Liquid purification or separation – With preliminary chemical manufacture
Patent
1985-02-01
1987-07-14
Wyse, Tom
Liquid purification or separation
With preliminary chemical manufacture
210243, 204228, 204293, C02F 146
Patent
active
046801146
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to water purification apparatus which is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to purification of water in swimming pools.
2. The Prior Art
It is known that certain metal ions have purifying properties when present in water. It has been established that silver ions are extremely effective at controlling the growth of bacteria populations, and similarly that copper ions act as an efficient algicide.
There have been various proposals to provide apparatus adapted to purify water by the introduction of metal ions into water. However, it is not believed that any of the proposals have resulted in comercially acceptable apparatus. Referring to e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,566; British Pat. No. 1,331,308; British Pat. No. 950,482 and British Pat. No. 950,481 it is noticeable that while the constructions are described in detail, operating parameters are not generally given. It is believed that the operating parameters of the apparatus are of paramount importance for the following reasons.
The efficiency of silver and copper ions for purification is well documented and has been known since Roman times. However, it is believed that the very efficiency of these ions for purification purposes has led previous constructors of apparatus to use levels of concentration of the ions in water which are too low, which in turn has led them to use very low currents for the release of the ions.
It is believed that this rendered previous apparatus susceptible to variations in the conductivity of the water to be purified with consequent deleterious results.
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus adapted to reliably purify water by introduction of metal ions into the water using an electrolytic process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides water purification apparatus comprising a chamber for receiving water to be purified, two electrodes in the chamber which are arranged to be connected to a power supply, the electrodes containing a metal whose ions have purifying properties when present in water, and circuitry for maintaining a stable current between the electrodes.
The metal ions preferably include silver and/or copper to control respectively bacteria and algae, whereupon the apparatus is provided with electrodes of a suitable silver/copper alloy.
It is particularly advantageous to reverse the polarity of the potential difference across the electrodes at regular intervals, so as to minimise certain adverse electrolytic effects, such as selective deposition on one electrode, premature exhaustion of the anode (by virtue of passage of metal ions into solution) and similar asymmetric effects, which would lead to the need to replace electrodes more frequently.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of control apparatus for use in an electrolytic water purifier aaccording to the invention; and
FIG. 2 shows a typical chamber/electrode lay out.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The embodiment to be described is particularly suitable for purification of water in swimming pools, but the invention can equally well be applied (with or without further modification where appropriate) to other installations where standing water is to be kept pure.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the circuit includes a power supply 10, a periodic voltage inverter 12 and a voltage regulator and amplifier 14.
The power supply 10 is broadly conventional in form, including a transformer TR1 switchable for different input mains voltages, two bridge rectifiers RB1, RB2 providing positive and negative voltages referred to earth or ground potential. Capacitors C1-C6, voltage regulators REG1, REG2 and resistors R2, R4 provide voltages of +18 v and -18 v; resisters R1, R3 and zener diodes Z1, Z2 pr
REFERENCES:
patent: 3528905 (1970-09-01), Miller
patent: 3654119 (1972-04-01), White et al.
Tarn-Pure Limited
Wyse Tom
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