Water purification system

• US 6,929,740 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tarn Pure IP Limited
• Original Assignee: T.P. Technology PLC
• Inventors: Hayes, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoey, Betsey Morrison
• Application Number:
  US10/342,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 210/138, 204/229.4, 204/229.6, 204/230.2, 204/272, 204/660, 204/663, 204/670
• US Class Current: 210/138
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4606 for producing oligodynamic substances to disinfect the water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46119 Cleaning the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4612 Controlling or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4613 Inversing polarity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas

Abstract

A water purification apparatus used to prevent the formation of scale around electrodes which form part of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one electrode containing a proportion of an ion-emitting electrode such as copper, silver or a copper and silver alloy and at least one electrode containing a proportion of a non-emissive metal such as titanium. The electrodes are connected to a DC power supply which has switching means to reverse the polarity of the electrodes at predetermined intervals. The apparatus ensures accurate control of disinfection and minimal equipment maintenance.

Claims

1. A water purification apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes connected to a DC power supply, one of the electrodes being made of titanium and each other electrode being copper or silver or a mixture of copper and silver, wherein a plurality of other electrodes are disposed around a cylindrical titanium electrode, DC power supply being provided with control means for cyclically alternating the polarity of the output of the power supply for predetermined intervals with quiescent periods therebetween.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control is arranged to vary the length of the predetermined interval.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cycle time is between 30 and 60 seconds.

4. Apparatus according to claims 1 wherein the control means is arranged to select the amplitude of the current from a number of predetermined current values.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other electrodes are alternately copper and silver.

6. A water purification apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes connected to a DC power supply, one of the electrodes being made of titanium and the or each other electrode being copper or silver or a mixture of copper and silver, DC power supply being provided with control means for cyclically alternating the polarity of the output of the power supply for predetermined intervals with quiescent periods therebetween, wherein the control means is arranged to select the amplitude of the current from a number of predetermined current values.