AU629473B1 - In-line conduit structure to prevent scale formation therein - Google Patents

Description

P/cc/oil1 Form PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: o Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: o*"'elated Art: 0 0 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Rc--e t W~cen Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: "2.

'.0 P,.o xP>~rV\A&& /A&A N/&GA t.svv L o+ 2,C -c n S t, \v4A AA~ AJSLV N.5 W Ro6er± UcAr") P.o. Go 62?I 'VAC(-&GA \VAA&A) rV -'265O Address for Service: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: N' LI (V ON F S7UI IRU cT7u R E TO PREVNT SCALE 1-oRNArEOW~ -THEREfIN, The following statement is a fufl description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-' Note: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78- L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra 2 1 2 IN-LINE CONDUIT STRUCTURE TO PREVENT SCALE FORMATION 3 THEREIN 4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 6 7 This invention relates to apparatus for preventing scale formation on the interior 8 of conduits, tanks etc through which a fluid, eg. water, flows. The apparatus is a 9 device, (and is also a conduit) which promotes turbulence of the fluid passing 1 0 through.

11 1 2 Most fluids, especially municipal water supplies, form deposits and scale on the i 3 interior of conduits and tanks through which they flow. Also with some fluids, 1 4 algae and fungi can grow in the conduits and tanks over time. All this has the 1 5 effect of; 1 6 decreasing the opening through which the fluid passes, 1 7 promoting detioration of the interior of the conduit, valves, etc with 1 ,8 consequent loss of efficiency and possible malfunction, and 1 9 pollution of the fluid over time.

21 PRIOR ART 2 R 3 Many devices have been invented in the past to provide some sort of fluid 24 stabilisation or conditioning or filtering with the device in-line with the fluid flow.

Some such devices are shown in U.S. patents 3,448,034 3,486,999 26 3,835,015 3,919,068 and 3,974,071. Australian patent 554825 (16641/83) 27 also describes another prior art device (which is an insert in a conduit) and 2 8 gives a brief description of these US patents.

29 3 0 The present invention primarily aims to provide an improved device that; 3 1 prevents scale formation, 32 inhibits growth of algae and fungus, 3 3 is easily manufactured, 3 4 forms part of a conduit (rather than being an insertg in a conduit this has 3 5 problems for maintenance, clogging, replacement, inspection etc.) 3 6 is easily assembled in place.

37 3 8 Further preferable aims of the present invention are; 3 9 to provide a new and improved water conditioning device formed as a unitary member, 1 to promote turbulence in the fluid passing through to thereby rearrange the 2 molecular structure of particles in suspension, 3 use a venturi effect in low flow situations to further promote turbulence 4 within the device for the same effect, to add nothing to or remove anything from the fluid, 6 that there is no significant loss of pressure across the device.

"7 8 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 9 1 0 The present invention is an in-line device forming part of the conduit line (or 1 general water line) for preventing scale and corrosion in all conduits, cooling 12 towers, heat exchangers, hot water systems, boilers etc, ie, wherever a fluid 1 3 flows in a conduit system. it can also be used in irrigation systems to improve 1 4 water percolation, into the soil, which then indirectly improves plant growth. An 1 5 improvement in taste is also apparent in domestic drinking water when the 16 present invention is installed in the supply lines.

17 1 8 Broadly, the invention is an apparatus for preventing scale formation in systems 1 9 where a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted through a conduit, wherein; 21 the apparatus forms a part of the conduit, 2 the apparatus comprises, .3 a longitudinal conduit chamber, 24 multiple ribs, which extend in a longitudinal direction within the chamber, 2 5 protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls of the chamber.

26 27 Optional features of the invention are; S28 These opposing ribs do not meet each other in the centre of the chamber S29 but leave a small gap near the centre of the chamber.

These ribs do not extend the full length of the conduit; there may be 31 several ribs protruding from the chamber walls along any one longitudinal 32 line.

3 3 3 The "opposite sides" referred to can be radial in effect or they can be the 3 4 two opposite sides from a central plane of the conduit.

3 5 There may be several longitudinal lines of ribs on each opposite side.

36 There are gaps, for fluid flow, between the longitudinal lines of ribs (as well 3 7 as the centre gap).

3 8 In any one longitudinal line of ribs, the ribs may be; 39 adjacent each other, and/or, 4 1 at spaced intervals with space between, and/or, 2 at spaced intervals with smaller "bars" between.

3 The ribs may be lenticular shaped (shape of a double convex lens) 4 The whole assembly is a one-piece casting The lenticular sections of the ribs may be at different heights (ie project 6 different heights into the chamber), thus forming an undulating wave 7 formation along any one longitudinal line of ribs. Opposing longitudinal 8 lines of ribs could form a corresponding wave, thus keeping the centre gap 9 a continuous width for fluid flow throughout the chamber. The centre gap 1 0 would thus "rise and fall" from any one (eg horizontal) centre line of the 11 chamber, as a wave.

12 Convex shapes (eg. bumps, mounds etc) could also protrude at 13 longitudinally spaced intervals from the opposite sides of the chamber 14 walls.

The cross sectional open area of the chamber is equal to its corresponding 1 6 conduit pipe, of which it forms a part. Because of this, there is minimum 17 flow restriction and an insignificant loss of pressure across the device.

1 8 A venturi nozzle is located at the inlet section of the chamber. For low flow 1 9 situations this has the effect of increasing the flow speed and turbulence.

This venturi nozzle is preferably not cast as part of the device. If it was cast 21 as part of the device, removal of the casting sand and cleaning of the 22 device during use would be more difficult due to the restricted opening.

23 An earthing lug (for a supply of free electrons) is attached (preferably cast) 24 to the inlet end of the device.

The ribs create turbulence which helps eliminate any cohesion between 26 mineral particles.

27 The "earth" also helps eliminate any cohesion between mineral particles 28 by providing additional electrons to the water solution.

29 3 0 Other optional features and advantages of the present invention will become 3 1 apparent from reading the rest of this specification in conjunction with the 32 attached drawings.

33 34 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 36 FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the device of the present 37 invention 38 FIGURE 2 is an end view of the embodiment of figure 1, taken along section 2--2 39 of figure 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

1 FIGURE 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment to Figs 1 2 2 3 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 4 Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the device of the present invention.

6 The device 16 comprises a cylindrical conduit chamber with walls 8, inlet 7 shoulders 9 and outlet shoulders 10. These shoulders may be threaded 13 to 8 allow for connection to the rest of the conduit system. The device 16 is 9 connected in series in the conduit system to ensure all the fluid passes through 1 0 the conditioning device of the present invention.

11 1 2 Longitudinal, imperforate ribs 1 protrude from two sides (opposite sides) of the 1 3 cylindrical walls 8 (see figures 1 2) and are preferably cast integral with the 14 walls. (In this embodiment, "opposite sides" are the opposing sides from a 1 5 central vertical plane) 1 6 These ribs 1 are formed along "longitudinal lines" 4, 5, 6. There is a gap 7 1 7 between each longitudinal line of ribs 1. This allows a space for the fluid to flow 1 o8 in. In this embodiment, the ribs 1 in any one longitudinal line are evenly ,.00.

19 separated from each other by smaller "bars" 2. These bars 2 are also preferably 0o20 integrally cast. The ribs 1 are lenticular shaped (shape of a double convex o2 1 lens). These ribs 1 do not meet at the centre of the chamber but leave a small S22 gap 15 between opposing longitudinal lines of ribs (figure The ribs 1 can 0 o 23 also have a slight taper 14. They are wider at their base, tapering slightly 24 (eg 30 to the top of the rib near the centre of the chamber. The gap 15 need only be say 2mm wide to allow for sand core moulding and internal cleaning ,2.6 after casting.

a 4 'o ooaQ 0027 S28 The lenticular ribs 1 are preferably cast at different heights tie project different 29 heights into the chamber) to form an undulating wave formation along any one 0' 30 longitudinal line of ribs. Opposing longitudinal lines of ribs could form a 31 corresponding wave, thus keeping the centre gap a continuous width for fluid 32 flow throughout the chamber. The centre gap would thus "rise and fall" from any 33 one (eg horizontal) centre line of the chamber, as a wave.

.34 3 5 Convex shapes or mounds 3 may also protrude at spaced intervals from two, or 36 opposite, sides of the cylindrical chamber walls.

37 3 8 The earthing lug 11 is attached, preferably cast, to the inlet end of the device.

3 9 When the lug 11 is properly earthed, the device and hence the fluid, will be provided with a continuous supply of free electrons in a catalytic manner to 6 1 reduce any electron deficiencies in the fluid (eg water), and 2 provide electrons to eliminate cohesion between mineral particles.

3 This separation is clearly visible in water treated by this invention, compared to 4 untreated water, when viewed under a microscope at at least 400 magnifications. Trial test results have also indicated scale and mineral deposits 6 do not form as readily.

7 8 Whilst the design of the device 16 promotes turbulence and hence lessening of 9 scale formation, suitable earthing improves the performance even more. This is 1 0 why the lug 11 should preferably be cast as part of the device to ensure 1 1 optimum performance without extra installation work involved in attaching a lug.

12 1 3 At the inlet end of the device 16, a venturi nozzle 12 can be placed. This nozzle 1 4 12 has the effect of dramatically increasing the speed of flow thus creating more turbulence as the fluid passes through the device. The nozzle 12 is preferably 1 6 not cast with the device 16 for the reasons mentioned earlier. The nozzle 12 can 17 be quickly and easily made from UHMWPE (Ultra Hard Molecular Weight Poly- 1 8 Ethelyne) to prevent wear and to keep manufacturing costs down.

1 9 The rapid movement of the fluid through the venturi nozzle 12, the internal lenticular shaped ribs 1 and the convex shapes 3 on the chamber walls all help S 2 1 to interrupt any laminar flow and cause a turbulent flow to occur. This promotes S22 a thorough mixing and conditioning of the fluid.

"23 24 The inlet and outlet ends of the device would preferably have internal threads 13 to allow for connection, in series, to a conduit system. This feature ensures 6 that this invention is easy to install and can be replaced, inspected and cleaned 27 very easily.

S28 2 9 The device 16 can be made of any suitable material, preferably one that can be 3 0 cast, or formed, in one piece and further preferably one which can assist in the 3 1 supply of free electrons from the earth to the fluid.

3 2 Considering the corrosive environments that many conduits are subjected to, a 3 3 suitable material would have to perform well, and be able to be inspected and 3 4 cleaned easily. If the device was a casting, the material should be easily cast 3 5 and be able to be easily machined. The material must also be 3 6 non-contaminating and easily and safely cleaned.

_2 ;i a 1:

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j 18 ;19 oo 20 o 21 S22 40 o 0 24 ?,6 S27 .1 8 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 One tested example of a suitable material is a non-corrosive copper-nickel alloy which comprises, within a plus or minus 0.5% tolerance; Copper Tin Nickel Zinc Lead (impurities nil or up to The copper-tin-zinc-nickel ratios have been found to give an alloy that is hard, resists corrosion and functions well electrolytically. The lead has been included to improve the machineability and general workability.

The cross sectional open area of the chamber is equal to its corresponding conduit pipe, of which it forms a part. Because of this, there is minimum flow restriction and an insignificant loss of pressure across the device.

The size of the device 16 can be made to accommodate a large range of flows from, for example, domestic use to heavy industrial use. It can also be used for specialist applications, eg medical, solar etc.

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement of the ribs 1 and bars 2.

Figure 2 (derived from figure 1) shows protruding from opposite sides of the chamber, matching, opposing ribs 1 and matching opposing bars 2. Thus, figures 1 and 2 show that down the length of the chamber, each longitudinal line of ribs and bars "matches" its opposing longitudinal line of ribs an" bars (ie rib opposes rib and bar opposes bar). Figure 4 however, shows a longitudinally staggerred arrangement. The ribs 1 in any one longitudinal line of ribs are opposite the bars 2 in the opposing longitudinal line of ribs and bars.

Similarly, the bars 2 are opposite the ribs 1 in the opposing longitudinal line of ribs and bars. If there are no bars 2, then the same applies to the "space" that would exist between the ribs 1 in any one longitudinal line.

The invention broadly includes an arrangement where the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of any one longitudinal line are longitudinally staggerred to the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of the opposing longitudinal line.

The effect on fluid flow from this arrangement is to provide a cross-flow back and forth across the chamber as the fluid flows along the length of the chamber.

This creates further turbulence, thus further enhancing the aims of the invention.

The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

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'Li 7FR c\a\ms ~,nuen~ibn c~e ~s Fo~o~s o 0 B a o oa o o o o o o 0 o 9 0u 0 0~ 9 a 1. An apparatus for preventing scale formation in systems where a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted through a conduit wherein; the apparatus comprises, a longitudinal tubular conduit chamber, multiple ribs, which extend in a longitudinal direction within the chamber, protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls of the chamber, the conduit chamber and the ribs being integrally cast.

Patent application, 75393/91.

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Claims (2)

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 21 an earthing lug is located at the flow inlet end of the device and the device 22 is earthed during use. 23 24 14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, the whole device is cast in one piece. 26 27 15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 28 a venturi nozzle is located at the flow inlet end of the device to increase 29 flow speed and hence resulting turbulence. 3 1 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, 32 the casting material is an alloy with the following constituents, within a plus S33 or minus 0.5% tolerance; 34 80% copper, 6.5% tin, 36 6.5% nickel, 37 6.5% zinc, 3 8 0.5% lead, 39 with incidental impurities nil or up to 1%. ~II~_

17. An in-line water conditioning and scale prevention device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. Dated this day 1991. Applicant Robert Uden P.O. Box 681 Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650. 4 0 0 'I 0 4) D 0 0 0 .a o Is I. AtI