SYNERGISTIC COMBINATION OF METAL IONS WITH AN OXIDIZING AGENT AND ALGAECIDE TO REDUCE BOTH REQUIRED OXIDIZING AGENT AND MICROBIAL SENSITIVITY TO FLUCTUATIONS IN OXIDIZING AGENT CONCENTRATION, PARTICULARLY FOR SWIMMING POOLS

• US 6,562,243 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jonathan Sherman
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Sherman
• Inventors: Sherman, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoey, Betsey Morrison
• Application Number:
  US09/828,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 210/754, 210/764, 210/765, 210/169, 210/198.1, 210/908, 205/745
• US Class Current: 210/754
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/505 by oligodynamic treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/72 by oxidation C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/908 Organic

Abstract

A water purification system and method suitable for use in swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, water storage tanks, wells and water cooling towers adds (i) an oxidizing agent, preferably granulated or caked chlorine, (ii) metal ions, preferably silver from a galvanic cell having a silver anode electrically connected to a cathode made from a metal of still higher electrochemical potential, normally platinum, and, optionally (iii) an algaecide, preferably chelated copper and/or phosphate-removing compound, and/or (iv) a phosphate-reducing compound, all in synergistic combination. The galvanic cell is preferably some tens of square centimeters in size and some tens of grams in weight, thereby liberating sufficient silver or copper ions so as to aid in treating a multi-thousand liter body of water, such as a swimming pool, for, typically under normal contamination, some weeks to months until the anode is consumed. Copper and/or silver ions liberated from the galvanic cell cooperate with oxidizing agent to suppress bacterial, fungal and/or algae growth, particularly when new supply of oxidizing agent ceases for a prolonged time, normally >2 days. The (i) amount of chlorine, bromine or other chemicals needed to maintain water quality is thus significantly reduced to the greatly enhanced comfort of bathers while the (ii) time during which recovery can graciously be made from an exhausted supply of oxidizing agent is usefully extended.

Claims

1. A method of treating the water of a pool or spa receiving ongoing organic contamination, the method comprising:

first-introducing at predetermined rate a chemical oxidizing agent insufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria without the presence of metal ions but perpetually sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria in continuing presence of metal ions so long as the first-introducing is continued; and

second-introducing metal ions into the water sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria should the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent cease, and after such time as previously first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, but then only for a period of time, which period is at least twice as long as would otherwise be the case should the metal ions have never been present but which period is not perpetual, upon expiration of which period bacteria will ultimately grow in absence of the chemical oxidizing agent despite continuing second-introducing and continuing presence of the metal ions.

2. The water treatment method according to claim 1

wherein the second-introducing of (ii) the metal ions into the water is sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria for at least twenty four hours after first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent ceases and after a time when previously first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, which twenty four hour period is at least twice as long as would otherwise be the case should the second-introduced metal ions have never been present.

3. The water treatment method according to claim 1 further comprising:

third-introducing an algaecide sufficient to inhibit the growth of algae should (1) first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent cease, and after such time as previously first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, then (2) second-introducing of the metal ions then immediately also cease, but then only for a period of time, which period is longer than would otherwise be the case should the algaecide have never been present but which period is not perpetual, upon expiration of which period algae will ultimately grow in absence of the first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent and the second-introduced metal ions despite any continuing introducing and continuing presence of the third-introduced algaecide;

wherein the third-introducing of algaecide is not so much for primary control of algae growth, which the third-introducing alone cannot realize, as for the prolongation of the period in which algae growth will not escalate when primary inhibitors thereto become absent.

4. The water treatment method according to claim 3

wherein the third-introducing of the algaecide into the water is sufficient to inhibit the growth of algae for at least twenty four hours after first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent and second-introducing of the metal ions have both ceased, which twenty four hour period is at least twice as long as would otherwise be the case should the third-introduced algaecide have never been present.

5. The water treatment method according to claim 3 wherein the third-introducing is of an algaecide consisting essentially of chelated copper and compounds of chelated copper.

6. The water treatment method according to claim 3 further comprising:

fourth-introducing a phosphate-reducing compound sufficient to inhibit the growth of algae should first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent cease, and after such time as previously first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, and then both the second-introducing of the metal ions and the third-introducing of the algaecide both also cease, but then only for a short period of time, which period is longer than would otherwise be the case should the fourth-introduced phosphate-reducing compound have never been present but which period is not perpetual, upon expiration of which period algae will ultimately grow in absence of the first-introduced chemical oxidizing agent and the second-introduced metal ions and the third-introduced algaecide despite the presence of the fourth-introduced phosphate-reducing compound;

wherein the fourth-introducing of the phosphate-reducing compound is not so much for primary control of algal growth, which the fourth-introducing alone cannot realize, as for the prolongation of the period in which algal growth will not escalate when primary inhibitors thereto become absent.

7. The water treatment method according to claim 3 applied to circulating water of a pool or spa

wherein each of the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent, the second-introducing of the metal ions, and the third-introducing of the algaecide arises from a physically separate device located within the circulating water of the pool or spa.

8. The water treatment method according to claim 3 applied to circulating water of a pool or spa

wherein two of the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent, the second-introducing of the metal ions, and the third-introducing of algaecide arise from one, first, device within the circulating water of the pool or spa;

and

wherein the introducing of a remaining one of the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent, the second-introducing of the metal ions, and the third-introducing of the algaecide arises from another, physically separate, second device within the circulating water of the pool or spa;

wherein two or three separate devices are each consumable and replaceable in introducing all of (i) the chemical oxidizing agent, (ii) the metal ions, and (iii) the algaecide into the pool or spa.

9. The water treatment method according to claim 3 applied to circulating water of a pool or spa

wherein the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent, the second-introducing of the metal ions, and the third-introducing of the algaecide respectively arise from three separate chambers within a single device within the circulating water of the pool or spa;

wherein the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent, the second-introducing of the metal ions, and the third-introducing of the algaecide are conducted separately, and from separate chambers; and

wherein one, two or three devices are separately consumable and replaceable in introducing all of (i) the chemical oxidizing agent, (ii) the metal ions, and (iii) the algaecide into the pool or spa.

10. The water treatment method according to claim 1 wherein the second-introducing is of metal ions consisting essentially of silver and copper and zinc.

11. The water treatment method according to claim 10 wherein the second-introducing is of silver metal ions derived from a galvanic cell having

a first metal drawn from the group of silver and copper and zinc, in physical and electrical contact with

a second metal having a higher electrochemical potential than does the first metal, immersed in the water rendered electrically conductive by the presence of ions.

12. The water treatment method according to claim 10 wherein the second-introducing is of silver metal ions derived from a galvanic cell with a first and a second metal

wherein at least one of the first metal and the second metal is in the form a planar mesh while the other metal is in a planar form laid flat against the mesh;

wherein openings within the at least one metal mesh permit circulation of water so that ions may readily come into contact with both the first and the second metals where there is little distance between them; and

wherein by galvanic action an effective amount of the first metal is liberated into the water so as to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and algae.

13. The water treatment method according to claim 10

wherein the second-introducing is of silver metal ions;

and

wherein said second-introducing is derived from a galvanic cell having a second metal consisting essentially of a metal of the platinum group.

14. The water treatment method according to claim 1 wherein the first-introducing is of a chemical oxidizing agent drawn from the group consisting essentially of

chlorine;

wherein the second-introducing of silver metal ions derived from a galvanic cell by action of which chlorinated water is rendered electrically conductive by the presence of chlorine ions.

15. The water treatment method according to claim 1 wherein the first-introducing is of a chemical oxidizing agent drawn from the group consisting essentially of

chlorine and bromine.

16. The water treatment method according to claim 1 wherein the first-introducing is of a chemical oxidizing agent dissolved from a water soluble solid form of oxidizing agent.

17. The water treatment method according to claim 1 applied to circulating water of a pool or spa

wherein the first-introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent transpires upstream in the circulating water of the pool or spa from the second-introducing of the metal ions.

18. The water treatment method according to claim 1 further comprising:

third-introducing phosphate-removing compounds.

19. A replaceable consumable device insertable in a recirculation flow path of a pool or a spa for treating the water of the pool or the spa which pool or spa receives ongoing organic contamination, the device comprising:

a first means for introducing at predetermined rate (i) a chemical oxidizing agent, and

a second means for introducing at predetermined rate (ii) metal ions;

wherein an amount of (i) the chemical oxidizing agent introduced into the water by the first means is insufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria without the presence of (ii) the metal ions, but is perpetually sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria in continuing presence of (ii) the metal ions introduced by the second means; and

wherein an amount of (ii) the metal ions introduced into the water by the second means is sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria should introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent by the first means cease, and after such time as previously introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, but then only for a period of time, which period is at least twice as long as would otherwise be the case should the metal ions have never been present but which period is not perpetual, bacteria ultimately growing in absence of the chemical oxidizing agent despite continuing introducing and continuing presence of the metal ions.

20. The water treatment device according to claim 19 wherein the second means comprises:

a galvanic cell having

a first metal drawn from the group of silver and copper and zinc, in physical and electrical contact with

a second metal having a higher electrochemical potential than does the first metal, immersed in the recirculating water rendered electrically conductive by the presence of ions.

21. The water treatment device according to claim 19

wherein the introducing of (ii) the metal ions into the water by the second means is sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria for at least twenty four hours after introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent by the first means ceases and after a time when previously introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, which twenty four hour period is at least twice as long as would otherwise be the case should the metal ions have never been present.

22. The water treatment device according to claim 19 wherein the device farther comprises:

a third means for further introducing (iii) an algaecide;

wherein an amount of (iii) the algaecide introduced into the water by the third means is sufficient to inhibit the growth of algae should introducing of the chemical oxidizing agent by the first means cease, and after such time as previously introduced chemical oxidizing agent is effectively completely consumed, but then only for a period of time, which period is longer than would otherwise be the case should the algaecide have never been present but which period is not perpetual, algae ultimately growing in absence of the chemical oxidizing agent despite continuing introducing of the metal ions by the second means.

23. The water treatment device according to claim 19 wherein the first means comprises:

a solid form of water soluble chemical oxidizing agent dissolving over time to introduce chemical oxidizing agent into the water.

24. A water purification system, insertable within a flow of recirculating water of a pool or spa, comprising:

a porous package;

containing

a consumable galvanic cell producing metal ions;

a consumable water-soluble chemical oxidizing agent in an amount that is intentionally consumed before the galvanic cell is consumed; and

an algaecide.

25. (Restated) The water purification system according to claim 24 wherein the chemical oxidizing agent comprises:

a solid form of water soluble chemical oxidizing agent dissolving over time to introduce chemical oxidizing agent into the water.

26. The water purification system according to claim 24 wherein the galvanic cell comprises:

a first metal drawn from the group of silver and copper and zinc, in physical and electrical contact with

a second metal having a higher electrochemical potential than does the first metal, immersed in the recirculating water rendered electrically conductive by the presence of ions.