Abstract:
A device for applying electrostatic and magnetic fields to a fluid includes an outer conduit  48  and an inner conduit  50  forming a fluid passageway  86  therebetween. The inner conduit is connected to a DC power source and the outer conduit along with electrode needles  84  in electrical communication therewith are connected to ground. A baffle  82  is positioned within the passageway to impart a spiral motion to the fluid flowing therein.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/080,207, filed Mar. 31, 1998. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to the treatment of fluids, and more particularly relates to devices and methods for the treatment of fluids containing contaminants therein and in particular, for the treatment of water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The treatment of a fluid, and particularly water, with a field is well known in the art. Treatment of water is typically carried out to reduce some of the problems associated with scaling and corrosion of the equipment using the water. In particular, the use of high temperature water in boilers and the like has always caused significant problems and there have been many proposals in the art for treating the water, including the use of chemicals, in order to reduce the problems of scaling and corrosion. 
     It is known in the art to treat boiler water with either an electrostatic or magnetic field and such devices are commercially available. 
     The problem of scaling occurs wherein the suspended solids bind together and collect on heat exchange equipment. The degree of the problem will depend on the pH of the water, the operating conditions of the circuit, the source of the water, etc. 
     As aforementioned, it has been proposed in the art to use high potential electrostatic fields to treat the water such that the particles in suspension become charged and can be attracted/repelled as desired. The same principle is used in other industrial processes such as paint spraying and photocopiers. 
     The use of magnetic fields to treat water has also been proposed in the art although such devices have not received a large acceptance in the industry. Rather, treatment of the water by chemicals is the norm in many industrial plants. 
     One particular field wherein a problem exists is in the separation of pollutants by use of a membrane, the principle being that of reverse osmosis. Many such systems are in commercial use in order to purify water. However, one problem which is encountered in such systems is the relatively short life of the membrane due to clogging and/or physical damage by the contaminants. 
     It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,320 to provide electrodes which extend into a fluid carrying conduit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved reverse osmosis system wherein membrane life may be enhanced. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel; electrostatic device for the treatment of water. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magnetic device for the treatment of a fluid. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide improvements in processes and apparatuses which use fields to treat a fluid. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention of in a device for treating a fluid comprising an outer elongated conduit, an inner coaxial conduit, a fluid passageway being defined intermediate the outer elongated conduit and the inner coaxial conduit, means for creating an electrostatic field within the passageway, there is provided the improvement comprising baffle means mounted in the fluid passageway; a plurality of electrode needles in electrical communication with the outer conduit, the electrode needles extending inwardly towards the inner coaxial conduit, and a power source operatively connected to the outer conduit and the needles to create an intense electric discharge similar to a corona effect. Alternately, the outer conduit and electrode needles are connected to ground and a DC power source is connected to the inner conduit. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating fluid comprising the steps of supplying the aforementioned fluid treating device and passing the fluid through the fluid passageway and applying a DC voltage to the needles to create an intense electric discharge similar to a corona effect. 
     In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for prolonging the life of a membrane in a reverse osmosis system wherein a fluid is passed over the membrane, the method comprising the step of passing the fluid through a field to create a positive charge on any particulate matter in the fluid. 
     Various types of closed (or partially closed) loop systems wherein scaling and corrosion causes problems are known. One may include heating and air conditioning equipment such as hot water or steam boilers, cooling water towers, heat pumps, refrigeration equipment, distillers, etc. The use of a polarization system influences the contaminants within the fluid With the present invention, one is able to polarize die contaminant molecules in a manner which changes their ability to affect the system. In particular, these contaminant particles are kept in an ionic form for reasons which are discussed hereinbelow. 
     The closed loop system may be any conventional and would normally include, in the case of hot water or steam, a boiler, associated conduits for recirculating the fluid, a pump and other conventional components including valves and the like. According to the present invention, there is provided a polarization system to inhibit the deposition of contaminants. 
     In a purification system using membranes such as in reverse osmosis, the fluid (hereinafter referred to as water) passing over the surface of the polymer membrane creates a situation wherein the membrane surface becomes positively charged with transfer of electrons to the water which thereby becomes negatively charged and a conductor. Neutral molecules such as calcium carbonate tend to be destabilized by the induction of the negative charges and will generally be attracted to the membrane surface and/or any other positively charged surface. In this state, the calcium carbonate is generally in the form of small needles which can have a deleterious effect on the surface of the membrane. As time goes along, the membrane becomes clogged and damage occurs to the surface. 
     With the use of a polarization device, the device, in one embodiment, provides a positive charge to the water. Molecules of, for example, calcium carbonate which are normally neutral, are reorganizing their electro-chemical bonds. The small sharp needles of calcium carbonate tend to gather together in small porous balls which carry a positive charge. These small porous balls, when they reach the surface of the membrane, absorb and neutralize negative ions and then there is a natural ionic repulsion between the limestone balls and the surface. A similar process may be carried out with other contaminants including bio-contaminants. 
     The magnetic reactor is most suitable for treating relatively small volumes of water as the cost of magnets can be substantial. Preferably, such a device would be used only for treating volumes up to approximately 80 litres per minute. 
     The outer conduit may be made of any suitable material including stainless steel or plastic, the material being capable of withstanding the corrosion, pressure and temperatures required. 
     The magnetic portion of the device may be suitably encased within the inner conduit which is preferably of a stainless steel having a minimum thickness. The magnets are preferably of the AlNiCo type. The arrangement is such that the inner conduit represents approximately half of the total diameter of the outer conduit. Although different sizing may be used, generally magnets may be approximately 2-3 centimetres in diameter and 2-3 centimetres long. The magnets are arranged such that similar poles face each other and thus have a repelling force towards each other. 
     As above mentioned, there are provided baffle means which are designed to impart a spiral motion to the fluid being passed therethrough. Preferably, the baffles are such that the water will pass through 360 degrees in 1½ times the magnet length. As the water passes through the passageway, there is set up an electromagnetic force in the fluid. This in turn will charge the contaminated molecules. These contaminants, which may be for example, calcium carbonate, then tend to form small porous balls which carry a positive charge. 
     In the electrostatic field embodiment, there is provided a device, which in addition to creating an electrostatic field, combines the same with electrodes protruding into the passageway to provide a localized energy content. 
     The electrostatic generator may operate at between −12 kV DC to −50 kV DC with a current of between 250 mA to 10 mA. It is also possible to use positive voltage if circumstances require the same. 
     According to the present invention, one can use different types of polarization devices in different water treatment apparatuses such as reverse osmosis systems and closed loop boiler systems. 
     In the instant specification, reference has been made to water as being the fluid most commonly treated. It will be understood that other fluids may likewise be treated. Such fluids can include, for example, liquids and vapours. 
     It will also be understood that the polarization devices of the present invention may be used either singly or in combination if so desired. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a closed loop boiler system and associated polarization system; 
     FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a reverse osmosis system including a polarization device; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating a portion of a first polarization device; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the inner conduit and associated baffles of the device of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a polarization device; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the polarization device of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partially in cutaway, of the polarization device of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the inner conduit portion of the polarization device of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a baffle means which may be incorporated in the polarization device of FIGS. 5 to  8 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a closed loop boiler system generally designated by reference numeral  100 . Closed loop boiler system  100  includes a boiler  102  along with conduits  104  for circulation of the water. A circulation pump  106  pumps the water through conduits  104  which are provided with valves  105  in a conventional manner. Water is pumped through a conduit for its end use as indicated by arrow  108  and returned as indicated by arrow  110 . 
     An ionic polarization system  112  is mounted in-line and includes an inlet conduit  114  and an outlet conduit  116 . 
     Ionic polarization system  112 , as shown in FIG. 1, includes a high temperature solenoid valve  118  mounted on inlet conduit  114 . An automatic circuit  120  is operatively connected to high temperature solenoid valve  118  and which solenoid valve will be closed during backwash of the system as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     A pressure gauge  122  is mounted on the conduit prior to the inlet to a filter  124 . Filter  124  is preferably of the washable type and used to eliminate sedimentary aggregates. Filter  124  preferably filters down to one micron. 
     A second pressure gauge  126  is mounted at the outlet from filter  124 . At the bottom of the filter  124 , there is provided a motorized ball valve  128  to permit discharge, after backwash, to sewage discharge line  130 . 
     A polarization device  132  is mounted in-line and will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Polarization device  132  is operatively connected to automation circuit  120  and is provided with a visual indicating device  134  which may report any short circuit or other problem associated therewith. 
     After polarization device  132 , there is provided an inverted pressure switch  134  to protect a pump  138  mounted in-line from sudden pressure declines. Pump  138  is utilized to draw a portion of the water from the boiler circuit to treat a portion thereof The pump may be adjusted according to the boiler pressure and the natural restriction which will be created by the polarization system. 
     After pump  138 , there is provided a further solenoid valve  142  following which the water is passed through outlet conduit  116 . 
     The system may include a water line  144  fed to solenoid  146  which is also operatively connected to automation circuit  120 , for purposes of periodically back washing filter  124 . 
     Turning to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a reverse osmosis system. In this system, a valve  160  is mounted on a water input line  161 . A first pressure gauge  162  is mounted thereon following which the water will pass sequentially through filters  164  and  166 . 
     Filter  164  is preferably of the type formed of micro fibres of polypropylene on a matrix. These filters provide extremely good filtering properties and are manufactured to have a very precise control over the size of the particle filtered. Filter  166  is preferably an active carbon filter which removes a large number of pollutants and thereby protect the reverse osmosis membrane from contact with some of these deleterious pollutants particularly those such as chlorine. 
     At the exit from carbon filter  166 , there is provided a pressure gauge  168  which, in combination with pressure gauge  162 , will indicate any pressure drop and thus possible clogging of filters  164  and  166 . A balancing valve  170  is provided on the output line and the water is then fed through a conduit  172  to a polarization device  174 . After passing through a polarization device  174 , it is delivered to a reverse osmosis device  176 . 
     Polarization device  174 , as discussed hereinbelow, polarizes pollutants such as limestone molecules and stops them from causing any damage to the membrane by creating a natural ionic repulsion of each molecule or particle. 
     Reverse osmosis system  176  preferably includes a membrane of a type which can eliminate more than 96% of all dissolved solvents. It is preferably of the TFC type which are not attacked by bacteria, viruses and parasites. 
     After the reverse osmosis system  176 , there is provided a waste water discharge conduit  178  and a pure water discharge conduit  180 . Mounted on waste water conduit  178  is a restrictor  182  to maintain an adequate osmotic pressure in reverse osmosis system  176 . 
     Pure water conduit  180  passes to balancing valve  170  before delivering the water to a final carbon filter to soften the water (if required). Subsequently, a further filtering may be provided by filter  186 . This filter may use a hydrophilic membrane of polyethersulfone to guarantee a water without the biological pollutants such as bacteria, mould, viruses and the like. 
     The system includes a pressure tank  188  as is known in the art before leading to a discharge conduit  190 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is provided a polarization device which includes an outer elongated conduit  22  having at either end flanges  26  for connection within the water treatment system. 
     Mounted interiorly of outer elongated conduit  22  is an inner coaxial conduit generally designated by reference numeral  24 . Between outer conduit  22  and inner coaxial conduit  24  there is defined a fluid passageway  36 . 
     Mounted within inner conduit  24  are a plurality of magnets. Preferably, the magnets are sized to be approximately 50% of the total diameter of outer conduit  22 . Magnets  28  are preferably of the AlNiCo type. It will be noted that magnets  28  have 
     As shown in FIG. 3, lines of flux  32  are created within fluid passageway  36 . Baffle means comprising baffles  34  are mounted on the exterior surface of inner conduit  24  in a spiral like configuration and thereby restrict the flow of fluid through fluid passageway  36 . Naturally, baffles  34  could be mounted on the interior wall of outer conduit  22  or could constitute a separate component. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of baffles  34  is such that each baffle is separated from the other by approximately 1½ times the length of the individual magnets  28 . 
     The above arrangement is such that the fluid, which may be water, flowing through the passageway  36 , is in relative movement to the magnetic field. In the instant case, the central energy body is magnetic and multi polar while not moving. The fluid, preferably water, moves from one field to another and therefore there is set up an electromagnetic force. It will be noted that the magnets, in the preferred embodiment, are arranged such that a north pole is provided at the exit to thereby induce a positive charge to the fluid. 
     A further embodiment of a polarization device is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to  8  and reference will now be made thereto. 
     In this embodiment, there is provided a high voltage power supply  40  as well as a low voltage power supply  42  to supply high voltage supply  40 , if required. Typically, high voltage power supply  40  may be able to supply power at −50 KV to +50 KV dc. Thus, the power supply can be used to generate positive ions or negative ions as required. 
     Electrical wires  44  operatively connect the power supply  40  to a polarization device generally designated by reference numeral  46 . 
     Polarization device  46  has at electrically grounded outer elongated conduit  48  and a coaxial inner conduit  50 . For connection purposes, there is provided a moveable connecting member which is generally designated by reference numeral  52  and which removable connecting member  52  allows access to the interior of outer elongated conduit  48  as required. 
     Outer removable member  52  includes a flange  54  for connection to outer elongated conduit  48  and there is provided an end cap.  56 . A connector generally designated by reference numeral  58  includes a first male threaded portion  60  and a second male threaded portion  62  intermediate of which there is a nut portion  64 . To provide proper sealing, there is provided a sleeve  66  held in position by nut  68  screw threadably engageable with male threaded portion  60 . In turn, male threaded portion  62  is engageable with a threaded portion on end cap  56 . Elongated conduit  48  is connected to removable connecting member  52  by means of flange  72  and bolt  74  which engage flanges  72  and  54 . 
     Inner coaxial conduit  50  is formed of a metallic electrode  76  which may comprise, for example, a solid metallic bar of a material such as copper. Surrounding electrode  76  is an outer dielectric lining  78  which may be made of a suitable material such a PTFE. At the distal end of inner conduit  50 , there is provided a conduit support member  80 . 
     Mounted within passageway  88  are baffles  82  which again have a spiral configuration. Baffles  82  are used to slow the flow of the fluid to the reactor. The gap between the baffles and the interior conduit is preferably small—in the order of 40 to 80 mm and more preferably, between 50 and 70 mm. 
     Supports  86  are mounted within outer conduit  48  and extend towards inner conduit  50 . Supports  86  have mounted at the end thereof electrode discharge needles  84 . Needles  84  are preferably situated so as to be between 30 and 50 mm from inner conduit  50 . Needles  84  create an intense electric discharge similar to the known Corona Effect. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a baffle  200  which may replace baffles  82 . In this arrangement, there is provided a spiral support portion  202  which is connected to longitudinally extending connecting members  204 . It will be noted that spiral portion  202  is configured so as to have inwardly tapering side walls  206  and  208  to terminate in an edge  210 . Edge  210  is spaced from the dielectric lining, as previously mentioned, by a distance of between 40 to 80 mm and preferably, between 50 and 70 mm. 
     As in the previously described embodiment, there are preferably provided supports  86  which extend about so as to form a wall and thereby slow passage of the fluid through passageway  88 . On supports  86  there are provided electrode needles  84 .