Patent ID: 7211176

Claim:
An apparatus for electrolytic purification, comprising: (a) a pressure vessel having at least one access opening, at least one fluid flow inlet, and at least one fluid flow outlet, wherein the fluid flow inlet and fluid flow outlet are in fluid communication with a chamber inside the pressure vessel; (b) an removable electrode assembly, at least a portion of which is disposed within the chamber inside the pressure vessel, comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel spaced planar electrodes, an electrical coupling between the electrode plates and a voltage source, and a radially extending circumferential sealing plate substantially normal to the planes of the electrodes, disposed near the electrical coupling, adapted to prevent fluid flow from the chamber to the electrical coupling; (c) a removable locking ring, comprising: a proximal portion adapted to removably attach to the access opening of the pressure vessel and retain the radially extending circumferential sealing plate of the electrode assembly against the pressure vessel access opening, thereby providing a seal thereto.