NZ210307A - Treating water with magnetic field - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £10307 210307 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 19 53 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO; 210307 DATED: 23rd November 1984 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO METHODS OF TREATING AQUEOUS LIQUIDS AND TREATMENTS UTILISING SO TREATED LIQUIDS WE, M.W. & C.N. JACKSON GROUP LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 312 Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement; - 1 - (followed by page la) /' 210307 This invention relates to methods of treating aqueous liquids and treatments utilising so treated liquids. In one example water is treated prior to discharge into an irrigation system for agricultural or horticultural land. In a further similar example water is treated prior to watering stock.

An object of this invention is to provide a method of treating aqueous liquids to enhance desirable characteristics thereof rendering the so treated liquid more suitable for its intended purpose. To this end a further object of the invention is to provide a device one or more of which can be incorporated in a conduit suitable for the passage of an aqueous liquid to treat liquid passing there through the invention. A further object is to provide treatments such as irrigation, stock watering and fresh milk treatment of aqueous liquids to achieve a more desirable end product particularly as to acceptability by the end user resulting in improved growth of beast and/or plant growth. The plants may be, for example, vegetables for cropping and subsequent human consumption or in-situ stock food for example, grass.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a method of treating a quantity of aqueous liquid for use in irrigation or watering farm stock comprising the steps of conducting the aqueous liquid having a pH of substantially within the range of 6.7 to 7, through a conduit in which one or more magnetic devices has or have been mounted, the magnetic device (s) being disposed within a bore of the conduct with the polar axis(es) of the magnetic device (s) disposed axially of the bore, whereby the aqueous liquid immerses the magnetic device(s) flowing therepast, and then discharging the aqueous liquid from the conduit to irrigate land or in a manner suitable for feeding farm stock. 210?07 In further describing this invention reference is made to preferred embodiments and applications within the latter case the results being monitored and improved results being noted. The invention is directed to aqueous liquids in that while it is concerned primarily with the treatment of water application in the treatment of fresh milk has also proven successful.

The invention is based on the affect of a magnetic field acting on an aqueous fluid. This phenomenon has been known for a long time but its nature would not appear to be understood. Further its nature and the effects must be considered controversial. We are ourselves not clear as to the underlying theory involved in our method of treatment whether it be in the nature of a magnetic, mechanical, physical or other property of or causing the effects that take place. We accept the enigmatic nature of the phenomenons involved.

Our invention relates to practical means and manners of of achieving useful results by utilization of this phenomenon.

In a first embodiment a permanent magnet of any suitable material is utilised. Preferably the permanent magnet is made from a ferrite composition as experiences shows that corrosion with other permanent magnet materials can create problems and these are substantially lessened with use of a ferrite permanent magnet. The magnet may be of any suitable configuration and is mounted in a conduit along which a quantity of the liquid to be treated can flow. Our experience is that a flow of the liquid past the magnet rather than having a static relationship between the two is critical. 210307 The magnetic device is mounted within a bore of the conduit by any suitable means with care being taken not to unduly block the bore which could cause an undesirable pressure build up. The magnetic device is mounted with its polarity disposed axially of the bore, that is, in other words with the north and south poles of the magnetic device disposed in the general line of the flow path of the liquid. This precise positioning is preferable, however it is not critical as the benefits to be achieved diminish with an increase in orientation of the magnetic device toward a dispostion where the polarity of the device is disposed transverse of the flow path.

The magnetic device is disposed within the bore such that with the liquid flowing therepast the magnetic device is completely immersed or at least substantially immersed by the liquid. As we understand the invention this is critical to the extent of achieving this immersion on the magnetic device for at least a substantial part of a treatment process. We contrast this with a structure which would tend to allow liquid to pass say adjacently beneath the magnetic device possibly at some stages the liquid contacting the magnetic device and even occasionally immersing the device for short periods.

In an alternative embodiment the magnetic device can be formed from an electromagnet with, as in the case of a permanent magnet, the coil and any associated core of the electromagnet being mounted similarly to that described above in respect of a permanent magnet. The electromagnet can be rendered functional by any suitable support circuit whether it be a battery or rectified mains supplied to provide the equivalent of a permanent magnet. Preferably any such electromagnet is appropriately protected and/or comprise a non-ferrous body to reduce corrosion problems that could otherwise arise. 210307 It will be appreciated that a plurality of magnetic devices can be provided within a conduit. They may be provided in a series or a parallel configuration the choice of number of magnets employed and the configuration being a matter of meeting the requirements of a particular application. Similarly the strength of magnetic device employed is likewise a factor determined by the particular requirements with a stronger magnetic device normally being required to treat larger throughputs of liquid whether this throughput be achieved by a fast flow rate and/or the utilising of a conduit of larger volumetric capacity.

In one application a permanent magnet device has been installed in a conduit of plastics material outletting from an in-situ bore to supply a watering trough for farm beasts. In treating the outputs a substantial reduction in undesirable mineral content and algae growth has been noted. Water sample taken at the bore showed a 290,000 standard plate count and a chloroform count of plus 2400 per 100 mis. Significant iron and iron bacteria were evident. With passage of the water past the magnetic device thus treated in accordance with this invention the standard plate count was 650 and a chloroform count of less than 2 per 100 mis was noted. Preferably the pH of the water is established by known means to be substantially within the range 6.7 to 7 as improved results appear achievable within this range. Further, the beasts being supplied being dairy cows have considerably increased their intake of water. This is considered to be most desirable.

In a further application of the device water is treated as part of the hydroponic cultivation of vegetables and as a result more vigorous growth has been noted. In a further application a magnet device was installed in a m * 17 FEB 210307 of a milking shed as a first unit downstream of the milkcups. Subsequent tests showed improved bacterial count.

In some treatment situations it has been shown desirable to include filtering means downstream of the magnetic device. The requirements of the filtering means will depend upon the application, experience showing that use of the magnetic device and method of treatment of this invention in conjunction with established filtering means for an equivalent application renders the downstream filtering more effective. It is envisaged that the magnetic device and the effect achieved thereby on a quantity of aqueous liquid flowing therepast provides a flocculating affect of said matter in particular undesirable mineral, metallic and bacterial matter which is more effectively removed by the conventional filtering means. 210507

Claims (1)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- A method of treating an aqueous liquid for use in irrigation or watering farm stock comprising the steps of conducting the aqueous liquid, having a pH of substantially within the range of 6.7 to 7, through a conduit in which one or more magnetic devices has or have been mounted, the magnetic device(s) being disposed within a bore of the conduit with the polar axis(es) of the magnetic device(s) disposed axially of the bore, whereby the aqueous liquid immerses the magnetic device(s) flowing therepast, and then discharging the aqueous liquid from the conduit to irrigate land or in a manner suitable for feeding farm stock. A method of treating an aqueous liquid as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as herein described. M.W. & C.N. JACKSON GROUP LIMITED by its Attorneys HENRY HUGHES LTD.