Abstract:
A device for separating ions from a fluid stream is disclosed. The device includes a conduit eccentric and parallel to an axis of rotation. An inductor coil surrounds the conduit and forms a magnetic field parallel to the axis. The conduit has an inlet and three outlets. The outlets are arranged at different radial distances from the axis. The coil and the conduit are rotatable relative to one another about the axis. Fluid flows through the conduit to the outlets and the ions therein experience a force as they move perpendicular to the magnetic field. Ions of one polarity move toward the axis and exit the conduit from the innermost outlet. Ions of an opposite polarity move away from the axis and exit the conduit from the outermost outlet. Fluid substantially devoid of ions exits from the middle outlet. A method of generating gas from ion streams is disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/504,235, filed Aug. 15, 2006, which is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/708,457, filed Aug. 16, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to devices for separating and removing ions from a fluid and using the ions to generate a gas such as hydrogen. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Removal of ions from a fluid, such as occurs in the desalination of water, is commonly effected by evaporative techniques which require considerable energy. The water must be heated to steam, the steam drawn off and condensed. While such techniques may be acceptable for producing relatively small amounts of water, the large latent heat of vaporization of water renders such techniques impractical for desalinating large quantities of water, for example, for agricultural or industrial use. 
     Evaporative techniques are further impractical under conditions where significant amounts of fuel are unavailable, or it is impractical to generate the heat needed for desalination. For example, survivors from a shipwreck or a plane crash stranded on the ocean cannot normally boil water to steam and condense the steam on a raft. There is a need for an ion separation and removal device that operates more economically than evaporative techniques and is useable under primitive or adverse conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a device for separating ions from a fluid. The device comprises an elongated conduit oriented substantially parallel to and positioned eccentric to an axis of rotation. An inlet is positioned at one end of the conduit, and a first ion duct is positioned at an opposite end of the conduit. The first ion duct is in fluid communication with the conduit. A first exit port is in fluid communication with the first ion duct. A second ion duct is positioned at the opposite end of the conduit and is also in fluid communication with the conduit. The second ion duct is positioned closer to the axis of rotation than the first ion duct. A second exit port is in fluid communication with the second ion duct. An inductor coil surrounds the conduit. The coil produces a magnetic field substantially parallel to the axis of rotation when an electrical current flows therethrough. Either the coil or the conduit is rotatable about the axis of rotation. The fluid containing the ions enters the inlet and flows through the conduit. The magnetic field exerts a force on the ions in the fluid. Ions having one polarity are moved radially away from the axis of rotation, while ions having an opposite polarity are moved radially toward the axis of rotation. Ions having the one polarity enter the first ion duct and exit through the first exit port, and ions having the opposite polarity enter the second ion duct and exit through the second exit port. 
     In one embodiment the conduit is rotated about the axis. The device may further comprise a neutral duct positioned between the first and second ion ducts. The neutral duct is in fluid communication with the conduit. A third exit port is in fluid communication with the neutral duct. In this configuration a remainder of the fluid from which the ions are separated enter the neutral duct and exit though the third exit port. 
     In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a plurality of the conduits. 
     The device also encompasses a method of separating ions within a fluid. The method comprises:
         (a) establishing a magnetic field along an axis;   (b) creating a flow of the fluid in a stream passing through the magnetic field, the stream being positioned eccentric to and oriented substantially parallel to the axis;   (c) rotating at least one of the stream and the magnetic field about the axis whereby the ions within the fluid experience a force moving the ions toward or away from the axis depending upon the polarity of the ion&#39;s electrical charge.       

     The method may also include drawing, from the stream, ions having one polarity from a first region proximate to the axis, and ions having an opposite polarity from a second region distal to the axis. 
     The invention also encompasses a method of generating hydrogen and chlorine gas from an aqueous solution comprising sodium and chlorine ions. The method comprises:
         (a) establishing a magnetic field along an axis;   (b) creating a flow of the solution in a stream passing through the magnetic field, the stream being positioned eccentric to and oriented substantially parallel to the axis;   (c) rotating at least one of the stream and/or the magnetic field about the axis whereby the sodium ions and the chlorine ions experience a force, the sodium ions being moved toward or away from the axis to form a stream comprising sodium ions and water, the chlorine ions being moved toward or away from the axis in an opposite direction to the sodium ions to form a stream comprising chlorine ions and water;   (d) conducting the sodium ion and water stream into a first chamber;   (e) conducting the chlorine ion and water stream into a second chamber;   (f) electrically connecting the sodium ion and water stream in the first chamber with the chlorine ion and water stream in the second chamber; wherein
           the sodium ions are converted to sodium atoms which replace hydrogen atoms in the water in a chemical reaction releasing hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide into the water within the first chamber.   
               

     Similarly, the chlorine ions are converted to chlorine atoms which precipitate out of solution in the form of chlorine gas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a device for ion separation according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional plan view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a device for ion separation; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional plan view taken at line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a device for ion separation; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a device for ion separation according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a device for ion separation and generation of hydrogen gas according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken at line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a device  10  for separating ions from a fluid. Device  10  comprises a plurality of chambers, four in this example, numbered  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . The chambers are defined by a plate  20  of non-magnetic material. Each chamber has an inlet and an outlet that intersect the chamber at its periphery. The inlet  22  of first chamber  12  comprises the inlet to the device  10  and is aligned offset from the center region  24  of the chamber  12  so as to induce a clockwise circular flow in fluid entering the chamber  12  about an axis  12   a  extending through the chamber. The chamber  12  also has a curved, preferably circular periphery  26  which further facilitates circular flow of fluid within it. The peripheral outlet  28  also intersects the chamber  12  at its periphery and is aligned offset from the center region so as to allow fluid near the periphery  26  to exit the chamber as described in detail below. 
     The outlet  28  of chamber  12  is in fluid communication with the inlet  30  of chamber  14 . The inlet  30  is configured similarly to inlet  22  to induce a circular flow, this time counter clockwise in chamber  14 . In this embodiment, this pattern is repeated, wherein the peripheral outlet of one chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the next chamber and arranged so as to induce a circular flow about a respective axis in each chamber, the flow circulating in opposite directions in adjacent chambers. Chambers  14  and  16  may be considered intermediate chambers and chamber  18  a last chamber whose outlet  54  provides an outlet from the device  10 . 
     Each chamber also has a respective central outlet positioned proximate to the chamber center regions  24 ,  32 ,  40  and  50 . The central outlets are defined by two plates  64  and  66  positioned below plate  20 . Plate  64 , positioned adjacent to plate  20 , is used to define apertures  56   a,    58   a,    60   a  and  62   a  that are sized to draw fluid from the respective center region of each chamber. The apertures feed respective conduits  56   b,    58   b,    60   b  and  62   b  defined in the lowermost plate  66 . The conduits allow fluid to exit the device  10 . Plates  64  and  66  are also formed of non-magnetic material. 
     A magnetic field  68  extends through the chambers  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . The field is oriented so that it is substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow, i.e., substantially aligned with the axes  12   a,    14   a,    16   a  and  18   a  through each chamber. In this example, the magnetic field is provided by a pair of permanent magnets  70  and  72 , magnet  72  overlying plate  20  and magnet  70  overlying plate  66 . The north pole of magnet  70  faces the south pole of magnet  72 , thereby orienting the field  68  upwardly through the chambers as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The plates  20 ,  64  and  66  and magnets  70  and  72  are sealingly joined to one another so that fluid flows only through the inlets, chambers and outlets as described below. 
     Operation of the device  10  is described with reference to  FIG. 2 . Ion bearing fluid  74  is conducted through inlet  22  to first chamber  12  where the fluid flows in a clockwise circulation within the chamber. Being charged particles moving in a magnetic field  68 , the ions experience a force F described by the vector relation F=qVxB where q is the magnitude and polarity of the ions&#39; charge, V is the ion velocity (direction and magnitude), and B is the magnetic field (strength and orientation). The vector operator “x” is the vector cross product. 
     Positive ions  76  moving in a clockwise circulation in chamber  12  through magnetic field  68  oriented out of the plane of  FIG. 2  will experience a force F moving them inwardly toward the center region  24 . Conversely, negative ions  78  in chamber  12  will experience a force −F, moving them toward the periphery  26 . As a result of the magnetically induced force, the negative ions  78  will tend to exit chamber  12  through outlet  28 , and the positive ions  76  will tend to exit the chamber through the outlet  56   a,    56   b  located proximate to the center region  24 . The portion of the fluid stream that exits the device through outlet  56   a,    56   b  thus contains a higher concentration of positive ions. This portion may be sent to another ion separation device for further processing. The portion of the fluid stream that exits through outlet channel  28  contains a higher concentration of negative ions and enters intermediate chamber  14  through its inlet  30 . Due to the position and orientation of inlet  30  at the periphery  34 , the fluid stream  74  has a counter clockwise flow in chamber  14 . The circulation of the flow in all of the chambers is enhanced by orienting the inlets offset from the center regions and giving the peripheries a curved, preferably circular shape. 
     The reversal of the ion velocity vector causes the forces on the ions to reverse so that positive ions in chamber  14  are moved toward the periphery  34  and negative ions toward the center region  32 . A portion of the fluid stream having a higher concentration of negative ions exits the device through outlet  58   a,    58   b,  while another portion of the stream having a higher concentration of positive ions exits chamber  14  through outlet  36 . Outlet  36  is in fluid communication with inlet  38  of chamber  16 . The circulation of the flow is again reversed, and moves clockwise in chamber  16 , resulting in positive ions exiting the device through outlet  60   a,    60   b,  and negative ions exiting chamber  16  through outlet  44 . 
     As the fluid stream  74  passes through the various chambers, ions are separated at each stage so that the overall concentration of ions is significantly diminished by the time the stream enters the last chamber  18 . The circulation of the flow in chamber  18  is again reversed from chamber  16  so negative ions are moved to the center region  50  where they exit through outlet  62   a,    62   b.  Positive ions move to the periphery  52  and exit the device through outlet  54 . The stream  74  that exits outlet channel  54  may have its ion concentration reduced to the desired level and be suitable for use, for example as irrigation or drinking water. If four stages of separation are not sufficient to reduce the ion concentration to an acceptable level, more stages could be added, for example, by adding more intermediate chambers or by operating several devices in cascade. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment  80  of a device for separating ions from a fluid stream. Device  80  comprises a plurality of chambers, in this example two chambers  82  and  84  defined by a plate  86 . The chambers again have respective peripheral inlets  88  and  90  and peripheral outlets  92  and  94  also defined in plate  86 . Outlet  92  of chamber  82  is in fluid communication with inlet  90  of chamber  84 . Central outlets  96  and  98 , positioned proximate to center regions  100  and  102 , are defined by apertures  104  and  106  and conduits  108  and  110  in two overlying plates  112  and  114 . The plates  86 ,  112  and  114  are again sandwiched between magnets  116  and  118  producing a magnetic field  120  through the chambers  82  and  84 . In device  80 , however, the circulation of the fluid flow  74  is in the same direction in both chambers. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , for clockwise circulation and a magnetic field  120  out of the plane of the figure, negative ions  78  will tend to move outwardly toward the peripheries  122 ,  124  of each chamber and positive ions  76  will move toward the center regions  100  and  102 . A portion of the fluid stream rich in positive ions exits the device from outlets  96  and  98 , and other portions of the stream, rich in negative ions, exit through outlet  94 . Device  80  may be used to further separate the ion streams by feeding the output streams from one device  80  into other similar devices in a cascade arrangement. 
       FIG. 5  shows a view of another embodiment of an ion separation device  126  according to the invention, and  FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of that embodiment. Device  126  comprises two chambers  128  and  130 , arranged side-by-side and defined by a plate  132 . The chambers are positioned in substantially the same plane  134  and share a common inlet  136  through which fluid comprising ions in solution, for example, salt water, is supplied. 
     Flow of fluid from each chamber  128  and  130  is controlled by a respective orifice. Orifice  138  is associated with chamber  128 , and orifice  140  is associated with chamber  130 . The orifices are defined by a plate  142  positioned adjacent to the plate  132  defining chambers  128  and  130 . Each orifice is in fluid communication with respective central and peripheral outlets defined in a plate  143 . Fluid from chamber  128  is directed through orifice  138  and then may exit device  126  through either peripheral outlet  144  or central outlet  146  in plate  143 . Fluid from chamber  130  is directed through orifice  140  and then may exit through peripheral outlet  148  or central outlet  150  in plate  143 . 
     A divider plate  152  is positioned adjacent to plate  132  on an opposite side from plate  142 . Divider plate  152  has openings  154  and  156  that respectively overlie chambers  128  and  130  and provide fluid communication to a bridge plate  158 . Bridge plate  158  is positioned adjacent to the divider plate  152  and has a “figure 8” shaped opening  160  that provides fluid communication between chambers  128  and  130 . The openings  154  and  156  in divider plate  152  control the flow of fluid between the chambers by virtue of their size and position relatively to the chambers. Note that the openings  154  and  156  are smaller than the chambers and are positioned outwardly away from the common inlet  136  to prevent mixing of the fluid at the inlet. 
     The chambers, orifices, outlets, divider and bridge plates are preferably sandwiched between permanent magnets  162  and  164  positioned on opposite sides of the device  126 . Magnets  162  and  164  are arranged with opposite poles in facing relation so as to provide a magnetic field that is directed transversely and preferably substantially perpendicularly to plane  134  in which the chambers reside. It is understood that the magnets  162  and  164  need not be permanent magnets, as electromagnets are also feasible. 
     In operation, liquid containing the ions in solution enters the device  126  through inlet  136 . The ions, being charged particles moving preferably substantially perpendicularly to magnetic lines of flux extending transversely to plane  134 , experience a force according to the formula F=qVxB, where q is the ion&#39;s electrical charge, V is its velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field, B is the magnetic field strength, and “x” indicates a vector cross product operation as noted previously. The force on the particles acts perpendicular to both the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of particle motion perpendicular to the field and will direct the particles in curved paths into either chamber  128  or  130 , depending upon the polarity of their charge. In this example, we assume the magnetic field is directed from magnet  162  to magnet  164 . The direction of ion motion is toward the chambers through inlet  136 . The vector cross product in this situation results in a force directing positively ions into chamber  130  and negatively charged ions into chamber  128 . 
     The ions in chambers  128  and  130  swirl around in a vortex engendered by both the shape of the chambers and the continued effect of the magnetic field, which tends to drive the positive ions in chamber  130  clockwise and toward the center of the vortex in that chamber and the negative ions in chamber  128  counterclockwise and toward the center of the vortex in that chamber. The fluid stream then flows through orifices  138  and  140  and to the various outlets. Because of the relatively higher concentration of ions in the center of the vortices, fluid drawn off through central outlets  146  and  150  will tend to have higher concentrations of ions than the fluid drawn off through peripheral outlets  144  and  148 , thereby effecting a separation of ions from the fluid. The fluid exiting through peripheral outlets  144  and  148  may be sent through multiple stages of ion separation in additional devices  126  in a cascading manner until the desired level of ion concentration is reached. Fluid drawn from central outlets  146  and  150  may be fed back into inlet  18  of device  10  or may be discarded. 
     It is recognized that, despite the magnetic force acting on the ions as they traverse inlet  136 , some particles will enter the “wrong” chamber, i.e., some positive ions will enter chamber  128  and some negative ions will enter chamber  130 . Ions circulating with the fluid in the “wrong” chamber will be directed by both the magnetic force and the centrifugal force of the vortex outwardly toward the periphery of the chambers. This will cause the ions to exit the chambers  128  and  130  through openings  154  and  156  in divider plate  152  and enter the figure 8 shaped opening  160  of bridge plate  158 . Because the opening  160  is in fluid communication with both chambers  128  and  130 , ions can travel between chambers. When an ion moves from the “wrong” chamber to the correct chamber, it is directed toward the center of the vortex by the magnetic field and exits the chamber through one of the peripheral or central outlets as described above. 
     Preferably, flow through the device has little or no turbulence to prevent mixing of the ions and allow their separation into the appropriate chamber by the interaction of the ions with the magnetic field. The lack of turbulence will also allow for higher concentrations of ions to be drawn off at the center outlets  146  and  150 . 
       FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of a device  166  for separating ions from a fluid. Device  166  comprises one or more elongated conduits  168  that are positioned around and parallel to an axis of rotation  170 . The conduits are eccentric to the axis for reasons described below. Each conduit  168  has an inlet  172  at one end. The opposite end of each conduit is in fluid communication with three ducts. A first ion duct  174  is positioned farthest from the axis of rotation  170 ; a second ion duct  176  is positioned closest to the axis of rotation, and a neutral duct  178  is positioned between the first and second ion ducts.  FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view that illustrates the preferred relative position of the ion and neutral ducts, positioned at different radial distances from the axis of rotation  170 . In a preferred embodiment, the ducts  174 ,  176  and  178  are formed by dividing the opposite end of each conduit using interior walls  180  and  182  that extend lengthwise along the conduit. 
     Each duct is in fluid communication with a respective exit port. The first ion duct  174  is in communication with a first exit port  184 , the second ion duct  176  is in communication with a second exit port  186 , and the neutral duct  178  is in communication with a third exit port  188 . 
     An inductor coil  190  is positioned surrounding the conduits  168 . Preferably, the coil is centered on the axis of rotation  170 . When energized, the coil produces a magnetic field that is oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. Coil  190  is mounted on the channels by bearings  192  which permit relative rotation between the coil and the conduits. The device will operate if the coil is fixed and the conduits rotate, if the conduits are fixed and the coil rotates, or if both the conduits and the coil rotate, preferably in opposite directions. It is recognized that rotation of the conduits will require fittings such as  194  at the inlet and exit ports that provide for fluid communication between a stationary and a rotating component. Such fittings are known in the art and, therefore, not shown in detail herein. It is further recognized that rotation of the coil will require electrical connections that provide for electrical continuity between a stationary and rotating component. Such connections are also known and not shown in detail herein. 
     In operation, fluid containing ions in solution flows into inlets  172  and lengthwise through conduits  168 . Coil  190  is charged, producing a magnetic field substantially parallel to axis of rotation  170 . Relative rotation between the conduits  168  and the coil  190  moves the ions in the fluid transversely to the lines of magnetic flux, which are oriented lengthwise along the axis of rotation. The ions experience a force according to the formula F=qVxB, where q is the ion&#39;s electrical charge, V is its velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field, B is the magnetic field strength, and “x” indicates a vector cross product operation. The force on the particles acts perpendicularly to both the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of particle motion perpendicular to the magnetic field and will direct the particles either radially inwardly toward the axis  170 , or radially outwardly away from the axis. The further the ions are from the axis of rotation the greater their speed perpendicular to the magnetic field, hence, it is advantageous to position conduits  168  eccentrically to the axis. 
     For the purposes of this example, it is assumed that the magnetic field is oriented from the inlet  168  toward the exit ports  184 ,  186  and  188 , and that the conduits rotate counter clockwise relatively to the coil when viewed from the inlet end of device  166 . Under these circumstances, the force on the ions will separate the fluid in each conduit into three substantially parallel streams, a first stream having a high concentration of positive ions positioned within the conduit closest to the axis of rotation, a second stream having a high concentration of negative ions within the conduit positioned farthest from the axis of rotation, and a stream having a low concentration of either type of ion substantially between the first and second streams. It is recognized that reversal of the direction of the magnetic field or the direction of relative rotation between the conduits and the coil will exchange the position of the positive and negative ions within the conduits. 
     As the fluid flows along the conduits  168 , the ions become more concentrated in the first and second streams. It is advantageous that the flow through the conduits have little or no turbulence so as to prevent significant mixing between the streams. The first and second ion ducts and the neutral duct are positioned within each conduit so as to receive the three streams. The first ion duct  174  receives the stream having a high concentration of negative ions, the second ion duct  176  receives the stream having the high concentration of positive ions, and the neutral duct  178  receives the stream with the low ion concentration. The streams exit the ducts through the respective exit ports  184 ,  186  and  188 . The streams from the first and second exit ports containing the high ion concentrations may be discarded and the stream from the third exit port  188 , having the low ion concentration, can be fed to subsequent stages of separation performed in ion separators such as described herein until the desired level of ion concentration is achieved. 
     An alternate embodiment of device  166 , shown in  FIG. 7A , may be used to generate hydrogen gas from an aqueous solution of sodium chloride. As shown in  FIG. 7A , a first chamber  200  is in fluid communication with ion duct  174  via exit port  184  and a second chamber  202  is in fluid communication with ion duct  176  through exit port  186 . The interior of the chambers are connected to one another by an electrical conductor  204 . An aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride is fed into conduit  168  through inlet  172  while a magnetic field is established along axis  170  by inductor coil  190 . Either the field or the conduit are rotated while the solution flows through the conduit, and the sodium and chlorine ions, having opposite charges, experience a force as described above, which moves them in opposite directions from one another either toward or away from axis  170 . For the purposes of this example we assume that the field orientation and the relative rotation between the field and the conduit  168  are such that the sodium ions experience a force moving them outwardly, away from axis  170 , and the chlorine ions experience an opposite force moving them inwardly, toward the axis  170 . The solution is thus separated into two ion streams, one comprising a higher concentration of sodium ions and the other a high concentration of chlorine ions. The sodium ion stream, being moved outwardly, tends to flow into ion duct  174  and out through exit port  184  into chamber  200 . Conversely, the chlorine ion stream, being moved inwardly, tends to flow into ion duct  176  and out through exit port  186  into chamber  202 . The electrical conductor  204  between the chambers permits an electro-chemical reaction to occur within the chambers, whereby sodium ions in chamber  200  are converted to sodium atoms, and the sodium atoms replace the hydrogen in the water, forming sodium hydroxide and releasing the hydrogen as a gas  206  which may then be collected from the aqueous ion stream. In chamber  202 , the chlorine ions are converted to chlorine atoms which precipitate out as chlorine gas  208 , which may also be collected from the aqueous ion stream. 
     The chambers  200  and  202  serve to isolate the ion streams and may be mounted on the device  166  or may be separate therefrom. The chambers may comprise, for example, pipelines as shown which lead the ion streams away from the device  166 . It is understood that the device and method according to the invention may be used to generate precipitates for ions other than sodium and chlorine in an aqueous solution. 
     Ion separation devices as described herein provide for economically efficient separation of ions from a fluid without the need for high energy expenditure. The devices may form the basis for the generation of hydrogen gas or other precipitates. The devices according to the invention are further portable and thought capable of effective operation under primitive conditions as would be encountered in the aftermath of a disaster.