Abstract:
The present invention relates to a portable water purification and sanitizing apparatus and method. Due to the limited size of the apparatus and its ability to utilize DC power, the apparatus can be transported and operated in remote areas across the globe. The apparatus and method generates electrolytic products of chlorine, hydroxide and ozone that are utilized to purify and sanitize water for human consumption.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
       [0001]    The inventor did not disclosed the invention herein prior to the 12 month period preceding the filing of this nonprovisional application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sanitizing water for human consumption. This method and apparatus has a number of applications such as disinfection of water for personal and commercial purposes, such as purification of water for pools and spas and other recreational activities, purification of drinking water, and purification of water for use in commercial establishments. 
         [0004]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In many areas of the undeveloped world, there is a need for cheap, sustainable water treatment. The water treatment system or method must be portable so that it can be distributed into remote regions around the globe. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, at least 1.8 billion people use a drinking-water source contaminated with feces. Contaminated water can transmit diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Following natural disasters, many people in less developed areas of the world, are unable to find safe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. A portable, cheap, and easy to use method and apparatus is needed to rid water of harmful bacteria and viruses. This method and apparatus should be easy to use so that people with little or no education can perform the necessary steps. Typically, water is disinfected using one or more of the following methods: boiling, ultraviolet radiation, ozonation, reverse osmosis, and chlorination. Boiling requires the input of firewood and creates large quantities of smoke, that can damage the environment and be harmful if inhaled. Both ultraviolet radiation and ozonation require expensive equipment and may require special training to operate and maintain the equipment. Reverse osmosis requires pre-filtration and is expensive to perform and maintain. Chlorination is relatively cheap, easy to perform, and protects the water against contamination following disinfection. 
         [0006]    Numerous devices and methods have been disclosed that sanitize and purify water for human use. Namespetra et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,872 B2) discloses a pitcher device including extruded carbon sheet or granulated activated carbon to filter unpurified, gravity-fed water. This device requires the carbon to be positioned above the water level maintained within the pitcher and would not function to disinfect the quantities of water necessary for a family&#39;s daily needs. Namespetra et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,168 B2) discloses a sanitation system that sanitizes water by the incorporation of ozone into the water, which is circulated by a pump. Barnes (U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,784 B1) and Barnes (U.S. Pat. No. 7,883,622 B1) disclose the use of the combination of chlorine and ozone to sanitize water. The Barnes devices require high oxidation potentials from ozone, which is generated with an ultraviolet ozone generator. An ozone generator adds costs and complexity to the treatment of water. Additionally, the Barnes devices require one or more venturi to increase the flow of water and solutes through the water treatment system. Vandenbelt et al. (US 2008/0314808 A1) discloses a hand-held pitcher device that filters small batches of water using ozone generated by a UV line radiator inside the pitcher. Although hand-held pitcher devices are highly portable and easy to use, they are not able to effectively purify sufficient quantities to meet a typical family&#39;s daily water needs. Because ozone has a very short half life, water disinfected using ozone may be quickly re-contaminated. Thus, the devices utilizing ozonation are not effective in providing adequate water supplies to impoverished regions. 
         [0007]    Garcia (U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,877 B2) combines ozonation and chlorination to purify water for swimming pools, ponds, aquatic mammal tanks, and spas or fountains. Garcia employs chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant. This method is not suitable for drinking water because just one half a drop of chlorine dioxide can cause severe nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. McCague (U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,254 B2) discloses a spa sanitation system that includes an ozone generator, a chlorine generating cell to generate chlorine and other sanitizing agents for sanitizing the water, a calcium remover bag, and adding salt to the water. This system is built into a whirlpool and requires a contact chamber of 8 to 10 feet in length. Thus, this method is not portable, and is unsuitable for use in remote areas of the world. 
         [0008]    Swartz et al. (US 2011/025760 A1) discloses a electrolyzing system for electrolyzing a brine solution of water and an alkali salt to produce acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water. The invention of Swartz et al. includes a series of ion permeable membranes that concentrate ions in water to produce acidic sanitizer and, separately, base cleaners. Water is drawn into the top of the device, ions from a brine solution are concentrated in the water, acidic and basic solvents drain separately from the bottom of the device. The invention of Swartz et al. could not be used to produce drinking water or to sanitize water for a pool or spa because it produces acidic and basic solvents that are not suitable for human consumption. The device of Miller et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,991) discloses an electrolytic cell for the treatment for the purification and sterilization of water for human use. Water enters the Miller et al. device from the bottom and exits from the top of the device. Water entering the Miller et al. device must have been previously chlorinated to a level of 3 ppm chloride ions. This device would not purify or sanitize water that had not been previously chlorinated or sanitized. Thus, this device requires multiple steps which add to its complexity and, therefore, limit its usage by unsophisticated users and limits its use in remote areas across the undeveloped world. 
         [0009]    McGuire (U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,472 B1) discloses an apparatus for generating chlorine and ozone for water disinfection wherein the apparatus is relatively portable and the individual parts are somewhat inexpensive. McGuire discloses a anolyte reaction chamber attached to a anode plate and a catholyte reaction chamber attached to a cathode plate. The anolyte and catholyte plates have at least one sealing gasket interposed between them so as to form a reaction chamber wherein electrolysis chemicals are produced. These electrolyte chemicals are then pumped through water for an hour or more to disinfect and purify the water. This device has many disadvantages including, but not limited to: there are a number of individual parts that must be obtained and assembled correctly to create the device, all of these parts may not be obtainable in many undeveloped areas, assembly of the device can be confusing and difficult for someone lacking basic plumbing or mechanical skills, the device only accepts DC power, the device must be rotated about its horizontal axis so that the cathode chamber is rotated downward in order to prevent the accumulation of hydrogen gas within the device, byproducts of the device include bleach and hydrogen peroxide that must be disposed of properly, the pump must be placed within a drum, cistern, or tank of sufficient size, the reaction chamber must be secured to a tree, post, or some other solid object, and the device can only be operated outside or in a well ventilated area. These disadvantages limit the use of the McGuire device. A new apparatus and method is needed that eliminates these disadvantages. 
         [0010]    Typically, water treatment methods and systems are costly to operate, large in size, require high inputs of energy, and require the addition of chemicals, which are often caustic, to function properly A need exists for a water disinfection method and apparatus that is cheap, easy to transport, easy to install, easy to operate, that doesn&#39;t require special, caustic chemicals to operate, doesn&#39;t produce caustic chemicals requiring disposal. The Water Sanitizing System meets these needs and will enable the poorest people throughout the world to clean and disinfect their water supply at an extremely low financial cost without the addition of either toxic chemicals or costly energy resources. And, this method and apparatus may be utilized by spa, fountain, and pool owners to disinfect water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior, side view of the Water Sanitizing System. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior, side view of the lid. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exterior, side view of the canister. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded, side view of the lid, heat exchanger and electrical wires. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the electrode. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  depicts an exploded, side view of the electrode assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts an exterior, side view of the Water Sanitizing System with circular electrodes. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  depicts an exploded, side view of the lid, electrode wires, optional thermostat, and optional aerator of the circular electrode embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded, side view of the lid, canister, electrode assembly, electrical wires, and heat exchanger for the circular-shaped electrode embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  depicts a side view of the sigmoid-shaped heat exchanger. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  depicts an exploded, side view of the circular electrode embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The invention is described in detail in the following paragraphs with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this detailed description of the invention, the disclosed embodiments and features are to be considered as examples, rather than being limitations to the invention. Modifications to particular examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, reference to various embodiments of the disclosed invention does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include every described feature. The various disclosed embodiments and features of the invention may be used separately or together, and in any combination. Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent with the exemplary definitions set forth below. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 through 6  depict an embodiment of the Water Sanitizing System with a linear electrode assembly and  FIGS. 7 through 11  depict the device with a circular electrode assembly. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior, side view of the Water Sanitizing System. The Water Sanitizing System may be coupled to a cistern holding water. Water from the cistern may be pumped via a common water pump into the device for sanitizing. Lid  16  is shown attached to canister  20 . Port  4  located on lid  16  may be utilized to anchor electrical wires  58  and  62  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to the lid. Port  2  of lid  16  is shown securing the heat exchanger tube  36  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) into the correct position within the device. Water flows into canister  20  for sterilizing via intake fitting  44 . A portion of water entering the intake fitting  44  is diverted through the diverter  42  into water circulator  3 , and to the heat exchanger tube  36 . Water circulator  3  connects diverter  42  to mixer fitting  52  and allows water to bypass heat changer  36  and exit the device via outlet fitting  56 . The heat exchanger allows heat generated in canister  20  to be absorbed by the cooler water passing through heat exchanger tube  36  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and to exit canister  20  via mixer fitting  52 , which mixes the heated water in the heat changer tube  36  with water exiting canister  20  through outlet fitting  56 . Long and short electrical wires,  58  and  62  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) respectively, run the length of electrode frame  106 , make a 90° turn before running the width of electrode frame  106 , make a second 90° turn before running along the width of electrode frame  106 , and terminating at the face of negative electrode  104  and positive electrode  70 , respectively. Positive electrode  70  is shown with screws  82  and nuts  48  which are used secure the parts of the device together and to space the distance that electrodes  70  and  104  are from the electrical wires and from electrode frame  106 . Optional thermostat sensor  134  is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior, side view of lid  16 . Lid  16  may include inlet  11  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) that allows contaminated water to enter the device and outlet  10  that allows purified and sanitized water to exit the device. Lid  16  may include brim  14  which is gripped by a user when screwing lid  16  onto and off of canister grip  18  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) via tapered threads  16 . Ports  2  and  8  may be utilized to circulate water through the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 , shown in  FIG. 4 ). The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 , shown in  FIG. 4 ) should be composed of or coated with a non-conductive material so that it does not interact with the electrodes in the device. Port  4  may be used to anchor and attach the electrical wires ( 58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64 , shown in  FIG. 4 ) that power the device. Port  6  may be used to mount or anchor the device in a fixed position. For example, the device may be anchored to a cistern via port  6 . The device may include hole  7  to allow excess gas formed during the sanitization process to vent from canister  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0026]    Canister  20  is depicted in  FIG. 3 . Canister  20  may be composed of any clear material that allows a user to view the internal components of the device, such as glass, plastic, poly propylene or other suitable material. Canister  20  should be composed of a material that is resistant to corrosion and microbial growth. Additionally, canister  20  must be composed of a material that is resistant to heat, chlorine, hydroxide, ozone and contaminated water. It is imperative that canister  20  be sufficiently clear so that a user can observe the sanitizing process to ensure that the device is working properly. Water and table salt are mixed to form a brine. The user may mix as little as 15 grams of salt per liter of brine to as much as 227 grams of salt. The brine is contained within canister  20 . The salt in the water is converted via electrolysis to chlorine gas, hydroxide gas, and ozone. These gases mix with the contaminated water fed to the device sanitizing said water. Canister  20  may hold approximately 1 liter of brine solution. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded, side view of lid  16 , heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ), and electrical wires ( 58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64 ). Both the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) and the electrical wires ( 58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64 ) anchor into lid  16 . The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) may anchor into ports  2  and  6 . The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) is comprised of a hollow, medium pressure copper-nickel tube. The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) must be composed of a corrosion-free material. The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) reduces the water temperature within canister  20  by circulating water from the cistern through the exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ). Heat created during the sanitizing process are transferred to the cooler temperature of the water entering inlet  11 , which prevents a significant increase in the temperature of the brine. Water enters inlet  11  through fitting  44 . Fitting  44  is a hollow tube that may be composed of rubber, plastic or any hard material resistant to heat, ionic gases, and water. Fitting  44  includes diverter  42 . Diverter  42  is a hollow protrusion that diverts water entering inlet  11  via fitting  44  into the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ). The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) is a hollow tube formed to fit along the electrode assembly  17  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) is comprised of the following segments: a short horizontal projection  40 , two vertical projections  35  and  36 , a horizontal base projection  38 , and a horizontal lid projection  34 . The short horizontal projection  40  connects the diverter  42  to a vertical projection  35 . Vertical projections  35  and  36  run the vertical length of the electrode assembly  17 . Vertical projection  35  connects to the horizontal base projection  38  that runs the width of the electrode assembly  17 . Horizontal base projection  38  connects to the second vertical projection  36 . The second vertical projection  36  connects to the horizontal lid projection  34 , which feds the water to port  8  on the lid  16 . 
         [0028]    Water flowing through port  8 , flows into mixer fitting  52 . Mixer fitting  52  is a hollow projection stemming from outlet fitting  56 . Outlet fitting  56  is a hollow fitting that connects to outlet port  10  of lid  16 . Water heated due to the transfer of heat from the electrode assembly  17  to the water traversing the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) exits the device via outlet fitting  56  and flows back to the water cistern. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  depicts the attachment of chlorometer  30  to the device. Chlorometer  30  may be attached to the horizontal lid projection  34  via chlorometer fitting  32 . Chlorometer fitting  32  is a hollow tube that is sized to connect to the chlorometer  30  to port  8 . Chlorometer  30  is a commercially available product that quantifies the concentration of chlorine in water. Chlorometer  30  may be installed along the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) because it measures the chlorine concentration of water being pumped from the cistern. Chlorometer  30  must be connected to the DC power source that powers the device. Chlorometer  30  allows the user to determine if the device has been sufficiently chloronated, and hence, adequately sanitized and killed suspected microbial contamination. Chlorometer  30  can be configured to shut off power to the device when the desired chlorine concentration is obtained in the water. If salt water is used with the device, then excess salt may not need to be added. If using fresh water in the Water Sanitizing System, salt will need to be added to water to produce a brine solution. For example, a user may add 227 grams or a cup of salt to two liters of fresh water. If a large cistern of water is to be sanitized, then the device may be scaled up to hold much more than two liters of brine solution. A final concentration of 2.0 mg/L of chlorine per fresh water must be obtained within the cistern to destroy all organism but does not provide sufficient levels of chlorine to deal with future contamination that may occur during storage and transport. A concentration of 2.5 mg/L of chlorine will destroy all organisms while leaving a concentration of 0.5 mg/L to prevent future contamination. Previous use of the device has enabled the purification of 18.9 kL of contaminated water with a level of 5 mg/L chlorine atoms with just 227 grams of salt having been mixed with 1.89 L of water. If the water is purified to a level of 5 mg/L, then the water must sit for approximately 24 hours or until the chlorine levels drop below 3 mg/L before human consumption. 
         [0030]    The straight ends of both the long electrical wire  62  and the short electrical wire  58  fit within port  4  of lid  16  anchoring the wires into the device. A DC power source is attached to long electrical wire  62  and short electrical wire  58  to power the device. The device may be powered by any power supply as known in the art, including a DC power supply, solar panels, battery or batter charger. While the device is preferably powered by about 6 to 12 volts DC, lower voltage will power the device at a reduced rate. The device may be powered by full wave and half wave pulsed DC. However, half wave pulsed DC will reduce the rate of chlorine gas production and the rate of water sanitization. Although DC power powers the electrical wires, AC power supplied by a standard power line can be converted to DC power to power the device. Both the long and short electrical wires,  62 / 64  and  58 / 60  respectively, provide electrical power to power the electrolytic conversion of salt into chlorine gas and hydroxide. The long and short electrical wires,  62 / 64  and  58 / 60  respectively, are configured so that long wire  62 / 64  sends power to the negative or anode electrode  70  (shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 ) while short wire  58 / 60  transmits power to the positive or cathode electrode  104  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The electrical charge powers the conversion of salt in the brine into Na+ and Cl− ions, hyroxide ions, and ozone. These electrolytes sanitize and purify the contaminated water moving through canister  20 . 
         [0031]    Screw  82  is used to attach the heat exchanger ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 ) to lid  16 . Screw  82  is nestled in the elbow connecting the second vertical projection  36  to the horizontal lid projection  34 . Screw  82  is anchored into tab bracket  66  via nut  48 . Tab bracket  66  includes head  68 , which is pushed into a slot on the inside face of lid  16 . Long electrical wire  64  fits snugly into tab bracket  66 . Tab bracket head  68  anchors the long electrical wire  64  into an opening on the inside face of lid  16  securing long electrical wire  64  into position along the electrode assembly  17  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0032]    Hole  7 , if included in the device, permits the flow of exhaust gases out of the device for venting into the air. Plug  50  fits into hole  7  plugging the exhaust of gas when an optional means to exhaust excess gas is employed. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts the positive or cathode electrode  70 . Positive electrode  70  contains a number of openings  72  that allow for the free movement of ions and brine solution through the electrode assembly  17 . Openings  72  increase the surface area for the electrolytic reaction, thus allowing a greater quantity of electrolytes to be produced. The Water Sanitizing System requires both a positive or cathode electrode  70  and a negative or anode electrode  104  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Both electrodes  70  and  114  must be equal in size and must be configured so that the mass of electrode  70  faces the mass of electrode  114 . This provides for more efficient conductivity, which enhances electrolytic production and water sanitization. Electrodes  70  and  114  must have current applied to opposing ends of the opposing electrode. For example, if the positive wire  58  connected to positive electrode  70  is placed on the top center of positive electrode  70 , then negative electrode  114  should have the negative wire  62  placed at the bottom center of the negative electrode. The positive electrode  70  generates ozone radicals and hydrogen gas, while the negative electrode  114  generates chlorine gas and hydroxide. The electrolytes migrate though the brine and the contaminated water sanitizing the water. A permeable ion membrane (shown in  FIG. 6 ) is placed between the electrodes  70  and  114 . Electrodes  70  and  114  must not touch each other or the ion membrane. Electrodes  70  and  114  must be spaced an equal distance from each other and an equal distance from the ionic membrane. A non-conductive, non-corrosive washer can be used as a spacer to space the membrane equal distance between electrodes  70  and  114 . Electrodes  70  and  114  are composed of stainless steel, titanium, expanded titanium, zirconium, expanded zirconium, hafnium, expanded hafnium, niobium, expanded niobium, nickel, expanded nickel, chromium, expanded chromium, a transition metal, a metal alloy, a combination thereof, or any suitable material. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates the electrode assembly  17 . The electrode assembly  17  may include “I”-shaped bar  74 , positive electrode  70 , ionic membrane frame (parts  92  and  100 ), ionic membrane  96 , negative electrode  104 , electrode frame  106 , exhaust elbow  118 , and an assortment of non-corrosive screws  82  with non-corrosive nuts  48 . “I” bar  74  is a non-conductive, non-metal bar composed of plastic, or any similar material. “I” bar  74  secures positive electrode  70  into position. The Water Sanitizing System is more efficient at sanitizing contaminated water than the prior art because positive electrode  70  is not housed within a sealed chamber. “I” bar  74  contains holes  76  and  78  through which screw  82  is inserted to anchor the positive electrode  70  a set distance from the ionic membrane frame  92 . Ionic membrane frame  92  and  100  frame ionic membrane  96  on both sides of said membrane  96 . Screws  82  fit through holes  94  and  102  to secure ionic membrane  96  to the electrode frame  106 . The ionic membrane  96  allows cations, such as sodium ions, to travel from the negative or anode electrode  104  towards the positive or cathode electrode  70  while resisting the flow of positively charged species across the membrane from the positive electrode  70  to the negative electrode  104 . The ionic membrane should be the same approximate length and width of electrodes  70  and  104 . Ionic membranes capture viruses and large parties while allowing certain ions to freely pass through pores within said membrane. A number of suitable ionic membranes are commercially available. The negative electrode  104  is positioned within electrode frame  106 . Electrode frame  106  is a box created by two vertical arms that are at least as long as negative electrode  104  that are connected via an upper horizontal arm that is at least as wide as the width of electrode  104 . The electrode frame  106  is sealed on three sides using a sealant known in the art such as room temperature vulcanizing silicone. The bottom of electrode frame  108  is open. During the sanitization process, brine and water enter into the electrode frame  106  via opening  108 . The frame opening  108  dramatically increases the efficiency of chlorine gas production during sanitization and, thus, increases the rate of sanitization. Other electrolyte generators and water sanitizing systems have one or more closed anionic/cationic chambers that a reduce rate of both water sanitization and electrolyte production. Electrode frame  106  includes a number of holes  110  sized to fit screws  82 . Screws  82  may be fitted through holes  78  located on “I” bar  74 , through holes  94  located on the ionic membrane frame  92 , into holes  110  positioned on electrode frame  106 . Electrode frame  106  includes hole  114 , which is centered along the upper frame arm. Hole  114  is sized to permit the exhaust elbow  118  to fit securely into said hole  114  via tapered end  116 . Exhaust elbow  118  is hollow and includes exhaust outlet  120 . Excess gas produced in the electrode assembly is vented through exhaust elbow  118  and out exhaust outlet  120 . Water Sanitizing System devices lacking an exhaust elbow  118  may vent excess gases through hole  7  positioned on lid  16  (shown on  FIG. 2 ). Additionally, if there is sufficient draw within canister  20 , external air may enter electrode frame  106  via exhaust elbow  118 . 
         [0035]    Brine solution within canister  20  must be maintained at a level that is approximately 25 mm over the top of positive electrode  70  and negative electrode  104  for optimum performance of the device. 
         [0036]    An optional thermostat  130  may be installed on the device to shut the device down if the temperature within canister  20  rises above a predetermined value, such as 87° C. Additionally, optional aerator  140  may be added to the device to pump air into canister  20  to facilitate the production of electrolytes and the movement of gases into and out of the device during the sanitization process. 
         [0037]    If a user desires to sanitize a large quantity of water, then two or more Water Sanitizing System devices may be installed in a series to increase the yield of sanitized water and the rate of sanitization. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  depicts an external, side view of the Water Sanitizing System with circular electrodes. Contaminated water flows into intake fitting  44  on lid  16  and enters canister  2 . Water circulator  3  connects diverter  42  to mixer fitting  52  to allow for the movement of water to heat exchange tubing  152 . Heat exchange tubing  152  runs the width and length of positive electrode  176 , and may form a number of “S” or sigmoid-shaped elbows. Short electrical wire  58  is visible through canister  20 . 
         [0039]    An exploded, side view of lid  16 , electrode wires  58 / 60  and  62 / 64 , heat exchanger ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ), electrode assembly  19  ( 170 ,  172 ,  174 , and  176 ), optional thermostat  130 , and optional aerator  140  of the circular embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 . Optional thermostat  130  includes sensor  134  that detects the temperature of the water/brine solution within canister  20 . Thermostat  130  is powered via the DC power supplied to connector  132 . Optional aerator  140  may be installed in the device by inserting aerator tab  142  into hole  7 . Water and brine solution are aerated as the fluid is pumped through aerator pipe  146 . Aerator  140  also operates on DC power that is supplied to the device. If aerator  140  is not used, plug  50  may be used to plug hole  7 . Long electrical wire  62  runs the length and width of positive electrode  176  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) creating a long hook  64  that terminates at the top of said electrode  176  hooking onto the inside wall of the electrode  176 . Short electrical wire  58  runs the length and width of the negative electrode  170  creating a short hook  60  that terminates at the top of said electrode  170  hooking onto the inside wall of the electrode  170 . Tab brackets  66  are used to secure the long electrical wire  64  and the thermostat  130  into the inside face of lid  16 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  depicts an exploded, side view of the lid, canister, heat exchanger, and electrode assembly. The long and short electrical wires ( 62  and  58 , respectively) are shown installed within a port of lid  16 . The heat exchanger ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ) connects to water diverter  42  of intake fitting  44  via tubing section  156 . The heat exchanger ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ) has two vertical sections  152  that run horizontally the width of the electrode assembly, make an 180° turn, and run the horizontal width of the electrode assembly ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ) creating a “S”-shaped pattern. Two vertical sections  152  are connected to each other via horizontal tube  154  near the bottom of canister  20 . Heat exchanger tubing  150  connects the heat exchanger ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ) to water circulator  52  of outlet fitting  56 . Electrode frame  172  seals negative electrode  170  on all sides except for the bottom, which is open to allow for the flow of water and brine into the electrode assembly  19 . Two ionic membrane filters  174  are placed against electrode frame  172  sealing the vertical surfaces of electrode frame  172 . Filters  174  create a tight seal preventing the free flow of water and brine through the vertical surfaces of the frame  172 . Positive electrode  176  is positioned outside of ionic membrane filters  174  so that filters  174  are equally spaced between electrodes  170  and  176 . 
         [0041]    A side view of vertical section  152  of the heat exchanger ( 150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 ) and the heat exchange tubing  150  is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exploded, side view of the electrode assembly  19 . Negative electrode  170  is hollow with cavity  188  for the flow of water and brine to increase the surface area of electrode  170 , which increases the electrolytic capacity of the device. Negative electrode  170  nests within electrode frame  172 . Electrode frame  172  includes hollow cavity  190  to position negative electrode  172  within the electrode assembly  19 . Two ionic membrane filters  174  with a semi-circular shape are positioned against electrode frame arms  180  to create a seal. The bottom of electrode frame  172  includes triangular ends  184  that create open channels  186  that permit the free flow of water and brine into hollow cavity  188 . Positive electrode  176  includes cavity  178  that allows it to be fitted over electrode frame  172 . This device increases the rate of sanitization and the efficiency of chlorine gas production during sanitization than what is available in the prior art. 
         [0043]    Having thus described our invention, and the manner of its use, it should be apparent to one of average skill in the arts that incidental changes may be made thereto that fairly fall within the scope of the following appended claims, wherein I claim: