Multi-modal method and apparatus for treating a solution

• US 6,193,878 B1
• Filed: 11/26/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Darby & Darby PC
• Original Assignee: ZPM, Inc.
• Inventors: Colic, Miroslav, DeWitt, Joe, Morse, Dwain E., Matherly, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walker, W. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cecil, Terry K.
• Application Number:
  US08/979,405
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 210/223, 210/221.1, 210/221.2, 210/222, 210/695, 210/748, 210/304, 210/294, 210/512.1, 210/143, 210/85, 210/96.1, 422/186, 422/186.01, 422/186.29, 422/186.04, 422/186.3, 204/661, 204/664, 204/667
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0006 Controlling or regulating processes controlling or regulating in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/087 employing electric or magnetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/10 employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/12 employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/129 Radiofrequency
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2405 provoking a turbulent flow of the reactants, such as in cyclones, or having a high Reynolds-number
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00164 controlling the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00177 controlling the pH
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/36 ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/487 using high frequency electromagnetic fields, e.g. pulsed electromagnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/00 Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/22 Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence

Abstract

A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

Claims

1. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel defining a treatment environment, said containment vessel including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit disposed within said containment vessel, said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution;

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution and operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said imput source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

2. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein said containment vessel includes:

a cylindrical housing; and

a tubular fluid passage disposed concentrically within said housing.

3. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said containment vessel comprises an air sparged hydrocyclone having a porous tubular fluid passage.

4. A multi-modal system according to claim 3 and further including:

a gas charger disposed coaxially around said porous tube.

5. A multi-modal system according to claim 4 wherein:

said gas charger comprises a cylindrical resonator, said cylindrical resonator coupled to said electromagnetic energy delivery unit.

6. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprises an RF water module.

7. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said electromagnetic energy unit comprises a photon generator for emitting photon radiation within the ultraviolet, infrared and visible light frequency spectrum.

8. A multi-modal system according to claim 7 wherein:

said photon generator is disposed axially within said fluid passage.

9. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

10. A multi-modal system according to claim 9 wherein:

said ultrasonic transducer comprises a ring-shaped element disposed axially in-line with said containment vessel and having an internal wall forming a portion of said fluid passage.

11. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprises an electrochemical module.

12. A multi-modal system according to claim 11 wherein:

said electrochemical module includes a pair of oppositely charged ring electrodes disposed axially in-line with said containment vessel.

13. A multi-modal system according to claim 1 wherein:

said electromagnetic energy delivery unit, comprises an electromagnet element.

14. A multi-modal system according to claim 13 wherein:

said electromagnet element comprises a ring electromagnet disposed axially in-line with said containment vessel.

15. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

a gas charger comprising a helical resonator disposed coaxially around said porous tube;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit disposed within said containment vessel and coupled to said helical resonator, said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

16. A multi-modal system according to claim 15 wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

17. A multi-modal system according to claim 15 and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution and operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

18. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

a gas charger comprising a porous cylindrical electrode disposed coaxially around said porous fluid passage tube;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit disposed within said containment vessel and coupled to said porous cylindrical electrode, said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

19. A multi-modal system according to claim 18, wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

20. A multi-modal system according to claim 18, and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution and operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

21. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit including an RF water module, comprising;

a signal generator for generating a modulated RF signal output;

a first housing having closed ends defining a first water-tight chamber;

coil means contained within said first chamber for delivering a magnetic field into the solution;

voltage probe means coupled to said coil means for delivering an electric field into the solution;

means for coupling said modulated RF signal to said coil means;

wherein said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and effect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

22. A multi-modal system according to claim 21 wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

23. A multi-modal system according to claim 22 and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution and operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

24. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprising a photon generator disposed axially within said fluid passage for emitting photon radiation within the ultraviolet, infrared and visible light frequency spectrum;

wherein said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

25. A multi-modal system according to claim 24 wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

26. A multi-modal system according to claim 24, and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

27. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprising an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said containment vessel, said ultrasonic transducer comprising a ring-shaped element disposed axially in-line with said containment vessel and having an internal wall forming a portion of said fluid passage;

wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

28. A multi-modal system according to claim 27, wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

29. A multi-modal system according to claim 27, and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.

30. A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in said solution, said system including:

a containment vessel comprising a gas sparged hydrocyclone including a wall defining a porous tubular fluid passage and a fluid inlet coupled to said passage to centrifugally direct said solution helically along said wall;

at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit comprising an electrochemical module disposed within said containment vessel, said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit responsive to an input source to generate electromagnetic energy of varying frequency over time sufficient to stimulate said solution and affect said hydration forces in order to aid in the separation of the constituents from the solution while maintaining the integrity and fluid characteristic of the solution; and

a controlling unit coupled to said at least one electromagnetic delivery unit to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about said solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

31. A multi-modal system according to claim 30, wherein said containment vessel includes a cylindrical housing disposed concentrically about said tubular fluid passage.

32. A multi-modal system according to claim 30, wherein:

said electrochemical module includes a pair of oppositely charged ring electrodes disposed axially in-line with said containment vessel.

33. A multi-modal system according to claim 30, and further including:

a controller having a detection unit including a loop antenna for sensing one or more parameters indicative of the content of said solution and operative to generate feedback representative of said detected content; and

a control unit including a spectral analyzer responsive to said detected feedback to determine a set of optimal treatment parameters and coupled to said at least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit to generate said input source to alter said variable electromagnetic energy in accordance with said optimal treatment parameters.