WO2018111604A1

WO2018111604A1 - Systems and methods for conditioning and desalinating water

Info

Publication number: WO2018111604A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/064563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven John STRONCZEK; JR. Melvin Hilmar KOTT
Original assignee: Basic Water Solutions, LLC
Priority date: 2016-12-12
Filing date: 2017-12-04
Publication date: 2018-06-21

Abstract

A desalination system including a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device including a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water, a transducer comprising a wire coil positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit, and a controller electrically coupled to the transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to the transducer; and at least one cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, where the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium to provide a desalinated water. A method of desalinating water is also provided.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONDITIONING AND DESALINATING WATER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/433,181 filed on December 12, 2016, and entitled "Systems and Methods for Conditioning and Desalinating Water," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for conditioning water. More specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for desalinating water, and in particular, desalinating water via treatment of the water with an electromagnetic field and ion exchange. Still more specifically, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for desalinating water via treatment of the water to be treated with an electromagnetic field by passage through a conduit surrounded by a transducer, followed by ion exchange of the so conditioned water.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Until now, methods of treating water have used relatively low power level, and as a result, have been unsuccessful at maintaining the water in the altered state effected by the applied power. The water remained in the altered state for several hours, sometimes up to a day or two, but was unstable and return back to its untreated condition. For example, KANGEN WATER produces a conditioned water that may have a shelf life of 4-5 days. Furthermore, traditional methods measure the resulting product in liters per hour and are able to produce only about two liters per hour.

[0002] Past devices have been unsuccessful at producing a stable, conditioned water for two main reasons. First, a relatively low power is applied to the water to reduce the overall power consumption cost. Second, a metallic conductor is the standard device used to apply power to the water, and it is actually immersed in the water in order to excite the water and pass the electricity through it. The result of this method is an unstable conditioned water that does not maintain its altered state and contains leached metal ions. Not only does the treated water dissipate within days, but the treated water also contains added metal ions.

[0003] The amount of power that can be supplied to an electromagnetic water treatment device has been limited. In general, there was no need to apply more power because the goal of producing conditioned drinking water had been reached. Further, a standard 1 10 volt line from the wall was used, and a 220 volt line was undesirable. Still further, the amount of amperage applied is limited because of standard electrical system limits. The addition of too much power was undesirable because the electricity was in direct contact with the water via the conductor. If too much power was directly applied to the water, the water would heat up and vaporize, eventually evaporating entirely.

[0004] Another device for treating water includes a traditional ion exchange water softener, which has several drawbacks including the addition of sodium ions (Na⁺) to the water, the price of materials that must be constantly replenished, the downtime during the regeneration of the media, and the wasting of water. In a traditional water softener, the media in the tank are charged beads, which can usually hold up to about 30,000 grains of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). As the water flows through the softener, the Ca and Mg, and other metal cations present in the water are retained by the media in order to reduce the hardness of the water to essentially zero. Before the media is at capacity, the water softener unit regenerates by adding sodium chloride (NaCI) or potassium chloride (KCI) to the tank in order to cause the media to release the Ca and Mg cations via ion exchange, and the Ca and Mg cations bind with the CI anions to form calcium chloride (CaCI₂) and magnesium chloride (MgCI₂) in order to be expelled from the unit. The media retains the Na (or K) cations from the NaCI (or KCI) and can then receive more hard water. The metal cations in the hard water react with the Na or K cations on the media, thereby causing the simultaneous release of the Na or K cations from the media and the retention of the Mg and Ca cations. Once the media are almost at capacity again, the unit must repeat the regeneration process. The final product is water with an increased level of Na but substantially no (or minimal) Ca or Mg cations, which causes it to be softened. Water with even small levels of sodium can have adverse effects on cooking, the taste of drinking water, and the efficacy of landscaping.

[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for improved systems and methods of providing conditioned and desalinated water.

SUMMARY

[0006] Herein disclosed is desalination system comprising: a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water; a transducer comprising a wire coil positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit; and a controller electrically coupled to the transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to the transducer; and at least one cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water. In embodiments, the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium comprises a low or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom.

[0007] In embodiments, the ion exchanger comprises microbeads. In embodiments, the microbeads have a diameter in the range of from about 16 to about 50 mesh, from about 20 to about 50 mesh, or from about 40 to about 50 mesh. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a support selected from the group consisting of zeolites, resins, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium. In embodiments, the desalination system comprises at least two cation exchangers fluidly coupled with the treatment device, such that a second of the at least two cation exchangers can be placed online while a first of the at least two cation exchangers is taken offline.

[0008] In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a sensor configured to measure a salinity of the desalinated water, and a controller operable to, when the salinity of the desalinated water is above a desired threshold indicating that the online cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, place the offline cation exchanger online and initiate regeneration of the saturated cation exchanger. In embodiments, the method further comprises a recycle line configured to reintroduce at least a portion of the desalinated water to the at least one cation exchanger, whereby the desalinated water introduced thereto can be further desalinated.

[0009] In embodiments, the treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about 180 gauss.

[0010] In embodiments, the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz. In embodiments, the desalination system is operable to reduce at least one parameter of the water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80%.

[0011] In embodiments, the conduit comprises a plastic. In embodiments, the conduit comprises a non-ferromagnetic material. In embodiments, the conduit is formed from copper, aluminum, non-ferromagnetic stainless steel, any alloy thereof, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, the conduit comprises an electrically insulating coating, and the electrically insulating coating is disposed between an outer surface of the conduit and the wire coil. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a power supply coupled to the controller, wherein the power supply is configured to provide an alternating current supply between about 12 V AC and about 480 V AC.

[0012] In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a recycle line, wherein the recycle line provides fluid communication between an outlet of the conduit downstream of the transducer and an inlet of the conduit upstream of the transducer. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises an insulated enclosure, wherein the conduit and the transducer are disposed within the insulated enclosure, and wherein a size of wire in the wire coil is configured to generate heat in response to the alternating current being provided to the transducer.

[0013] In embodiments, the wire coil comprises a single layer of windings about the conduit. In embodiments, the wire coil comprises a plurality of layers of windings about the conduit. In embodiments, the plurality of layers are disposed in a random winding pattern. In embodiments, the controller comprises a capacitor, the capacitor and the transducer form a tuned loop, and the controller is configured to provide the alternating current to the transducer at a resonance frequency. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a turbulence inducing structure disposed within the conduit. In embodiments, the turbulence inducing device comprises an insert within the conduit having a helical shape. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a flow switch, wherein the flow switch is configured to provide an indication to the controller when water is not flowing through the conduit. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the transducer and in signal communication with the controller, and the controller is further configured to prevent the alternating current from being provided to the transducer when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold.

[0014] Also disclosed herein is a desalination system comprising: a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water; a multi-section transducer comprising a plurality of wire coils positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit, wherein the plurality of wire coils are connected in series; and a controller electrically coupled to the multi-section transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils; and a cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water. In embodiments, the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium comprises a low or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom.

[0015] In embodiments, the ion exchanger comprises microbeads. In embodiments, the microbeads have a diameter in the range of from about 16 to about 50 mesh, from about 20 to about 50 mesh, or from about 40 to about 50 mesh. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a support selected from the group consisting of zeolites, resins, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium. In embodiments, the desalination system comprises at least two cation exchangers fluidly coupled with the treatment device, such that a second of the at least two cation exchangers can be placed online while a first of the at least two cation exchangers is taken offline.

[0016] In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a sensor configured to measure a salinity of the desalinated water, and a controller operable to, when the salinity of the desalinated water is above a desired threshold indicating that the online cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, place the offline cation exchanger online and initiate regeneration of the saturated cation exchanger. In embodiments, the desalination system further comprises a recycle line configured to reintroduce at least a portion of the desalinated water to the at least one cation exchanger, whereby the desalinated water introduced thereto can be further desalinated. In embodiments, the treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about 180 gauss. In embodiments, the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz. In embodiments, the desalination system is operable to reduce at least one parameter of the water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80%. In embodiments, the multi-section transducer comprises between 2 and 10 wire coils. In embodiments, the controller is configured to provide between about 20 V AC and about 80 V AC to each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils. In embodiments, the conduit comprises no or at least one bend between each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils.

[0017] Also disclosed herein is a method of desalinating water, the method comprising: passing inlet water through a conduit while passing an alternating electrical current through a transducer comprising a wire coil disposed about at least a portion of the conduit; and generating a varying electromagnetic field within the conduit in response to the passing of the alternating electrical current through the transducer, thus subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit to produce a conditioned water, wherein the conditioned water has at least one property that is different from that of the inlet water; and subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange to produce a desalinated water. In embodiments, subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange further comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom. In embodiments, the cation other than sodium has a charge of at least

+2. In embodiments, the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto. In embodiments, the method further comprises washing the cation exchange medium with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto, until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom, such that the cation exchange medium comprises a low or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto.

[0018] In embodiments, the cation exchange medium comprises microbeads. In embodiments, the microbeads have a diameter in the range of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm, from about 16 to about 50 mesh, from about 20 to about 50 mesh, or from about 40 to about 50 mesh. In embodiments, ion exchange medium comprises a support selected from the group consisting of zeolites, resins, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium. In embodiments, subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange further comprises running the conditioned water through a first cation exchanger until the first cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, and then placing a second cation exchanger online and the saturated cation exchanger offline. In embodiments, the method further comprises regenerating the sodium- saturated cation exchanger. In embodiments, regenerating comprises running water comprising the cation other than sodium through the saturated cation exchanger until the amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom remains substantially constant. In embodiments, the method further comprises subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange, until a desired level of salinity is achieved. In embodiments, subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom, and subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange further comprises introducing the desalinated water back through the cation exchanger or another cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium.

[0019] In embodiments, subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit comprises subjecting the inlet water to a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about 180 gauss. In embodiments, the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz. In embodiments, the method is operable to reduce at least one parameter of the inlet water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 50, 60, 70, or 80%.

[0020] In embodiments, the conduit comprises a non-ferromagnetic material. In embodiments, the conduit comprises a metal, and the method further comprises: generating heat while subjecting the water to the varying electromagnetic field; and conducting the heat into the water through the conduit. In embodiments, the alternating electrical current is provided at a voltage between about 12 V AC and about 480 V AC. In embodiments, the alternating electrical current is provided at a frequency between about 10 Hz and about 200 kHz. In embodiments, the alternating electrical current provides between about 10 watts to about 10 kilowatts to the water. In embodiments, the method further comprises heating the inlet water within the transducer. In embodiments, the conditioned water is at least about 5°C warmer than the inlet water.

[0021] In embodiments, the alternating electrical current is in electrical communication with a capacitor, and the transducer and the capacitor are operated as a tuned loop at a resonant frequency. In embodiments, the conditioned water has a pH at least about 0.1 pH units higher than the inlet water. In embodiments, the conditioned water has a TDS content at least about 10% lower than the inlet water. In embodiments, the conditioned water has a hardness at least about 20% lower than the inlet water. In embodiments, the conditioned water has an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at least about 20 mV lower than the inlet water. In embodiments, the method further comprises forming a precipitate in response to changing the at least one property of the inlet water. In embodiments, the method further comprises recycling the conditioned water to the inlet of the conduit one or more times prior to subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange.

[0022] These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

[0023] Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and advantages intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic water treatment device for use in a conditioning and desalination system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic water treatment device for use in a conditioning and desalination system according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic water treatment device for use in a conditioning and desalination system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic process flow diagram showing a recycle loop used in an electromagnetic water treatment device for use in a conditioning and desalinating system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a turbulence inducing device for use with an embodiment of the electromagnetic water treatment device;

[0030] FIGS. 6A-6C schematically illustrate different winding patterns for embodiments of a transducer;

[0031] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a controller that can be used with an embodiment of the electromagnetic water treatment device;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a high power, high throughput electromagnetic water treatment device according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a conditioning and desalination system according to an embodiment of this disclosure; and

[0034] FIG. 10 is a bar graph presenting data of Example 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments.

However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. [0036] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0037] In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to... ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms "radial" and "radially" generally mean perpendicular to the central axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis.

[0038] Embodiments described herein relate to a method and a system for conditioning and desalinating water. Specifically, an electric field is applied to water using a powerful current that flows through one or more coils wrapped around the pipe through which the water flows, providing a conditioned (or 'activated') water, and the conditioned water is subjected to ion exchange to provide a desalinated water.

[0039] Disclosed herein are water conditioning and desalinating systems and methods suitable for treating water having dissolved components such as minerals, carbon dioxide, and the like therein. The treatment of the water using an electromagnetic field may result in a portion of the components dissolved in the water to precipitate, thereby improving the overall properties of the water. The treatment of the water using an electromagnetic field can use a transducer disposed externally to a conduit and an alternating electromagnetic field can be passed through the transducer. The varying electromagnetic field can result in an alternative electrical current and magnetic field flowing through the water in the conduit. In this configuration, the water acts as a conductor so that the system obeys Faraday's Law. Embodiments described herein have several advantages over past methods and devices for producing conditioned, or softened, water. For example, the instant invention can produce a stable product that can remain stable for over 18 months at a production rate of up to hundreds of gallons per minute. The process also does not add material to the water product, whether via metal ions from a direct contact conductor or sodium from an ion exchange water softener.

[0040] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electromagnetic water treatment (or 'conditioning') apparatus suitable for use in a conditioning and desalinating system (sometimes referred to herein as simply a 'desalinating' system) according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As illustrated, the electromagnetic treatment system 100 can comprise a controller 102 coupled to an electric inlet line 104. The controller 102 is electrically coupled to the transducer 106, which is wrapped around the conduit 108.

[0041] The controller 102 can provide an alternating current (AC) power source to a transducer 106 wrapped around a conduit 108. The current passing through the transducer 106 can generate an alternating electromagnetic field within the transducer 106, which is incident upon the water passing through the conduit 108. Specifically, the water is subject to the effects of the electromagnetic field generated within the transducer 106 as the water flows through the conduit 108 within the transducer 106.

[0042] In general, the conduit 108 serves to retain the water and may support the transducer during use. The conduit 108 can have a circular cross section, though any cross-section can be used such as, without limitation, square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or the like. The length of the conduit 108 may be selected to provide a suitable distance to accommodate the length of the transducer 106. The conduit 108 may have one or more turns or bends, which may help provide a compact device while providing a suitable length for the transducer 106.

[0043] The conduit 108 can be made of any material suitable to contain the water and withstand electricity applied to it. For example, a plastic, such as PVC, can be used to form the conduit 108. A plastic may be useful as it is both relatively inexpensive and electrically insulating. In some embodiments, a non-ferromagnetic material can be used to form the conduit 108. Suitable non-ferromagnetic materials can include, but are not limited to, copper, aluminum, non-ferromagnetic stainless steel, any alloy thereof, and any combination thereof.

[0044] During use, the transducer 106 can produce heat as a result of the current passing through the transducer 106. The selection of the material used for form the conduit 108 may be based on the desire to conduct the produced heat into the water. A metallic material such as copper, stainless steel, or aluminum can have a higher thermal conductivity than a plastic, and therefore may be used when heat generation is an issue.

[0045] The diameter of the conduit 108 can vary based on the use of the device. For example, a larger diameter may be used when larger water throughputs are needed. In an embodiment, the diameter of the conduit 108 may be greater than about 0.1 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, greater than about 1 inch, greater than about 1 .5 inches, greater than about 2 inches, greater than about 3 inches, greater than about 4 inches, greater than about 5 inches, greater than about 6 inches, greater than about 10 inches, greater than about 12 inches, or greater than about 18 inches. In an embodiment, the diameter of the conduit 108 may be less than about 36 inches, less than about 30 inches, less than about 24 inches, less than about 20 inches, less than about 18 inches, less than about 16 inches, less than about 14 inches, less than about 12 inches, less than about 1 0 inches, less than about 8 inches, or less than about 6 inches. The diameter of the conduit 108 may be selected between any of the lower diameter values and the upper diameter values.

[0046] In some embodiments, the conduit 1 08 can comprise an electrically insulating coating to reduce any electrical coupling between the transducer 106 and the conduit 108. The coating can comprise a polymeric or dielectric material that is nonmagnetic (e.g. , non-ferromagnetic). In an embodiment, the electrical coating can comprise a spray-on coating, such as, without limitation, a polyurethane or enamel coating. Other insulating materials such as a varnish (e.g. GE Glyptal, etc.) can also be used. If an electrical coating is present on the wire, the electrical coating on the conduit may not be present or may have a reduced thickness.

[0047] In an embodiment, the transducer 106 comprises a wire wound around a length of the conduit 108. Each end of the wire can be coupled to the controller 102 to receive the AC current. The length, both straight and coiled, and gauge of the wire may be determined by the electric field required of the transducer that is necessary to alter the water that flows through the pipe. Different gauges of wire can be used to form the transducer 106. In general, the larger the diameter of the wire (e.g., the smaller the gauge), the larger the current that can flow through the wire without producing excess heat.

[0048] In general, the wire used to form the transducer 106 can be formed of any electrically conductive material. In embodiments, the wire can be formed from copper, aluminum, steel, or any other suitable electrical conductor. The resistance of the material may be taken into account in determining the selection of the wire. Aluminum wire, which is commonly used in electrical trades today, has a higher resistance than copper, which can lead to more heat being developed for the same gauge of wire as compared to a copper wire.

[0049] In general, the length and gauge of the wire are selected to provide a desired resistance, and therefore current, through the transducer. The gauge of the wire may also affect the amount of heat generated, and a sufficient thickness can be selected to reduce the heat generation below a defined limit. The gauge and the length are interrelated to produce the desired resistance. Once the gauge is selected based on the throughput requirements, the length can be calculated to provide the desired resistance. The resulting length of the wire can then be wound around conduit 108, which can determine the length of transducer 106.

[0050] The amount of the conduit 108 that is covered by the transducer 106 is not critical, as long as the length of the conduit 108 covered is sufficient to provide a threshold residence time of the water in the electromagnetic field. This length may be based on the flow rate of the water and the strength of the electromagnetic field.

[0051] In an embodiment, the water velocity through the conduit 108 may affect the total time that the water is within the electromagnetic water treatment zone. The water velocity may be low enough to allow the water to be treated and achieve a desired change in one or more of the water properties, as described in more detail hereinbelow. In an embodiment, the velocity of the water may be maintained below about 10 ft/s, below about 9 ft/s, below about 8 ft/s, below about 7 ft/s, below about 6 ft/s, or below about 5 ft/s. The water velocity can also be expressed as a flow rate for a given conduit diameter. For example, the water flow rate may be less than about 15 gallons per minute in a 1 " pipe (e.g., having a velocity below about 6 ft/s), below about 200 gallons per minute in a 4" pipe (e.g., having a velocity below about 5 ft/s), or below about 600 gallons per minute in an 8" pipe (e.g., having a velocity below about 4 ft/s).

[0052] The use of the transducer may create an alternating electromagnetic field within the conduit 108. The components of the field strength are interrelated and can be measured separately. In embodiments, a magnetic component of the field strength can be at least about 20 gauss, at least about 100 gauss, at least about 500 gauss, at least about 1000 gauss, or at least about 1200 gauss, where the magnetic field strength may be selected at least in part based on the alternating current frequency. For example, a 30 gauss field intensity may be effective at a frequency of about 2500 hertz, and a 1200 gauss field intensity may be effective at a frequency of 60 hertz. In an embodiment, the product of the field strength and frequency may be at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz.

[0053] The controller 102 serves to provide electrical power to the transducer 106 at a desired voltage, frequency, and waveform. The voltage supplied to the transducer 106 may vary depending on the specific application, and can be based on the expected flow rate of the water and/or the amount of change desired in the water. A voltage supply between about 12 V AC and about 480 V AC can be used. In an embodiment, the voltage applied to the transducer 106 may be between about 1 10 V AC and about 480 V AC.

[0054] The controller 102 may serve as a pass through of the electrical current received from the power source 104 to the transducer 106. In an embodiment, regular power line current corresponding to 120 V AC, 60 Hz power can be passed directly to the transducer 106. In some embodiments, 240 V AC, 60 Hz and/or 480 V AC, 60 Hz power can be supplied to the transducer, where the use of three-phase power supplies is described in more detail hereinbelow. As described in more detail hereinbelow, in embodiments, the controller 102 can comprise a transformer to provide a specified voltage output, a frequency generator to provide a desired frequency, and/or a waveform generator to produce a desired waveform (e.g. , a square wave, sinusoidal wave, triangle wave, etc.).

[0055] The voltage applied across the transducer 106 can be determined by the power source 104 and/or can be selected based on the voltage needed to produce the desired power throughput. The resulting combination of the applied voltage, wire gauge, and wire length may be used to calculate a current throughput. The various parameters can be varied to provide a desired electromagnetic field strength within the water in the conduit 1 10.

[0056] In embodiments, the frequency of the current applied to the transducer 106 may be varied to provide the alternating electromagnetic field. In an embodiment, the frequency of the electromagnetic current can vary between about 10 Hz and about 200 kHz, or between about 50 Hz and about 30 kHz. Alternating current frequencies between about 60 Hz and 30 kHz were tested. Since the results did not change significantly, a frequency of about 60 Hz may be used in some embodiments based on simplicity. In an embodiment, the frequency may be substantially constant during use.

[0057] The frequency of the alternating electromagnetic current applied to the transducer 106 can be maintained at a constant frequency during the treatment process, or it can be varied. When the frequency is varied, the frequency can range between about 10 Hz and about 200 kHz over a time period of about 0.5 seconds to about 30 seconds. The frequency can rise and then fall in a steady pattern, rise and then reset to the lower value, or vary over any other suitable pattern. In an embodiment, the frequency can rise from about 30 Hz to about 30 kHz over a period between about 1 second and 10 seconds, and then fall back to 30 Hz over a similar time period.

[0058] The power level applied to the transducer 106 affects the amount of change in the conditioned water product. In an embodiment, as the amount of power applied to the transducer 106 increases, so does the change in the parameters of the conditioned water. The transducer 106 may be capable of accepting a power level ranging from about 1 watt to about 10 kilowatt. The amount of power applied to the transducer 106 can be varied based on the treatment application, including the number of anticipated passes through the device 100, the water flow rate, and the like. For example, an agricultural or landscape application may require about 500 watts. A larger scale application could require several kilowatts or more.

[0059] In general, the electromagnetic water treatment device 100 can be used to treat any fluid comprising ions, salts, polar molecules or the like that can be affected by the varying electromagnetic field. The fluid can comprise an aqueous fluid that comprises water and one or more dissolved compounds. In an embodiment, the aqueous fluid comprises water and dissolved minerals and gases of the type generally found in water supplies. While the aqueous fluid contains more than just water, the fluid can be referred to herein as "water" for purposes of this application.

[0060] The electric current applied to the transducer 106 results in an applied electromagnetic field in the water 1 10 that can alter the oxidation reduction potential (ORP), the total dissolved solids (TDS), the pH, the water hardness, and/or the electric conductivity (EC) of the water. Generally, properties of water, such as physical and/or chemical properties, are defined by composition and/or molecular interactions between any components present in water. For purposes of the disclosure herein, the water that is subjected to a method of water treatment as disclosed herein will be referred to as 'water,'; the water obtained as a result of a first stage electromagnetic water treatment comprising exposure to an electromagnetic field will be referred to as 'conditioned,' 'treated', or 'activated' water; and the water obtained via a second stage comprising subjecting the conditioned water to ion exchange will be referred to herein as a 'product', 'conditioned and desalinated' or simply a 'desalinated' water. Although the ion exchange can serve to further condition the electromagnetically-treated water, and the electromagnetic treatment may serve to remove salt from the inlet water, the electromagnetic treatment is referred to herein as 'conditioning' and the ion exchange as 'desalinating'.

[0061] In an embodiment, the water can comprise any suitable water source. Nonlimiting examples of water suitable for producing conditioned water as disclosed herein include fresh water, ground water, tap water, potable water, non-potable water, well water, waste water, recycled water, reclaimed water, greywater, irrigation water, industrial water, fracking water, and the like, or a combination thereof. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, the water can have a different composition, depending on the source. The water used with the system 100 contains water molecules and various dissolved solids and/or ions. In general, the use of pure water without any dissolved ions may not interact with the produced electromagnetic field to exhibit any change in the properties of the water. The water to be conditioned and desalinated as per this disclosure can generally comprise water molecules (e.g., undissociated water molecules), water molecules dissociated into hydronium ions (H₃0⁺) and hydroxyl ions (HO^"), dissolved solids, dissolved minerals, dissolved ions, dissolved cations (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Fe²⁺, etc.), dissolved anions (e.g., CI^", HCOY, CO3^2", S0₄ ^2", etc.), dissolved gases (e.g., 0₂, C0₂, H₂CO₃, etc.), and the like. [0062] Generally, most properties that are unique to water (as opposed to other solvents), such as density, boiling point, melting point, etc., arise from the presence of hydrogen bonding between water molecules. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, liquid water contains one of the densest hydrogen bondings of any solvent, having almost as many hydrogen bonds as there are covalent bonds. Without wishing to be limited by theory, water molecules (e.g., undissociated water molecules) can form a cluster with a tetrahedral structure (e.g., water molecules can cluster in groups) comprising five or more water molecules, wherein a water molecule can be located in the center of the tetrahedral structure (e.g., tetrahedron), surrounded by and hydrogen bonded to four other water molecules located in the corners of the tetrahedral structure. Further, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, hydrogen boding in water can rapidly rearrange in response to changing conditions and environments, such as for example solutes (e.g., dissolved solids, dissolved minerals, dissolved ions, dissolved cations, dissolved anions, dissolved gases, etc.).

[0063] For example, carbon dioxide (C0₂) is soluble in water, although it doesn't have a dipole moment and it is a rather large molecule when compared to the water molecule, and such solubility can be attributed in part to hydrogen bonding between the oxygen atoms in CO2 and water molecules. Atmospheric CO2 (wherein CO2 is in gas (g) phase) can dissolve in water (wherein C0₂ is in aqueous (aq) phase), as represented by equation (1 ):

C0₂(g) + H₂0— C0₂(aq) (1 )

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, the equilibrium depicted in equation (1 ) can be shifted in either direction based on temperature, pressure, composition of water, etc. For example, if the

C02(aq) is used in a reaction in water (such as depicted by equation (2), for example), then the equilibrium depicted in equation (1 ) can shift to the right, and more C0_2(g) can be solvated and enter the aqueous phase, becoming C0_2(aq). Further, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, gases have a higher solubility in water at lower temperatures, and increasing the temperature of water can shift the equilibrium depicted in equation (1 ) to the left, by causing the C0₂ to exit the water into the gas phase (e.g., air, atmosphere, etc.).

C0₂(aq) can react with water to form carbonic acid (H₂COs) according to equation (2):

H₂C0₃ is soluble in water and it forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules both through its hydrogen atoms and its oxygen atoms. H₂C0₃ ionizes in water in two steps, by forming the bicarbonate anion (HC0₃ ^") according to equation (3) in a first step, and the carbonate anion (CO₃ ^2") according to equation (4) in a second step:

H2CO3 + H₂0— H₃0⁺ + HCO3^" (3) HCO3^" + H₂0 · - H₃0⁺ + C0₃ ^2" (4) Dissolution of C0₂ in water decreases the pH (e.g., increases the acidity) of the water by generating hydronium ions (H₃0⁺) according to equations (3) and (4). Without wishing to be limited by theory, H₃0⁺ can be positioned in the middle of a water cluster comprising 20 water molecules (e.g., dodecahedron), forming a "magic number cluster" H₃0⁺(H₂0)2o, wherein H₃0⁺ forms hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water molecules, and wherein such surrounding water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other.

[0064] Generally, dissolved cations have more than one hydration shell, such as a primary hydration shell, a secondary hydration shell, a tertiary hydration shell, etc. A hydration shell or hydration sphere is a special case of a solvation shell, wherein the solvent is water, and it refers to the arrangement of water molecules surrounding an ion (e.g., cation) in an aqueous solution (e.g., water). Generally, water molecules form a sphere (e.g., hydration shell or hydration sphere) around a metal ion. The electronegative oxygen atom of the water molecules of the hydration shell is attracted electrostatically to the positive charge of the metal ion, thereby resulting is a solvation shell of water molecules that surround the metal ion. The hydration shell can be several water molecules thick (e.g., primary hydration shell, a secondary hydration shell, a tertiary hydration shell, etc.), depending upon the charge of the metal ion. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, the larger the charge of the metal ion, the more water molecules will be present in the hydration shell of that particular metal ion. Water clustering

(e.g., hydration shell formation) around cations (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Fe²⁺, as well as cations of trace elements, etc.) allows for the retention of such cations in water (e.g., aqueous solution). Without wishing to be limited by theory, a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) has at least six water molecules in a first hydration shell, and at least about 9-10 water molecules in a second hydration shell. Further, without wishing to be limited by theory, the water molecules in the first hydration shell can be attracted electrostatically to Ca²⁺, due to their dipole moment, and can coordinate directly to Ca , while the water molecules in the second hydration shell are hydrogen bonded to the water molecules of the first hydration shell. Similarly, a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) has six water molecules in a first hydration shell, and twelve water molecules in a second hydration shell. The water molecules in the first hydration shell can be attracted electrostatically to Mg²⁺, due to their dipole moment, and can coordinate directly to Mg²⁺, while the water molecules in the second hydration shell are hydrogen bonded to the water molecules of the first hydration shell.

[0065] This chemistry can help to explain the interactions between the electromagnetic field produced by the transducer 106 and the water in the conduit 108. In an embodiment, water can comprise water clusters, wherein the water clusters can form around and stabilize solutes (e.g., dissolved solids, dissolved minerals, dissolved ions, dissolved cations, dissolved anions, dissolved gases, etc.). The water clusters of the water can be characterized by an average water cluster size. Generally, the average water cluster size refers to an average size of the water clusters present in the water, wherein the water clusters are present due to H₃0⁺ (e.g., magic number clusters H₃0⁺(H₂0)₂o), dissolved or solvated cations (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Fe², etc.) clusters, etc.

[0066] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water pH. Generally, the pH of water (or aqueous solution) is a measure of the hydrogen ion content of the water. The lower the pH value, the more acidic the water (or aqueous solution); and the higher the pH, the more basic the water (or aqueous solution). In some embodiments, the water entering the system can be characterized by a lower pH of from about 7.0 to an upper pH of about 8.2, of about 8.0, of about 7.8, of about 7.6, of about 7.4, or of about 7.2. Thus, the inlet water can have a range between about 7.0 and any of the upper pH values.

[0067] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water total dissolved solids (TDS). Generally, TDS is a measure of a combined content of mobile charged ions, including minerals, salts or metals dissolved in a given volume of water, and can be expressed in units of mass (mg) per unit volume (L) of water (mg/L), which can also be referred to as parts per million (ppm). TDS can comprise inorganic salts

(e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, etc.). TDS in water can originate from natural sources (e.g., natural environmental features such as mineral springs, carbonate deposits, salt deposits, sea water intrusion, etc.), sewage, urban run-off, industrial wastewater, chemicals used in water treatment processes, the nature of piping or hardware used to convey the water (e.g., plumbing), and the like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water TDS of greater than about 280 mg/L, greater than about 300 mg/L, greater than about 400 mg/L, greater than about 500 mg/L, greater than about 600 mg/L, or greater than about 700 mg/L. In some embodiments, the upper limit on the TDS content may be at or near saturation, which can depend on the specific composition of the compound or compounds dissolved in the water and the temperature and pressure of the water. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water TDS of less than about 1800 mg/L, less than about 1500 mg/L, less than about 1200 mg/L, less than about 1000 mg/L, less than about 800 mg/L, or less than about 700 mg/L. The water TDS can vary between any of the lower values to any of the upper values.

[0068] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water hardness. Generally, hardness is a measure of a dissolved multivalent cations (i.e., with a charge of equal to or greater than 2) in a given volume of water, and can be expressed in mg/L or ppm. Water hardness can also be commonly expressed in grains of hardness, wherein 1 grain of hardness = 17.1 mg/L. The primary contributors to water hardness are calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and magnesium ions (Mg²⁺); however, other cations, such as for example ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) and manganese ions (Mn²⁺), can also contribute to water hardness, based on their concentration and/or presence in the water. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water hardness greater than about 200 mg/L, greater than about 250 mg/L, greater than about 300 mg/L, greater than about 350 mg/L, or greater than about 400 mg/L. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water hardness of less than about 1800 mg/L, less than about 1500 mg/L, less than about 1200 mg/L, or less than about 1000 mg/L. The hardness of the water can vary between any of the lower values to any of the upper values.

[0069] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water oxidation reduction potential (ORP). Generally, ORP is a measure of water's ability to either release or accept electrons from chemical reactions, and it is commonly expressed in mV vs. a reference electrode (e.g., Ag/AgCI in 3M KCI, standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), etc.). The ORP can change with the introduction of a chemical species into the water, which chemical species can be the same as or different from the species already present in the water. The ORP can also change with the removal of at least a portion of a chemical species (e.g., Ca ) from water. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water ORP at 25°C of greater than about 300 mV, greater than about 350 mV, greater than about 400 mV, greater than about 450 mV, or greater than about 500 mV. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water ORP at 25°C of less than about 700 mV, less than about 650 mV, less than about 600 mV, less than about 550 mV, or less than about 500 mV. The ORP of the water can vary between any of the lower values to any of the upper values.

[0070] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water electrical conductivity. Generally, electrical conductivity is a measure of water's ability to pass an electrical current, and can be expressed in micro-Ohms per centimeter ( mhos/cm) or micro Siemens per centimeter (μδ/cm). The electrical conductivity in water can be affected by the presence of inorganic dissolved solids such as dissolved cations, dissolved anions, etc., and by temperature (i.e., the warmer the water, the higher the electrical conductivity). In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water electrical conductivity at 25°C of greater than about 500 μδ/cm, greater than about 1000 μβ/αη, greater than about 2000 μ8/ η, greater than about 3000 μβ/αη, greater than about 4000 μβ/ η, or greater than about 5000 S/cm. In some embodiments, the water can be characterized by a water electrical conductivity at 25°C of less than about 7000 μ8/ατι, less than about 6000 μδ/cm, less than about 5000 S/cm, less than about 4000 μβ/αη, less than about 3000 S/cm, less than about 2000 με/αη, or less than about 1000 μβ/ η. The electrical conductivity of the water can vary between any of the lower values to any of the upper values.

[0071] In an embodiment, the water can be characterized by a water surface tension.

Generally, surface tension is a result of cohesive forces between water molecules, and is a measure of how well the water surface can resist an external force, due to interactions between water molecules. Surface tension is dependent upon the amount of dissolved ions in the water (e.g., an increased water salt content leads to an increased surface tension) as well as temperature. Surface tension, adhesion and cohesion of water are important in defining a capillary action for water, which in turn is important in agriculture (e.g., water absorption in plants). Generally, capillary action or capillarity, is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces (e.g., pores, capillaries, etc.) without the assistance of, and in opposition to, external forces such as gravity. Capillary action occurs when adhesion of water to the narrow spaces is stronger than the cohesive forces between the water molecules, is limited by surface tension (e.g., the greater the cohesion, the greater the surface tension, the lower the capillary action) and gravity. Surface tension can be measured for water against air, and can be expressed in mN/m or dyn/cm. In general, the surface tension tends to increase in a nearly linear fashion as the TDS content of the water increases.

[0072] In an embodiment, the conditioned water can be produced after the water is subjected to an electromagnetic field. Without wishing to be limited by theory, the electromagnetic field can cause the water molecule dipoles to orient based on the parameters of the field, thereby disrupting the water clusters (e.g., calcium hydration shells, which are water clusters formed around Ca²⁺) by energizing the hydrogen bonds to a higher energy potential and making ions more available for reactions.

One such reaction can be the formation of a calcium carbonate (CaC0₃) solid(s) from Ca²⁺ and C0₃ ^2" as represented by equation (5):

Ca²⁺ + C0₃ ^2" — - CaC0₃₍s) (5)

CaC0₃ is a solid that does not exhibit a charge when precipitated from the water.

Further, other compounds could precipitate in similar manner, due to the ions becoming more available to react, such as, for example, magnesium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron hydroxides, and the like, or combinations thereof. Removal of ions from solution by forming insoluble solids (e.g., precipitates) can cause the average cluster size to be reduced, due to a decrease in the number of solvated ions. In an embodiment, the conditioned water can be characterized by an average conditioned water cluster size that is less than the average water cluster size. Generally, the average conditioned water cluster size refers to an average size of conditioned water clusters present in the conditioned water, wherein the conditioned water clusters are present due to

H₃0⁺ (e.g., magic number clusters H₃0⁺(H₂0)₂o), dissolved or solvated cations (e.g.,

Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Fe², etc.) clusters, etc. When the number of water clusters formed around solvated ions is decreased, the much smaller tetrahedral structures of water molecules can have a larger impact and reduce the average size of conditioned water clusters. The conditioned water can be referred to as "skinnier" than the water, which means that the conditioned water could pass through capillaries in plants and structured soil more easily and better than water, because some of the water molecules are no longer clumped (e.g., clustered) together in hydration shells around solvated ions. CaC0₃ and any other precipitated compounds (e.g., magnesium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron hydroxides, etc.) could form limescale, and, as such, their removal from water to produce conditioned water can be advantageous. For example, the formation of a precipitate as a solid in particulate form may be more easily removed from the water as compared to the formation of scale on the walls of pipes and other equipment.

[0073] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water pH can be increased when compared to the water pH by equal to or greater than about 0.1 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 0.2 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 0.3 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 0.4 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 0.5 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 1 pH unit, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 1 .5 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 2.0 pH units, alternatively by equal to or greater than about 2.5 pH units, or alternatively by equal to or greater than about 3.0 pH units.

[0074] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water TDS can be decreased when compared to the water TDS by at least about 10%, at least about

20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, or at least about 50%.

[0075] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water hardness can be decreased when compared to the water hardness by at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, or at least about 60%.

[0076] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water ORP can be decreased when compared to the water ORP by equal to or greater than about 20 mV, alternatively equal to or greater than about 30 mV, alternatively equal to or greater than about 40 mV, or alternatively equal to or greater than about 50 mV.

[0077] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water electrical conductivity can be decreased when compared to the water electrical conductivity by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, or at least about 40%.

[0078] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water surface tension can be decreased when compared to the water surface tension by at least about

10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, or at least about 40%

[0079] In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water can be stored for a period of time while maintaining the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water properties. While the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water is stored, the CaC0₃ and any other precipitated compounds (e.g., magnesium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron hydroxides, etc.) could settle to the bottom of the storage container to form a settled precipitate. The conditioned (and/or desalinated) water can be removed (e.g. , decanted) from the storage container containing the settled precipitate and can be further used for any suitable purpose. The storage container comprising the stored conditioned (and/or desalinated) water can be sealed from the outer environment, thereby preventing the diffusion of C0₂₍₉₎ back into water according to equation (1 ). In an embodiment, the conditioned (and/or desalinated) water can be characterized by a stability of equal to or greater than about 1 year, alternatively equal to or greater than about 2 years.

Generally, the stability of conditioned (and/or desalinated) water refers to the ability of conditioned (and/or desalinated) water to retain its changed properties (e.g., pH,

TDS, hardness, ORP, electrical conductivity, surface tension, etc.) over time.

[0080] While discussed in terms of water, the electromagnetic water treatment device can also be used to treat other fluids. For example, fluid containing water and hydrocarbon fluids can be treated to cause a separation of the fluid. The electromagnetic water treatment device can also be used to provide the activation energy for certain chemical reactions. For example, chemical production using polar or ionic liquids can be passed through the electromagnetic water treatment device, and the transducer can be used to provide an activation energy for the reaction.

While not intending to be limited by theory, the resulting intermediate products may serve as a catalyst for further reactions and/or as initiation sites for the precipitation of one or more components (e.g. , such as some of the reaction products). As a result, water may not be the only fluid suitable for use with the electromagnetic water treatment device and/or desalination system of this disclosure.

[0081] In use, the system 100 can be used to treat water 1 10 flowing through the conduit 108. In an embodiment, the water 1 10 can be passed through the conduit

108. The water 1 10 can be subjected to an electromagnetic field as the water 1 10 passes through the conduit 108 within the transducer 106 to produce conditioned water, wherein the electromagnetic field can be generated by the transducer 106 positioned around the pipe. The water can be characterized by various criteria including a water pH, an oxidation reduction potential (ORP), a total dissolved solids

(TDS), a water hardness, and an electric conductivity (EC). The conditioned water can then be recovered from the conduit 108 and subjected to downstream ion exchange and/or recycled back to the conduit 108 for a multi-pass treatment. The conditioned water can be characterized by the same criteria, and the criteria can change in the conditioned water as a result of the electromagnetic water treatment. In an embodiment, the conditioned water pH can increase (e.g., become more basic) by at least about 0.1 pH units, and/or the conditioned water hardness can be reduced by equal to or greater than about 20%, when compared to the water hardness. A precipitant may also be formed as a result of the electromagnetic water treatment as described hereinabove.

[0082] Another embodiment of an electromagnetic water treatment or 'conditioning' device 200 suitable for use in a conditioning and desalinating system according to an embodiment of this disclosure is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a conduit 108 can have a transducer 206 disposed about the conduit 108, and the transducer 206 can be coupled to the controller 102. The controller 102 and the conduit 108 can be the same or similar to the controller 102 and conduit 108 described with respect to FIG. 1 .

[0083] As shown, the transducer 206 can be separated into a plurality of sections 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d. In this embodiment, the transducer 206 is separated into four sections 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, though two, three, or five or more sections can also be used. In an embodiment, a multi-section transducer 206 can have between about 2 and about 50 sections. The beginning of the wire in the first section 206a is coupled to the controller 102. Each section of the transducer is connected in series, with the end of the wire coil in the first section 206a connected to the beginning of the second section 206b of the wire coil. Similarly, the third section 206c and the fourth section 206d are also arranged in series. The end of the wire in the fourth section 206d is coupled to the controller 102. Each section 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of the transducer 206 serves to provide a portion of the electromagnetic field within the conduit 108.

[0084] The lengths of the transducer sections 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d can be approximately the same or they can be different. In an embodiment, the approximate lengths of the transducer sections, 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, can be approximately the same and may be configured to deliver a corresponding portion of the electromagnetic field to the water in the conduit 108. For example, when four sections, 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, are present, each section may provide approximately one fourth of the overall electromagnetic field to the water. This may also be expressed by noting that each section, 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, may experience a corresponding portion of the voltage drop. For example, when the voltage applied across the transducer 206 is approximately 120 V AC, each section, 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, may be designed to have an approximately 30 V drop. When multiple sections are arranged in series, each section may be configured to have a voltage drop between about 20 V and 80 V, or between about 30 V and about 60 V.

[0085] As described in more detail below, a turbulence inducing structure may be used to improve the mixing of the water within the conduit 108 while the water is within the section 206 of the transducer. The mixing may improve the interaction of the reactive species within the water to aid in the overall reactions to produce the conditioned water. The use of a multi-section electromagnetic water treatment device having one or more turns or bends in the conduit 108 may aid in providing a turbulent flow regime to increase the mixing in the water through the electromagnetic water treatment device 200.

[0086] Another embodiment of an electromagnetic water treatment device suitable for use in a conditioning and desalinating system according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the water may be heated by the transducer 306 in addition to being treated by the electromagnetic field as the water passes through the device 300. As in the prior embodiments, the controller 102 and the conduit 108 may be the same or similar to the controller 102 and conduit 108 described with respect to FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the transducer 306 may be configured to produce excess heat, and the transducer 306 and conduit 108 may be contained within an insulated enclosure 302, schematically illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 3.

[0087] In this embodiment, the transducer 306 can be designed to produce excess heat that can be transferred into the water to heat the water. In order to produce the heat, the wire size and/or material used to form the transducer 306 can be selected to produce excess heat when the current is passed through the transducer 206. For example, the size of the wire can be selected to be smaller than a comparative wire.

The reduced size may have a higher resistance per unit length, which may generate heat during use. Similarly, a material having an increased resistance can be selected to form the wire, and thereby produce more heat for heating the water. [0088] When the transducer 306 is configured to produce excess heat to heat the water, the conduit 108 may be formed from a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the conduit 108 may be formed from copper, aluminum, non-magnetic stainless steel, or the like, in order to efficiently transfer the heat produced by the transducer 306 into the water. The enclosure 302 can comprise insulation disposed between the enclosure 302 and the transducer 306. The enclosure 302 and the insulation may retain the heat within the enclosure 302 and aid in providing a temperature differential to increase the heat transfer potential into the water in the conduit 108.

[0089] While the transducer 306 illustrated in FIG. 3 contains two sections, any suitable number of sections can be used in series and/or parallel to produce the desired temperature increase. In an embodiment, the use of the system 300 can provide an increase in the temperature of the water by equal to or greater than about 5°C, alternatively of equal to or greater than about 10°C, alternatively of equal to or greater than about 15°C, alternatively of equal to or greater than about 20°C, alternatively of equal to or greater than about 30°C, or alternatively of equal to or greater than about 40°C. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, increasing the temperature of the water will cause C0_2(g) to leave the water, thereby shifting to the left the equilibrium in equations (1 ), (2), (3), and (4), and causing an increase in pH. Without wishing to be limited by theory, an increase in pH will cause more CaC0₃ and magnesium hydroxide precipitation, as well as a decrease in the number of magic number clusters H₃0⁺(H₂0)₂o (owing to a decrease in hydronium ions by shifting to the left the equilibrium in equations (3) and (4)), thereby further reducing the average size of conditioned water clusters. Further, an increase in the temperature of water will cause calcium bicarbonate to produce CaC03(_S) and C0₂(g) according to equation (6):

Ca(HC0₃)2₍aq)→ C0₂₍g) + H₂0 + CaC0₃₍s) (6) This may produce an increased effect in the conditioned water by removing a portion of the bicarbonate ion as a carbonate precipitate.

[0090] Increased time within the electromagnetic water treatment zone may produce additional benefits in some embodiments. In order to increase the exposure time of the water to the electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic water treatment or conditioning system having a recycle line can be used to pass the water through the electromagnetic water treatment zone two or more times. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a conditioning system 400 having a recycle line 412 therein. As illustrated, the inlet line 401 can pass untreated water into the electromagnetic water treatment system 400. The inlet line 401 can combine water with water in the recycle line 412 to form a combined stream 404, which can pass into the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402. (Although referred to as an 'electromagnetic water treatment zone', the water may be subjected to the electromagnetic field in only a portion of the zone.) The electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 can comprise any of the embodiments of the electromagnetic water treatment system described herein (e.g., electromagnetic water treatment system 100, electromagnetic water treatment system 200, electromagnetic water treatment system 300, etc.). Once treated in the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402, the conditioned water can pass to an outlet line 403, which can be split into a conditioned water outlet line 406 (which can be subjected to downstream ion exchange) and the recycle line 412. A motive device 408, such as a pump or the like, can be used to circulate the water within the recycle line 412.

[0091] An optional storage tank 410 can be placed at any location within the recycle line 412. The storage tank 410 may serve to provide a large fluid capacity within the recycle system as well as providing a settling tank for removing any solid precipitate that may form as a result of the water treatment. In embodiments, the motive device 408 can be placed upstream or downstream of the storage tank 410.

[0092] In some embodiments, one or more inline sensors can be placed within the recycle loop. For example, one or more sensors can be placed in a sensor package 414 in the outlet line 403 to detect the properties of the conditioned water passing through the electromagnetic water treatment system 402. The sensors in the sensor package 414 can detect any of the properties described herein. In some embodiments, the sensor can include a pH meter, a TDS meter, an ORP sensor, or the like. While illustrated as a single sensor package 414, a plurality of sensor packages could be disposed in series. Further, the sensors can be placed at any point in the recycle loop including within the optional storage tank 410. The sensors can then be used during the operation of the system to determine the properties of the conditioned water.

[0093] The conditioning system 400 having the recycle line 412 can be operated in a continuous, batch, or semi-batch operation mode. In a continuous operation system, the water supplied through the inlet line 401 can be continuously introduced and combined with the conditioned water in the recycle line 412. The ratio of the inlet water to the recycle water can range from about 1 : 1000 to about 1000: 1 on a volumetric basis, depending on the amount of treatment desired in the conditioned water. The water passing through the conditioned water outline line 406 may have a flow rate that is approximately the same as the flow rate into conditioning system 400 through the inlet line 401 . The relative flow rates of the water in the inlet line 401 and the water passing through the recycle line 412 can determine the approximate number of times that the water is recycled through the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402. In an embodiment, the water can be effectively recycled through the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 between about 2 and about 50 times. The number of times the water is recycled may depend, at least in part, on a measurement of a desired water property (e.g., using the sensors in the sensor package 414), and the water can be recycled until a desired water property(ies) is (are) achieved.

[0094] In a batch operation mode, conditioning system 400 can be charged with water to be treated through inlet line 401 . Once filled, inlet line can be closed, and the water in the recycle line can be circulated until the desired treatment amount is supplied to the water. In this embodiment, the water can be recycled through the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 between about 2 and about 50 times. For example, a target conditioned water property can be monitored to determine when the water reaches the target level. Once the water is conditioned, the water can be removed from conditioning system 400 through the conditioned water outlet line 406.

[0095] Conditioning system 400 may also operate under a semi-batch operating mode. In this embodiment, conditioning system 400 can be charged with water to be treated. Periodically or at certain intervals, a portion of the water in conditioning system 400 can be taken out of the recycle line 412 through the conditioned water outlet line 406 and the water can be refilled through the inlet line 401 .

[0096] The use of conditioning system 400 having a recycle line may be useful in producing conditioned water with the desired outlet properties. Conditioning system 400 may also be useful when the electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 has a smaller volume or field strength than needed to produce the desired conditioned water parameters in a single pass. Thus, the ability to recycle the water may allow conditioning system 400 to produce conditioned water with the same properties as a larger unit with a stronger electromagnetic field, thus allowing the system to be smaller while achieving substantially the same results.

[0097] Running the water through the device more than one pass may increase the pH, the OPR, and/or the hardness, but the number of passes required and the changes effected must be balanced with the ultimate use of the conditioned and desalinated water and the required parameters. If water is pumped through a transducer about 30 times, the pH of the water is increased from 7.5 to above 8.5 or even 9. A pH as high as 9.2 has been achieved. It is thought that alkaline water has potential health benefits and improved taste. Furthermore, for hydroponic applications, the more passes the water goes through, the better.

[0098] Various additional structures may be used within the conduit 108 in any of the embodiments disclosed herein in order to increase mixing of the water while the water is in the electromagnetic water treatment zone. As the water passes through the electromagnetic water treatment zone, the use of a turbulence inducing structure may improve the treatment of the water. Various structures including an internal mixing structure such as a helix, a piping configuration having one or more bends, or any other structure or feature that induces turbulence can be used.

[0099] In an embodiment, the use of a multi-section transducer may be used to induce turbulence. For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 may be used where the conduit 108 has multiple sections connected by bends in the conduit 108. The use of a multi-section transducer 206 that is connected in a series has the added advantage of causing more turbulence in the water flow due to the bends in the connector pieces that cause the water to change directions. The increased turbulence due to the bends may cause the water to mix within the conduit 108 and be subjected to the electromagnetic field substantially equally and uniformly such that all of the water is treated by the strongest part of the field near the outer edge of the inner diameter of the pipe. The increased turbulence may also increase the interaction between the reactive components in the water, thereby improving the overall treatment efficiency of the water.

[00100] In some embodiments, a structure can be placed within the conduit to induce turbulence. FIG. 5 illustrates an insert 502 that can be placed within the conduit 108.

The insert 502 can include a number of shapes. As shown in FIG. 5, the insert 502 can be in the shape of a helix. The helix can be twisted about a central axis to direct the water in a helical pattern through the coil in the electromagnetic water treatment zone. The helical pathway may also slow down the axial flow of the water to increase the exposure of the water to the electromagnetic radiation. The outside diameter of the helix or thread can be approximately the same as the inside diameter of the pipe so that an interference fit is formed between the insert 502 and the conduit 108. The length of the insert 502 depends on the desired results of the conditioned water and can be approximately the same length as the transducer or a transducer section. In some embodiments, the length of the insert 502 can be shorter or longer than the length of the transducer or a transducer section.

[00101] While described as a helix, additional inserts may similarly create turbulence within the conduit 108. In an embodiment, the insert 502 can comprise a series of cross-structures such as pins, wires, or the like. In some embodiments, the insert 502 can comprise a mesh or gauze, which may create a tortuous pathway through the material to create turbulence and an increased path length. Other inserts may also be suitable.

[00102] The winding pattern of any of the transducers (e.g., transducer 106, transducer 206, transducer 306, etc.) described herein can have a single layer configuration, multiple layers, or a random winding pattern. As shown in FIG. 6A, the winding pattern of the wire can be arranged in a single layer. The axial density of the winding (e.g., how close each adjacent wire is to the next wire wrap) may affect the electromagnetic field strength within the conduit 108. In general, the more tightly wound the wire is, the greater the effect the transducer (winding) has on the water. If the transducer is not tightly wound, such that there is space between the windings, the transducer may not generate as much heat, which can be beneficial in some embodiments.

[00103] FIG. 6B illustrates a multi-layer winding pattern. In this embodiment, the wire may be wound in a single layer along the conduit, while a second layer can be wound over the first layer. The use of a plurality of wire layers may allow for a greater electromagnetic field density in a shorter distance, thus making the transducer more compact. This pattern may be useful when a limited amount of distance is available to place the transducer on the pipe/conduit. However, some amount of efficiency can be lost when multiple layers are used. This may require that the total length of the winding be somewhat longer than when a single layer is used. [00104] FIG. 6C illustrates still another winding pattern. This pattern can include a somewhat random winding in a short distance, which can be referred to as being scramble shot in some instances. This winding pattern may be used to fill a predetermined winding area or space on the conduit, though the exact configuration of the windings may not be perfectly ordered. As with the use of multiple layers, the field strength within the windings can increase with increasing windings. While some amount of efficiency/ field strength may be lost with the use of a multilayer configuration, the winding pattern has not been found to affect, to a significant degree, the overall transformation of the water.

[00105] In any of the embodiments described herein, the controller can include a number of components designed to create the alternating current through the transducer. As described herein, the controller 102 serves to provide electrical power to the transducer (e.g., transducer 706 of Fig. 7 discussed hereinbelow) at a desired voltage, frequency, and waveform. As seen in Fig. 7, which schematically illustrates a controller that can be used with an embodiment of the electromagnetic water treatment device, controller 102 can comprise a number of components such as a transformer 702, a voltage regulator 704, and/or a waveform generator 708.

[00106] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the components that can be present in the controller. In an embodiment, an inlet transformer 702 can be used to isolate the current from the inlet line. The transformer 702 can serve to provide a desired voltage if a voltage other than the line voltage is used with the transducer 706. In some embodiments, the transformer 702 can be eliminated so that the transducer is plugged directly into a standard wall socket, as described herein. For example, the transformer could be eliminated, and the controller could simply comprise a direct connection between a wall outlet and the transducer.

[00107] In an embodiment, the controller 102 can comprise a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator can be the same as the transformer, or a separate voltage regulator 704 can be used. The voltage regulator may be used in conjunction with the waveform generator 708 to produce a waveform for the current passing to the transducer 706. The waveform generator 708 can be used to generate a number of waveforms for the current. In an embodiment, the waveform generator 708 can generate a square wave at a desired frequency for use with the transducer 706. In some embodiments the waveform generator 708 can generate a sinusoidal waveform for use with the transducer 706. The waveform generator 708 can generate a steady frequency and waveform, or a variable frequency can be generated for the transducer. For example, a triangle wave having a multi-frequency spectrum can be generated for use with the transducer 706.

[00108] Various other components can be integrated with the controller 102. In some embodiments, safety equipment such as a flow switch 710, temperature sensor 712, or the like can be used with the transducer 706. The flow switch 710 and/or the temperature sensor 712 can be part of the controller 102, or they can be separate components. The flow switch 710 and/or temperature sensor 712, when present, may be coupled to a switch in the controller 102 to prevent power from being sent to the transducer 706 when the temperature exceeds a threshold and/or when the flow switch 710 indicates that the water is not flowing through the conduit 108.

[00109] In an embodiment, the flow switch 710 can be integrated into the conduit 108 at the inlet or outlet of the electromagnetic water treatment device. When water flows through the conduit and contacts the flow switch, a signal can be generated in the flow switch 710 that activates the transducer 706. A flow switch 710 can be beneficial in preventing overheating of the conduit in the event that the transducer is turned on without any water flow to cool the transducer 706. The flow switch 710 may comprise a relay or a circuit with a phase control triac to turn on the transformer 702 in the controller 102. For example, a magnetic reed switch can be used as the flow switch 710.

[00110] In an embodiment, a temperature sensor 712, such as, without limitation, a thermocouple can be used to detect the temperature of the transducer 706, the conduit 108, and/or the water exiting the electromagnetic water treatment device. The temperature sensor 712 can be electrically coupled to a relay in the controller 102 and turn off the transducer in the event of a temperature above a threshold being detected.

[00111] In some embodiments, the device can be operated as a tuned loop when the controller comprises a capacitor in addition to any other control components. In general, a tuned loop can be caused to oscillate at its resonance frequency that depends on the relative inductance capacity of the transducer and the capacitive capacity of the capacitor. The driving frequency may be the same as or close to the resonance frequency. The operation of the electromagnetic water treatment device as a tuned loop at the resonance frequency may produce a nearly sinusoidal waveform, and the amount of heating within the transducer may be reduced relative to the operation of the transducer in a non-tuned loop embodiments. The reduction in heating may also be advantageous in transferring the power that may otherwise result in heating of the transducer to treating the water.

[00112] In an embodiment, the electromagnetic water treatment device can be configured as a tuned loop (e.g., a tank circuit) and operated at a frequency of about 2500 Hz applied to the transducer winding. The winding can have an LC resonance at the 2500 Hz by means of creating an L-C tank circuit out of the transducer with its associated parallel (resonant) capacitance across the transducer. The transducer can be excited by a 2500 Hz power square wave, and by the LC action of the parallel resonant tank, an approximate sine wave can be recreated across the transducer. The square wave can be generated electronically in a component of the controller that has a square wave oscillator whose output is then is applied to class D power V- MOSFETS, which essentially operate as simple switches from ground to Vdd. While the applied voltage can vary, approximately 48 volts can be applied to the drains to operate at a high output power level (e.g., at a current unit level of about 150 watts RMS). The resulting inputs to the tuned loop can include square waves and/or pulsed inputs to drive the circuit. While the tuned loop design is discussed in reference to specific values, the output device, the driving circuit, the resonance frequency, the inductance capacity, and the capacitive capacity are design factors that can be taken into consideration in designing the tuned loop circuit.

[00113] The controller in this embodiment can also comprise a fault detector. The fault detector can comprise a secondary winding wound around the transducer main winding. When the transducer is under proper excitation from the electronic unit, an RMS voltage (e.g., an approximate two-volt RMS voltage) can be induced in the fault detector winding. The fault detector winding output can be rectified and applied to a comparator, which is set to have an output should the input from the secondary sensing winding go away. This in turn provides an indication of a transducer fault (e.g. generating an alarm, lighting an indicator light, etc.). In some embodiments, fault detectors for a 60 Hz transducer can be formed by a simple secondary wound over the main transducer winding directly driving an indicator light. In this type of fault detector, the lack of a light indicates a non-functioning transducer. The 2500 Hz electronically excited transducer may find application in the generation of long term stable conditioned water. [00114] In an embodiment, the electromagnetic water treatment device can be used with a variety of voltage sources. In an embodiment, a 120 V AC current source can be used. In some embodiments, higher voltage sources can be used, for example, for larger volumetric applications. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electromagnetic water treatment device suitable for use in a conditioning and desalinating system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The electromagnetic water treatment device of the embodiment of FIG. 8 uses a 240 V AC, three-phase power source. In order to handle larger water throughputs, a supply header 808a can supply water to one or more treatment legs. While six treatment legs are illustrated, less than six treatment legs or 7 or more treatment legs can be used to scale the water throughput for the electromagnetic water treatment device 800.

[00115] Each treatment leg may comprise four transducer 806 sections, which can be similar to or the same as any of the transducer sections described herein, and can be used with a 240 V AC power supply. A central electrical connection 802 can be coupled to two supplies 801 , 803. For each leg, the first two transducer sections are coupled to the first supply 801 and the central line 802, while the second two transducer sections are coupled to the second supply 803 and the central line 802. As an example, when the supply voltage is 240 V AC with three-phase power, a 120 V AC differential is created between each of the supply lines 801 , 803 and the central line 801 . In this example, each transducer section on each treatment leg may then have a voltage of 60 V AC applied. This embodiment may allow currents between about 10 amps to about 100 amps to be used with the electromagnetic water treatment device 800. A higher voltage power supply could also be used (e.g., 480 V AC) where the transducer sections could be divided to provide a similar voltage per section (e.g., four or more transducer sections per treatment leg for a 480 V supply). Thus, as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, relatively large power throughputs can be achieved for larger water throughputs, which may be useful for some applications.

Desalination of Water via Treatment Device in Combination with Ion Exchange

[00116] According to this disclosure, an electromagnetic water treatment device or system as described hereinabove (e.g. , electromagnetic water treatment device 100,

200, 300, and/or electromagnetic water treatment system 400) can be utilized in a desalination system comprising the electromagnetic water treatment device and an ion exchanger. Description of such a desalination system will now be made with reference to FIG. 9, which is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a desalination system 900 in accordance with principles described herein. As illustrated, inlet line 401 passes saline water to be desalinated into system 900. In embodiments, inlet line 401 can optionally combine saline water with activated, recycled water in recycle line 412 to form a combined stream 404, which can pass into electromagnetic water treatment zone 402, as described with reference to FIG. 4 hereinabove. In general, electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 can comprise any of the embodiments of the electromagnetic water treatment system described herein (e.g., electromagnetic water treatment system 100, electromagnetic water treatment system 200, electromagnetic water treatment system 300, etc.). Once treated in electromagnetic water treatment system 402, the conditioned/activated water passes to an outlet line 403, which can be split into a conditioned water outlet line 406A, which is subjected to ion exchange as described below, and a recycle line 406B, which may pass through motive device 408 and/or storage tank 410 prior to reintroduction into treatment system 402 as recycle line 412. As noted with reference to FIG. 4, motive device 408 such as a pump or the like can be used to circulate the water within recycle line 412. In embodiments, a valve is positioned on inlet line 401 to selectively control the inflow of saline water via inlet line 401 , and a valve is positioned on line 403, 406A, and/or 406B such that at least a portion of the conditioned water exiting treatment system 402 via conditioned water outlet line 403 can be selectively recycled via line 406B to treatment system 402. In this manner, conditioned water may be circulated around treatment system 402 until a desired amount of conditioning/activation has been effected.

[00117] After one or more passes through treatment system 402, conditioned/activated water in water outlet line 403 is introduced via water outlet line

406A into at least one ion exchanger 415. In general, ion exchanger 415 can comprises any ion exchanger known to those of skill in the art to be operable to exchange sodium ions in the water introduced thereto. In embodiments, ion exchanger 415 comprises a cation exchanger. The cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water, which is extracted therefrom via desalinated water outlet line 407.

In embodiments, the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium. That is, in embodiments the cation other than sodium has a charge of greater than or equal to +2.

[00118] In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a support selected from the group consisting of zeolites, resins, polymers, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a zeolite. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a natural zeolite, known to those of skill in the art.

In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a natural zeolite (hydrated silicate) selected from the group consisting of green sand or 'glauconite', clinoptililite, another natural zeolite, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises a synthetic zeolite or polystyrene resin. In embodiments, the resin comprises crosslinked polystyrene. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium is strongly acidic, for example, without limitation, in embodiments the ion exchange medium comprises sulfonic acid functional groups. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises polystyrene sulfonate. In embodiments, the ion exchange medium is weakly acidic, for example, without limitation, in embodiments, the ion exchange medium comprises carboxylic acid functional groups.

[00119] In embodiments, the ion exchanger comprises microbeads. The microbeads may have a diameter/size in the range of from about 16 to about 50 mesh, from about 20 to about 50 mesh, or from about 40 to about 50 mesh. In embodiments, the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the conditioned/activated water thereto. For example, a water softener preloaded with sodium ions (e.g., either fresh ion exchanger provided loaded with sodium or spent ion exchange medium in need of regeneration) may be exposed to a prewash water comprising the ion other than sodium until the cation exchange medium is loaded with the cation other than sodium. For example, tap water or other water comprising calcium, magnesium, or another desired exchangeable cation may be run through ion exchanger 415 until the elution of sodium ions therefrom is unchanging and/or is less than a desired value. In embodiments, therefore, the cation exchange medium comprises a low

(e.g., less than 10, 5, or 1 percent of the capacity therefor) or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom prior to introduction of the activated water thereto.

[00120]A recycle line 409 can be configured to recycle ion exchanged/desalinated water extracted from ion exchanger 415 via ion exchanger outlet line 407 back into ion exchanger 415. In this manner, ion exchanged water may be recycled through ion exchanger 415 until a desired salinity, or other property, such as but not limited to total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, etc., is obtained. In embodiments, the desired degree of salinity, total dissolved solids, conductivity, or a combination thereof, is less than at least about 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80% of that of the saline inlet water introduced via inlet line 401 . In embodiments, the desalinated water extracted from ion exchanger 415 has a salinity that is less than or equal to about 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 parts per thousand (ppt) sodium. In embodiments, the salinity of the desalinated water extracted from ion exchanger 415 is reduced by at least 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80% relative to the salinity of the water introduced via inlet line 401 .

[00121] In embodiments, conditioning and desalinating water treatment system 900 comprises at least two ion exchangers 415 fluidly coupled with the electromagnetic water treatment device. In such embodiments, a second of the at least two ion exchangers can be placed online while a first of the at least two ion exchangers is taken offline. This will enable continuous production of desalinated water during times when an ion exchanger must be taken offline for servicing, maintenance, and/or regeneration. When the capacity of ion exchanger 415 to retain sodium ions reaches an undesirable value, it may be regenerated. Determination of when regeneration will be performed can be made as known in the art, and may be periodic (i.e., based on time or water throughput), or effected when a sensor indicates the capacity of the ion exchange medium to retain sodium ions is below a desired value.

[00122] Regeneration may be performed by introducing a wash water comprising cations other than sodium, as described hereinabove, until the capacity of the ion exchange medium to retain sodium ions has been restored to a desired level. The wash may be a backwash, as indicated in the embodiment of FIG. 9. Once isolated via appropriate valving (not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9), an offline ion exchanger 415 may be regenerated while another ion exchanger is placed online.

For regeneration of the offline ion exchanger, the wash water may be introduced via line 416, and sodium-containing wash water eluted from the offline ion exchanger 415 via (back)wash water outlet line 417. Although indicated as separate lines, line

416 and line 406A may be the same line, and line 417 and line 407 may be the same line. That is, ion exchanger 415 may comprise a single inlet and a single outlet, in embodiments. Additionally, although indicated as flowing counter-currently to the flow of conditioned water during desalination (i.e., although indicated as a backwash), during regeneration, the wash water may flow in the same direction as (i.e., co-currently with) the flow of conditioned water through ion exchanger 415 during operation. Furthermore, although flow of conditioned water and wash water is indicated as in a vertical direction in the embodiment of FIG. 9, it is to be understood that other flow patterns known to those of skill in the art (such as, for example, horizontal flow) is within the scope of this disclosure. Also, one or more ion exchanger may be employed in series and/or in parallel, in embodiments.

[00123] The ion exchange medium may be washed with wash water until elution of sodium ions therefrom reaches a desired level, for a specific amount of time, or as otherwise determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. As noted hereinabove, for continuous operation, during regeneration of the sodium-saturated ('saturated' here meaning that the capacity of the ion exchanger to retain sodium ions is below a desired level, not necessarily that the ion exchange medium can retain no more sodium ions) ion exchanger, the sodium-saturated ion exchanger may be taken offline, and a second ion exchanger with adequate capacity to retain sodium ions placed online.

[00124] Desalination system 900 may further comprise a sensor configured to measure a salinity of the desalinated water in ion exchanger outlet line 407. The system may further comprise a controller that is operable to, when the salinity of the desalinated water is found to be above a desired threshold indicating that the online cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, place another cation exchanger (that has a suitable capacity to retain sodium ions) online. The controller may further initiate regeneration of the sodium saturated cation exchanger.

[00125] AS noted hereinabove, desalination system 900 can comprise any electromagnetic water treatment system 402 (e.g., treatment system 100, 200, or

300) described hereinabove. In embodiments, the electromagnetic water treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about 180 gauss. In embodiments, the frequency is greater than, less than, or equal to about 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, or 2500 Hz. In embodiments, the product of the field strength and the frequency provided by the electromagnetic water treatment device is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz. In embodiments, the product of the field strength and the frequency provided by the electromagnetic water treatment device is much higher, for example, in embodiments, a transducer excited by 2500Hz, and producing 125 gauss, may provide 312,500 gauss-Hz. In embodiments, desalination is effected with transducer properties of 1 -1000 gauss at about 60 Hz. In applications, a higher magnetic intensity and lower frequency provides better desalination than an equivalent level of gauss-Hz achieved at higher frequency and lower magnetic intensity. The gauss or magnetic intensity produced depends on the current through the wire coils. This can be translated to voltage impressed across the coil(s), but neglects the effect of wire size (resistance), and the inductive reactance of the coil, which may be significant even at 60 Hz frequency. These factors affect the current through the coil, and the resultant magnetic intensity produced (ampere-turns to gauss). For example, on 1 .5 inch copper pipe, #14 wire, 30 amps, provides 980 gauss with 0.00827 ampere/turn; for #18 wire, 10 amps, provides 170 gauss with 0.0023 ampere/turn; #16 wire, 15 amps, provides 560 gauss with 0.0034 ampere/turn. It is to be understood that the aforementioned parameters are exemplary, and can be adjusted as desired for a given application.

[00126] As noted hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4, an optional storage tank 410 can be placed at any location within recycle line 412. Storage tank 410 may serve to provide a large fluid capacity within the recycle system as well as providing a settling tank for removing any solid precipitate that may form as a result of the water treatment. In embodiments, motive device 408 is placed upstream or downstream of storage tank 410.

[00127] AS also noted hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, one or more inline sensors can be placed within the recycle loop around the electromagnetic water treatment system 402. For example, one or more sensors can be placed in a sensor package 414 in outlet line 403 to detect the properties of the conditioned water passing through treatment system 402. The sensors in sensor package 414 can detect any of the properties described herein. In some embodiments, the sensor can include a pH meter, a TDS meter, an ORP sensor, a conductivity meter, or the like. While illustrated as a single sensor package 414, a plurality of sensor packages could be disposed in series. Further, the sensors can be placed at any point in the recycle loop including within optional storage tank 41 0, on water recycle line 406B, or both; downstream of the ion exchanger 41 5 (e.g., on desalination water recycle line 409), or a combination thereof. The sensors can then be used during the operation of the system to determine the properties of the conditioned water, the conditioned and desalinated water, or both.

[00128] AS noted hereinabove, conditioning and desalinating water treatment system 900 comprising ion exchanger 41 5, and optionally conditioned water recycle line 412 and/or desalination water recycle line 409, can be operated in a continuous, batch, or semi-batch operation mode. In a continuous operation system, the water supplied through inlet line 401 can be continuously introduced and combined with the conditioned water in optional recycle line 412. The ratio of the inlet water to the recycle water can range from about 1 : 1 000 to about 1 000: 1 on a volumetric basis, depending on the amount of treatment desired in the conditioned water. The water passing through conditioned water outline line 406 may have a flow rate that is approximately the same as the flow rate into conditioning and desalinating system 900 through inlet line 401 . The relative flow rates of the water in inlet line 401 and the water passing through recycle line 41 2 can determine the approximate number of times that the water is recycled through electromagnetic water treatment zone 402. In an embodiment, the water can be effectively recycled through electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 between about 2 and about 50 times. The number of times the water is recycled may depend, at least in part, on a measurement of a desired water property (e.g., using the sensors in sensor package 414), as the water can be recycled until a desired water property is achieved.

[00129] In a batch operation mode, system 900 can be charged with water to be treated through inlet line 401 . Once filled, inlet line 401 can be closed, the flow through water outlet line 406A terminated, and the water in recycle line 412 can be circulated until the desired treatment amount is supplied to the water. In embodiments, the water can be recycled through treatment zone 402 between about 2 and about 50 times. For example a target conditioned water property can be monitored to determine when the water reaches the target level. Once the water is conditioned, the water can be introduced into ion exchanger 415 via conditioned water outlet line 406A.

[00130] Desalinating system 900 may also operate under a semi-batch operating mode. In this embodiment, desalinating system 900 can be charged with water to be treated. Periodically or at certain intervals, a portion of the water in system 900 can be taken out via conditioned water outlet line 406A, and the water can be refilled through inlet line 401 .

[00131] The use of a conditioning and desalinating system 900 having a conditioned water recycle line 412 and/or a desalinated water recycle line 409 may be useful in producing conditioned and/or desalinated water with desired outlet properties. System 900 may also be useful when electromagnetic water treatment zone 402 has a smaller volume or field strength than needed to produce the desired conditioned water parameters and/or when multiple passes through ion exchanger 415 are desirable to provide a desired degree of desalination. Thus, the ability to recycle the water may allow system 900 to produce conditioned or desalinated water with the same properties as a larger unit with a stronger electromagnetic field or additional ion exchanger volume, which may allow the system to be smaller while achieving the same results.

[00132] Running the water through electromagnetic water treatment device 402 and or ion exchanger(s) 415 for more than one pass may increase the pH, the ORP, and/or the hardness of the resulting conditioned water. For example, if water is pumped through a transducer about 30 times, the pH of the conditioned water may be increased from 7.5 to above 8.5 or even 9. A pH as high as 9.2 may been achieved. The optimum number of passes through treatment device 402 and the changes effected therein prior to introduction into ion exchanger 415 can be determined via routine experimentation by one of skill in the art.

[00133] The conditioned and desalinated water resulting from using any of the embodiments described herein can be used for any number of uses. For example, the conditioned and desalinated water can be used for drinking water, various culinary uses, agriculture, chemical preparation, and industrial uses. In an embodiment, the conditioned and desalinated water can be used as drinking water or in other potable uses. As noted above, the conditioned and desalinated water may have fewer dissolved solids and an increased pH. It has been found that treatment units operating at frequencies greater than or equal to 2 kHz produce conditioned water having an improved taste relative to treatment units using a lower operating frequency. In addition, electromagnetic water treatment units for drinking water applications may operate with a recycle configuration to produce additional changes in the water as compared to the changes achieved with a single pass. The conditioned and desalinated water can then be used for drinking water or bottled water. The conditioned and desalinated water can also be used in some uses in which scaling is problem, such as, without limitation, coffee makers or cooking. Larger units may be useful on a household scale to prevent scaling in the pipes and hot water heaters. In this regard, the desalination system of this disclosure may be useful in replacing water softeners. In some embodiments, the conditioned and desalinated water can be combined with food ingredients. For example, the conditioned and desalinated water can be combined with soft drink additives. The use of the conditioned and desalinated water may allow fewer ingredients to be used to obtain the same taste result.

[00134] The conditioned and desalinated water can also be used for agricultural uses on both a home scale as well as commercial agricultural applications. In some embodiments, the use of the conditioned and desalinated water can absorb better into soils and plants to result in faster growth.

[00135] For example, the use of the conditioned and desalinated water may allow the efficiency of the water penetration and uptake to increase relative to untreated water.

Such a use may allow plants watered with the conditioned and desalinated water to be more resistant to insects and extreme weather. This may provide an extended growing seasons because the plants are better able to withstand heat and cold and increased plant production and yield. Treated water (e.g., conditioned and desalinated) could also have potential applications for healthier and longer living marine life. The conditioned and desalinated water can be used with any types of plants including rice, hay, corn, wheat, nuts, fruits, or any other crops.

[00136] When used in agriculture, the conditioned and desalinated water may be used to treat all of the water used for irrigation or only a portion of the water used. For example, a portion of the water can be treated, and the resulting conditioned and desalinated water can be mixed with untreated water or additional conditioned water prior to being used for irrigation. The combination of the conditioned and desalinated water with untreated water and/o conditioned water may allow the properties of the mixture to be controlled for purposes of irrigation. In addition, the conditioned and/or desalinated water may be used throughout an entire growing season, or only for a portion thereof. For example, the conditioned and/or desalinated water may be used at the beginning of the growing season to allow seeds to germinate and sprout, and new plants to be better established with a faster growth rate. Once the plants are established, the amount of conditioned and/or desalinated water can be decreased, if used at all, for the remainder of the growing season.

[00137] In some embodiments, the conditioning and desalinating system of this disclosure can be used to reduce the total dissolved solids content of the water for use in commercial applications. For example, the conditioning and desalinating system may be used in cooling tower applications. The conditioned and/or desalinated water may have a decreased total dissolved solids content as well as a reduced calcium content, which may be desirable, as both of which can result in the formation of scale in cooling tower heat exchangers.

[00i38]Additional commercial uses can include the preparation of certain chemicals. Any chemicals sold as part of an aqueous solution may have the chemical properties affected by the composition of the water used to form the solution. In some situations, chemical produces may use reverse osmosis to prepare relatively pure water. The use of the conditioning and desalinating system described herein may allow the conditioned and desalinated water to be used in the chemical preparation, as well as in the final chemical solution. Further, the resulting pH increase may be beneficial in some chemical applications.

[00139] To further illustrate various illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the following examples are provided.

EXAMPLES

[00140] The disclosure having been generally described, the following examples are given as particular embodiments of the disclosure and to demonstrate the practice and advantages thereof. It is understood that the examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the specification or the claims in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1

[00141] In order to demonstrate the effects of the electromagnetic water treatment systems described herein, a treatment system was constructed and used to treat several samples of water, which were tested to illustrate the relative changes caused by the electromagnetic water treatment device. The system used in this Example was designed to condition tap water for drinking and mixing soft drinks like coffee, tea, etc. The transducer operated as a resonant system, operating at an alternating current frequency of approximately 2500 hertz. The system was designed to recirculate water through the transducer based on time signals from a programmable seven-day digital timer, which identically recycled each week. The system was configured so that water called for from the kitchen tap or outlet would be supplied by an accumulator storage tank under a pressure determined by the setting of a differential pressure switch. When enough water was drained from the accumulator storage tank, the differential pressure switch would actuate the pump and, by means of solenoid valves, water from a large storage tank would be pumped into the accumulator tank and the kitchen supply piping under pressure. When the kitchen water demand had ceased, the pump would continue to pump up the pressure in the accumulator storage tank until it reached the setting of the differential pressure switch and stopped the pump.

[00142] When the digital timer calls for recirculation of the water during the timing cycle, the timer caused the pump to start and, by means of solenoid valves, caused the water to pass through the transducer before passing back to the storage tank. The transducer was activated by the timer, so that the water would pass through the transducer to be conditioned during the recirculation cycle. When the time cycle was complete, the unit went into a rest mode until the kitchen demanded water or the next time cycle was initiated. If at any time during the recirculation timing cycle the kitchen had a water demand, the recirculating timing cycle was overridden by the kitchen water demand, triggered by a signal from the differential pressure switch. By means of a system of solenoid valves, the water was redirected from the pump outlet through the transducer and then to the accumulator storage tank and kitchen supply piping. When the kitchen demand had ceased, the pump would run until the differential pressure switch sensing accumulator tank pressure stopped the pump. At that time the system again reverted to recirculating water to complete its set time cycle based on the time signals from the digital timer. If the recirculation timing cycle had completed before the kitchen demand had ceased, upon that cessation of the kitchen demand, the unit went into its rest mode.

[00143] The water level was maintained at the proper operating level in the storage tank by means of four float switches. There was an overflow safety switch which caused the supply solenoid valve to close in event of a failure mode, a low level float switch which powered down the entire system in event of low water in the storage tank. Last there were two float switches arranged to cause the water fill solenoid valve to open and close in response to the high and low level float switches to keep the storage tank at the proper operating level.

[00144] Water samples were sampled and then passed through this system setup. Water samples were analyzed prior to treating the water (sample A1 , sample B1 , and sample C1 ) and subsequent to treating the water to produce conditioned water (sample A2, sample B2, and sample C2, respectively). Sample A1 was well water from Kerr Country, TX; sample B1 was water from Santa Barbara, CA; and sample C1 was raw water from Kerrville, TX. The water samples were analyzed for various components, such as dissolved total solids, cations, anions, and hardness, by Texas Plant & Soil Lab, Edinburg, TX. The total soluble salt content was measured as electrical conductivity (EC [mmhos/cm]), and the total dissolved solids were estimated from the EC values. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), which describes the proportion of sodium to calcium and magnesium in the water sample, was estimated from the levels of sodium, calcium and magnesium. The results of the water analysis are displayed in Table 1 .

[grains/gal] 31 30 -3.2 42 43 2.4 18 1 1 -38.9 -13.2

[00146] Regarding the data in Table 1 , a negative % change represents a decrease in a particular parameter, while a positive % change represents an increase in a particular parameter. Overall, under treatment, the levels of calcium, carbonate and bicarbonate decreased, probably owing to the formation of a calcium carbonate precipitate. The formation of calcium carbonate precipitate also led to an overall decrease in hardness. The level of magnesium also decreased overall under treatment, probably owing to the formation of magnesium hydroxide precipitate. With precipitating solids (e.g., calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, etc.), the total soluble salts level decreased as well under treatment. SAR increased upon treatment, which can be expected given the decrease in calcium and magnesium, coupled with an observed increase in sodium levels. An overall increase in sodium, potassium, nitrate, and chloride levels could be attributed to salt dissociation equilibriums shifting due to precipitating of certain salts and/or due to a change in pH. The pH increased overall, which may have been caused by C02(g) leaving the water, thereby shifting the carbonic acid equilibrium towards consuming hydronium ions. The production of a calcium carbonate precipitate and C02(g) may have contributed to a decrease in calcium and bicarbonate levels. B, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe levels were only tested for samples B1 and B2. The levels of Zn ad Cu were extremely low, probably approaching the detection limit of the instrument, and as such the variations in Zn and Cu as displayed in Table 1 might not be significant. The levels of B, Mn, and Fe decreased under treatment, indicating that some of these elements probably also formed insoluble precipitates, such as, for example, calcium hexaboride, manganese carbonate, iron hydroxide, iron phosphate, etc.

EXAMPLE 2

[00147] An embodiment of the electromagnetic water treatment device was constructed with the following specifications: 30 inches of 1 .5 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe, wound with no. 16 gauge wire, cut into 4 sections and coupled for space and efficiency. The water flow rate was about 25-gallons per minute. This is thought to be an adequate embodiment for a household unit. A 1 -inch water meter from the city usually provides about 30 gallons/minute, so the unit would slow the flow a little because it can only handle 25 gallons/minute. If the lawn is watered at 25 gallons/minute, this still leaves 5 gallons/minute from the city to flush the toilet at the same time. If the city flow is larger than the unit flow, the unit will restrict the flow and decrease the water pressure, but the unit would not be damaged.

EXAMPLE 3

[00148] In another example of the device, 1/2 (half) inch schedule 40 PVC pipe having a length of 24 inches with a transducer made of 24-gauge wire with a close-wound winding length of about 18 inches was used, and the power applied was 20 watts at varying frequencies. A further embodiment of the device used 1 .5 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe with a transducer made of no. 16-gauge wire with a total length of 100-120 inches, 500 watts of power was applied to it to condition the water for agricultural purposes with one pass. For industrial purposes, such as for used fracking ('frac') water or waste water, a device with a transducer of no. 6-gauge wire wound over several 12-foot length of pipe, 4 inches or 6 inches in diameter, with many kilowatts of power applied to it might be used.

EXAMPLE 4 [00149] Conditioned water was used on tomato plants that were planted on March 1 , 2014, in Kerrville, Texas, about 1 -2 months earlier than normal. The tomato plants survived four freezes, grew to over six feet tall, and were still producing tomatoes in the middle of July. Tomato plants rarely survive a freeze because they prefer warm to hot temperatures. When referring to a freeze, the temperatures are usually around 30-32 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditioned water that had a pH of about 8.5, which means the water underwent about 30 passes through the device, was also used to grow blueberries in Kerrville, Texas. The blueberry plants were still producing fruit in the middle of July.

EXAMPLE 5

[00150] For agricultural purposes such as for use in an irrigation pivot, the necessary flow rate of water would probably be about 400 gallons per minute or greater. The transducer would be made of no. 12 gauge wire for about a 30 foot pipe. Some pivots provide 900 gallons of water per minute, and the device would require 6-inch diameter pipe with no. 6 gauge wire with 100 amps of power applied. The goal for pivot irrigation and other large-scale agricultural uses is a single-pass transducer or pivot sprayer that can irrigate 180 acres at a time.

EXAMPLE 6

[00151] In order to further demonstrate the effects of the electromagnetic water treatment systems described herein, a treatment system was constructed and used as previously disclosed herein to treat several samples of water, which were tested to illustrate the relative changes caused by the electromagnetic water treatment device. More specifically, the effect of the electromagnetic water treatment system on the pH, conductivity, resistivity, and resistance were investigated for various water samples, for single pass and multiple passes through the electromagnetic water treatment system, and the resulting data is displayed in Table 2. The pH was measured with a pH meter that was calibrated prior to use; and the conductivity was measured with a voltmeter set to collect the DC Voltage pass when samples of water were used as a resistor in the process. Sample #1 was a control sample of untreated water: this particular sample was not passed through the electromagnetic water treatment system. Sample #2 was obtained by passing the untreated water through the electromagnetic water treatment system in a single pass. Sample #3 was obtained by softening the untreated water and then passing it through the electromagnetic water treatment system in a single pass. Sample #4 (e.g., 50 gallons setup) and sample #5 were obtained by passing the untreated water through the electromagnetic water treatment system in a multiple pass. Sample #3 was the only sample subjected to removal of calcium and magnesium ions prior to passing it through the electromagnetic water treatment system; no other samples were softened pre-treatment (e.g., prior to passing through the electromagnetic water treatment system).

[00152]

[00153] The data in Table 2 indicate that by passing water through the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein there is an increase in pH and in general an increase in resistivity; and a decrease in conductivity. The results in Table 2 suggest that the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein is activating the water to shift its equilibrium to form more water molecules (H20) than its ionic counterparts (H+ and HO-).

[00154] pH Analysis. By increasing the number of passes through the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein, there is an increase in pH, thereby reducing the ionic product of water (K_w) from 2.88 x 10^"15 for sample #1 to 2.40 x 10^"17 for sample #4. The K_w decreases by one order of magnitude from sample #1 to sample #3; and the K_w decreases by two orders of magnitude from sample #1 to sample #4. Without wishing to be limited by theory, passing water through the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein may lead to effectively reducing the number of H⁺ and HO^" ions in solution and pushing these ions to the undissociated H₂0 structure based on the equilibrium depicted in equation (7):

H₂0— H⁺ + HO^" (7)

[00155] Temperature variations also affect the equilibrium in equation (7), wherein an increase in temperature (e.g., high temperature) shifts this equilibrium towards the right side (e.g., dissociation of water molecules into H+ and HO- ions), and wherein a decrease in temperature (e.g. , low temperature) shifts this equilibrium towards the left side (e.g., formation of water molecules from H+ and HO- ions). For example, at 25°C, at a pH of 7, Kw = 1 .0 x 10-14. Further, as another example, at 0°C, Kw = 1 .5 x 10-15. Further, as yet another example, at 60°C, Kw = 9.5 x 10-14. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, and with the help of this disclosure, a higher temperature contributes to a higher Kw.

[00156] Conductivity Analysis. Generally, resistivity increases with decreasing the number or amount of ions in solution, and conductivity follows the reverse trend by generally decreasing with decreasing the number or amount of ions in solution. This is evident in the softened water (sample #3), where Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions (which are present in samples #1 and #2) are no longer present (or have been substantially removed). Conductivity decreases for sample #3 because in addition to the electromagnetic water treatment system reducing the number of H+ and HO- ions in solution by shifting the equilibrium in equation (7) towards the undissociated water molecule, the Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions are also removed from the water sample, thereby reducing the conductivity of the overall system. Conductivity continues to decrease with multiple pass systems (samples #4 and #5) because of ions (e.g., Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions) potentially precipitating out of the solution (e.g., water sample). When a water sample is softened by ion exchange, the Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions are usually replaced with Na+ ions, and this process does not usually affect the overall conductivity; however, in this case, the conductivity can be decreased owing to reducing the number of H+ and HO- ions in solution by shifting the equilibrium in equation (7) towards the undissociated water molecule.

[00157] Single Pass Comparison. The softened water (sample #3) has a higher pH, most likely due to the ions (Na+) present in the sample #3 solution, as a result of softening the water. Without wishing to be limited by theory, a treatment system as disclosed herein could act on such a small ion (Na+) more effectively. pH goes up for sample #3 because there are more undissociated water molecules present than its ionic (H+ and HO-) counterparts, and the presence of Na+ ions can lead to a pH increase. As discussed previously herein for the conductivity, the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein can lead to a decrease in the number of

H+ and HO- ions in solution by shifting the equilibrium in equation (7) towards the water molecule, thereby leading to a lower conductivity, and consequently a higher resistivity. The differences observed in pH and conductivity between the different single pass samples (samples #2 and #3) are most likely due to softening the water in sample #3. The conductivity increase for sample #2 can be attributed to an increased number of free ions in solution owing to the electromagnetic water treatment system as disclosed herein activating the water to shift its equilibrium to form more undissociated water molecules (H20) than its ionic counterparts (H+ and HO-). Without wishing to be limited by theory, some ions in solution (e.g., sample #2) could be more mobile with respect to current flow due to a lower hydration of such ions.

[00158] Multi Pass Comparison. The multi pass samples #4 and #5 display a decrease in conductivity (and a consequent increase in resistivity) when compared to the single pass sample #2, probably owing to a higher degree of decrease in the number of H+ and HO- ions in solution by shifting the equilibrium in equation (7) towards the water molecule.

EXAMPLE 7

[00159] Experiments were performed to evaluate the desalination of water via the system and method described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 9, comprising ion exchange subsequent water activation/conditioning via the electromagnetic water treatment device disclosed herein. The electromagnetic water treatment device utilized in the experiments provided a magnetic component of the field strength of 985 gauss. It was hypothesized that exposure of saline water to a higher electromagnetic field when coupled with the utilization of a water softener media containing zeolites for their high surface exchange area could significantly reduce the saline content of water.

[00160] To examine the extent of the synergism provided via utilization of a zeolite media with a high gauss water activation, such combination was utilized to study the desalination of seawater. Seawater has typically has measurements as indicated in Table 3 hereinbelow.

[00161]

[00162] The laboratory-made seawater utilized in this Example had the properties provided in Table 4 hereinbelow.

[00163]

[00164] The laboratory-made seawater had a slightly lower pH, which was expected to increase upon activation in the transducer treatment device, is similar in salt content (parts per thousand, ppt), is slightly higher in conductivity, indicating the presence of more ions in solution, and has a slightly higher TDS, also consistent with an increase of ions in solution.

[00165] In these experiments, tap water was run through a zeolite ion exchanger ALDEX C-800 series media, available from Aldex Chemical Company, Ltd., in Granby, QC, Canada, to exchange the sodium ions, with which it was preloaded, with calcium ions, magnesium ions, and the like. The ion exchange medium was washed with water (e.g., tap water), until the concentration of sodium ions being eluted remains substantially constant. For each experiment, approximately one pound of zeolite (dry measure) was placed in a plastic or metal container, the bottom of which comprised a fine screen and surrounded by a catch pan. Dry (unused) zeolite was prewashed with approximately one gallon of water, introduced at the top of the plastic or metal container. Seawater to be desalinated was run through a 985 gauss treatment device as described hereinabove for the time period indicated in Table 5. The 985 gauss treatment device comprised #14 enameled copper wire wound on a 41 inch long piece of 2 inch diameter, straight copper pipe, without elbows or bends. The sample size was five gallons circulating through the 985 gauss transducer at six GPM. Following activation via electromagnetic water treatment, the activated water was passed through the ion exchanger (i.e., the water softener preloaded with ions other than sodium). [00166] The results of the experiments are provided in FIG. 10, and tabulated in Table 5 hereinbelow. The time presented in the first column of Table 5 is the time period the saline water was activated by running through the transducer.

[00167]

[00168] As seen from the data in Table 5 and FIG. 10, the pH did not change substantially upon the desalination treatment. However, the pH generally increased, consistent with activation. However, the change in the salt content was significant. After 10 minutes of activation/conditioning in the electromagnetic water treatment device, followed by ion exchange via passage over the zeolite media, the salt concentration (ppt) was reduced by over 80%. The conductivity and TDS tracked together, exhibiting a significant reduction of each, at about 80% reduction each. As can be seen from the data, longer activation periods may not result in further reduction. For example, the 15 minute run time provided a reduction in conductivity and TDS of about 40%. Optimum activation/conditioning periods can be determined via routine experimentation, as known to those of skill in the art. For example, inline sensors could be used to arrive at an optimum time for exposure of the saline water in the transducer. In this experiment, activation time of five to ten minutes provided optimal results.

[00169] The reduced TDS (total dissolved solids) may result in precipitate particles in the bottom of the reaction vessel, trapped within the zeolite, etc. No precipitate was visible in the recirculation tank around the transducer, in this experiment. The composition of the precipitate will generally depend on the components of the water utilized to wash the ion exchange media prior to contact thereof with the activated water to be desalinated. In general, the precipitated particles are solids comprising calcium and/or magnesium carbonate, or co-precipitations of additional ions from solution.

[00170] This Example 7 also indicates that an increase in gauss provided by the electromagnetic water treatment device, when coupled with ion exchange via contact with a zeolite media, can reduce the saline content substantially. Such a reduction in saline content can have a great impact on the numerous commercial applications requiring the desalination of water.

EXAMPLE 8

[00171] Experiments were performed in which an identical volume of water was either activated through the transducer and subsequently passed through the ion exchanger, or simply subjected to the ion exchange. The experiments were performed using the same quantity of water through the same amount of zeolite, for both the activated and raw water samples. Results indicated activating the saline water via the transducer resulted in at least thirty percent improved sodium ion exchange (i.e., sodium removal) relative to passing the saline water through the ion exchange media alone.

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

[00172] Having described a number of systems and methods herein, specific embodiments can include, but are not limited to:

[00173]A: A desalination system comprising: a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water; a transducer comprising a wire coil positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit; and a controller electrically coupled to the transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to the transducer; and at least one cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water. [00174] B: A desalination system comprising: a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water; a multi-section transducer comprising a plurality of wire coils positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit, wherein the plurality of wire coils are connected in series; and a controller electrically coupled to the multi-section transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils; and a cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water.

[00175] C: A method of desalinating water, the method comprising: passing inlet water through a conduit while passing an alternating electrical current through a transducer comprising a wire coil disposed about at least a portion of the conduit; and generating a varying electromagnetic field within the conduit in response to the passing of the alternating electrical current through the transducer, thus subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit to produce a conditioned water, wherein the conditioned water has at least one property that is different from that of the inlet water; and subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange to produce a desalinated water.

[00176] Each of embodiments A, B and C may have one or more of the following additional elements: Element 1 : wherein the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof. Element 2: wherein the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto. Element 3: wherein the cation exchange medium comprises a low or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom. Element 4: wherein the ion exchanger comprises microbeads. Element 5: wherein the ion exchanger comprises microbeads, and wherein the microbeads have a diameter/size in the range of from about 16 to about 50 mesh, from about 20 to about 50 mesh, or from about 40 to about 50 mesh. Element 6: wherein the ion exchange medium comprises a support selected from the group consisting of zeolites, resins, or combinations thereof. Element 7: wherein the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium. Element 8: comprising at least two cation exchangers fluidly coupled with the treatment device, such that a second of the at least two cation exchangers can be placed online while a first of the at least two cation exchangers is taken offline. Element 9: further comprising a sensor configured to measure a salinity of the desalinated water, and a controller operable to, when the salinity of the desalinated water is above a desired threshold indicating that the online cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, place the offline cation exchanger online and initiate regeneration of the saturated cation exchanger.

Element 10: further comprising a recycle line configured to reintroduce at least a portion of the desalinated water to the at least one cation exchanger, whereby the desalinated water introduced thereto can be further desalinated. Element 1 1 : wherein the treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about

180 gauss. Element 12: wherein the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 55,000 gauss-Hz, at least about

60,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 65,000 gauss-Hz, at least about 70,000 gauss-Hz, or at least about 75,000 gauss-Hz. Element 13: operable to reduce at least one parameter of the water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40, 50,

60, 70, or 80%. Element 14: wherein the conduit comprises a plastic. Element 15: wherein the conduit comprises a non-ferromagnetic material. Element 16: wherein the conduit is formed from copper, aluminum, non-ferromagnetic stainless steel, any alloy thereof, or any combination thereof. Element 17: wherein the conduit comprises an electrically insulating coating, and wherein the electrically insulating coating is disposed between an outer surface of the conduit and the wire coil.

Element 18: further comprising a power supply coupled to the controller, wherein the power supply is configured to provide an alternating current supply between about

12 V AC and about 480 V AC. Element 19: further comprising a recycle line, wherein the recycle line provides fluid communication between an outlet of the conduit downstream of the transducer and an inlet of the conduit upstream of the transducer. Element 20: further comprising an insulated enclosure, wherein the conduit and the transducer are disposed within the insulated enclosure, and wherein a size of wire in the wire coil is configured to generate heat in response to the alternating current being provided to the transducer. Element 21 : wherein the wire coil comprises a single layer of windings about the conduit. Element 22: wherein the wire coil comprises a plurality of layers of windings about the conduit. Element

23: wherein the plurality of layers are disposed in a random winding pattern.

Element 24: wherein the controller comprises a capacitor, wherein the capacitor and the transducer form a tuned loop, and wherein the controller is configured to provide the alternating current to the transducer at a resonance frequency. Element 25: further comprising a turbulence inducing structure disposed within the conduit.

Element 26: wherein the turbulence inducing device comprises an insert within the conduit having a helical shape. Element 27: further comprising a flow switch, wherein the flow switch is configured to provide an indication to the controller when water is not flowing through the conduit. Element 28: further comprising a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the transducer and in signal communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to prevent the alternating current from being provided to the transducer when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold. Element 29: wherein the multi-section transducer comprises between 2 and 10 wire coils.

Element 30: wherein the controller is configured to provide between about 20 V AC and about 80 V AC to each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils. Element 31 : wherein the conduit comprises no or at least one bend between each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils. Element 32: wherein subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange further comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom. Element 33: wherein the cation other than sodium has a charge of at least +2. Element 34: further comprising washing the cation exchange medium with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto, until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom, such that the cation exchange medium comprises a low or minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto. Element 35: wherein subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange further comprises running the conditioned water through a first cation exchanger until the first cation exchanger is saturated with sodium, and then placing a second cation exchanger online and the saturated cation exchanger offline. Element 36: further comprising regenerating the sodium-saturated cation exchanger. Element 37: wherein regenerating comprises running water comprising the cation other than sodium through the saturated cation exchanger until the amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom remains substantially constant. Element 38: further comprising subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange, until a desired level of salinity is achieved. Element 39: wherein subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom, and wherein subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange further comprises introducing the desalinated water back through the cation exchanger or another cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium. Element 40: wherein subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit comprises subjecting the inlet water to a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, from about 100 to about 1000 gauss, from about 150 to about 1000 gauss, or from about 150 to about 180 gauss. Element 41 : wherein the conduit comprises a metal, and wherein the method further comprises: generating heat while subjecting the water to the varying electromagnetic field; and conducting the heat into the water through the conduit. Element 42: wherein the alternating electrical current is provided at a voltage between about 12 V AC and about 480 V AC. Element 43: wherein the alternating electrical current is provided at a frequency between about 10 Hz and about 200 kHz. Element 44: wherein the alternating electrical current provides between about 10 watts to about 10 kilowatts to the water. Element 45: heating the inlet water within the transducer. Element 46: wherein the conditioned water is at least about 5°C warmer than the inlet water.

Element 47: wherein the alternating electrical current is in electrical communication with a capacitor, and wherein the transducer and the capacitor are operated as a tuned loop at a resonant frequency. Element 48: wherein the conditioned water has a pH at least about 0.1 pH units higher than the inlet water. Element 49: wherein the conditioned water has a TDS content at least about 10% lower than the inlet water. Element 50: wherein the conditioned water has a hardness at least about 20% lower than the inlet water. Element 51 : wherein the conditioned water has an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at least about 20 mV lower than the inlet water. Element 52: further comprising forming a precipitate in response to changing the at least one property of the inlet water. Element 53: further comprising recycling the conditioned water to the inlet of the conduit one or more times prior to subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange.

[00177] While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications thereof may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the teachings of the disclosure.

The embodiments described herein are representative only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is defined by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention(s). Furthermore, any advantages and features described above may relate to specific embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages or having any or all of the above features.

[00178] Additionally, the section headings used herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1 .77 or to otherwise provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings might refer to a "Field," the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, a description of a technology in the "Background" is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure.

Neither is the "Summary" to be considered as a limiting characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention" in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

[00179] Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Use of the term "optionally," "may," "might," "possibly," and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive.

[00180] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1 ), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.

[00181] AISO, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1 . A desalination system comprising:

a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising:

a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water;

a transducer comprising a wire coil positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit; and

a controller electrically coupled to the transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to the transducer; and

at least one cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water.

2. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof.

3. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto; wherein the cation exchange medium comprises a minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom; or a combination thereof.

4. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the ion exchanger comprises microbeads, wherein the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium, or both.

5. The desalination system of claim 1 further comprising a recycle line configured to reintroduce at least a portion of the desalinated water to the at least one cation exchanger, whereby the desalinated water introduced thereto can be further desalinated.

6. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, wherein the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, or both.

7 The desalination system of claim 1 , operable to reduce at least one parameter of the water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40%.

8. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a plastic, wherein the conduit comprises a non-ferromagnetic material, or a combination thereof.

9. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises an electrically insulating coating, and wherein the electrically insulating coating is disposed between an outer surface of the conduit and the wire coil.

10. The desalination system of claim 1 , wherein the wire coil comprises a single layer of windings about the conduit, or wherein the wire coil comprises a plurality of layers of windings about the conduit.

1 1 . A desalination system comprising:

a treatment device for treating water with an electromagnetic field, thus providing an activated water, the treatment device comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet for water to be treated and an outlet for activated water;

a multi-section transducer comprising a plurality of wire coils positioned around an outside of a portion of the conduit, wherein the plurality of wire coils are connected in series; and

a controller electrically coupled to the multi-section transducer, wherein the controller is configured to provide an alternating current to each wire coil of the plurality of wire coils; and

a cation exchanger fluidly coupled with the treatment device such that the activated water can be introduced thereto, wherein the cation exchanger contains therein a cation exchange medium, and is operable to exchange at least a portion of sodium ions in the activated water with a cation other than sodium, thus providing a desalinated water.

12. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , wherein the cation other than sodium comprises calcium, magnesium, or a combination thereof.

13. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , wherein the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto; wherein the cation exchange medium comprises a minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto, as the cation exchange medium was washed with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom; or a combination thereof.

14. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , wherein the ion exchanger comprises microbeads.

15. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , wherein the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium.

16. The desalination system of claim 1 1 further comprising a recycle line configured to reintroduce at least a portion of the desalinated water to the at least one cation exchanger, whereby the desalinated water introduced thereto can be further desalinated.

17. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , wherein the treatment device provides a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, wherein the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, or both.

18. The desalination system of claim 1 1 , operable to reduce at least one parameter of the water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40%.

19. A method of desalinating water, the method comprising:

passing inlet water through a conduit while passing an alternating electrical current through a transducer comprising a wire coil disposed about at least a portion of the conduit; and

generating a varying electromagnetic field within the conduit in response to the passing of the alternating electrical current through the transducer, thus subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit to produce a conditioned water, wherein the conditioned water has at least one property that is different from that of the inlet water; and

subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange to produce a desalinated water.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange further comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom.

21 . The method of claim 20, wherein the cation other than sodium has a charge of at least +2, wherein the ion exchange medium has a capacity to retain sodium ions that is approximately equal to or greater than double the capacity thereof to retain the cation other than sodium, or both.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the cation exchange medium is substantially fully loaded with the cation other than sodium prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto; further comprising washing the cation exchange medium with water containing the cation other than sodium prior to introduction of the activated water thereto, until substantially no further and/or a substantially constant amount of sodium ions eluted therefrom, such that the cation exchange medium comprises a minimum amount of sodium ions bound thereto prior to the introduction of the activated water thereto; or a combination thereof.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the cation exchange medium comprises microbeads.

24. The method of claim 19 further comprising subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange, until a desired level of salinity is achieved.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange comprises passing the water through a cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium, and extracting the desalinated water therefrom, and wherein subjecting the desalinated water to further cation exchange further comprises introducing the desalinated water back through the cation exchanger or another cation exchanger comprising a cation exchange medium loaded with a cation other than sodium.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein subjecting the inlet water to the varying electromagnetic field within the conduit comprises subjecting the inlet water to a magnetic component of the electromagnetic field that is in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 gauss, wherein the product of the field strength and the frequency is at least about 50,000 gauss-Hz, or both.

27. The method of claim 19, operable to reduce at least one parameter of the inlet water selected from the group consisting of the salinity, the total dissolved solids, the conductivity, or combinations thereof, by at least about 40%.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the conduit comprises a non-ferromagnetic metal, and wherein the method further comprises:

generating heat while subjecting the water to the varying electromagnetic field; and

conducting the heat into the water through the conduit.

29. The method of claim 19 further comprising: heating the inlet water within the transducer, wherein the conditioned water is at least about 5°C warmer than the inlet water.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the conditioned water has a pH at least about 0.1 pH units higher than the inlet water, wherein the conditioned water has a TDS content at least about 10% lower than the inlet water, wherein the conditioned water has a hardness at least about 20% lower than the inlet water, wherein the conditioned water has an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at least about 20 mV lower than the inlet water, or a combination thereof.

31 . The method of claim 19 further comprising forming a precipitate in response to changing the at least one property of the inlet water.

32. The method of claim 19 further comprising recycling the conditioned water to the inlet of the conduit one or more times prior to subjecting the conditioned water to cation exchange.