WO1998049103A1

WO1998049103A1 - Device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits in pipelines, water systems and equipment connected thereto

Info

Publication number: WO1998049103A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianni Zangrando; Mario Pavanello; Alessandro Feliziani; Luigi Filippo Mehlem
Original assignee: Gianni Zangrando; Mario Pavanello; Alessandro Feliziani; Luigi Filippo Mehlem
Priority date: 1997-04-28
Filing date: 1998-04-27
Publication date: 1998-11-05
Also published as: ITBS970036A0; ITBS970036A1; AU7232798A; IT1298673B1

Abstract

A device is envisioned for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits in pipelines, water systems and equipment connected thereto comprising means for generating magnetic fields (2) acting on a flow of water subjected to treatment and catalysing means (3) constituted at least in part by metal ions and associated to the means for generating magnetic fields (2).

Description

Device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits in pipelines, water systems and equipment connected thereto

Description The present invention relates to a device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits in pipelines, water systems and equipment connected thereto of the type comprising means for generating magnetic fields acting on a flow of water subjected to treatment. As is well known, calcareous incrustations and deposits constitute one of the main problems faced in water pipelines, in plants and in equipment both civil and industrial wherein water flows because they reduce, at times to unacceptable amounts, their operativeness and/or performance.

The phenomenon of calcareous deposits, connected to the hardness of the water, is determined by the transformation of carbonates and chlorides of calcium and magnesium and other salts, normally dissolved in water, into hard crystalline forms, for instance rhombic aragonite, which tend to deposit to a visibly growing extent as water temperature increases, progressively obstructing and fouling pipelines and ducts. To contrast the formation of calcareous deposits, devices and apparatuses based on the treatment of the water by means of magnetic fields are known in the art. Such devices can be electrically powered, i.e. provided with electrical and/or electronic components able to generate high-intensity electromagnetic fields, or without electrical power, i.e. comprising permanent magnets able to produce magnetic fields which also have high intensity. However, the prior art mentioned above has led, in the majority of cases, to eliminate only to a very partial or even nil extent the deposit and incrustation problem and it has in practice caused a widespread lack of confidence in the possibility of an effective use of magnetic fields in this sector of application. Hence, the technical problem of a substantial reduction or elimination of calcareous deposits through the use of devices based on the generation of magnetic fields remains unsolved.

In this situation, the technical task set as the basis of the present invention is to design a device that overcomes the limitations mentioned above and allows to inhibit with the utmost effectiveness and reliability the formation of calcareous incrustations and deposits.

Within the context of said technical task, an important object of the invention is to conceive a device of modest cost which, once installed, does not require any kind of intervention for its operation.

The stated technical task and the specified object are essentially attained by a device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits which is characterised in that it comprises catalysing means constituted at least in part by metal ions, said catalysing means being associated to said means for the generation of magnetic fields in such a way as to be lapped by the flow of water. The description is provided hereafter, by way of indicative and non-limiting example, of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits according to the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the support body of the device;

- Figure 2 shows a section according to plane II-II in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a section according to plane Iϋ-III of the support body in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows a section according to plane IN-IN of the support body in Figure 2;

- Figure 5 shows a section of a second embodiment of the support body of the device;

- Figure 6 shows, in diagram form, a top view of the support body in Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a section according to plane NII-NII in Figure 6; - Figure 8 is a cross section of a variation of the second embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 9 and 10 show two embodiments of catalysing means advantageously usable with a support body as per Figure 5; and - Figure 11 shows in diagram form a line wherein the subject device is employed. With reference to the figures mentioned, the device according to the invention is indicated in its entirety with the number 1 . It comprises means 2 for generating magnetic fields defined by a pair of permanent magnets, plate shaped, able to generate a magnetic field having an intensity of at least 0.35 Tesla.

Originally, to the permanent magnets 2 are associated catalysing means 3 constituted by a material wherein are present at least in part metal ions, and more specifically bi- and trivalent iron ions, able to be lapped by the flow of water whereon the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 2 themselves simultaneously acts.

The device 1 further comprises a support body 4, of essentially tubular shape, suitable for coupling with a pipeline in such a way as to be crossed by the flow of water conveyed therein.

Inside the support body 4 are housed both the catalysing means 3 and the permanent magnets 2. The latter are kept locked in place and mutually distanced by engagement seats 5, defined by longitudinal ribs that expand in diametrically opposite position within the support body 4. In practice, the permanent magnets 2 are forcedly inserted between the ribs 5 and the inner surface 4a of the support body 4.

In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the support body 4 is essentially defined by a length of pipe externally presenting threaded attachments 4b for its engagement at both ends with as may pipelines provided with threads. In a second embodiment, shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the support body 4 presents essentially a container shape with a large opening 4c on a first base and a small opening 4d on a second base. Such conformation is suitable for connections with a pipe of small diameter in correspondence with the opening 4d and with a duct of larger diameter in correspondence with the opening 4c. The catalysing means 3, provided they contain bi- and trivalent ions, can be shaped according to different conformations, also in accordance with the support body 4. For instance, the use can be envisioned of catalysing means 3 comprising two plane bodies 3 a integral with the permanent magnets 2 and interposed between the magnets and the inner surface 4a of the support body 4 (see Figure 2).

Alternatively, the catalysing means 3 can be formed by elements having a large exchange surface, for instance constituted by a porous body 3b presenting a multiplicity of small holes and able to be crossed by the flow of water (see Figure 9).

An additional possibility is to envision a net container 3c wherein is inserted granular material 3d presenting bi- and trivalent iron ions and ale to be crossed by the flow of water (see Figure 10). The latter two embodiments of the catalysing means are to be positioned upstream or downstream of the permanent magnets 2 and they are suitable to be located on the bottom of the support body in its container form (see Figure 7) thereby being locked in place by the insertion of the permanent magnets 2 in the container itself. Advantageously, it is possible to envision devices according to the invention comprising two equal units, similar to those illustrated above, arranged in succession along the flow of water to be treated, for instance downstream of a heater 6 and of a filtering apparatus 7, thereby considerably enhancing the effectiveness of the action contrasting the formation of calcareous deposits by each individual unit. The operation of a device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits, described above in a mainly structural sense, is as follows. Laboratory tests show that the magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets and acting on the flow of water that crosses through the support body 4, in the presence of the catalysing means based on bi- and trivalent iron ions or of ions of other metals lapped by the same flow of water, favour the polymorphic transformations of calcite and aragonite producing or increasing the formation of a monometric isomorph of calcite, thermodynamically unstable, which remains in suspension and does not adhere to the walls of pipes and equipment preventing compact deposits especially on surfaces subject to heating. In practice, the catalysing means modify the ionic structure of the molecules of the calcareous salts present in the water so that they are more receptive to the transforming action of the crystalline structure effected by the magnetic field, with the formation of complex ions aggregated by bi- and trivalent iron ions. The catalytic function is particularly effective thanks to the recycling of the ferrous-ferric ions recaptured by the closed magnetic field which thus acts in a continuous manner, perpendicular to the flow of the treated water without altering its organoleptic qualities. The phenomenon is long lasting in water even at considerable distance from the magnetic field crossed, and it decays very slowly.

It has also been measured experimentally that directly exposing the magnets to temperatures exceeding 400°C permanently prevents them from operating, whereas temperatures of about 120°C reduce their effectiveness by about 20%, but only in a reversible manner.

After passage through the means for the generation of magnetic fields, any increases in the temperature of the water, of whatever extent they may be, do not cause any reduction in the effectiveness of the device.

The invention attains important advantages. First of all, the effectiveness and reliability of the device in the transformation of the crystalline structure of calcite and aragonite and hence in the reduction or elimination of calcareous deposits is independent of the type of water and in particular of its degree of acidity.

Furthermore, the water treated by the device according to the invention maintains all its chemical-physical characteristics unaltered and, unlike the water obtained with apparatuses known as "softeners", remains perfectly potable and suited to current health standards.

Lastly, the device can be applied to water pipes of any material, be it metallic or plastic.

Claims

1. Device for the elimination of calcareous incrustations and deposits, water systems and equipment connected thereto, of the type comprising means for generating magnetic fields (2) acting on a flow of water subjected to treatment, characterised in that it comprises catalysing means (3) constituted at least in part by metal ions, said catalysing means being associated to said means for generating magnetic fields in such a way as to be lapped by the flow of water.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said metal ions are defined at least by bi- and/or trivalent ions.

3. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises an essentially tubular support body (4) able to be coupled to at least one pipeline in such a way as to be crossed by the flow of water conveyed in the pipeline itself and in that said means for generating magnetic fields (2) and said catalysing means are positioned inside said support body (4).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said means for generating magnetic fields (2) are defined by at least one pair of permanent magnets and said support body (4) internally presents engagement seats (5) able to maintain said permanent magnets locked in place and mutually distanced.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that said engagement seats (5) comprise two longitudinal ribs diametrically opposite and said permanent magnets a present plate shape able to be forcedly held between said ribs and the inner surface of said support body.

6. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said magnetic field generators (2) are defined by permanent magnets and said catalysing means (3) are constituted by at least one full body (3a) integral to each of said permanent magnets.

7. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said catalysing means (3) comprise at least one porous body (3b) able to be crossed by the flow of water and positioned in proximity to said means for generating magnetic fields (2).

8. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said catalysing means (3) comprise at least one net container (3c) able to be crossed by the flow of water through granular material (3d) inserted in said container (3c) and presenting said metal ions, said container being positioned in proximity to said means for generating a magnetic field (2).

9. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said support body (4) presents essentially a container conformation provided with openings on opposite bases for the passage of the water flow.

10. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises two essentially equal units arranged in succession along said flow of water subjected to treatment and constituted each by said means for generating magnetic fields (2) and by said catalysing means (3).