Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic material treatment – Water – sewage – or other waste water
Patent
1996-10-10
1998-09-15
Phasge, Arun S.
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic material treatment
Water, sewage, or other waste water
205744, 204228, 204229, 204275, C02F 1461
Patent
active
058074732
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a 371 of PCT/AU95/00203 filed Apr. 11, 1995.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for water treatment. In particular a method and apparatus for water treatment including the contact of water with electrodes.
BACKGROUND ART
Electrolysis is the process whereby an electric current is used to promote the decomposition of chemical compounds. The use of electrolysis for treatment of water is known in a number of applications. These applications include the production of ionised water, the production of hypochlorite from a NaCl solution, the production of hydrogen gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,943 in the name of Stoner describes a method and apparatus for the electrolytic treatment of aqueous fluids to eliminate harmful and other unwanted organisms.
Electrolytic water treatment has also commonly been used for treatment and chlorination of swimming pool water. An apparatus for the disinfection of swimming pool water is described in French patent No. 2656006 in the name of Levart. This patent describes a device which produces chlorine at the rate of 100 g/hr. Processes and means for chlorinating swimming pools are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,444 in the name of Lindsteadt. An electrolytic system for reducing the bacterial and algal levels in swimming pools which does not involve chlorine production is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,979 in the name of Brown.
A problem with electrolysis based water treatment equipment is that a scale builds up on one or both electrodes. As the treatment proceeds chemical fouling occurs due to oxidation reactions occurring at the anode and reduction reactions occurring at the cathode. Biological fouling due to the build-up of neutralised organisms can also occur.
Scale build-up or fouling has a number of detrimental effects on the electrolysis process. As the scale builds up the current required to maintain the same potential between the electrodes increases. Conversely, if the current density is to be maintained the potential between the electrodes must be increased. Eventually a limit is reached where further increases in either current or voltage are not possible and the electrodes must be either cleaned or replaced.
Attempts to minimise the effects of scale formation have followed three approaches. One approach has been to develop electrode materials which minimise the build-up of scale. Another approach has been to put additives (such as vanadium pentoxide) in the electrolytic solution to slow down deposit formation. The third approach has been to periodically reverse the polarity of operation of the electrolysis apparatus and thereby reverse the chemical reactions before appreciable scale build-up has occurred.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,956,411 by Bonine discloses an automated means for reversal of polarity to increase electrode life. The Stoner invention referred to above refers to polarity reversal to increase electrode life but asserts that a higher than normal current must be supplied at reversal to complete the change in as short a time as possible, in order that as continual as possible a current is applied across the electrodes. An electrolysis apparatus which includes a manually activated polarity reversing switch is also described in United Kingdom Patent No. 2048944 in the name of Spirig.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which includes contacting water with electrodes, to enhance the service life and efficacy of said electrodes.
An object of one form of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic water treatment apparatus primarily for chlorination of swimming pools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form there is proposed a electrolytic water treatment apparatus comprising: and one or more pairs of electrodes, and the electrodes being suitable for continuous anodic or cathodic operation; current to the electrodes; electrodes, and the duration of each voltage polarity applied to each electode is substantially t
REFERENCES:
patent: 4087337 (1978-05-01), Bennet
patent: 5221451 (1993-06-01), Seneff et al.
patent: 5254226 (1993-10-01), Williams et al.
Cossich John
Sadler Peter
Berrett Pty Ltd
Phasge Arun S,.
LandOfFree
Electrolytic water treatment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrolytic water treatment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrolytic water treatment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-84019