Patent ID: 7374655

Claim:
A method for purifying water comprising: selecting an electrolytic purification device, the device comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells wherein each electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode and wherein at least one anode comprises a first metal, and at least one anode comprises a second metal different from the first metal, wherein the electrolytic cells are electrically isolated from other cells and wherein the electrolytic cells are connected such that water flows sequentially through the cells; connecting the anodes and cathodes of the plurality of cells to a direct current power supply; causing water to flow sequentially through the electrolytic cells; causing metal ions to be deposited in the water from the first metal in a first electrolytic cell; removing the metal ions deposited from the first metal in a second electrolytic cell; causing metal ions to be deposited in the water from the second metal in the second electrolytic cell; and removing the metal ions deposited from the second metal in a third electrolytic cell; and depositing carbon dioxide into the water from a carbon anode in the third electrolytic cell to thereby lower the pH of the water.