WO2005075357A1

WO2005075357A1 - Water treatment apparatus using voltaic cell circuit

Info

Publication number: WO2005075357A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/000210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myung Soo Seo
Original assignee: Redox Co. Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-02-04
Filing date: 2004-02-04
Publication date: 2005-08-18

Abstract

A water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit features sterilization of water flowing in an iron pipe, deodorization, inhibition of generation of rust and scale and removal of generated rust and scale. An electric potential of the iron surface of the pipe which contacts with water is cathodized by an electrochemical reaction of the voltaic cell and far-infrared radiation from a ceramic member comprised in the apparatus, which causes movement between opposite poles, so that the water becomes an unvarying state not to be spoiled for a long time. Also, an electric field is amplified in capacitance of ions which cause a scale phenomenon in the pipe, thereby offsetting an adhesion force of sediments on the internal wall in the pipe to prevent generation of rust and scale, removing generated rust and scale, sterilizing bacteria and removing odor at the same time. Since the water treatment apparatus has the sterilization, purification and deodorization functions, the life span of pipes in buildings or other equipment is expanded, and the administrative cost resulting from maintenance of the pipe for improving the quality of water is reduced.

Description

WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS USING VOLTAIC CELL CIRCUIT

Technical Field The present invention generally relates to a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit, and more specifically, to a water treatment apparatus for purifying water by performing an activation process on water using a infrared radiation ceramic, a sterilization process using generated electricity, a process for preventing generation of rust and scale in a pipe and for removing generated rust and scale and a deodorization process.

Background Art Generally, various metal elements, minerals and gaseous elements are dissolved m water. However, those materials adhere to the inside of a pipe by physical and chemical combination thereof, and prevent water flow and heat transmission of the pipe (water supply pipe) . As a result, additional work for purifying the inside of the pipe is required. Korean Patent No. 0188328 discloses a water treatment apparatus for preventing pipe corrosion and scale generation as an example to solve the above -described problem. In this patent, far-infrared radiation using a voltaic cell and a ceramic is applied to prevent corrosion of the inside of an water flowing iron pipe and generation of scale. Hereinafter, the Korean Patent No. 0188328 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings . Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example of a conventional water treatment apparatus, and Fig 2 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the conventional water treatment apparatus cut by A-A line of Fig. 1. In the conventional water treatment apparatus, a water inlet unit 17 and a water outlet unit 19 are formed at both end portions of the apparatus so that the apparatus may be mter-positioned in a part of an water flowing iron pipe wherein water flows The conventional water treatment apparatus also comprises an water flowing iron pipe 15 having a space of a predetermined size therein, an aluminum alloy zinc bar 3 which is located in the reception space of the water flowing iron pipe 15 and densely wound around the entire outside circumference with an aluminum coil 5, a silver alloy coil 7 wound up with a larger diameter than that of the aluminum alloy zinc bar 3, a voltaic cell including a plurality of voltaic unit cells 9 each consisting of a plurality of ceramic plate units positioned at a predetermined distance on the aluminum alloy zinc bar 3, and an iron perforate box 10 covering the outside surface of the voltaic cell. However, in the above-described apparatus, foreign materials are frequently stuck in perforate covers 6 and 11 positioned at the inlet unit 17 and the outlet unit 19, and wound up at the covers 6 and 11 to clog the pipe. Furthermore, the foreign materials passing through the covers 6 and 11 are stuck in penetrating holes of a perforate box body 4 and wound up around the perforate box body 4, and also in penetrating holes of the ceramic plate member 9, so that the apparatus should be frequently removed after installation. In addition, it is difficult to fix the ceramic plate member 9 and the silver alloy coil 7 in the perforate box body 4, and not easy to fix the silver alloy coil 7 tight. As a result, it is difficult to commercialize the conventional apparatus. Moreover, when water flows in the pipe, the ceramic plate member 9 is out of the perpendicular.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example of a conventional water treatment apparatus. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the conventional water treatment apparatus cut by A-A line of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a Poulbaik Diagram where a thermodynamically stable region on oxidation or reduction of water is represented by a reduction electric potential or a pH. Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating an active state of water. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an enlarged view of the section C of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the water treatment apparatus of Fig. 5 cut by B-B line. Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an enlarged view of the section D of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the water treatment apparatus of Fig. 8 cut by E-E line. Figs. 11 and 12 are photographs that show the inside of the selected pipe after termination of an experimental period in Example 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 13 to 17 are graphs illustrating transition of COD, turbidity, pH, ORP, conductivity in Example 1. Fig. 18 is a photograph showing samples obtained from an aquarium comprising a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a control aquarium which does not comprise the water treatment apparatus .

Detailed Description of the Invention Technical Subject In order to solve the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit for performing an activation process on water by far-infrared radiation emitted from a high-purity ceramic member, a sterilization process on water using electricity generated from a voltaic cell, a prevention process of generating rust and scale in a pipe, a removal process on generated rust and scale and a deodorizing process on water, thereby improving the quality of water.

Technical Solution In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit which comprises: a pipe-type piping housing comprising an intake for receiving water at one side and an outlet for exhausting the water at the other side; a voltaic cell, which comprises at least one or more of a unit cell and a unit cell assembly consisting of a ceramic member which are positioned towards a pivot of the piping housing at its inside and a cathode tube located at the outside of the piping housing, for performing an electrochemical reaction by formation of a voltaic cell circuit, a sterilization process on the water flowed into the piping through far- infrared radiation from the ceramic, a deodorization process and a scale generating prevention process; and a drain unit, which is positioned at the bottom of the piping housing, for exhausting sediments generated in the housing. Here, an electric potential of the iron surface contacting with water is cathodized by an electrochemical reaction due to the configuration of the voltaic cell circuit and far-infrared radiation from the ceramic member, and a functional location of water is changed to have an unvarying state where the water does not corrode the pipe. Additionally, an electric field is constantly amplified in capacitance of ions generating a scale phenomenon in the pipe, thereby offsetting an adhesive force of sediments which affects the inside of the pipe. As a result, the water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention prevents generation of rust and scale in the pipe and removes generates rust and scale. Preferably, the unit cell consists of a ring core of zinc alloy, a silver alloy coil wound around the circumference of the ring core and an aluminum coil, and end portions of the silver alloy coil and the aluminum coil comprised in each unit voltaic cell are penetrated through the ceramic member and accreted through the ceramic member to the cathode tube . Hereinafter, the basic principle of the electrochemical reaction related to water treatment will be described for understanding of the water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, on a basis of kinetics in the electrochemical reaction, when an ion H⁺ increases in an anode depending on electrolysis density, reductive cleavage of H₂0 precedes reduction of the ion H⁺ to generate ions H⁺ and OH^". That is, the reaction of H0 + 2e^~ -> H⁺ + 20H^" occurs. As described above, if the reductive reaction occurs, the concentration of the ion H⁺ increases and a pH increases in a cathode, so that ORP (Oxidation Reduction Electric potential) is cathodized. In the stable field of water, water used as an oxidizer is reduced to H₂, and water used as a reducer is oxidized to 0₂. Molecules that persist in water are required to have reduction electric potentials between limitations corresponding to the two processes. The reduced water is rapidly reduced to H₂, and an oxidizer rapidly oxidizes water to be 0₂, so that the' water does not exist in a liquid state (see Fig. 2) . Since main factors that rust iron are air and moisture in the air, an oxidation-reduction reaction occurs if water contacts with the surface of an iron. OH^" generated in a pole (+) combines with Fe²⁺ of the iron surface to be Fe(OH)₂- The Fe (OH) ₂ combines with air to be Fe(OH)₃, which becomes red rust, Fe₂0₃ and X₂H₂, obtained by melting Fe₂0₃. Fe + H₂0 - 0₂ Fe(OH^") + H₂0 - Fe₂0₃ (corrosion) In order to protect the surface of the iron which contacts with water, a metal surface is cathodized to have a pH ranging from 8 to 10 and an ORP ranging from -400mV to - 800mV using a voltaic cell and an far-infrared ray. Fe₂0₃ -> Fe₃0₄ Generation of rust means accretion of impurities on the metal surface which contacts with water. The above- described reaction of rust generation is regarded as ion- combination by an electric polarity difference of the metal surface with ions including siliciacid, carbonic acid sulfuric acid. For example, an ion group is combined or dissolved depending on a concentration ratio of carbonic acid gas in a combination process of bicarbonate 2 (HC0₃ ^~) in water. 2(HC0₃ ^") + Ca⁺⁺ -> CaC0₃* + H²0 + C0₂τ Fig. 3 is a graph illustrating an active state of water which shows concentration change of C02 depending on THD (Total Hardness) of water. If water is activated (bimolecular recombination is repeated) , the condition of θ l (dissolution) in the graph of

Fig. 3 is shown, and the ion-combination by an electric potential difference is easily performed when the metal surface is (+) and a scale ion is (-) . In general, used water has a pH of about 7, an ORP ranging from 150mV to 300mV, a THD of about 80ppm (service water) and TDS (Total Dissolved Solid) of about 150ppm. If the polarity of the metal surface is changed from (+) to (-), adhesion prevention is facilitated. Here, the polarity is required to have the same mark while the used water where ions each having different electric potentials persist passes through in a water treatment apparatus . Hereinafter, a voltage generation process of a voltaic cell is explained. The voltage is generated ranging from -

400mv to +800mv, and the voltage of 150mv is generated overall, thereby amplifying an electric field in capacitance of an ion which causes a scale phenomenon in the pipe to offset the adhesive force of sediments, prevent generation of rust and scale or remove generated rust and scale. Pole (-) : Zn - Zn²⁺ + 2e^~ EO oxidation = (-)400mv - (-)800mv Pole (+) : Cu²⁺ + 2e^~ - Cu EO reduction = (+)400mv ~ (+) 650mv (overall) : Zn + Cu²⁺ - Zn²⁺ + Cu EO overall = 150mv The generation of scale means accretion of impurities on the metal surface which contacts with water, and also formation of crystalloids on a wall of a pipe by combining minerals and salts of (-) ions which persist in water with (+) ions of the pipe (metal) surface by an electric polarity difference . 2(HC0₃-) + Ca⁺⁺ (or one of Mg⁺⁺, Na⁺⁺, Si0₂) - CaC0₃i + H₂0 + C0₂f Meanwhile, the ORP of water reaches -800mv by the electrochemical reaction of the voltaic cell and the far- infrared radiation from the ceramic member comprised in the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, so that the sterilization process and the deodorization process are performed. However, since microorganisms are perished by an electric potential difference of tens of mv, the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention performs a sterilization process to perish microorganisms to prevent generation of bacteria basically. Also, elements such as NH₃, ammonia nitrogen, H₂S, nitrate are inhibited and sublimated (vaporized) to remove odor. Hereinafter, the water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an enlarged view of the section C of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the water treatment apparatus of Fig. 5 cut by B-B line. Referring to Figs. 5 to 7, the water treatment apparatus 100 using a voltaic cell circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a pipe housing 120 having a path where water flows therein and a voltaic cell 190, which is positioned in the pipe housing 120, for purifying the • flowing water, preventing generation of rust and scale in a pipe and removing generated rust and scale . In the pipe housing 120, flanges 110 are formed at both end portions so that the apparatus may be easily accreted to a random pipe, and a water inlet 111 and a water outlet 113 are formed so that water may flow in and out from one end portion to the other end portion. The pipe housing 120 is shaped with a pipe pattern to have a larger diameter of a predetermined length in the middle portion than that of both end portions. The voltaic cell 190 positioned in the pipe housing 120 comprises at least one or more of unit cell assemblies 170 arranged towards a pivot of the pipe housing 120, and a cathode tube 130 located at the outside of the unit cell assembly 170. The unit cell assembly 170 comprises a unit cell 150 accreted to a ceramic member 160. As shown in Fig. 6, the unit cell 150 comprises a ring core 151 of zinc alloy, a silver alloy coil and an aluminum coil 153 which wind the circumference of the ring core 151. Here, the silver alloy coil 152 and the aluminum coil 153 are a pair which wind up the circumference the ring core 151. For accretion of the ring core 151 and the ceramic member 160 at its outside, screw fixing units 155 are formed at a predetermined interval around the circumference of the ring core 151. The screw fixing unit 155 is a projected member with a predetermined length formed on the outside surface in an outside radius direction, and a spiral is formed on the inside of the screw fixing unit so that accretion of screws is facilitated. When the cathode tube 130 is positioned at the outside of the unit cell 150, and the silver alloy coil 152 and the aluminum coil 153 winding the circumference the ring core 151 are connected to the cathode pipe 130, a cell for constituting one voltaic circuit is obtained. In the above- described configuration of the voltaic circuit, an assumed positive (+) pole is formed at the center of the inner ring core 151, and the cathode tube 130 positioned at the outside of the ring core 151 shows a negative (-) pole. Particularly, when the voltaic cell circuit is formed in water, water located in the stable field is activated, so that its pH and ORP are changed. Referring to Fig. 3 that shows a functional and physical region of water, water moves from a region A to a region B if activation of the water is performed. Here, the region A corresponding to the unit cell 150 shows characteristics of oxidation water to perform a metal removal process, an organic removal process, a surface oxidation prevention and a sterilization process in the water, and the region B corresponding to the cathode tube 130 shows characteristics of reduction water to perform a particle scale removal process and a surface oxidation prevention process. The ceramic member 160 is formed to have a larger diameter than that of the ring core 151 for reception and accretion of the ring-shaped unit cell 150, and is a cylindrical tube having a predetermined width W. In the circumference of the ceramic member 160, a first penetrating hole 163 is formed for screw-combination at a location corresponding to the screw fixing unit 155 of the ring core 151, and a second penetrating hole 166 for providing a path where the coils 152 and 153 wound around the ring core 151 are penetrated through the ceramic member 160 to slip outside . The location of the first penetrating hole 163 can be differentiated depending on the shape of the screw fixing unit 155 positioned in the ring core 151. For example, when the screw fixing unit 155 is installed at an interval of 90° around the circumference of the ring core 151 as shown in the above-described embodiment, the first penetrating hole 163 is formed at the same interval around the circumference of the ceramic member 160, thereby facilitating the accretion. Additionally, the second penetrating hole 166 is formed at a random location away from that of the first penetrating hole 163. Since a plurality of the ceramic members 160 are serially connected towards the pivot direction while the unit cell 150 is internally accreted to each ceramic member 160, an external surface of one side end connection portion 161 is formed to slope downward so that the combination of the adjacent ceramic member may be facilitated. Here, the end connection portion 161 of the ceramic member 160 has its flat external surface and its internal surface whose end portion is internally curved. Meanwhile, the end connection unit 161 of the ceramic member 160 can have an opposite shape where the external surface is projected and the internal surface is flat. The ceramic member 160 generates far- infrared rays to purify water, and deodorizes water. That is, water is an absorber of electric waves having a large contrast of a dielectric constant or relative dielectric constant, and is formed of combination of an oxygen atom (+) and a hydrogen atom (-) . If an electric field is generated, gaseous molecules contained in water are sublimated by strong vibration and kinetic friction between the atoms, and inorganic substances are activated in an exclusive circumstance. When this state continues, cluster between molecules in water becomes stronger, so that the inorganic substances is more activated. That is, increase of carbonic acid gas and concentration (pH) in hydrogen ions is caused. In the above-described embodiment, four unit cell assemblies 170 are serially arranged toward the pivot direction, and the cathode tube 130 is located at its outside. The coils 152 and 153 are penetrated through the second penetrating hole (166 of Fig. 6) of each ceramic member 160 and connected between the cathode tube 130 and each unit cell assembly 170. Specifically, a direction where each of the coils 152 and 153 is penetrated through the second penetrating hole 166 of the ceramic member 160 and fetched toward the cathode tube 130 is configured to be zigzag overall along with the pivot direction, so that accretion of each unit cell assembly 170 and the cathode tube 130 is structurally stabilized. The fetch direction of the coils 152 and 153 in each unit cell assembly 170 is rendered opposite to that of the coils 152 and 153 of the adjacent unit cell assembly 170 so that the fetch of the coils 152 and 153 may be zigzag. That is, since the silver alloy coil 152 and the aluminum coil 153 have a predetermined rigidity, the coils 152 and 153 partially maintains an accretion force between the unit cell assembly 170 and the cathode tube 130 which are connected. An additional fixing member 135 is comprised in the unit cell assembly 170 located at both end portions so that the cathode tube 130 and each unit cell assembly 170 is tightly accreted with each other. Here, an auxiliary support member 136 is attached to the rear of the fixing member 135 so that the accretion of the fixing member 135 may be stabilized. An additional fixing bolt is put and fixed in a penetrating hole 131 formed in the cathode tube 130 for accretion of end portions of the coils 152 and 153 to the cathode tube 130. Instead, the end portions of the coils 152 and 153 can be accreted to the cathode tube 130 by direct welding. The cathode tube 130 located at the outside of a unit cell assembly connector 180 is combined with the internal surface of the pipe housing 120 around both end portions by welding. The welding combination site (121 of Fig. 7) is formed at the outside circumference of the cathode tube 130. Here, a space between the cathode tube 130 and the pipe housing 120 is formed or they are closely adhered without a space depending on an accretion method of those structural members . Meanwhile, in the unit cell assembly 170 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the silver alloy coil 152 having excellent electric conductivity transmits current from an electric cell to the cathode tube 130 having a negative pole. The aluminum coil 153 is cathodized by Al -^ Al⁺³ + 3e^" to prevent corrosion and sludge adhesion of the silver alloy coil 152 and the cell. As a result, the contact between the cell and the coil is kept clear so that current is constantly induced. A drain unit 123 is formed at a lower side of the pipe housing 120 so that sediments generated in the pipe housing 120 may be externally exhausted. Figs. 8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating a water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an enlarged view of the section D of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the cross section of the water treatment apparatus of Fig. 8 cut by E-E line. In the second embodiment, the water treatment apparatus 200 comprises a cathode plate 210 positioned at one side of a unit cell assembly 170'. In the cathode plate 210 which is a circular plate-shaped member, a main penetrating hole 211 having a predetermined size is formed at the internal center, and a plurality of auxiliary penetrating holes 213 each having a smaller size than that of the main penetrating hole 211 are formed on the entire surface of the cathode plate 210. Water flowing along the internal pivot flows smoothly through the main penetrating hole 211, and water dispersed in a pipe housing 120 is smoothly drained through the auxiliary penetrating holes 213. One end portions of a silver alloy coil 152 and an aluminum coil 153 comprised in each unit cell 150 are connected to one side of each cathode plate 210. Referring to Fig. 10, the cathode plate 210 is inserted into the inside of a ceramic member 160, and accreted to the adjacent unit cell assembly 170' in the same way, so that a plurality of the cathode plates 210 are arranged like a partition. The cathode plate 210 can be accreted using an additional fixing member at the outside of the ceramic member 160. Since water runs in a vertical direction against the cathode plate 210, the flowing water becomes cathodized when contacting with the cathode plate 210. When the water passed through the cathode plate 210 runs through a ring core 150 of the unit cell assembly 170' located at the rear, the cathodized water by a virtual positive pole formed at the internal center of the ring core 150 is anodized again, so that water is actively purified due to activation by the alternate cathodization and anodization of flowing water. In the above-described water treatment apparatus 100 or 200, the ceramic member 160 located at the outside of the unit cell 150 as a ceramic member of high purity activates water to promote self-purification of the water and maintains a weak alkali state to make hexagonal water, so that the water is stabilized. Water having a hexagonal water structure has rapid water absorption in the body, and helps promotion of cell generation, thereby benefiting maintenance of human health. Also, weak alkali water is rapidly absorbed in vegetation, infiltration of disease germs is more difficult therein than in general water, and bacteria are sterilized. As a result, plants grow rapidly, bear large fruits, and are strong to damages by blight and harmful insects. In the above-described water treatment apparatus 100 or 200 using a voltaic cell circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, installation and dismantlement of components are easy, the structure of the apparatus is simple, and efficiency of the manufacturing process is improved by miniaturization, thereby reducing the cost. Hereinafter, functional physical properties of water will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a pearl bake process where a thermodynamically stable region on oxidation or reduction of water is represented by a reduction electric potential or a pH . Referring to Fig. 3, a region located between an upper bold line and a lower bold line is thermodynamically stable in water. Specifically, the stabilized region of natural water corresponds to a region between vertical solid lines of pH = 4 and pH = 9. However, regions outside the bold and solid lines are thermodynamically instable and have the following characteristics. That is, if water has an electric potential and a pH corresponding to a top region (region A) above the stable region of water which is the instable region, fine scale is removed and surface oxidation is prevented. On the other hand, if water has an electric potential and a pH corresponding to a bottom region (region B) of the stable region, metals and inorganic substances are removed, the surface oxidation is prevented and bacteria are sterilized. In the embodiment of the present invention, generation of rust and scale in a pipe is prevented and generated rust and scale are also removed by employing the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200 using a voltaic cell circuit which comprises a plurality of the unit cells 150, the ceramic member 160 and the cathode tube 130. First, the process of preventing generation of rust and removing generated rust in the pipe employing the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200 using a voltaic cell circuit is explained. As described above, main factors which generate rust are air and moisture in the air. That is, an oxidation- reduction reaction occurs if water contacts with the surface of an iron. OH^" generated in a pole (+) combines with Fe⁺² on the iron surface to form oxidized iron Fe₂0₃, which is rust . The above process represented by a molecular formula is as follows. Fe -> Fe⁺⁺ + 2e^~ 2H₂0 + 0₂ + 4e^~ - 40H^" Referring the above formula, electrons slipped out of the ionized iron combine with water and oxygen in the pipe housing 5 to generate a hydroxide ion (40H^~) . The iron ion (Fe⁺⁺) combines with the hydroxide ion (40H^") to be Fe(0H)₂, which combines with oxygen to be Fe(0H)₃, which is red rust, Fe₂0₃ (xH₂0) . Finally, since H20 is water, only Fe₂0₃ remains. The rust generated from the pipe is obtained by combination of the hydroxide ion (OH^") and the Fe⁺⁺ ion on the pipe surface . In the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the pipe which contacts with water is cathodized (-) with a pH ranging from 8 to 10 and an ORP ranging from (-400mV) to (- 800mV) by using an electrochemical reaction of the voltaic cell and far-infrared radiation from the ceramic member, thereby preventing combination with the hydroxide ion to inhibit generation of rust. Hereinafter, the functions for preventing generation of rust and scale and removing generated rust and scale in the pipe by employing the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200 using a voltaic cell circuit will be described. Scale generated in the water flowing iron pipe is generated by combination of positive (+) ions of the water flowing iron pipe surface with minerals and salts having negative (-) ions due to the electric polarity difference. In the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200, the iron pip surface is cathodized (-) with a pH ranging from 8 to 10 and an ORP ranging from (-400mV) to (-800mV) by using the voltaic cell 190 which comprises the unit cell 150, the ceramic member 160 and the cathode tube 130. Additionally, an electric field is amplified in capacitance of the negative (-) ions, thereby offsetting adhesion of sediments on the internal wall in the water flowing iron pipe to prevent generation of the scale. Meanwhile, the above cathodization (-) process of the water flowing iron pipe surface using the voltaic cell 190 including the unit cell 150 and the ceramic member 160 comprised in the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200, activation of water (repeated recombination of bimolecules) is performed so as to have a self-purifying capacity. As a result, freshness of the water is kept, and the water is not spoiled for a long time. In the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200, the ORP of the water reaches the maximum (-800mV) by the electrochemical reaction by each unit cell 150 and the far- infrared radiation from the ceramic member 160. However, an electric potential required in the sterilization of microorganisms is only several mV, so that the microorganisms can be sterilized, and furthermore generation of bacteria can be basically prevented. In addition, elements such as NH₃ , ammonia nitrogen, H₂S, nitrate are inhibited and sublimated (vaporized) to remove odor. In the water passed through the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200, microorganisms (E. Coli and bacteria) are scarcely propagated in comparison with water which is not passed through the water treatment apparatus 100 or 200. When the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed in discharged water such as foul water, wasted water and filthy water, the water is deodorized, and Chlorophyat is not generated, thereby reducing additional works such as washing or cleaning of a discharged water tank. The water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail for understanding of usage effects by referring to experimental examples below. Preferred Embodiments [Experimental Example 1] Of two large scale injection cold refrigerators in an injection plant, the water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention was installed in a pipe of one refrigerator, and was not installed in a pipe of the other refrigerator as a control group. Under the same condition for 6 months, the two refrigerators were operated. In order to grasp effects of the installation of the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the preset ^' invention, the following two methods were applied to the experimental example 1. First, a watt-hour meter was attached to each of the selected refrigerators-, thereby measuring the amount of electric power consumed in each refrigerator for 6 months to compare the consumed amount of energy. Second, after 6 months of the experimental period, an internal state in the pipe was photographed with an endoscope, and the state was read by naked eyes to compare the results. Table 1 shows the measurement results of the consumed amount of electric power by checking the watt-hour meter attached to the two refrigerators for the experimental period. <Table 1>

Based on the results shown in Table 1, the effects of the water treatment apparatus are obtained by the following equation. Ml = 6,115,600 (won) - ^' 5 , 475 , 000 (won) = 640,600(won) (saved amount of money) M1/M2 = 640,600 (won) /6, 115,600 (won) => about 11% In the above equation, Ml : a difference in the amount of electric charges consumed between the refrigerator having the water treatment apparatus and the refrigerator for the control group M2 : the total amount of electric charges consumed for 6 months in the refrigerator for the control group As shown in the above equations, the difference (Ml) in the amount of energy usage money consumed in the selected two refrigerators is 640 , 000 (won) , which means that the installation of the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention brings the energy saving effects corresponding to about 11%. Through this result, it is known that rust and scale generated in the pipe are main inhibiting factors to cooling and heating operations in a refrigerator. Figs. 11 and 12 are photographs that^' show the inside of the selected pipe after 6 months of the experimental period in Example 1. Fig. 11 is a photograph showing the inner state in the pipe where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is not installed. Fig. 12 is a photograph showing the inner state in the pipe where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, while rust and scale 310 are formed overall in the pipe where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is not installed, rust and scale are not generated and the clear inner state of the pipe is maintained in the pipe where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. Through the comparison of the above two photographs, the effects on the installation of the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are distinctly shown. The generation of rust in the pipe means corrosion of the pipe, and the expected life span of the pipe is reduced by the generation of rust, so that the cost of maintenance is increased. [Experimental Example 2] Of two aquariums under the same condition, the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention was installed in one aquarium, and was not installed in the other aquarium as a control group (hereinafter, referred to as "controlled aquarium") . In each of the aquariums, general materials required in the aquarium such as the amount of water, sand and water temperature were under the same condition, and also aquarium fishes of the same kind and the same size were used. A measurement method applied to the above experiment was as follows. First, the experimental period was 60 days. Through 6 times based on about 10 days, change in the quality of water like COD, turbidity, conductivity, pH, ORP, the gross amount of nitrate, the gross amount of phosphorus, hardness, chlorophyll and Zn was measured and analyzed to obtain results shown in Table 2. Table 2 shows the results on the items for checking the quality of water at every predetermined period in the two aquariums where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention was installed where was not installed as a control group.

Figs. 13 to 17 are graphs illustrating transition of each of the items on a basis of the results shown in Table 2. Fig. 13 shows the COD change transition, Fig. 4 shows the turbidity change transition, Fig. 15 shows the pH change transition, Fig. 16 shows the ORP change transition, and Fig. 17 shows the conductivity change transition. Referring to Fig. 13, the change of COD increases as time passes by. The increase of COD is caused by feed stuff supplied in the aquarium, bacteria of water, other microorganisms including seaweeds and excretion of fish. It is shown that the COD after 30 days is two times larger in the controlled aquarium than in the aquarium where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. This results shows that the installation of the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of • the present invention reduces concentration of organic substances in the water. Organic and inorganic colloid particles of about less than lμm cause increase of turbidity in a relatively stagnant state like an aquarium. Since the colloid particles which generally have charges have high stability due to their size and charges, they are rarely precipitated. In addition, the colloid particles are divided into a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group depending on affinity with water. In general, inorganic colloid particles have hydrophobic charges, and organic compounds which are shown to be dissolved in water but do not form true solution persist with hydrophilic colloids having weak charges. Materials which cause the increase of turbidity in the aquarium are composite hydrophobic particles, and hydrophilic colloid particles (organic) combine with heavy metal substances to form insoluble salts, which are precipitated and removed. As a result, the turbidity of the aquarium comprising a voltaic cell can be constantly maintained. For the same reason, it is judged that the increase width of the concentration (COD) of organic substances in the water of the aquarium where the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed is low. Referring to Fig. 14, while the turbidity does not show a large transition in the aquarium comprising the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the controlled aquarium shows the similar turbidity to the aquarium comprising the cell at the initial stage of the experiment but shows a remarkable difference after about 15 days . Referring to Fig. 15, while the pH of the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is constantly maintained, the pH of the controlled aquarium gradually increases. Fig. 18 is a photograph showing samples obtained from an aquarium comprising a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a control aquarium which does -not comprise the water treatment apparatus. This increase phenomenon can be explained by change of the final concentration of chlorophyll shown in Table 2. That is, chlorophyll contained in common in all freshwater seaweeds is used as an index of Algae generation. The seaweeds as vegetable water organisms for carbon assimilation are remarkably propagated by proper sunlight, temperature and nutritive salts. The aquariums used in the experiment fit in with the above-described condition. When photosynthesis of the water seaweeds is active, HC0₃ or C0₃, which is an inorganic carbon source, is absorbed to generate OH^", so that the pH of the water increases. As a result, the increase of the pH of the controlled aquarium is caused by increase of seaweeds, but the aquarium comprising the cell has a predetermined pH because generation of seaweeds as a main factor for causing turbidity is inhibited and most generated seaweeds are removed. The measured amounts of the gross nitrogen and the gross phosphorus shown in Table 2 are all high in the controlled aquarium because the controlled aquarium has a strong aerobic atmosphere so that oxidation (particularly, after 20 days) from organic nitrogen and phosphorus which are essential factors of seaweed generation to inorganic nitrogen (NH₄, N0₂, N0₃) and inorganic phosphorus (P0₄) , when compared with characteristics of ORP shown in Fig. 16. Referring to Fig. 17, the electric conductivity comprehensively represents the concentration of ionic solute solids contained in water, and is an index for measuring capacity of solution for flowing current. It is shown that there is no substantial difference in the conductivity between the two aquariums by increase of inorganic pollution materials in the water because soluble organic materials which do not have charges cannot be measured with the conductivity regardless of the amount of the organic materials . Although hardness represented by Ca and Mg of Table 2 is not shown in the graph, the initial concentration is similar to the final concentration in the two aquariums, so that there is no difference in the hardness. The increase of the numerical values is caused by supply of a small amount of elements included in the feed stuff. The concentration of Zn in the water shows a high numerical value measured in the aquarium comprising the water treatment apparatus. However, the concentration is shown lower than expected because the concentration of Zn ions in the water is controlled by formation of insoluble salts by combination of organic colloid particles and Zn ions as described in the turbidity change. The detection of Zn in the controlled aquarium is caused by a small amount of elements . Meanwhile, Fig. 18 is a photograph showing samples obtained from the aquarium comprising a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and from the controlled aquarium which does not comprise the water treatment apparatus. As shown in Fig. 18, although it is shown that there is no difference in the external views of the two aquariums due to seaweeds attached to the walls of the aquariums, the degree in generation of seaweeds is different in the samples obtained from the aquariums. A sensually detected odor is weaker in the aquarium which comprises the water treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention than in the controlled aquarium. The odor is closely related to generation of seaweeds because the seaweeds smell fishy or musty. Table 3 shows a rearing degree of aquarium fishes put in the experimental aquarium according to the embodiment of the present invention. The numerical values marked in the experiment are obtained by measuring sizes of the fishes at the initial stage of the experiment and after 30 days to average them. <Table 3>

Referring to Table 3, although the results cannot be represented in the same light because the intake amount of feeds is differentiated in the initial rearing degree of fishes and kinds of fishes, it is shown that the fishes in the aquarium which comprises the water treatment apparatus grow fast . Industrial Applicability As described above, in the water treatment apparatus using the voltaic cell circuit according to the present invention, the surface of the water flowing iron pipe which contacts with water is cathodized or alkalinized using the voltaic cell comprising a unit cell, a ceramic member and a cathode tube, thereby preventing combination of hydroxide ions with iron ions to inhibit generation of rust. While iron elements in previously generated rust are ionized and separated due to cohesion weakening, a part of the elements is reduced to iron and the other part of the elements is dissolved in water, so that the rust is also gradually removed . In addition, in the water treatment apparatus using the voltaic cell circuit according to the present invention, the surface of the pipe is cathodized using the voltaic cell and the ceramic member, and an electric field is amplified in capacitance of negative ions to basically offset adhesion of sediments on the internal wall of the pipe. Previously generated scale is dissolved by increase of concentration of carbonic gas due to activation of water, and also gradually separated by weakening of the adhesion force due to cathodization and alkalization of the pipe wall, so that the scale is gradually removed. In the cathodization and alkalization process of the metal surface using the voltaic cell and the ceramic member, water is self -purified by the activation of water, which causes additional sterilization to maintain freshness of the water. As a result, the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention is usefully applied to aquariums. In the water treatment apparatus using the voltaic cell circuit according to the present invention, the ORP of the water reaches the maximum of 800mV by the electrochemical reaction of the voltaic cell and far- infrared radiation from the ceramic member, so that generation of bacteria is basically prevented by an electric potential difference with microorganisms that is several mV. As a result, corrosion of the pipe by metabolism of the microorganisms and generation of elements such as NH₃, ammonia nitrogen, H₂S, nitrate are reduced, so that the water is deodorized. Furthermore, the water treatment apparatus having functions such as inhibition of generation of rust and scale, sterilization, purification and deodorization affects water treatment fields and various pipes fields by expansion of life span of pipes in buildings and reduction of administrative expenses resulting from maintenance of the pipes . Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A water treatment apparatus using a voltaic cell circuit, comprising: a pipe-type piping housing comprising an intake for receiving water at one side and an outlet for exhausting the water at the other side; a voltaic cell, which comprises at least one or more of a unit cell and a unit cell assembly consisting of a ceramic member which are positioned towards a pivot of the piping housing at its inside and a cathode tube located at the outside of the piping housing, for performing an electrochemical reaction by formation of a voltaic cell circuit, a sterilization process on the water flowed into the piping through far-infrared radiation from the ceramic, a deodorization process and a scale generating prevention process; and a drain unit, which is positioned at the bottom of the piping housing, for exhausting sediments generated in the housing.

2. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit cell consists of a ring core of zinc alloy, a silver alloy coil wound around the circumference of the ring core and an aluminum coil.

3. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein end portions of the silver alloy coil and the aluminum coil comprised in each unit voltaic cell are accreted through the ceramic member to the cathode tube.

4. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cathode tube is a cylindrical tube having a penetrating hole on the circumference of the entire surface.

5. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cathode plate is positioned at one side in each unit cell and connected to one end portion of the silver alloy coil and the aluminum coil comprised in each unit cell .

6. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cathode plate as a disc-shaped member has a penetrating hole on the center of the inside and one the entire surface, and is ^• connected to one end portion of the silver alloy coil and the aluminum coil of the unit cell at one side of the surface.

7. The water treatment apparatus according to claim

1, wherein the cathode tube is connected to the internal surface of the outside piping housing at both end portions by welding or other accretion units.