GB2253946A

GB2253946A - Magnetic treatment of fluids

Info

Publication number: GB2253946A
Application number: GB9204847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Alfred Woodhouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-19
Filing date: 1992-03-06
Publication date: 1992-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-06
Also published as: GB9204847D0; GB9105825D0; GB2253946B

Abstract

A device for treating hard water to counter the deposition of scale comprises a non-magnetic conduit 5, means 6A, 6B external to and in contact with the conduit for generating a magnetic field which passes through the conduit and a magnetisable element comprising coiled and/or twisted steel wire 9 located in the conduit in the path of water flow, whereby in use the wire becomes magnetised and the water flows through and in contact with the magnetised wire in its passage through the device. The treatment induces coagulation of scale forming particles in the water and reduces deposition of scale on pipes or other vessels into or through which the water flows. The magnetic field may be generated by permanent magnets as shown or by electromagnets and coagulation may be assisted by adding an electrolytic device which releases salt particles and ions into the water. <IMAGE>

Description

Treatment of Fluids The invention relates to the treatment of fluids and is especially but not exclusively applicable to the treatment of water to prevent the accumulation of scale deposits in pipes, containers and the like.

It is known that scale forming particles in water subjected to magnetic treatment exhibit an increased tendancy to remain in suspension in the water, thereby reducing the formation of scale deposits on the inside of pipes, vessels or the like through which the water passes. However the magnetic field strength required to induce this phenomenon is high and it has proved difficult to generate sufficiently high magnetic fields to produce an appreciable effect without the use of extremely powerful and expensive magnets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved means for the magnetic treatment of water or other fluids in which these disadvantages are obviated or mitigated.

The invention provides a device for use in the treatment of a fluid comprising a conduit, means a external to the conduit for generating a magnetic fbetid which passes through the conduit, and a magnetisable element within the area of said conduit influenced by said magnetic field and through and/or around which the fluid to be treated may flow during use of the device.

Preferably said conduit is made from non-magnetic material and said magnetisable element comprises coiled, twisted or otherwise convoluted wire formed from steel or other magnetisable material.

Preferably said means for generating said magnetic field comprises magnetic pole pieces and spacing members of magnetisable material extending around and embracing the outer surface of said conduit. Said spacing members are preferably formed from steel. Preferably also portions of said magnetic pole pieces and/or spacing members are in direct contact with portions of the outer surface of said conduit.

The conduit is preferably made from non-magnetic stainless steel or copper but may be made from other non-magnetic material.

The invention also provides a method of treating a fluid to induce coagulation of particles in the fluid, comprising passing the fluid through a magnetic field in contact with magnetic material around and/or through which the fluid flows.

Preferably salt particles and ions are introduced into the fluid to provide sites for coagulation in the fluid.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an end view of one form of device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig.

1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a device for use in the treatment of hard water comprising a conduit or pipe 5 of non-magnetic stainless steel, copper or other non-magnetisable material such as plastics material through which the water to be treated flows. A pair of permanent magnets 6A and 6B are located one at each side of the pipe 5 and contact the pipe surface tangentially. The magnets are each arranged with their north poles directed upwardly as viewed in the drawing and their south poles directed downwardly.

Upper and lower spacer members 7A,7B are disposed between and in contact with the magnets 6A,6B and have inner faces curved to conform to the adjacent outer surface of the pipe 5. Rectangular keeper members 8A,8B of steel or other magnetisable material extend across the full width of the device above and below the magnets 6A,6B and spacer members 7A,7B and are held in place by magnetic attraction. The keeper members maintain the spacer members 7A,7B in abutting contact with the magnets 6A,6B and with the adjacent surfaces of the conduit 5 so that no air gaps are present.

Since the keeper members 8A,8B and spacer members 7A,7B are formed from magnetic material, magnetic circuits are generated within the device. Lines of magnetic flux indicated at F leave the north poles of the respective magnets, pass downwardly between the magnets and return to the respective south poles. In so doing the magnetic field passes through the central region of the device containing the spacers 7A,7B and the pipe 5. Within the pipe 5 is a magnetic element 9 formed from convoluted wire, preferably of magnetisable stainless steel or other magnetisable material. Since this wire element lies within the path of the magnetic circuit, the wire becomes magnetised.The wire element preferably comprises a woven mesh of magnetisable stainless steel folded and twisted upon itself to form a twisted or convoluted body, but other forms of wire "wool" or coiled or twisted wire bodies may be employed.

In operation, the magnetic field generated by the magnets 6A,6B passes through and is concentrated in the central region of the device containing the pipe 5.

Since the spacers 7A,7B and the wire element 9 are formed from magnetic materials they become magnetised and the element 9 imparts the magnetic influence directly to the water flowing through the pipe. Since the pipe itself is of non-magnetic material the magnetic field is unaffected by the presence of the pipe and no distortion occurs as would arise if a pipe of magnetisable material were employed. The absence of air gaps which would contribute to loss of magnetic field strength within the pipe assists in maximising the magnetic force generated and enables sufficient field strength to be generated without the need to use excessively powerful and hence expensive magnets.

In addition to generating a high magnetic field strength in direct contact with the water flowing through the device, the presence of the twisted wire element 9 causes local acceleration and turbulence of the water thereby creating a localised vortex effect resulting in increased flow velocity. Effective operation of the device requires sufficient flow velocity to generate an electrical current by magnetohydrodynamic effect. This current affects the electrical potential of particles of scale-forming material within the water and induces coagulation of the particles in suspension. In turn this tendency of scale-forming particles to coagulate in suspension -rather than adhere to the walls of pipes or containers through which the water flow reduces hard water scale deposits.The localised turbulence and acceleration produced by passage of the water through the element 9 enables the device to operate effectively at lower flow rates than would otherwise be required.

In a typical example applied to a 15mm diameter pipe, the wire element may extend along about 25mm of the pipe length. The density of the element may be varied widely dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and the rate of flow of the water through the pipe. Typically the free volume of the magnetic element should be in the region of 70-90 Ó but may in some circumstances be greater than 90. At free volumes of 50 or less it is likely the resistance to flow produced by the element would inhibit satisfactory operation of the device.

By virtue of the arrangement described it is possible to generate a very high magnetic field strength within the pipe 5 through which the water or other liquid to be treated flows. There is no distortion or deflection of the field by the pipe itself and no reduction in field strength due to air gaps. In addition the presence of the magnetic element 9 within the pipe ensures the magnetic field comes into direct contact with the water through the element 9 itself becoming magnetised and induces localized increases in flow rate contributing to more effective operation as discussed above.

The device shown in the drawings may advantageously be employed in conjunction with a device of the kind described in our U.K. Euro- Patent No. 194012 which employs electrolytic action to release salt particles and ions into water to be treated. The introduction of such particles provides additional sites within the water for coagulation of scale forming impurities and improves the operation of the device.

Where the device of Figs. 1 and 2 is used alone, the magnetic treatment is of relatively short duration and readily dissipates if the treated water is allowed to stand for some time after treatment. In the case where additional particles are introduced using a device of the kind shown in Patent No. 194012, the effect is retained for a lengthy period of up to a month or more.

Magnetic treatment alone is therefore suitable for situations where the treated water is to be used shortly after treatment, for example in industrial processes or the like. Combination with a treatment effecting introduction of additional salt particles and ions results in prolonged scale inhibition and may be used insituations where the treated water requires to be stored for some period before use.

By virtue of the convoluted nature of the wire element, foreign or contaminent particles in the water may accumulate on the element 9 over a period of time and may tend to partially block it and reduce the flow rate through the device. The device is accordingly preferably constructed in such a manner that the element 9 may be removed periodically, cleaned and re-inserted for further use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the tube or conduit may be formed from a number of alternative non-magnetic materials. The magnetic element contained within the tube may consist of rods, wires, mesh sections or other forms of element constructed from magnetic material. The means for generating the magnetic field may also take different forms and the field may be generated by electromagnets instead of permanent magnets. Where additional particles are introduced these may be introduced by means other than that described in the aforesaid U.K. Patent No. 194012.

The invention may also be used in the magnetic treatment of other liquids or of gases.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for use in the treatment of a fluid comprising a conduit, means external to the conduit for generating a magnetic field which passes through the conduit, and a magnetisable element within the area of said conduit influenced by said magnetic field and through and/or around which the fluid to be treated may flow during use of the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said magnetisable element comprises coiled, twisted or otherwise convoluted wire formed from magnetisable material.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said magnetisable element is formed from magnetisable stainless steel.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said means for generating said magnetic field comprises magnetic pole pieces and spacing members of magnetisable material extending around and embracing the outer surface of said conduit.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said spacing members are formed from steel.

6. A device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein portions of said magnetic pole pieces are in direct contact with portions of the outer surface of said conduit.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein said pole pieces and spacing members are shaped to embrace and contact substantially the entire outer surface of said conduit.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said magnetic pole pieces are in tangential contact with diametrically opposite points of said conduit and said spacing members have arcuate faces embracing the remainder of the outer surface of said conduit.

9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said conduit is made from non-magnetic material.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said conduit is made from non-magnetic stainless steel.

11. A device according to claim 9 wherein said conduit is made from copper.

12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said means for generating a magnetic field comprises permanent magnets.

13. A device for use in the treatment of a fluid to induce coagulation of scale forming particles in the fluid, comprising means for introducing salt particles and ions into the fluid to provide sites for coagulation, and means for constraining the fluid to flow through and/or around and in contact with magnetic material located in a magnetic field.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said means for introducing said ions and particles comprises an electrolytic device.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said electrolytic device incorporates a zinc anode from which zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide particles are released into the fluid during operation of the device.

16. A device for treating hard water to counter the deposition of scale, the device comprising a non-magnetic conduit, means external to and in contact with the conduit for generating a magnetic field which passes through the conduit, and a magnetisable element comprising coiled and/or twisted steel wire located in said conduit in the path of water flow, whereby in use said wire becomes magnetised and the water flows through and in contact with the magnetised wire in its passage through the device.

17. A device for use in the treatment of a fluid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of treating a fluid to induce coagulation of particles in the fluid, comprising passing the fluid through a magnetic field in contact with magnetic material around and/or through which the fluid flows.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said magnetic material comprises coiled, twisted or otherwise convoluted wire.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19 wherein said magnetic material comprises magnetic stainless steel.

21. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20 wherein salt particles and ions are introduced into the fluid to provide sites for coagulation in the fluid.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein said salt particles and ions are introduced by electrolytic action

23. A method according to claim 21 or 22 wherein said salt particles comprise zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide.

24. A method according to any of claims 18 to 23 wherein said fluid is water.

25. A method of treating a fluid to induce coagulation of particles in the fluid substantially as hereinbefore described.

26. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.