Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1996-11-12
1999-07-27
Gorgos, Kathryn
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204228, 204229, C25B 900
Patent
active
059284811
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/AU95/00280, filed May, 15, 1995.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a water sterilisation apparatus, and more particularly it relates to an apparatus for sterilising water by the process of heavy metal sterilisation using the bacteriostatic effect of the heavy metal, silver. While the invention has particular application in destroying disease-carrying bacteria in drinking water and is described herein in that context, it will be realised that the invention is not limited to that particular field of use but may have wider and different applications.
BACKGROUND ART
As is well known and also disclosed in various prior patent specifications, the high affinity that Ag+ has to --SH and other groups, makes it an efficient biocide for the treatment of water and other liquids. It will be understood that Ag+ ions, in measured doses, are toxic to lower life forms but non-toxic to humans, and in consequence this process can be used to sterilise drinking water. Previous apparatus for these purposes and patent specifications directed thereto have shown however that prior usages have required large and heavy apparatus for Ag+ ion release, as well as complicated apparatus for waterflow control, and also switches at high cost. Such apparatus, electrical circuits and switches have been arranged to release Ag+ ions at a minimal yet reasonably effective rate, but the bulkiness alone would not in the past allow a unit to be made to a size permitting it to be carried manually or in a relatively small suit case or the like.
In the prior art, considerable work has been carried out also in the development and use of apparatus using silver pills for the same purposes, but many problems have been encountered such as having to keep the pills dry, packaging the pills so that the silver does not corrode and so that the Ag+ does not come into contact with the atmosphere prior to use. Since other chemicals may be needed to bind the Ag+ within a pill, such additional chemicals can add further contaminants to the water. Problems also arise in relation to the question of how many pills should be used for a given volume of water.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will ameliorate many of the problems described above by effectively controlling the water flow rate and Ag+ ion release for effective sterilisation results using the energy of the water being treated as a controlling factor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water sterilisation apparatus of the character described which will have an advantage over certain prior art in that it can be operated not only in a set disposition such as in a horizontal flow line for water, but also at any given angle of use or an inverted disposition.
It is a further object to provide a novel apparatus as aforementioned which can be designed to operate very efficiently for water sterilisation while being small enough to be readily transported and carried by an individual user from place to place.
The invention further aims to provide a water sterilisation apparatus of the aforedescribed character which will have further advantages over certain prior art proposals in that it will not be subject to malfunction or operational difficulties in areas where temperature or humidity variations may be extreme. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set out in the descriptions of preferred or practical embodiments.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides broadly, according to one aspect thereof, in a water sterilising apparatus adapted to employ the process of heavy metal sterilisation and including: whereby water may be caused to flow through the chamber from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; therebetween in its passage from said inlet opening to said outlet opening; and connected to said electrodes for passing electric current between said electr
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patent: 4061556 (1977-12-01), Reis et al.
patent: 4119517 (1978-10-01), Hengst
patent: 4525253 (1985-06-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 4936979 (1990-06-01), Brown
Austech Limited
Gorgos Kathryn
Parsons Thomas H.
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