pole piece in contact with the outer surface of the non-magnetic pipe to be reduced to a few micrometers. For electrodes, the overall thickness need only be in the order of a few micrometers, enough to provide sufficient mechanical rigidity. A preferred maximum overall thickness of the electrode set or magnetic pole set would be in the order of 10 mm. It is pointed out that the efficiency of the device increases with decreasing thickness of the electrodes and active face of magnetic pole pieces. The device is functional with thick electrodes or pole pieces, but the efficiency peaks with thickness of only a few micrometers for the electrodes or the active face of the magnetic pole pieces. The above conditions were found to prevail regardless of the diameter of the insulating plastic pipe or non-magnetic pipe, and in the case of the electrodes being attached on the outer periphery of the center pipe the thickness of the insulating plastic pipe or the non-magnetic pipe does not provide any obstruction to the effect on the molecular clusters. For example with the self generating electrode system of positive and negative electrodes having different electro-chemical potentials, units have been made using internal pipe dimensions from 1.27 cm up to 25.4 cm (1/2" up to 10") and with the pipe wall thickness ranging between 2 mm up to 8 mm. Tests with these large size ID pipes and wall thickness showed no obvious loss in efficiency. The fact of being able to use large diameter pipe and thick pipe wall may seem to be illogical according to average thinking and especially so when as mentioned previously the magnetic tape recording system was used to illustrate the function of the device and effect on the molecule clusters. However in the case of pipe wall thickness and large pipe diameter, there can be no comparison with magnetic tape. It is pointed out that the electrodes and magnetic pole pieces fully encircle the pipe OD or the pipe ID and the resulting field effect is completely different to that of the tape reproducing or recording head which only contacts the narrow strip of magnetic tape. Furthermore, it has been found from actual experimental results that the electric or magnetic field when applied to the outer periphery of the plastic or non-magnetic pipe section does indeed extend through the pipe wall and produces an effect on the fluid contacting the inside surface of the pipe. However the effect does not limit to the particular fluid contacting the pipe wall but the effect is transmitted throughout the fluid by a chain-like reaction. The size change of the cluster in close proximity to the pipe wall produces a change of electric charge which then effects the next cluster. It is understood that those clusters in close proximity to the pipe wall will be most strongly effected, and to achieve an homogeneous condition recirculation of the fluid through the device will provide increased distribution of the cluster size control. Although it is not clearly understood by the inventor, the fact is that the electric and magnetic fields do extend through unusually thick plastic material and non-magnetic material, this fact has been proven by the many experiments and devices constructed. Furthermore, it appears that there is no loss of definition of the narrow energy field. A possible explanation for this is that the plastic medium of the pipe and the medium of the non-magnetic pipe act as a transmission line without distortion of the electric or magnetic field. Fig. 1 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying a narrow transverse electric field to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying a narrow transverse electric field to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying narrow transverse magnetic fields to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying narrow transverse magnetic fields to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying a narrow transverse electric field to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying narrow transverse magnetic fields to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view showing a device and a method for applying a narrow transverse electric field to a pipeline fluid flow system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 8 is a half-sectioned schematic perspective view more closely showing the construction of an unit employing the self generating electric field electrodes according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a test unit to illustrate surge effect in fluid flow due to cluster size, Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a device for weight measurement according to a test of the present invention, and Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a device used for volume expansion measurement according to a test of the present invention. Referring to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 1, two electrodes comprising a positive electrode 1 and a negative electrode 2 are attached to the outer periphery of a plastic pipe 3. The positive electrode 1 and negative electrode 2 have different electrochemical potentials, for example a carbon positive electrode and an aluminum negative electrode. The carbon and aluminum electrodes are made from extremely thin carbon and aluminum sheet, and placed directly in physical contact or with a very thin film of electric insulation therebetween. The electrode set is attached on the outer periphery of an electric insulating pipe 3 such as a length of plastic pipe. A more detailed drawing of unit construction employing such a set of electrodes is shown in Fig.8, in which 1 and 2 are the carbon and aluminum electrode respectively. The electrodes 1 and 2 are attached to the outer periphery of a plastic pipe 3. The assembly of electrodes 1 and 2 and the plastic pipe 3 is enclosed in an outer body 4 and end face plates 5. The inner periphery of the face plates 5 is grooved to accept an O-ring 25 which forms a tight seal between the ends of the plastic pipe 3 and the end face plates 5. Seal packings 26 form a tight seal between the end face plates 5 and the outer body 4 to maintain a constant environment and moisture free condition around the electrode. In Fig.2, a similar system to that of Fig.1 is adopted, except that the electrodes 6 and 7 are energized from an external electric supply source 8. The electrodes 6 and 7 may be made of any electro-conductive material, preferably both electrodes should be of the same material. A length of electric insulating pipe 3 is used to support the electrode set 6 and 7. In Fig.3 a magnetic system is adopted instead of electrodes in Figs. 1 and 2, in which 9 is a section of non magnetic pipe with the magnetic pole pieces 10 and 11 encircling edgewise the periphery of the pipe 9 and with the magnetic pole pieces 10 and 11 being magnetically energized by the magnet 12. In Fig.4 the same system of a magnetic transverse assembly is adopted but employing an electro-magnetic system for energizing. The electro magnet 13 is powered by an external electric supply source 14. In the devices shown in Fig.1 through Fig.4, the narrow transverse energy field is applied to the external periphery of the supporting pipe section, while the narrow transverse field members 16 and 17 are applied within the pipe section 15 in Fig. 5. In Fig.5 the self generating electrodes 16 and 17 are situated within the electric insulation pipe section 14 and directly contacted by the fluid. In fig. 6 a permanent magnet system is situated within the pipe section 15 in which the permanent magnet 18 is applied with end covers 19 and 19a joining at the center to form the pole pieces 20 and 20a. In the construction shown in Fig.7, two separate pipe sections 21 and 22 are employed with the narrow transverse field producing members 23 and 24 being situated between the sections 21 and 22. In this embodiment the various systems may be employed; the self generating electrodes having different electro-chemical potentials, the externally electrically energized electrodes, the magnetic poles of a permanent magnet or electro-magnet. For convenience only the illustration of the self generating electrodes having different electro-chemical potentials is shown with the electrodes 23 and 24. It will be obvious in view of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 that the electrodes and pole pieces illustrated in these figures could be inserted between two pipe sections as illustrated in Fig. 7. Although the description of the structure of the device of this invention is based on only one set of electrodes or one set of magnetic pole pieces, it is pointed out that any number of electrodes or pole pieces may be used. The important factor is that there is the minimum separation between electrodes or magnetic poles and such separation allows very narrow transverse electric fields or magnetic fields to be produced. To any one skilled in the art it will be obvious how there is a magnetic field produced in the fluid flow either from a so called permanent magnet or an electro-magnetic system. Furthermore, it can be clearly understood how electro-conductive materials having different electro-chemical potentials can provide a voltaic cell structure when contacted by an electrolyte, such as water or other fluids, even those being only very weak electrolytes such as sauces, whiskey, wine, etc.. However, in the case of the externally applied electrodes having different electro-chemical potentials where there is no contact with the fluid, as in the cases of Fig.1, and Fig.8, the system of electric energy generation is somewhat different. To explain the function of the devices of Fig.1 and Fig.8 attention is directed to the electric insulating pipe (plastic) as 3 in Fig.1, and Fig.8. It is commonly known that all plastics have the effect of electrostatic field producing when excited by some friction of the surface. Referring to water flowing through a plastic pipe the friction of the water flowing through such a piece of plastic pipe produces an electrostatic voltage field which builds up on the outer surface of the plastic pipe. This means that the outer surface of the plastic pipe is covered by an electrostatic field. The electrodes of different electro-chemical potential, for example carbon and aluminum are contained within the electrostatic field, and the electrostatic field is seen as an electrolyte. Carbon will absorb electrons and aluminum will release electrons, therefore, in the vicinity of the carbon electrode there is a reduction of electrons and in the vicinity of the aluminum electrode there is an excess of electrons, this provides a potential difference between the carbon electrode and the aluminum electrode, with a resulting electric field being present across the narrow gap between the electrodes. Other combinations of electro-conductive materials having different electro-chemical potentials will also show a potential difference due to the effect of a difference in the efficiency to release electrons, in which a low electron release material will become positively polarized as related to a high electron release material, therefore, any electro-conductive materials with different electro-chemical potentials will show an electric potential difference when exposed to an electrostatic field. In fluids which exhibit molecular clustering such as water, etc. the cluster formation is not constant. The molecular clusters are in a continual state of change, forming clusters, breaking down, reforming clusters, also the cluster size is a continual change condition, some molecules forming large clusters and others forming small clusters. The clustering build-up and change is a continuous fluctuation. This continuous fluctuation of clustering and cluster size shows the very weak bonds which are the cause of the clustering. There is insufficient bond strength to maintain a constant cluster size and even temperature changes or movement of the fluid itself can have an appreciable effect on the cluster condition, therefore, it can be easily seen how a low level magnetic field or electric field can control the clustering effect. As a molecular cluster which is large in relation to the narrow transverse field passes through the narrow field the energy, electric or magnetic, causes a change of the weak molecular bonds and the cluster changes to a size which is relative to the width of the narrow transverse field. A fluid which passes through the narrow transverse field only one time will have only portion of the molecular clusters reduced in size, but such treatment is often sufficient for a particular requirement. However, recirculation of the fluid through the narrow transverse field can provide highly efficient control of the cluster size. As mentioned above the clusters are in a constant state of change under normal conditions. The application of a device according to this invention does stabilize the state of cluster formation. In the case of sauces, whiskey, wine etc. the reduced cluster size allows quick blending of the water content with the sauce base, whiskey, wine, etc. and once the blending has formed it does not again separate, in other words the fluids have been conditioned into small clusters which are held stable by the blending. In the case of a conditioned fluid which is not blended with a second fluid, the controlled cluster size will remain in such condition for a relatively short time and unless otherwise used in some manner to take advantage of the cluster control, the clustering effect within that fluid will gradually revert to the fluctuation of cluster formation and cluster break down. Another effect of the molecular cluster size control is that of ionization of the fluid and the delayed precipitation of dissolved content of the fluid. In the case of natural water with the dissolved content, (solute) of calcium salts, magnesium salts, etc., the action of reducing the cluster size allows a change of electric charge within the fluid which in actual fact is a change of ionization of the fluid and dissolved content. In this sense the device structures of this invention may be used for water treatment to prevent scaling (calcium and magnesium scale, etc.) within a water containment system. In order to provide evidence of the effect of molecular cluster control by the devices of this invention some tests were carried out. The device used had the narrow transverse field members attached to the outer periphery of a plastic pipe with 1/2" (12.7 mm) bore and wall thickness of 1.5 mm. The system used was that of electrode materials having different electrochemical potentials as shown schematically in Fig. 1 and a similar construction to that shown in FIG. 8. In this case carbon and aluminum electrodes were used in direct physical contact (no separator was used between the electrodes). The combined thickness of the electrode assembly was 0.25 mm in total. Test of Delayed Precipitation (anti-scaling): The basic method of comparison between a treated sample of fluid and a not treated sample from experience is the most reliable and is also applied in this test. Two sample volumes of water were taken from the one storage tank. The one volume remained untreated whereas the other volume was allowed to pass one time through a device of this invention. An exactly measured amount of each sample volume (not treated and treated) was placed in identical glass beakers, then placed over a heating device to simultaneously heat the samples equally and allow evaporation of the water. The two samples were raised in temperature to 75°C and then maintained at that temperature to allow evaporation of the two samples. This initial volume of each sample was 100 cm 3 and this was allowed to evaporate down to 50 cm 3 , at which point some precipitation of the dissolved content (solute) of the water had occurred. The residual samples were corrected to exactly the same volume (50 cm 3 ) by adding pure water, then allowing the samples to stand for a few hours in order for the excess precipitate to be redissolved. A measurement of electro-conductivity was taken of each sample which showed a considerably lower electro-conductivity for the not treated sample than that of the treated sample. A difference of 16 µS/cm has been measured between the not treated water and the water treated by the device of this invention. An electro-conductivity measurement is the general indication of the amount of dissolved salt content of the water such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, with a reduced amount of salt in solution the electro-conductivity will be lower. In the above test the electro-conductivity measurements showed a lower value for the not treated water than that of the treated water, and this can be taken as showing reduced content of the soluble salt in the not treated water, whereas the treated water showed a higher electro-conductivity than the not treated water thereby indicating a higher salt content in the water due to reduced precipitation, which as explained previously is brought about by the change of electric charge with the change of the clusters to smaller sizes. The change of electric charge is also a change of ionization. Evidence of the function of the narrow transverse electric and magnetic field control effect was further investigated with specially devised tests. In one case the water untreated was carefully degassed by vacuum then filtered through a 0.4 micrometers filter. A test rig of a small reservoir connected to a length of 2.0 mm capillary tube was set up. The water was drawn by vacuum through the capillary tube into the reservoir in order to eliminate the possibility of air being added to the water through the turbulence and general disturbance by simply pouring the water into the reservoir. When the reservoir was almost full, the water was allowed to flow out through the capillary tube. It was observed that instead of a smooth flow of water leaving the open end of the capillary tube that there was a very irregular flow with the water flow being sometimes fast and at other times at a slower rate. This was easily observed by the variations in visible extension of the water flow from the capillary tube. It appeared to spurt out then slow down. Some of the same water was passed through a device prepared with the narrow transverse field construction then filtered and degassed as before. The same procedure was used to fill the small reservoir, then the water was allowed to flow through the capillary tube. This time the water flow from the open end of the capillary tube was completely smooth and had no irregular spurting action. From this test it was assumed that the molecule cluster size in the water had been reduced, thereby allowing a smooth flow through the capillary tube. To verify this the 2.0 mm bore capillary tube was replaced with a 0.5 mm bore capillary tube, and the test repeated using the treated water. With this reduced size bore the water flow again became irregular in a similar manner to that of the untreated water through a 2.0 mm bore capillary tube. It appears obvious that the cluster size of the untreated water was variable to size in excess of 2.0 mm whereas the treated water showed the variable cluster size to be only in excess of 0.5 mm due to the effect of the device with narrow transverse field construction. An example of the device used for this test is shown in Fig. 9 in which 30 is the capillary tube, 31 the reservoir, 32 air out line to vacuum pump, 33 air in, and 34 a 3 way valve to switch from air out to air in. Letters A, B and C show the fluid flow from the capillary tube orifice in which A and B show the sudden flow surge for untreated fluid and C shows the steady flow for fluid treated by the device according to FIG. 1 and Fig. 8 of the invention. This finding brought up two possibilities 1) the number of molecules in the cluster was reduced. 2) the same number of molecules in the cluster but with tighter bonding to condense the cluster. A further test was made to verify which of the above two possibilities had occurred. In this test the weight of exact volumes of water was measured, the one volume being untreated water the other volume being water treated by the device. The weight was measured to an accuracy of 4 decimal places. A special volume measuring flask was prepared with a length of 1.0 mm bore capillary tube inserted. The water was filled into the special flask up to the exact level in the capillary tube, thereby for repeat fillings the volume of water (fluid) was accurate to a very high degree. The weight of the measuring flask empty was taken showing 74.7670 grms. Tap water was used to fill the flask to the exact volume, and the flask + water was weighed showing 170.0295 grms. The flask was then completely emptied and then filled to the exact same level in the capillary tube with a volume of the same water which had been passed through (treated) by the device, then another weight measurement was taken. This time the weight showed 170.2315 grms an increase of 0.202. This kind of weight increase after treatment by the narrow transverse field device was repetitive and therefore the effect of a weight increase could be taken as correct. The weight increase would confirm that the cluster formation in water still had the same number of molecules but was more condensed in size which then would provide the exact same volume of water with increase weight. An example of the device used in this test is shown in Fig. 10 in which 35 is the capillary tube, 36 the container. The container was filled with fluid up to the mark on the capillary tube to obtain exact volumes of fluid. Weight measurements were taken with the volume of untreated fluid and of the exact same volume of fluid treated by the device of this invention. A third test was made to further verify the decrease in cluster size. This time a method of volume expansion was used. Two exact volumes of water, one not treated the other treated by the narrow transverse field device, were carefully measured out. The two individual water volumes were placed in specially constructed measuring devices which were then heated in a water bath until there was no further expansion of the water. The expanded volumes were collected and weighed. Rigid control was taken at all stages of the test to ensure accuracy. The resulting measurements showed an increase in volume of the expansion for the treated water. A weight measurement was made to obtain higher accuracy than measuring volume. In this test the treated water expansion was greater by 0.4% over that of the untreated water. An example of the device used for this test is shown Fig. 11 in which 37 is the container, 38 the collecting cup, 39 the overflow pipe, and 40 a circular plate surrounding the container 37 to support the collecting cup 38. The container was filled with fluid up to the overflow point for both the untreated fluid and the fluid treated by the device of this invention, then the device filled with fluid was heated in a water bath. Test No. 3 confirms the result of test No. 2 and both tests No. 2 and No. 3 confirm test No. 1. A chart showing the results of a series of tests using the above test devices is given below. Weight Test: Water type not treated water(grms.) treated water (grms.) increase (grms.) 1 tap 95.2650 95.4675 0.2025 2 tap 95.2400 95.5630 0.2230 3 tap 95.6190 95.8142 0.1952 4 high silica 95.8120 95.8670 0.0550 5 high silica 95.8825 95.9316 0.0491 6 high silica 95.8141 95.8590 0.0449 Volume Expansion Test Water type not treated water in collecting cup (grms.) treated water in collecting cup (grms.) increase (grms.) 1 high silica 3.4763 4.3496 0.8733 2 tap 4.4100 4.8913 0.4813 3 tap 4.2130 4.8735 0.4605 Explanation of Chart: It is seen that different waters have been used for the test. In the case of water with a high silica content and accordingly low calcium, magnesium content, that on the ambient temperature test the weight increase or reduction of cluster size is less than that for tests using tap water with a relatively higher calcium, magnesium content. However in the chart showing volume expansion by heating the silica content water shows greater expansion than that for tap water. This is difficult to explain at this time, but it is thought that the thermal energy causes a different rate of expansion of the silica clusters. It is well known that silica solution in water does not show any electro-conductivity whereas calcium and magnesium both produces strong electro-conductivity in water solution. In order to provide evidence of the effect of molecular cluster control by the devices of this invention, further simple taste tests were carried out, although it is felt that the results of the above mentioned tests are sufficient as proof of the device function. Sauces: In the manufacture of some sauces the addition of common salt (NaCl) is an essential part of the ingredient. However, these sauces cannot be used immediately following manufacture and a maturing period must be allowed for the NaCl to blend fully into the mixture and remove the strong salty taste. Such is the case in Japan in particular with Shoyu sauce, but the case does exist in many types of food manufacture. The use of the device of this invention will provide rapid blending of the NaCl into the sauce base. As a simple test and illustration of this effect, as small quantity of NaCl is dissolved in water until the salty taste is apparent in the water. The volume of salted water is separated into two volumes. The one volume is passed through a device of this invention, the other volume remains untreated. A simple taste test will show that the salty taste of the treated volume of salted water has completely disappeared whereas the untreated volume of salted water still retains the salty taste. This very effectively illustrates the rapid change of molecular cluster size to allow a blending of two components of a mixture. Wines: It is common knowledge and the essential part of wine manufacture to allow a maturing period for the full taste of the wine to develop. This means that the manufactured base wine must be allowed to stand over a period of time for maturing to occur. As in the case of sauces etc. a tasting method can be used to show the obvious difference in the wine before treatment and after treatment with the device of this invention. To make this test a very cheap wine with an obvious acidic taste was used. Two volumes were taken from the same bottle of wine. The one volume remained untreated, whereas the other volume was passed through a device of this invention. The comparison tasting of the not treated portion and the treated portion showed a very obvious reduction of the acidic taste of the wine after treatment with the device. The wine taste had become mellow as would be the case with a matured wine. The maturing of wines etc. is again the result of cluster size reduction to allow blending of the components of the basic wine. The normal process is to allow time for the slow break down of the molecular clusters and ultimate close blending of the components. The above test allowing only one pass through a device of this invention showed immediate improved blending or maturing effect. A recirculation procedure with the wine passing through the device a number of times will provide even more complete blending and mellowing of the wine. Whiskey: In the case of whiskey the effect of treatment by the device of this invention is not so rapid and recirculation over a period of a few days is necessary to achieve the desired maturing stage. Again a test sample of a very cheap, not matured whiskey was obtained. A sample volume of this was placed in a recirculation device including a device of this invention in the recirculating system. The recirculation was allowed to run continuously and taste checks were made on a daily basis. The whiskey taste was obviously changed from day to day. After a 12 day test period the raw whiskey taste had changed towards that of a well matured whiskey. It is pointed out that to one skilled in the art of tasting wine or whiskey the above mentioned changes would be extremely obvious, especially with the "before and after" tasting as explained. The taste of a raw whiskey and a well matured whiskey leaves no doubt in the mind of one skilled in the art. Similarly with wine. The connoisseur is able to detect by taste the difference between a wine which is matured and one that is still raw. Even those unskilled in the art of wine tasting can easily detect the differences between the original raw wine (poor quality) and the mellowness of the wine after treatment with the device of this invention. This is evidenced by the fact that the taste testing was applied with various people but unfortunately these were not connoisseurs of whiskey or wine. However, the opinion in each cases was the same, that of a more pleasant and smooth taste. Similarly with the salt water test each individual who was asked to taste the treated salty water agreed that the salty taste was not evident in the treated water. In the case of the salt water test each person was asked to add the salt to the water until they could sense a mild salt taste, then compare this with the same salted water after being passed through the device. In this way the degree of saltiness in the water was set to the taster's own standard which then made it clear to that taster that there was indeed a taste change due to the effect of the device.

Claims: An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid comprising: a pipe means through which fluid flows, and means provided in a peripheral direction of said pipe means transversely to the fluid flow for applying an electric or a magnetic energy field to the fluid transversely to the flow direction thereof passing through said pipe means, the width of said energy field parallel to the direction of said fluid flow being less than 1 millimeter, the overall thickness of said means for applying an electric or magnetic energy field being less than 10 millimeters parallel to the direction of said fluid flow. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy applying means comprises at least two electrodes and said pipe means is made of electrically non-conductive material. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy applying means comprises at least two magnetic pole pieces and said pipe means is made of non-magnetic material. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein said energy applying means is provided on the outer peripheral surface of said pipe means. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein said energy applying means is provided internally of said pipe means. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein said pipe means is divided at least into two pipe sections and said energy applying means is provided between said pipe sections with the inner peripheral surface of said energy applying means exposed to the interior of said pipe means. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 and 4 to 6, wherein said at least two electrodes have different electrochemical potentials to provide a self generating electric field. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 and 4 to 6, wherein said at least two electrodes are energized from an external electric supply source. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein said at least two magnetic pole pieces are energized by permanent magnet. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein said at least two magnetic pole pieces are energized by electro-magnetic means. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4, 7 and 8, wherein said energy applying means is at least two thin electrode members encircling edgewise said pipe means and spaced apart by an electrically insulating film interposed therebetween. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4, 7 and 8, wherein said energy applying means is at least two thin electrode members encircling edgewise said pipe means and the overall thickness of said at least two electrode plates is less than 10 mm. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 4, 7 and 8, wherein said energy applying means is at least two thin electrode members directly contacting each other and encircling edgewise said pipe means. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 12 and 13, wherein said at least two thin electrode members have different electrochemical potentials as to provide a self generating electric field. An apparatus for controlling molecular clusters in fluid as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of said electrodes is carbon and the other of said electrode is aluminum. A method for controlling molecular clusters in fluid by producing a narrow energy field by at least two electrodes or at least two magnetic pole pieces provided in a peripheral direction of said pipe means transversely to the fluid flow and flowing said fluid transversely through said narrow energy field, said electrodes and said magnetic poles being spaced apart less than 1 mm. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrodes have different electrochemical potentials and are self energizing. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrodes are energized by an external electric supply source. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in claim 16, wherein said magnetic pole pieces are energized by permanent magnet. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in claim 16, wherein said magnetic pole pieces are energized by electromagnetic means. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 16 to 20, wherein said electrodes are spaced apart by an insulating film therebetween. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 16 to 20, wherein said electrodes are in direct physical contact with each other. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 16, 19 and 20, wherein said magnetic pole pieces are spaced apart by a thin non-magnetic medium. A method for controlling molecular clusters in a fluid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 16, 19 and 20, wherein said magnetic pole pieces are in direct physical contact with each other.

Inventors: IBBOTT JACK KENNETH, IBBOTT, JACK KENNETH
Applicants: IBBOTT JACK KENNETH, YOSHIDA MAKIKO, IBBOTT, JACK KENNETH, YOSHIDA, MAKIKO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C02F1
IPC codes: C02F1