US3666917A

US3666917A - Heating system utilizing an electrolytic device in a closed hydraulic circuit

Info

Publication number: US3666917A
Application number: US884482A
Authority: US
Inventors: William T Oglesby
Original assignee: Hydroflow Corp
Current assignee: Hydroflow Corp
Priority date: 1969-12-12
Filing date: 1969-12-12
Publication date: 1972-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-30

Abstract

An electrolytic method and means of heating is characterized by driving an electrolytic fluid of predetermined physical characteristics through a closed hydraulic circuit including, in series arrangement, a pump for driving the fluid through the circuit, an electric heating device of the type including at least one pair of electrodes arranged to define a flow passageway within the circuit and means for applying an electric potential across the fluid to heat the fluid electrolytically and heat exchanger means configured for transferring thermal energy either to a gas, such as air in a manner to form a space heater, or to a liquid, such as water in a manner to form a domestic water heater or a water heater for a swimming pool or to any other utilitarian fluid. Each pair of electrodes includes inner and outer coaxially disposed electrodes having cylindrical confronting surfaces spaced to define an annular flow passaway. In order to eliminate eddy currents and turbulence within the passaway, the inlet and outlet conducts to and from the passageway are so formed and arranged in the inner electrode that the fluid passes through the passageway in a spiral fashion. The electrolytic fluid consists of distilled water having dissolved therein a metallic salt, such as copper sulfate, and an anionic material, such as alkyl aryl sufonate.

Description

United States Patent Oglesby [451 May 30, 1972 [54] HEATING SYSTEM UTILIZING AN ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE IN A CLOSED HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT 72 Inventor: William T. Oglesby, Little Rock, Ark.

[73] Assignee: Hydroflow Corporation, Little Rock, Ark.

[22] Filed: Dec. 12, 1969 [21] Appl. N0.: 884,482

[52] [1.8. CI ..2l9/292, 219/289, 219/294,

[51] Int. Cl. ..HOSb 3/60, F24h 1/12, F24h 3/06 [58] Field of Search ..2l9/284-295, 325, 2l9/326, 341, 365, 310, 312

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,469,074 9/1969 Cotton et a1 ..2l9/284 1,132,604 3/l9l5 Nash", ....2l9/291 1,329,488 2/1920 Whelan... ....2l9/292 1,355,644 10/1920 Beudet.... ...219/341 X 1,403,102 1/1922 Perkins... ...219/285 X 1,503,972 8/1924 Berg 219/284 X 2,325,722 8/1943 Walther ..219/284 X 2,680,802 6/1954 Bremer et a1. ..219/291 2,825,791 3/1958 Jackson 219/365 X 2,836,699 5/1958 Mullin ...219/292 X 3,105,137 9/1963 Sullivan et a1 ..219/284 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 134,734 10/1949 Australia ..2l9/288 52,668 6/1944 France 316,012 11/1919 Germany....

380,836 9/ 1923 Germany 218,845 4/1942 Switzerland ..2 1 9/284 Primary Examiner-A. Bartis Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson ABSTRACT An electrolytic method and means of heating is characterized by driving an electrolytic fluid of predetermined physical characteristics through a closed hydraulic circuit including, in

1 one pair of electrodes arranged to define a flow passageway series arrangement, a pump for driving the fluid through the circuit, an electric heating device of the type including at least within the circuit and means for applying an electric potential across the fluid to heat the fluid electrolytically and heat 1 exchanger means configured for transferring thermal energy either to a gas, such as air in a manner to form a space heater,

or to a liquid, such as water in a manner to form a domestic water heater or a water heater for a swimming pool or to any other utilitarian fluid. Each pair of electrodes includes inner and outer coaxially disposed electrodes having cylindrical confronting surfaces spaced to define an annular flow pas- ..saway. In order to eliminate eddy currents and turbulence 5 Claims, 5 Drawing figures Patented May 30, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet l mLL/AM 7 06655 Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electric heating systems, and more particularly refers to an electric heating system having a closed hydraulic circuit including an electric heating apparatus of the type having at least one pairof electrodes arranged in a manner to define a flow passageway within the circuit and an electric power means for applying a potential across an electrolytic fluid flowing through the heating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Previously, electrolytic cells, of the type having a pair of electrodes arranged to fonn a flow passage therebetween for receiving an electrolytic fluid and means for applying a potential across the fluid, have been used with a continuous supply of fresh fluid. Thus, the efficiency of the unit has previously been dependent-on a constantly changing chemical content of the fluid. Since the amount of heat and electrical energy consumed will vary in direct proportion to the conductivity of the fluid being heated in an electrolytic cell, use of electrolytic cells for producing thermal energy from electric energy has, heretofore, been relatively'limited.

Prior art heating systems which utilize electrolytic cells wherein the utilitarian fluid is directly passed through the cell are not readily adapted to many liquid applications. For example, a heating system for a heated swimming pool could present a serious safety hazard if the chlorinated water utilized in the swimming pool had a current directlyv assed therethrough. v I

Further, efficiency of electrolytic cells known in the prior art has been low due to eddy currents occurring within the fluid as the same flows through the cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a heating system utilizing an electrolytic cell has a closed hydraulic circuit including, in series arrangement, a pump for circulating an electrolytic fluid through the circuit, at least one electrolytic cell and heat exchanger means for transferring thennal energy from the heated electrolytic fluid to a utilitarian fluid. Each of the electrolytic cells comprises a pair of electrodes arranged in a manner to form a flow passageway therebetween for receiving the electrolytic fluid and electric power means for applying an electric potential acrossthe fluid as the same passes through the cell. A plurality of the cells may. be provided in the hydraulic circuit and arranged in either series or parallel disposition depending upon the required thermal energy and flow capacity of the system.

With the closed hydraulic circuit of the present invention, the electrolytic fluid passed through the cells may have a known and controlled predetermined chemical composition, thereby enabling accurate control of the efficiency of the cell by the use of a fluid having an optimum chemical composition.

The heat exchanger means provided in the hydraulic circuit may be arranged and configured for transferring heat to either a gas or a liquid. For example, the heat exchanger means may include a finned r'adiator having atmospheric air forced over thermal transfer surfaces of the radiator in a manner to form a space heater of the forced-air type. Also, the heat exchanger means may be arranged to transfer thermal energy to a liquid, in which case the heating system of the present invention may be safely utilized to provide domestic hot water or to heat chlorinated water for use in a heated swimming pool.

The electrolytic cell includes an inner electrode or elongated bus having an outer cylindrical surface and an outer electrode encircling the bus and having an inner cylindrical surface radially spaced outwardly of the bus surface in a manner to form an annular flow passageway within the cell. In order to eliminate eddy currents within the cell, conduit means formed in one of the electrodes for directing the electrolytic fluid through the annular passageway are arranged and configured so that-the fluid passes through the annular passageway in a spiral flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a system for heating a gas, such as air, embodying the principles of the present invention and with portions of an outer cover removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a heating system of the present invention for transferringthermal energy to a liquid with portions of an outer casing broken away;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pair of serially arranged electrolytic cells constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IV- IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line V- V of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a heating system 10, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, includes a closed hydraulic circuit generally indicated at 11. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hydraulic circuit comprises, in series arrangement, a pump 12 having a motor 13, a plurality of electrolytic cells 14, heat exchanger means 15, an electrically actuated flow switch 16 and a thennostat 17.

An electrolytic fluid having a known chemical composition is circulated within the closed hydraulic circuit 11 by the pump 12 located at a first point in the hydraulic circuit. The electrolytic fluid utilized in the example described herein consists essentially of fifteen parts per million of copper sulfate and three parts per million of alkyl aryl sulfonate, an anionic material commercially marketed by Purex Corp. Ltd. under the trademark Trend'liquid detergent, and distilled water. Although it has been found that the specific electrolytic fluid produces excellent results, other compositions consisting essentially of a metallic salt and an anionic material may be utilized.

A plurality of the electrolytic cells 14 are located at a second point in the circuit downstream of the pump 12 and as the fluid passes therethrough an electrical potential is applied across the fluid in a manner to heat the fluid by an electrochemical process sometimes referred to herein as "electrolytic heating." Thermal energy is transferred at a third point in the circuit to a utilitarian fluid, such as air, from the heated electrolytic fluid by the heat exchanger means 15. Thereafter, the spent fluid is recirculated back to the pump 12.

The electrolytic fluid is wholly contained within the closed hydraulic circuit 11 in accordance with this invention so that the chemical composition, and thus the conductivity, of the fluid may be optimized relative to the material of the electrolytic cells, a temperature differential across the cells and voltage and current densities within the cells. Thus, an amount of thermal energy to be produced and an amount of electrical energy to be consumed in producing the thermal energy may be accurately determined and the efficiency of the system may be optimized.

' The number of the electrolytic cells 14 provided within the system 10 may vary depending upon a required flow capacity of the hydraulic circuit 11 and a required thermal energy for the system 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, three pairs of the cells 14, with the cells within one of the pairs arranged in series, are disposed in parallel-between a pair of

manifold pipes

18 and 19. The parallel arrangement provides the necessary flow capacity, whereas the series arrangement is dependent upon the thermal energy required by the system 10. A variety of other series, parallel or series and parallel arrangements are possible in order to meet a particular system's requirements.

Since a given fluid will change its conductivity in direct relationship with the temperature, i.e. the hotter the fluid, the more conductive it becomes, it is desirable to have two or more of the electrolytic cells 14 in series with progressively greater distance between the electrodes forming the flow passageway when a temperature differential of a value greater than 75 F. is desired. Further, it has been found to be more economical when large volumes of heated fluids are required to hydraulically connect several of the cells 14 or series of the cells in a parallel arrangement to accommodate the required flow of the electrolytic fluid. An additional benefit of the parallel configuration is that due to the capacitance effect of the cells 14, the sum total of electrical energy, when measured in ampheres or watts, used by each of the cells exceeds that of the measured electrical energy of the system as a .whole.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, inclusive, each of the electrolytic cells 14 comprises an outer electrode 21 and an inner electrode 22, both of which are composed of electrically conductive material, such as copper, and a pair of

end caps

23, 23, composed of insulating material.

The inner electrode or bus 22 is an elongated bar member having an outer cylindrical surface 24 and a pair of externally threaded nipples 26 and 27 extending axially of the cylindrical surface. The outer electrode 21 includes a hollow cylindrical member having an inner cylindrical wall surface 28 encircling the bus surface 24. An inside diameter of the outer electrode wall surface 28 is larger than an outside diameter of the bus cylindrical surface 24, thereby to form an annular space or passageway 29 between the bus and the outer electrode for receiving the electrolytic fluid circulating within the closed hydraulic circuit 11.

1 Each of the

end caps

23, 23 is a disc-shaped member having an annular rabbet 31 for receiving one of the opposite end portions 32 of the cylindrical outer electrode. An aperture 33 is formed in each of the end caps 23 coaxially of the annular rabbet 31 and is sized to fittingly receive the reduced diameter nipples 26 and 27, thereby to mount the bus 22 within the outer electrode 21 so that the

cylindrical surfaces

24 and 28 are coaxially disposed to form the annular passageway 29.

A pair of collars 34, 34, each'having internal threads 36 formed complementally to the nipple threads secure the end caps 23, 23 in assembly with the bus 22 and outer electrode 21. One of the collars 34 is threaded onto each of the nipples 26 and 27 andclamps an adjacent one of the end caps 23 against planar end walls 37 of the bus and end walls 38 of the outer electrode, thereby to close opposed ends of the annular passageway 29. Suitable sealing gaskets may be positioned between the end caps 23, 23 and the opposed end walls of the bus 22 and the outer electrode 21 to ensure that the annular chamber 29 is sealed against leakage.

It is contemplated by the principles of the present invention to form conduit or passageway means within the bus 22, for directing the electrolytic fluid into and out of the annular passageway 29, arranged and configured in a manner to provide a spiral flow path through the annular passageway, thereby to eliminate eddy currents within the electrolytic fluid as the same passes through the electrolytic cells 14. Inlet conduit means include a short bore or aperture 39 formed in the nipple 26 and extending axially of the outer cylindrical surface 24 and at least one cross bore or aperture 41. As illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of the cross bores 41 may be provided to increase the flow capacity of the electrolytic cell 14. Also, outlet conduit means include an axial bore 42 fonned in the nipple 27 and at least one cross bore 43.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the inlet apertures 41, which are arranged to direct the electrolytic fluid through the annular chamber 29 in a spiral flow path, are particularly characterized as comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in annularly spaced relationship and arranged parallel to annularly spaced radial axes of the cylindrical bus so as to be generally tangent to the axes and transversely offset in similar directions therefrom. Thus, as the electrolytic fluid exiting from ports 46 formed by apertures 41 impinges against the cylindrical wall surface 28, the fluid is circumferentially directed around the annular passageway 29 to form a spiral flow path advancing axially along the annular passageway. In that manner, eddy currents within the electrolytic cell 14 are eliminated, since the fluid impinges against a slanted surface and travels around the annular passageway 29 in one direction instead of in opposite directions whereby the fluid would collide and create eddy currents.

The outlet apertures 43, which are axially spaced downstream of the inlet passageways or apertures 41, also are disposed in an annularly spaced relationship and circumferentially ofiset from radial axes of the cylindrical surface 24 in the same circumferential direction as the offset of the inlet apertures 41, thereby scooping up the spirally flowing electrolytic fluid.

In order to hydraulically connect the electrolytic cell 14 to the hydrauliccircuit 11 so that the cell is electrically insulated from the remainder of the circuit, a connecting member 48, composed of electrically insulative material, is threaded into each of the collars 34 at the inlet end and outlet end of one of the electrolytic cells 14 or a series of the cells. The connecting member 48 may have a partispherical surface as at 49 for cooperating with a complementally formed conical surface as at 51 formed on a coupling member 52. A coupling collar 53 threadingly engages the member 52 in a manner to compress a flared end portion 54 of a pipe 56 between the mating surfaces 49 and 51. The pipe 56 may be suitably attached to one of the manifolds, such as the inlet manifold 18, to form a flow path including a bore 57 of the connecting member 48 for passing the electrolytic fluid through the cells 14. Also, the cells 14 may be hydraulically connected in series arrangement by threadingly engaging the inlet nipple 26 of one of the cells into the coupling collar 34 threaded onto the outlet nipple 27 of an adjacent one of the cells.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolytic cells 14 of the present invention may be utilized in the closed hydraulic circuit 11 in a manner to provide heated electrolytic fluid to the heat exchanger 15, which may be adapted to transfer heat to either a gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as water. One form of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, contemplates forming the heat exchanger means 15 as a finned radiator having coils 58 for receiving the heated electrolytic fluid from the cells 14 via the outlet manifold pipe 19. A fan or blower 59, powered by a suitable electric motor, draws air through the finned radiator 15 and over heat transfer surfaces thereof in a manner to transfer heat from the electrolytic fluid to the air. The radiator or heat exchanging coil 15 is mounted between a pair of spaced, parallel walls 61 and 62 forming an end of an enclosed cabinet housing the hydraulic circuit 1 1.

The heated air drawn into the cabinet 63 by the fan 59 is forced through the substantially rectangular exit opening 64 and into a space or room to be heated. If desired, appropriate ducts may receive the heated air from the exit opening 64 for distribution to remotely located rooms. Thus, the present invention provides a forced air type space heater adapted to convert electrical energy into thenna] energy. Further, the

heating system 10 differs from other heating systems utilizing a radiator and heated fluid, since the system 10 does not require a tank for holding a reservoir of heated liquid. Instead, the electrolytic cells 14 instantaneously heat the electrolytic fluid for distribution to the heat exchanger or radiator 15 only when there is a demand for heated air in the space to be heated.

in order to provide control means for the heating system 10, a suitable thermostatic control may be disposed remotely of the enclosure 63 and in a space to be heated. The thermostat may be electrically controlled to the flow switch 16 via the wires 64 and 66 and with the pump motor 13 via the wires 67 and 68 in a manner to open the flow switch and start operation of the pump whenever there is a demand for heat in an area adjacent the thermostat. Also, the thermostat may actuate contactors for supplying electrical energy to the electrolytic cells 14 via wires as at 69 and 71. The wire 69 is connected to the outer electrode 21, whereas the wire 71 is electrically connected to the inner electrode or bus 22 contained within the outer electrode. In that manner a potential is applied across the electrolytic fluid as the same passes through the annular chamber 29 fonned between the bus 22 and the outer electrode 21 It should be noted that lead lines or wires such as 69 and 71 are provided for each of the electrolytic cells 14 and that the cells are electrically connected in parallel.

- An expansion tank 72 is hydraulically connected to the circuit l 1 via the T connection 73, thereby relieving excess pressure within the hydraulic circuit caused by expansion of the electrolytic fluid, when heated. Also, to prevent excessive heating of the electrolytic fluid, the thermostat l7, sensing a temperature of the electrolytic fluid, is electrically connected via the wires 74 and 76 to an actuator for the contacts which complete a circuit to the cells so that an increase in the temperature of the fluid above a predetermined maximum will break the circuit to the cells. i

In a specific example, a forced air type space heater, as illustrat ed in FIG. 1, incorporated three electrolytic cells hydraulically connected in a parallel arrangement. Each of the cells was dimensioned so that the annular'p'assageway was 0.265 inches in radial width and 1.750 inches in axial length. The pump circulated an average of 9.9 gallons per minute of electrolytic fluid through the system, and the fan pulled approximately 161.7 cubic feet per minute of air across a coil having a face area of 360 square inches. The average current density of the outer electrode of the example was. 1.25 ampheres at 7.4 volts AC.. Thethermal yield was excellent.

It is also contemplated by the present invention to provide a heating system as illustrated in FIG. 2, adapted for transferring thermal energy from the heated electrolytic fluid to a liquid, such as water. The liquid heating system 10, as illustrated in the drawings, is particularly adaptable to heating chlorinated water for a heated swimming pool. I

v In the liquid heating system 10, a heat exchanger adapted for transferring heat to a liquid, is substituted for the finned radiator 15 utilized in the space heater 10. Thus, the hydraulic circuit 11' would be essentially-identicalinconstruction to that already described and like parts are identified with like numerals to which a prime has been added.

The heat exchanger 15' generally comprises a cylindrical outer shell 81 having opposite ends closed by end caps 82. A plurality of thin-walled tubes are-disposed within the shell 81 and extend parallel to an axis thereof. Each of the opposite end portions of the tubes 83 are sealingly secured in perforations 84 formed in a disc member 86. The disc members 86 are spaced inwardly of the end caps82 in a manner to form inlet and outlet chambers communicating'with bores 87 of the tubes 83. Thus, the heated electrolytic fluid is passed into a lower one of the chambers via the pipe 88 and passed upwardly through the tubes for recirculation to the electrolytic cells 14 via the heat exchanger outlet pipe 89.

A liquid to be heated, such as water for a swimming pool, is pumped through the heat exchanger 15' via the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92. The liquid passes through the area between the spaced discs 86, thereby passing over heat transfer surfaces formed by the tubes 83 for transferring the thermal energy from the heated electrolytic fluid to the utilitarian liquid.

From the foregoing description, it should be noted that the present invention provides a heating system wherein an electrolytic fluid of known chemical composition is circulated within a closed hydraulic system including one or more electrolytic cells for applying a potential across the flowing fluid and including heat exchanger means for transferring thermal energyfrom the heated electrolytic fluidto a utilitarian fluid. In operation, the electrolytic cell gradually erodes into the electrolytic fluid and thus converts the latent energy of matter into thermal energy by an apparent electrode chemical process. The extent of this conversion of matter to thermal energy is dependent upon several interrelated factors, which factors consists essentially of temperature of the fluid, chemical composition of the fluid, distance between electrodes of I the cell, material forming the electrodes,'surface area of the electrodes contacting the fluid and current densities of the electrodes. I

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art,- it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluid heating apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic fluid;

a closed hydrolytic circuit having said electrolytic fluid circulated therewithin and including, in series arrangement, a pump for driving such fluid through said circuit;

heating means downstream of said pump and including;

means forming a first electrode having an outer cylindrical surface, and

means fonning a second electrode having an inner cylindrical surface sized relative to said first electrode to cooperate therewith for defining therebetween an elongated annular flow passageway within said circuit for receiving said electrolytic fluid; v 7 7 conduit means formed within said first electrode and having a first portion for delivering said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway and a second portion axially spaced from said first portion for receiving said fluid from said annular passageway; said first conduit portion comprising an aperture opening from one end of said first electrode and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof and at least one annularly spaced aperture intercepting the axially aperture and opening into said annular passageway, said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axis of said first electrode and transversely offset from the radial axis in similar circumferential directions,

- electric power means electrically energizing said electrodes during passage of'electr olytic fluid through said flow passageway to maintain a potential across said fluid, thereby to add thermal energy to said electrolytic fluid;

heat exchange means disposed downstream of said heating means for transferring thermal energy from said electrolytic fluid to a utilitarian fluid; and

means directing and driving the utilitarian fluid over heat transfer surfaces of said heat exchange means for effecting transfer of thermal energy from said heated electrolytic fluid to the utilitarian fluid and directing the utilitarian fluid from the heat exchange to a point of utilization.

2. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conduit portion comprises:

a second aperture opening from the other end of said first electrode and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof, and at least one annularly spaced aperture intercepting said second aperture and opening from said annular passageway, said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axes of said first electrode and transversely oflset from the radial axes in opposing circumferential directions from the offset of said first portion apertures.

3. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrolytic fluid consists essentially of distilled water, copper sulfate and an alkyl aryl sulfonate.

4. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrolytic fluid consists essentially of distilled watc five parts per million of copper sulfate, and three parts per million of an alkyl aryl sulfate.

5. In an electric fluid heating apparatus of the type having an elongated bus fonned with an outer cylindrical surface and an electrodeencircling said bus and having an inner cylindrical surface radially spaced outwardly from said bus cylindrical surface to form an elongated annular flow passageway and conduit means formed within said bus for directing said electrolytic fluid through said annular passageway; improvement comprising in that said conduit means comprises:

a first portion formed in one end of said bus for directing said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway; and a second portion formed in said bus for receiving said electrolytic fluid from said annular passageway and being axially spaced from said first portion; each of said first and second portions being formed at opposite ends of said bus and each comprising: an aperture opening from one of the opposing ends of said bus and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof; and

a plurality of angularly spaced apertures intercepting said axial aperture and opening into said annular passageway,

said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axes of said bus and transversely offset from the radial axes in similar circumferential directions, whereby electrolytic fluid entering said annular flow passageway through said first portion is directed spirally through said flow passageway and into said angularly spaced apertures of said second portion in a manner to eliminate eddy currents within the electrolytic fluid as the same passes through said annular passageway.

I III 'I III

Claims

1. A fluid heating apparatus comprising: an electrolytic fluid; a closed hydRolytic circuit having said electrolytic fluid circulated therewithin and including, in series arrangement, a pump for driving such fluid through said circuit; heating means downstream of said pump and including; means forming a first electrode having an outer cylindrical surface, and means forming a second electrode having an inner cylindrical surface sized relative to said first electrode to cooperate therewith for defining therebetween an elongated annular flow passageway within said circuit for receiving said electrolytic fluid; conduit means formed within said first electrode and having a first portion for delivering said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway and a second portion axially spaced from said first portion for receiving said fluid from said annular passageway; said first conduit portion comprising an aperture opening from one end of said first electrode and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof and at least one annularly spaced aperture intercepting the axially aperture and opening into said annular passageway, said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axis of said first electrode and transversely offset from the radial axis in similar circumferential directions, electric power means electrically energizing said electrodes during passage of electrolytic fluid through said flow passageway to maintain a potential across said fluid, thereby to add thermal energy to said electrolytic fluid; heat exchange means disposed downstream of said heating means for transferring thermal energy from said electrolytic fluid to a utilitarian fluid; and means directing and driving the utilitarian fluid over heat transfer surfaces of said heat exchange means for effecting transfer of thermal energy from said heated electrolytic fluid to the utilitarian fluid and directing the utilitarian fluid from the heat exchange to a point of utilization.

2. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conduit portion comprises: a second aperture opening from the other end of said first electrode and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof, and at least one annularly spaced aperture intercepting said second aperture and opening from said annular passageway, said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axes of said first electrode and transversely offset from the radial axes in opposing circumferential directions from the offset of said first portion apertures.

4. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrolytic fluid consists essentially of distilled water, five parts per million of copper sulfate, and three parts per million of an alkyl aryl sulfate.

5. In an electric fluid heating apparatus of the type having an elongated bus formed with an outer cylindrical surface and an electrode encircling said bus and having an inner cylindrical surface radially spaced outwardly from said bus cylindrical surface to form an elongated annular flow passageway and conduit means formed within said bus for directing said electrolytic fluid through said annular passageway; improvement comprising in that said conduit means comprises: a first portion formed in one end of said bus for directing said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway; and a second portion formed in said bus for receiving said electrolytic fluid from said annular passageway and being axially spaced from said first portion; each of said first and second portions being formed at opposite ends of said bus and each comprising: an aperture opening from one of the opposing ends of said bus and disposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof; and a plurality of angularly spaced apertures intercepting said axial aperture and opening into said annular passageway, said apertures bEing disposed parallel to radial axes of said bus and transversely offset from the radial axes in similar circumferential directions, whereby electrolytic fluid entering said annular flow passageway through said first portion is directed spirally through said flow passageway and into said angularly spaced apertures of said second portion in a manner to eliminate eddy currents within the electrolytic fluid as the same passes through said annular passageway.