EP2307322A2 - Electronic fluid treatment apparatus and method - Google Patents
Electronic fluid treatment apparatus and methodInfo
- Publication number
- EP2307322A2 EP2307322A2 EP09769652A EP09769652A EP2307322A2 EP 2307322 A2 EP2307322 A2 EP 2307322A2 EP 09769652 A EP09769652 A EP 09769652A EP 09769652 A EP09769652 A EP 09769652A EP 2307322 A2 EP2307322 A2 EP 2307322A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- electrodes
- treatment apparatus
- fluid treatment
- power supply
- electrode assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C5/00—Separating dispersed particles from liquids by electrostatic effect
- B03C5/02—Separators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C3/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapour, e.g. air, by electrostatic effect
- B03C3/34—Constructional details or accessories or operation thereof
- B03C3/66—Applications of electricity supply techniques
- B03C3/68—Control systems therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
- C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
- C02F1/46109—Electrodes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
- C02F1/467—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrochemical disinfection; by electrooxydation or by electroreduction
- C02F1/4672—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrochemical disinfection; by electrooxydation or by electroreduction by electrooxydation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
- C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
- C02F1/46109—Electrodes
- C02F2001/46123—Movable electrodes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
- C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
- C02F1/46109—Electrodes
- C02F2001/46133—Electrodes characterised by the material
- C02F2001/46138—Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
- C02F2103/008—Originating from marine vessels, ships and boats, e.g. bilge water or ballast water
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/46—Apparatus for electrochemical processes
- C02F2201/461—Electrolysis apparatus
- C02F2201/46105—Details relating to the electrolytic devices
- C02F2201/4616—Power supply
- C02F2201/46175—Electrical pulses
Definitions
- This invention relates to electronic fluid treatment apparatus of the general type including electrodes that are operatively in contact with a fluid being treated for the purpose of destroying or simply killing biological species, especially micro-organisms including bacteria, viruses as well as other pathogenic species contained within the fluid.
- the invention also relates to a method of treating fluids using such apparatus.
- the fluid may be a gas but it is envisaged that the most common applications will be in the purification of water of numerous different forms including ballast water, whether fresh water or seawater, potable water, effluent water, grey water, as well as black water.
- the apparatus of this invention has the general nature of electrolytic apparatus that has the ability to cause dissociation of chemical species and the creation of active, typically ionic, species that act to destroy or kill microorganisms.
- the invention is, however, in no way limited to apparatus the use of which results in electrolytic dissociation of species contained within the fluid in order to generate active species as the apparatus of the invention can be effective irrespective of any electrolytic action or the presence of any compounds that dissociate into active species.
- a purely electrolytic method for the treatment of ballast water is described in international patent publication number WO2007032577 to KOREA OCEAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE.
- the electrical energy that is applied to the electrodes is preferably DC current with the polarity being switched periodically by a timer in order to minimise scale build-up.
- an electronic fluid treatment apparatus comprising an electrode assembly mounted in a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the electrode assembly having multiple electrodes held in parallel spaced relationship relative to each other, and a power supply for the electrodes and wherein alternate electrodes are interconnected so as to be similarly energised by the power supply, the apparatus being characterised in that the power supply is adapted to provide a pulsed voltage at an amplitude and frequency dependent on the construction of the individual electrodes, the spacing between them and the dielectric properties of the fluid in which the electrodes are to operate such that the electrodes, in use, provide a capacitive effect.
- the frequency of the pulsed voltage power supply to be in the range of from 5 kHz to 200 kHz and preferably in the range of from 10 kHz to 150 kHz; for the voltage of the pulsed voltage to be from 5 volts to 200 volts and preferably 10 volts to 150 volts; for the individual electrodes to be designed and mounted such that they are able to vibrate, at least to some extent; for the amplitude and frequency of the pulsed voltage to be selected according to the design of an associated electrode assembly and fluid in which it is to operate such that the electrodes resonate, in use; and for the variables to be selected in order to provide a desired operative peak current density between the individual electrodes, of from 80 to 1000 amps and preferably from 500 to 700 amps.
- the individual electrodes are typically in the form of cut metal plates with or without a coating and preferably able to vibrate along a major part of their length.
- the electrodes are therefore preferably of elongate shape being mounted at one end and having suitable spacers at or towards the other end.
- the length of such electrodes may be 2 to 6 times the width of the electrodes and typically about 5 times the width.
- the materials of construction are selected according to the duty to be performed and the chemical and electrochemical properties of the fluid in which the electrodes are to operate.
- the invention also provides an electrode assembly comprising a base having multiple electrodes extending in parallel spaced relationship therefrom and wherein the electrode assembly is particularly adapted to form part of apparatus as defined above.
- a method of treating a fluid containing microbiological species in order to destroy or kill same comprising passing the fluid through apparatus as defined above whilst applying electrical energy to the electrodes by way of the power supply such that at least a portion of the fluid passes between the individual electrodes of each electrode assembly.
- apparatus as defined above may be used on its own or may be used in combination with other apparatus aimed at achieving a similar purpose.
- the fluid will be water selected from ballast water, whether it be freshwater or seawater, potable water, waste water and sewage effluent water.
- ballast water whether it be freshwater or seawater, potable water, waste water and sewage effluent water.
- it can also be a gas such as air that requires purification or sterilisation and it may also be an organic liquid.
- the variables of the apparatus and method will be selected according to the basic properties of the fluid being treated. The invention thus provides apparatus that may have a threefold effect in purifying or sterilising fluids by destroying or killing microbiological species therein.
- Figure 1 is an elevation of a single electrode
- Figure 2 is an isometric view of one electrode assembly including electrodes as illustrated in Figure 1 and illustrating a simple single housing as one alternative of housing;
- Figure 3 is an elevation of the assembly as illustrated in Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a plan view thereof;
- Figure 5 is a side view of one apparatus according to the invention including plural electrode assemblies as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4;
- Figure 6 is a sectional view taken a long line Vl to Vl in Figure 5;
- Figure 7 is an isometric view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 5 and 6;
- Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating the inclusion of additional apparatus for having an additional destructive effect on microbiological species contained in a fluid being treated;
- Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the apparatus.
- individual electrodes (1 ) are cut from a suitable metal plate.
- one general form of electrode is cut from a 1 mm thick titanium grade 1 plate. Numerous other materials could be used according to the fluid to be treated; the constituent species that are expected to be present in such fluid, and the required lifespan of the electrodes. In this particular instance the electrodes are coated by electroplating them with the platinum group metal ruthenium.
- the electrodes are made to an elongate shape, in this particular instance with a length that is equal to 5 times the width, and in one particular application with a width of 50 mm and a length of about 250 mm.
- An integral laterally offset terminal tab (2) is formed at one end and perforated for receiving an electrically connecting bolt (3) (see Figure 2).
- Even numbers of electrodes are connected to a base (4) that is suitable for mounting the electrode assembly (generally indicated by numeral (5)) in a housing therefor.
- Alternate electrodes serve as an anode set and the remaining interposed electrodes serve as a cathode set with the electrodes of each set being electrically connected together by means of the bolts (3) that pass through their aligned tabs (2) that are alternately located on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal centreline of the electrodes.
- the spacing between the individual electrodes is selected to provide the capacitive effect of the invention and in this particular instance, the spacing is 4.5 mm apart. Clearly, the spacing will depend on the nature of the power supply and, in any event, a different spacing will quite possibly apply to a different fluid material.
- electrically insulating silicon grommets (6) are associated with holes (7) provided towards the ends of the electrodes remote from the base. These grommets serve to maintain the required spacing between oppositely charged electrodes, in use, and prevent the individual electrodes from touching each other and thereby causing a short circuit in the power supply. This arrangement enables the individual electrodes to vibrate or oscillate under the influence of mutual attraction in response to the pulsed voltage applied in use by the power supply that is indicated by numeral (8).
- a single electrode assembly could be installed in a simple tubular housing (9) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (11 ) for water.
- Electrodes assemblies may be installed on a single housing.
- An inlet (16) and an outlet (17) extend radially outwards at opposite ends of the housing in an arrangement aimed at maximising the flow of fluid between the electrodes of the various electrode assemblies.
- Figure 8 illustrates a simple arrangement except for the fact that the outlet (18) is directed axially from an inner compartment (19) that is provided with components (20) of the aforementioned international patent publication number WO2007049139 wherein the components are targeted at creating cavitation and associated destruction of microbiological species.
- the power supply is adapted to provide a pulsed d. c. voltage at an amplitude and frequency dependent on the construction of the individual electrodes, the spacing between them and the dielectric properties of the fluid in which the electrodes are to operate such that the electrodes, in use, provide a capacitive effect.
- the power supply is adapted to provide a pulsed voltage of about 10 volts at a frequency of about 10 kHz with the duration of each pulse being approximately equal to the time period between pulses.
- the pulses are applied to the one electrode set whilst the other electrode set is relatively connected to ground. This arrangement has been found to be particularly effective in the treatment of ballast sea water.
- the resultant peak current density is about 700 amps.
- the individual electrodes are able to vibrate or oscillate, at least to some extent and the amplitude and frequency of the pulsed voltage are in any event selected and adjusted so that the electrodes resonate, in use.
- the variables that need to be taken into consideration include the dielectric constant of the fluid; the distance between the individual electrodes; the surface area, shape, dimensions and other physical properties of the individual electrodes; and the other components of the electrical circuit, especially the components contributing towards the resonant tank circuit that is formed with the electrode assembly.
- the electrical circuit may be of the type illustrated and include a low pass (third order) input filter (30) connected to an A/C mains supply that feeds a first quadrant full control Thyristor bridge (31).
- the resultant DC bulk supply output (32) is fed to a half bridge inverter (33) that has a quasi-resonant switch mode with insulated gate bipolar transistors operating at zero voltage or zero current.
- a variable frequency control (34) enables pulse width modulation regulation from 0 to 20% duty cycle at 20 to 40 kHz.
- the output from the half bridge inverter is fed to a high frequency pulse transformer (35) with the number of turns of each winding being selected to provide the required voltage output.
- the output from the transformer is fed by way of a full bridge pulse rectifier (36) to a parallel load circuit (37) that includes a suitable inductor (38) and the two electrode sets indicated by numeral (39) of each electrode assembly (5).
- the load arrangement is, as indicated above, designed to resonate in operation.
- the invention thus provides apparatus that may have a threefold effect in purifying or sterilising fluids by destroying or killing microbiological species therein.
- These effects include those consequent on electrolysis of constituents in the fluid are typically in the instance of seawater, the electrolytic production of chlorine and bromine from dissolved salts thereof with their well-known sterilising effect.
- ionic compounds in consequence of the high-frequency effect of the pulsed voltage applied to the alternate electrodes that acts on molecules having a dipole.
- water can break down to form hydrogen peroxide and ozone both of which have a well-known oxidative sterilising effect.
- the capacitive action of the electrodes in the circuit can cause the electrodes to vibrate or oscillate and form pressure waves between adjacent individual electrodes as well as within the body of the liquid with the accompanying destructive effect on microbiological species.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA200806566 | 2008-06-26 | ||
PCT/IB2009/006065 WO2009156840A2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2009-06-26 | Electronic fluid treatment apparatus and method |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2307322A2 true EP2307322A2 (en) | 2011-04-13 |
EP2307322A4 EP2307322A4 (en) | 2014-04-16 |
Family
ID=41445030
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09769652.0A Withdrawn EP2307322A4 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2009-06-26 | Electronic fluid treatment apparatus and method |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2307322A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009156840A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023170507A1 (en) | 2022-03-07 | 2023-09-14 | Francis Alborough Howard | Electrokinetic disruption generation |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001089997A2 (en) * | 2000-05-11 | 2001-11-29 | Megaton Systems As | Means for electrochemical treatment of water |
US6936151B1 (en) * | 1999-07-20 | 2005-08-30 | University Of Wales, Bangor | Manipulation of particles in liquid media |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003082750A1 (en) | 2002-04-03 | 2003-10-09 | Advanced Oxidation Limited | Apparatus and a method for treating effluent |
GB2424875A (en) * | 2005-04-04 | 2006-10-11 | Philip Graeme Morgan | Electrode assembly and method for treating and separating contaminants from fluids |
SG139599A1 (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2008-02-29 | Singapore Tech Dynamics Pte | Method and apparatus for treating water or wastewater or the like |
-
2009
- 2009-06-26 EP EP09769652.0A patent/EP2307322A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-06-26 WO PCT/IB2009/006065 patent/WO2009156840A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6936151B1 (en) * | 1999-07-20 | 2005-08-30 | University Of Wales, Bangor | Manipulation of particles in liquid media |
WO2001089997A2 (en) * | 2000-05-11 | 2001-11-29 | Megaton Systems As | Means for electrochemical treatment of water |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO2009156840A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2307322A4 (en) | 2014-04-16 |
WO2009156840A2 (en) | 2009-12-30 |
WO2009156840A3 (en) | 2010-10-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20110126 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA RS |
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DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20140314 |
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RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B03C 5/02 20060101ALI20140310BHEP Ipc: C02F 1/461 20060101AFI20140310BHEP |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20150713 |
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GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
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RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: VROOM, IAN DOUGLAS Inventor name: COOPER, MARK BADEN |
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INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20170503 |
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RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: VROOM, IAN DOUGLAS Owner name: CONEQUIPT CC |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20170914 |