Method and apparatus for processing fluids

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the processing of fluids and / or their carriers. Carriers may comprise pipes, tubes and the like or reservoirs for the distribution and / or storage of fluids. In one form, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus that is suitable for use in the treatment of various fluids, such as water, by introducing at least one chemically active metal into the water and its carriers for disinfection of the water in a controlled manner. The invention also relates to a biasing means for displacement of an electrode arrangement to allow for the introduction of ions into a fluid at a controlled or easily monitored rate that is commensurate with the amount of fluid flow.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the processing of fluids and / or their carriers. Carriers may comprise pipes, tubes and the like or reservoirs for the distribution and / or storage of fluids. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus that is suitable for use in the treatment of water by introducing at least one chemically active metal, for example, antimicrobial forms of metal into the water and its carriers for disinfection of the water in a controlled manner, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that application. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to that application, only. Notably, the present invention is suitable for use in the processing of other fluids, for example, milk, starches, syrups, fruit juices, biological fluids from animals or humans, liquid fossil fuels and the like. In one particular aspect the present Invention is also...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing a fluid comprising the steps of providing a body defining a fluid flow passage having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the body comprising a first electrode arrangement and a second electrode arrangement displaceable with respect to the first electrode arrangement, the first and second electrode arrangements adapted for connection to a supply of electric current such that fluid within the body forms part of an electrolytic cell providing for a flow of ions between the first and second electrode arrangements; providing an electric current supply from an electric circuit to the first and second electrode arrangements; passing the fluid through the body such that the displacement of the second electrode arrangement is biased against the flow of fluid within the body in order to displace the second electrode arrangement into closer proximity with the first electrode arrangement as the fluid flow rate increases, thereby increasing the flow of ions, and to displace the second electrode arrangement away from the first electrode arrangement as the fluid flow rate decreases, thereby decreasing the flow of ions.

[0016] In essence, the present invention stems from the realisation that transducing or converting fluid flow to a biased displacement of at least one electrode arrangement of an electrolytic cell provides a flow of ions, or an ion current density, within the fluid and between electrode arrangements, which corresponds to and is therefore regulated by the flow rate of the fluid. This biased displacement of an electrode arrangement allows for the introduction of ions into a fluid at a controlled or easily monitored rate that is commensurate with the amount of fluid flow. Further, it has been found that, correspondingly, a measurement of the relative displacement of the first and second electrode arrangements and / or the ion current density or rate of ion introduction into the fluid provides a corresponding determination of the fluid flow rate itself. Within an electrolytic cell, forming part of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electric voltage applied between the first and second electrode arrangements will provide a flow of ions within the fluid and between the first and second electrode arrangements that increases with increasing fluid flow rate as the second electrode arrangement moves into closer proximity to the first electrode arrangement and decreases with decreasing fluid flow rate as the second electrode arrangement moves away from the first electrode arrangement.

Problems solved by technology

However, in these prior art systems, the silver that is being introduced into a given fluid requires sophisticated electronic equipment for either monitoring the amount or dose of silver being introduced or monitoring the volumetric flow of fluid to be treated.

Moreover, regulatory authorities throughout the world now stipulate their own varying individual maximum levels of silver that may be added to fluids for their treatment These various regulations make it difficult and expensive to control the amount of silver to be released into a given flow of fluid.

These systems require the use of delicate on / off flow switches and are therefore, expensive.

Reed switches, in particular, are easily cracked and as a result may fail to perform.

Furthermore, the circuits required to control these systems often fail especially where corrosion occurs as would be expected when placed in close proximity or contact with the various fluids being treated.

In the event of these failures, the prior art systems cannot provide for regulated introduction of silver into a fluid.

Prior art silver disinfection systems may also have a tendency to cause an overdose of silver into the fluid.

Notwithstanding the toxic effects of excessive silver consumption, a further problem associated with silver overdosing has been shown, namely, de-oxygenation.

When excessive amounts of silver are introduced into a body of fluid the excess silver will absorb the available free oxygen and may use the absorbed oxygen to destroy anaerobic micro-organisms by the process of oxidation leaving the fluid in a de-oxygenated form.

Such particles are not soluble and cannot plate out and, in turn, as the particles are of pure silver and not silver ions forming silver salts, they may not produce toxic effects in high doses.

However, complex circuits are required to produce pure sliver particles and this is a disadvantage, particularly when a readily useful and easily accessible means of disinfection is required in the market.

Furthermore, the lack of plating displayed by silver particles is a disadvantage when it is desirable to treat the surface or walls of a fluid carrier to produce, for example, a bacteriostatic coating of silver preventing biofilm build up.

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