GB2400099A - Ioniser - Google Patents

Abstract

An ioniser disinfects a liquid by passing ions between electrodes. The electrodes comprise of single metal sections 30, single or multiple alloy section 25,26,27, multiple metal sections or formed wire that can be removed for cleaning or replacement. The length of metal sections defines the ratios of ion transmission. Where alternate cathodes are manufactured from a single section low cost metal they may be discarded rather than expensively cleaned. Introducing an additional low cost single metal electrode between the expensive electrodes enables the ion level to be increased with out increasing the sacrificial electrode size.

Description

METHOD FOR DISINFECTING A LIQUID

This invention relates to an Ioniser.

lonisers are well known in respect to ionising either air or water. Those designed for water; generally consist of two copper/silver electrodes spaced apart and immersed in the liquid. The electrodes are mounted onto an insulated retaining plate requiring the removal of a considerable number of retaining bolts. The electrodes can only then be removed from the retaining plate. An electric current is passed between the electrodes to cause an ion flow between the electrodes in the liquid. This ion flow causes a mineral / metal build up on the cathode which hinders performance and necessitates regular cleaning. The electrodes have to be manufactured in a wide range of copper/silver alloys to meet specific requirements and thus an extensive range of alloys have to be stocked. If a third or forth metal is required in the alloy then the stock situation becomes even more complex creating a considerable stock holding problem. The standard electrodes are substantial, typically one inch square and thus containing a large quantity of precious metal.

An object of this invention is to provide an inoiser where it is simple and quick to clean and change electrodes and where the electrode composition can be easily constructed or varied with a minimum range of single metals.

According to the present invention there is a housing containing a pair of similar or dissimilar electrodes. One of the electrodes can be constructed of a number of sheets or tubes of different metals electrically connected to each other. The other electrode is either similarly constructed from a single cheap material such as stainless steel, aluminium etc and thus can be replaced rather than being cleaned.

Each alternate electrode is connected to the opposite polarity ofthe other. The housing is so constructed that the electrodes can be withdrawn without the necessity for dismantling the housing. The ratio of the sheets or tubes of the different metals for an electrode is achieved by cutting to various lengths, different materials to form the electrode. The electrode can also be constructed of a much thinner section of material or materials and then bonded onto a stiffening plate such as a printed circuit board or sheet of stainless steel. This overcomes the problem of having to stock a wide range of electrodes of various alloys. It also facilitates practical testing to determine the most suitable metal ratios for the application. 2.

A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig 1 shows an overall assembly of a flat electrode version of the ioniser.

Fig 2 shows a side view of the assembly Fig 3 shows a top view of the assembly Fig 4 shows a bottom view of the assembly Fig 5 shows a general assembly of a tubular electrode version of the ioniser.

Fig 6 shows a top section of the tubular ioniser Fig 7 shows a bottom section ofthe ioniser Referring to the drawing Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the flat electrode version, the insulating body 9 has liquid entry and exit ports 15, which can be diagonally apposed on opposite sides of the housing, or centrally disposed. To ensure the housing is liquid tight an end plate 3 compresses a gasket 4 by means of clamping screws 1 and washers 2. Located in the cavity of the housing are either fixed or removable spacing strips 5, locating the electrode sections, which can be selected as required to form a specific configuration. For example in its simplest form both electrodes could be constructed by electrode sections 6, 7, 8, & l O. being one sheet of copper, or thin sections of these electrode materials can be bonded to a support plate manufactured from a low cost material such as printed circuit board or stainless steel. Alternatively one electrode could be a single sheet of stainless steel and the other electrode a single sheet of copper. A more complex electrode assembly comprises for example, 6 a zinc section 10% of the electrode length, 7 a silver section 50% ofthe electrode length, 8 a gold section 3% ofthe electrode length and 10 a copper section 37% ofthe electrode length. The second electrode is either identical to the first or comprises a single sheet of stainless steel, aluminium etc. Although the drawing Figs 1,2,3, and 4 show a pair of electrodes, the housing may be expanded to contain multiple electrodes, i,e, three or more of single or multiple metal sections. Each ofthese electrodes is connected alternately.

Electrical connection is made via connecting screws or studding 14 that are sealed by the use of gasket 11 and clamped by washers 12 connection tag 13 and nuts 17.

To accommodate variation in electrode length due to manufacture or temperature changes, a compressible spacer 16 can be fitted. If for example a third electrode is fitted then the outer sacrificial electrodes are connected to positive supply and the central electrode connected to negative supply.

Referring to the drawing Figs 5, 6 and 7 for the round electrode version, the insulating body 21 can be square or shaped with liquid entry and exit ports 22.

These can be opposite each other and centrally disposed in respect to the housing body length, or diagonally opposed. The end cap 23 screws into the body 21 and is made liquid tight by seal 24. The end cap 23 can be the central electrode of a single metal, or be the carrier for a range of electrode tube sections. For example 25 3.

copper section 60% of electrode length, 26 silver section 25% of electrode length, and 27 zinc section 15% of electrode length, all clamped onto the end cap 23 via washer 28 and screw 29. Electrical connection is made either by extending screw 29 throughout 23 and fitting nuts and washers if 23 is an insulator, or by drilling a hole in 23 to accept a plug, or to provide a screw connection if 23 is conductive.

Alternatively the electrodes can be manufactured by using coils of wire of different! metals in place oftubes 25, 26 & 27.

The second electrode 30 or multiple metal electrodes is either a single metal alloy or multiple metal manufactured as tubes. Connection is made via an offset screw or studding 31, gasket 32, washers 33 and nuts 34. A compressible spacer 35 is fitted to accommodate manufacturing and temperature changes and to provide; electrical insulation between 23 and 30. 4.

Claims (10)

1. An ioniser comprising flat or tubular electrodes where one or more electrodes consists of one or more types of metal arranged as sections that can be easily removed.

2. An ioniser as claimed in claim 1, wherein varying the length of the metal sections or wires which form the electrode tailors the unit to meet specific applications.

3. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein one or more of the electrodes are a single metal.

4. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1,2, and 3, wherein the single metal electrode acts as the cathode and therefore is the only electrode requiring cleaning.

5. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the single metal cathode electrodes are manufactured from low cost metal at a fraction of the cost of composite anodes. These electrodes can then be replaced rather than subjected to an expensive cleaning procedure.

6. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein the housing may be expanded to contain three or more electrodes of single or multiple metal sections.

Each of these electrodes is connected alternately. Thus enabling the output of ions to be increased for the same energy input, or to remain the same with the energy input decreased.

7. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein multiple electrodes are fitted with each alternate electrode being of a single metal.

8. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, wherein a compressible spacer is fitted to provide electrical insulation and accommodate manufacturing tolerances and temperature changes.

9. An ioniser as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, wherein the electrodes can be cleaned or changed without the need to disconnect the chamber from the plumbing.

10. An ioniser where the metal sections forming the electrode are secured onto a stiffening plate of low cost material, thus reducing the manufacturing cost.

l l. An ioniser substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying arawmgs.