U.S. patent application number 10/480412 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for electrolytic activation of fluids.
Invention is credited to Gomez, Rodolfo Antonio M.
Application Number | 20050072665 10/480412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3829640 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050072665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gomez, Rodolfo Antonio M |
April 7, 2005 |
Electrolytic activation of fluids
Abstract
A unipolar liquid activation apparatus with an anode cell (40),
a cathode cell (41), and a direct current power supply (43), the
anode cell having an anode (46), a liquid inlet (50) and an anolyte
outlet (51), the cathode cell having a cathode (47), a liquid inlet
(52) and a catholyte outlet (53), means to electrically connect the
anode and cathode respectively to the direct current power supply.
The cells can also include connected solution electrodes (44, 49).
Alternatively the anode and cathode can be compound electrodes (81,
83) with means to electrically connect the inner anode electrode
and the inner cathode electrode. The anode cell and cathode cell
may be adjacent to each other and electrically connected by an
electronic membrane (104) in contact respectively with the anode
and cathode and allowing flow of electrons only from the cathode to
the anode. The unipolar activation apparatus may also be an anode
(141) and a cathode (142) electrically isolated from each other but
connected to a DC power source.
Inventors: |
Gomez, Rodolfo Antonio M;
(Urrbrae, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Klauber & Jackson
Continental Plaza
411 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack
NJ
07601
US
|
Family ID: |
3829640 |
Appl. No.: |
10/480412 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
June 14, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU02/00777 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/46104 20130101;
C02F 2001/46138 20130101; C02F 2201/46195 20130101; A61L 2/02
20130101; C02F 2303/04 20130101; C02F 2201/46155 20130101; A61L
2/035 20130101; C02F 2209/06 20130101; C02F 1/4618 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/232 |
International
Class: |
C25B 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2001 |
AU |
PR 5667 |
Claims
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus including an anode cell,
a cathode cell, and a direct current power supply, the anode cell
having an anode, a liquid inlet and an anolyte outlet, the cathode
cell having an cathode, a liquid inlet and a catholyte outlet,
means to electrically connect the anode and cathode respectively to
the direct current power supply, means to supply fluid to the anode
and cathode cells, and means to recover the activated anolyte from
the anode cell and the activated catholyte from the cathode
cell.
2. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the
anode cell further includes a first solution electrode and the
cathode cell includes a second solution electrode and further
including means to electrically connect the first solution
electrode and the second solution electrode.
3. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the
anode is a compound anode, the compound anode having an inner anode
electrode and an outer electrode being the anode and separated by
and in intimate contact with an electrolytic membrane or internal
electrolyte, the cathode is a compound cathode, the compound
cathode having an inner cathode electrode and a outer electrode
being the cathode and separated by and in intimate contact with an
electrolytic membrane or internal electrolyte and means to
electrically connect the inner anode electrode to the inner cathode
electrode.
4. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the
anode cell and cathode cell are adjacent to each other and the
first and second solution electrodes and the means to electrically
connect the first solution electrode and the second solution
electrode together comprise a common first and second solution
electrode being an electronic membrane in contact respectively with
the anode and cathode and allowing flow of electrons only from the
cathode to the anode.
5. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the
electrical resistance of the electronic membrane in contact with
the anode and cathode electrode is very high resulting in the anode
electrode being electrically isolated from the cathode
electrode.
6. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the
anode electrode and the cathode electrode are cylindrical
incorporating internal surface enhancement features such as gauze
or expanded metal connected to the electrodes.
7. A unipolar liquid apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the positive
terminal of the DC power source is connected to the anode electrode
and the negative positive terminal of the DC power source is
connected to the cathode electrode.
8. A unipolar liquid apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the ends of
the anode and cathode electrodes are connected to electrically
non-conducting inlet and outlet.
9. A unipolar liquid apparatus as in claims 1 wherein the means to
supply fluid to the anode and cathode cells includes means to feed
at least one of a liquid, a gas or a solid or a mixture
thereof.
10. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein
the means to electrically connect the first solution electrode and
the second solution electrode is a wire between the respective
cells.
11. A unipolar liquid activation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein
the cathode and anode have a high surface area to increase the
contact area with the respective liquids.
12. A method of sterilisation of liquid including the step of
passing streams of the liquid through respective electrolytic
cells, the electrolytic cells being an anode cell having an anode,
a liquid inlet and an anolyte outlet and a cathode cell having an
cathode, a liquid inlet and a catholyte outlet, a direct current
power supply electrically connected to the anode and cathode
respectively, means to supply liquid to the anode and cathode
cells, and means to recover the activated anolyte from the anode
cell and the activated catholyte from the cathode cell.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention concerns apparatus and process to carry out
electrolytic unipolar activation of fluids also known as unbalanced
electrolysis.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] In a conventional electrolytic reaction in a conventional
diaphragm cell, electrons are removed from the anode electrode
resulting in an oxidation reaction at the anode cell. The ions
produced at the anode electrode migrate through the diaphragm to
the cathode electrode due to difference in concentration of ions.
The ions are reduced at the cathode completing the ionic circuit of
the diaphragm cell. The slow movement of ions is often sped up by
transferring the anolyte from the anode cell to the cathode cell.
The complete electronic circuit of the diaphragm cell is shown on
FIG. 1.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a conventional diaphragm electrolytic cell where a
DC source 1 is connected to the anode electrode 2 and cathode
electrode 3 with a diaphragm 4 separating the anode cell 7 and
anode electrode 2 from the cathode cell 8 and cathode electrode 3.
The complete electronic circuit passes from the anode electrode 2
to the DC source 1 to the cathode electrode 3 through the catholyte
5 through the diaphragm 4 through the anolyte 6 and to the anode
electrode 2.
[0004] The activation of liquids by subjecting the liquid to
unipolar activation or unbalanced electrolysis is becoming a major
branch of chemistry. The subject has been studied extensively in
Russia and some of the studies have been published by Dr. Vitold
Bakhir in several papers. Dr. Bakhir, et al have been granted U.S.
Pat. No. 5,427,667 (Jun. 27, 1995) for an apparatus for the
electrochemical treatment of water, with the objective of
sterilizing the water or using the product as a disinfectant. Dr.
Bakhir's apparatus is tubular in shape and is diagrammatically
shown in FIG. 2.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a tubular diaphragm cell described in
Dr. Bakhir's U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,667. The outer tube 10 is cathode
electrode and the inner tube 11 is the anode electrode and these
are separated by a cylindrical ceramic diaphragm 12. The DC power
source is not shown but is connected to the anode electrode and the
cathode electrode. Liquid 13 to be activated is fed into the outer
cell and exits as activated catholyte 14. Further liquid 15 to be
activated is fed into the inner cell and exits as activated anolyte
16. Alternatively the outer tube may be the cathode electrode and
the inner tube may be the anode electrode. The electrodes are, as
discussed in relation to the simple electrochemical cell above,
separated by a ion permeable diaphragm. Liquid is fed into the
outer tube and is discharged as the catholyte and a separate liquid
is fed into the inner tube and is discharged as the anolyte. There
is no mixing of the liquids and the apparatus acts to remove
electrons from the anolyte and add electrons to the catholyte.
[0006] While the major application of Dr. Bakhir's apparatus is the
treatment of water, the application of unbalanced electrochemical
activation is very extensive as described in the papers of Dr.
Bakhir. The benefits of unipolar activation can be examined in
almost every commercial application in energy, health, agriculture,
environment, and general industries. The only limitation in most
cases is the use of a diaphragm between the anode and cathode
electrodes that limit reaction rates due to the impedance of the
diaphragm and problems from blockage of the diaphragm from solids
and salt formation.
[0007] Our company has been granted Australian patents 654774 (Mar.
29, 1993), 707701 (Oct. 28, 1999) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,370 (Oct.
29, 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,502 (Mar. 16, 1999) regarding an
electrolytic cell that does not use a diaphragm or membrane between
the anode and the cathode electrodes. This electrolytic cell has a
very high Faraday efficiency, a higher energy efficiency and faster
reaction rate than conventional diaphragm cells allowing this
electrolytic cell to be used in commercial applications
particularly where the use of a diaphragm is a disadvantage because
of blockage of the diaphragm from solid particles, deposits of
salts or oily electrolytes. This is illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows the electrolytic system covered in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,882,502 where electrolysis is carried out without a diaphragm
between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode
cell 20 is separate from the cathode cell 21. The complete
electronic circuit starts from the anode electrode 22 to the DC
power source 23 to the cathode electrode 24 through the catholyte
25 to the cathode solution electrode 26 to the anode solution
electrode 27 through the anolyte 28 and to the anode electrode 22.
Ions produced at the anode cell in the anolyte are transferred 29
with the anolyte to the cathode cell and the reduced catholyte is
returned 19 to the anode cell to provide the ionic circuit of the
system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Unipolar activation involves only the transfer of electrons
from the anode to the cathode electrodes and there is no ionic
circuit as in conventional electrolytic reactions. However, there
is usually a complete electronic circuit between the anode
electrode, the DC power source, and the cathode electrode. Part of
this invention is an apparatus where unipolar activation is carried
out without a complete electronic circuit. The unipolar activation
system must also accommodate features such as high reaction rates,
energy effiency, pressure, temperature, mixtures of liquids,
liquids and gases, or liquids and solids required for commercial
applications. These features are best accommodated in electrolytic
systems where the anode cell is separate from the cathode cell and
with the absence of a diaphragm.
[0010] In one form therefore the invention is said to reside in a
unipolar liquid activation apparatus including an anode cell, a
cathode cell, and a direct current power supply, the anode cell
having an anode, a liquid inlet and an anolyte outlet, the cathode
cell having an cathode, a liquid inlet and a catholyte outlet,
means to electrically connect the anode and cathode respectively to
the direct current power supply, means to supply fluid to the anode
and cathode cells, and means to recover the activated anolyte from
the anode cell and the activated catholyte from the cathode
cell.
[0011] In one embodiment the anode cell further includes a first
solution electrode and the cathode cell includes a second solution
electrode and further including means to electrically connect the
first solution electrode and the second solution electrode.
[0012] In an alternative embodiment the anode is a compound anode,
the compound anode having an inner anode electrode and an outer
electrode being the anode and separated by and in intimate contact
with an electrolytic membrane or internal electrolyte, the cathode
is a compound cathode, the compound cathode having an inner cathode
electrode and a outer electrode being the cathode and separated by
and in intimate contact with an electrolytic membrane or internal
electrolyte and means to electrically connect the inner anode
electrode to the inner cathode electrode.
[0013] Alternatively the anode cell and cathode cell are adjacent
to each other and the first and second solution electrodes and the
means to electrically connect the first solution electrode and the
second solution electrode together comprise a common first and
second solution electrode being an electronic membrane in contact
respectively with the anode and cathode and allowing flow of
electrons only from the cathode to the anode.
[0014] The electrical resistance of the electronic membrane in
contact with the anode and cathode electrode may be very high
resulting in the anode electrode being electrically isolated from
the cathode electrode.
[0015] Preferably the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are
cylindrical incorporating internal surface enhancement features
such as gauze or expanded metal connected to the electrodes.
[0016] Preferably the positive terminal of the DC power source is
connected to the anode electrode and the negative positive terminal
of the DC power source is connected to the cathode electrode and
the ends of the anode and cathode electrodes may be connected to
electrically non-conducting inlet and outlet.
[0017] The means to supply fluid to the anode and cathode cells may
includes means to feed at least one of a liquid, a gas or a solid
or a mixture thereof.
[0018] The means to electrically connect the first solution
electrode and the second solution electrode is a wire between the
respective cells.
[0019] Preferably the cathode and anode have a high surface area to
increase the contact area with the respective liquids.
[0020] In an alternative form the invention is said to reside in a
method of sterilisation of liquid including the step of passing
streams of the liquid through respective electrolytic cells, the
electrolytic cells being an anode cell having an anode, a liquid
inlet and an anolyte outlet and a cathode cell having an cathode, a
liquid inlet and a catholyte outlet, a direct current power supply
electrically connected to the anode and cathode respectively,
[0021] means to supply liquid to the anode and cathode cells,
and
[0022] means to recover the activated anolyte from the anode cell
and the activated catholyte from the cathode cell.
[0023] Hence it will be seen that the apparatus performs its
function of removing electrons from fluid at the anode and adding
electrons to the fluid in the cathode without the use of a
diaphragm or membrane in contact with the fluids when a direct
current power is applied to the anode and cathode electrodes. The
absence of a diaphragm allows fast reaction rate that is required
for commercial applications. The other unipolar activation
apparatus removes electrons from the anode solution and adds
electrons to the cathode solution from a DC power source but in
this apparatus, the anode solution is completely electrically
separate from the cathode solution. The invention has important
commercial applications in energy, environment, agriculture,
health, chemical and general industries.
[0024] The invention may have three separate embodiments of
electrochemical systems that may be used in commercial applications
of unipolar activation. Two involve unipolar activation where there
is a complete electronic circuit while the third apparatus does not
have a complete electronic circuit. These apparatus may be used for
unipolar activation of single liquids such as water, mixtures of
liquids, liquid and gas, or liquid and solids.
[0025] This then generally describes the invention but to assist
with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings and examples.
[0026] In the drawings:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a prior art a conventional diaphragm
electrolytic cell;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a prior art tubular diaphragm cell
described in Dr. Bakhir's U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,667;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a prior art electrolytic system covered in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,882,502;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of the invention being an
electrochemical system for unipolar activation;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention as an
experimental apparatus built to examine the unipolar activation of
water for use as disinfectant in cooling tower water;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention of an
electrochemical system for unipolar activation using a compound
electrode system;
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention of an
electrochemical system for unipolar activation;
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention of an
electrochemical system for unipolar activation with the anode
electrically isolated from the cathode; and
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a commercial unit following the
principles shown in FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrolytic system for
unipolar activation of fluids with a solution electrode adjacent to
each of the anode electrode and cathode electrode. The function of
this system is to remove electrons from the fluid in the anode cell
and to add electrons to the fluid in the cathode cell. The anode
cell 40 is separate from the cathode cell 41. The complete
electronic circuit starts from the anode electrode 46 to the DC
power source 43 to the cathode electrode 47 through the catholyte
48 to the cathode solution electrode 49 via the electrical link 56
to the anode solution electrode 44 through the anolyte 45 and to
the anode electrode 46. There is no transfer of ions between the
anode cell and the cathode cell. Liquid 50 is fed to the anode cell
and is discharged as activated anolyte 51. Liquid 52 is fed to the
cathode cell and is discharged as activated catholyte 53. Desired
chemical reactions may be achieved by the system shown on FIG. 4 by
adding chemicals, gas, another liquid, or fine solids 54 to the
anode cell or 55 to the cathode cell. For instance, the production
of hydrogen peroxide in the activation of water may be increased by
adding oxygen to the cathode.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a large laboratory apparatus to carry
out water activation. The anode circuit is separate from the
cathode circuit except for the connection with the DC power source
70 and the solution electrodes. The anode liquid is circulated from
a heated anode pump box 60 by a variable speed pump 61 to a
temperature controlled heater 62 to a 50 mm diameter.times.228 mm
long titanium tube anode 63 with a 25 mm diameter.times.368 mm long
titanium tube anode solution electrode 64 and then returned to the
heated anode pump box 60. The cathode liquid is circulated from a
heated cathode pump box 65 by a variable speed pump 66 to a
temperature controlled heater 67 to a 50 mm diameter.times.228 long
titanium tube cathode 68 with a 38 mm diameter.times.368 mm long
titanium tube cathode solution electrode 69 and then returned to
the heated cathode pump box 65. The positive terminal of the DC
power source 70 is connected to the anode electrode 63 and the
negative terminal is connected to the cathode electrode 68. The
anode solution electrode 64 is connected to the cathode solution
electrode 69 by electrical link 71. The pH of the anode liquid and
the cathode liquid were measured regularly by a calibrated EUTECH
pH FM1 pH meter. Liquids may be activated at different liquid
composition, different voltage and current, and different
activation periods.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system for carrying out unipolar
activation using compound electrodes. The anode compound electrode
81 is located in the anode cell 80 and the cathode compound
electrode 83 is located in the cathode cell 82. The anode compound
electrode 81 consists of an outer anode electrode 84 that is in
contact with the anolyte 87 and an inner anode electrode 85 in
contact with the outer anode electrode 84 through an internal
solution or gel or electronic membrane 86 that allows current to
flow from the internal anode electrode 85 to the outer anode
electrode 84. The cathode compound electrode 83 consists of an
outer cathode electrode 88 that is in contact with the catholyte 91
and an inner cathode electrode 89 in contact with the outer cathode
electrode through an internal solution or gel or electronic
membrane 90 that allows current to flow from the outer cathode
electrode 88 to the inner cathode electrode 89. The positive
terminal of the DC power source 92 is connected to the outer anode
electrode 84 while the negative terminal is connected to the outer
cathode electrode 88. The inner cathode electrode 89 is connected
to the inner anode electrode 85 by an electrical link 99. Liquid 93
is fed to the anode cell 80 and exits the anode cell as activated
anolyte 94. Liquid 95 is fed into the cathode cell 82 and is
discharged as activated catholyte 96. Other chemicals such as
liquids, gases, or fine solids 97 may be fed into the anode cell or
98 to the cathode cell to achieve desired reactions.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrolytic cell with the
anode electrode and the cathode electrode having a common wall. The
anode cell 100 has a common wall 101 with the cathode cell 102. The
anode electrode 103 is located in the anode cell in contact with
the anolyte 108 and connected electrically to the cathode electrode
105 by an electrolytic membrane or internal electrolyte or gel or
ceramic conductor 104. The cathode electrode is in contact with the
catholyte 107. The positive terminal of the DC power source 106 is
connected to the anode electrode 103 while the negative terminal is
connected to the cathode electrode 105. Liquid 109 is fed to the
anode cell 100 and is discharged as activated anolyte 110. Liquid
111 is fed to the cathode cell 102 and is discharged as activated
catholyte 112. In this embodiment the electrolytic membrane or
internal electrolyte or gel or ceramic conductor 104 acts as the
respective solution electrodes and electrical link of the earlier
embodiments.
[0040] The unipolar apparatus in FIG. 8 is similar in principle to
the apparatus shown on FIG. 7 if the electrical resistance of the
membrane 104 is increased to infinity. The result is that the anode
electrode and the cathode electrodes are electrically isolated from
each other. In FIG. 8, the anode cell 120 consists of the outer
anode cell 121 of 50 mm diameter.times.228 mm long titanium tube
internally coated with platinum, ruthenium and rhodium and a
further anode electrode 122 of 38 mm diameter titanium tube coated
with platinum ruthenium and rhodium both connected to the positive
of the DC power source 123. The cathode cell 124 consists of the
outer cathode cell 125 of 50 mm diameter.times.228 mm long titanium
tube internally coated with platinum, ruthenium and rhodium and
further cathode electrode 126 of 38 mm diameter titanium tube
coated with platinum ruthenium and rhodium both connected to the
negative of the DC power source 123. Variable speed pump 127
circulates the anode liquid through heater 128 through anode
electrode 120 and anode pump box 129. Variable speed pump 130
circulates the cathode liquid through heater 131, through cathode
cell 124 and cathode pump box 132. Not shown is EUTECH pH FM1 pH
meter to measure the pH regularly. The apparatus shown on FIG. 8
was used to obtain the data in Table 4 below.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a commercial unit following the
principle shown in FIG. 8 where the anode electrode is electrically
isolated from the cathode electrode. The anode electrode 141 is a
tube or a pipe made of a conducting material and incorporate
surface increasing features such as gauze or expanded metal
connected to the tube electrode not only to increase the surface
area of the electrode but also to ensure intimate contact between
the fluid and the electrode. The internal surface of the electrode
may be coated with a material for corrosion protection as well as
reduction of electrode over-voltage. The cathode electrode is 142
is similarly constructed. Where high voltage is applied, the outer
surfaces of the anode and cathode electrodes may be covered with an
electrical insulation. The anode electrode is connected to the
positive of the DC power source 140 and the negative of the DC
power source 140 is connected to the cathode electrode. The ends of
the anode and cathode electrodes are connected to electrically
non-conducting pieces 143.
[0042] Experimental Results
[0043] As discussed above FIG. 5 is an experimental apparatus built
to examine the unipolar activation of water for use as disinfectant
in cooling tower water to control legionella bacteria and
sterilizing all water used in hospitals to help control bacteria
that have become resistant to antibiotics. The DC power source 70
has an 18 volts DC-20 amperes capacity. The anode electrode 63 is a
50-millimetre (mm) diameter.times.228-mm long titanium tube
internally coated with platinum, ruthenium and rhodium and the
anode solution electrode 64 is 25-mm diameter titanium tube coated
externally with platinum, ruthenium, and rhodium. The cathode
electrode 68 is a 50-mm diameter.times.228-mm long titanium tube
internally coated with platinum, ruthenium and rhodium and the
cathode solution electrode 69 is 38-mm diameter titanium tube
coated externally with platinum, ruthenium, and rhodium. The
apparatus is fitted with variable speed circulating pumps, pressure
gauges, heaters controlled by temperature indicating controllers
with liquid pH at the cathode and anode measured regularly by a
EUTECH pH FM1 pH meter calibrated before each run to 7.01, 10.01,
and 4.01 pH standard solutions. Voltage between the anode electrode
and the anode solution electrode (anode voltage) and the cathode
solution electrode and the cathode electrode (cathode voltage) were
measured regularly. Adelaide tap water at room temperature was used
for the water sterilization test while Adelaide tap water at 50
degrees Celsius with a minute amount of sodium chloride to simulate
commercial conditions, were used in the cooling water disinfection
test. The anode and cathode circuits each accommodated 5 litres of
liquid. Adelaide tap water would contain very minute amounts of
chlorine, iron, calcium and aluminium sulfates. The experimental
results were:
1TABLE 1 Disinfection of Water for a Cooling Tower (Temperature 50
C.) Adelaide Tap Water with 3 grams per liter of sodium chloride
Cell Voltage 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 Cell Amperes 0.63 0.66 0.69
0.65 0.73 0.67 Time (minutes) 0 60 120 180 270 556 Anode Voltage
3.38 2.83 2.84 2.79 2.85 2.85 Cathode Voltage 5.64 6.12 6.18 6.22
6.15 6.17 Anode Liquid pH 7.7 6.8 6.5 6.4 6.1 4.3 Cathode Liquid pH
8.1 8.1 8.0 8.0 7.9 7.9
[0044] The pH of Adelaide tap water with the sodium chloride is 7.0
to 7.1 measured before being charged into the apparatus. The pH of
the liquid changed while it was being heated in the apparatus. A
voltage of 0.453 volts was detected between the anode and the
cathode electrode during heating up and this may explain the change
in the pH of the water before DC power was applied to the
electrodes. Nevertheless, if the starting pH of the liquid was 7.1,
the anode liquid became acidic while the cathode liquid became
alkaline. The results conform to the published data of Dr. Bakhir
that the anolyte became acidic (pH range of 0.025 to 7) while the
catholyte became alkaline (pH range of 7.50 to 13.0). Test are now
in progress to test the effect of the catholyte and anolyte from
this experiment on legionella bacteria.
2TABLE 2 Sterilization Test on Adelaide Tap Water (Temperature 25
to 26 C.) Time 0 360 minutes Cell Voltage 18.0 18.0 Cell Amperes
0.20 0.26 Anode Voltage 4.1 4.3 Cathode Voltage 13.9 13.7 Anode
Liquid pH 6.9 6.0 Cathode Liquid pH 6.9 8.2
[0045] The anode liquid became acidic while the cathode liquid
became alkaline. Although chemical analysis of the products was not
carried out, the pH of the products from the anode and the cathode
followed Dr. Bakhir's published data. The smell of the products
also indicated the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
[0046] Unipolar electrolytic activation may also be carried out
using compound electrode as shown on FIG. 6. The feature of the
compound electrode is that only the anode electrode 81 and the
cathode electrode 83 are in contact with the anode and cathode
liquids respectively but a complete electronic circuit is still
achieved. The complete electronic flow is from the anode electrode
84 to the DC power source 92 to the cathode electrode 88 through
the cathode electronic membrane or internal catholyte 90 to the
cathode internal electrode 89 to the anode internal electrode 85
through the anode electronic membrane or internal anolyte 86 to the
anode electrode 84. The electronic membrane 86 at the anode
electrode allows the flow of electrons from the anode internal
electrode to the anode electrode. At the cathode electrode, the
electronic membrane 90 allows the flow of electrons from the
cathode electrode to the cathode internal electrode. A preliminary
experiment was carried out using cubical electrodes made of 316
stainless steel. The anode electrode is 38.33 millimetres
wide.times.88.96 millimetres long (inside) in cross
section.times.250 millimetres deep. The internal anode solution
electrode is 29.31 mm wide.times.79.87 long to give a gap of about
4.5 mm. The cathode electrode is 38.42 mm wide.times.88.7 mm long
(inside) in cross section.times.250 mm deep. The internal cathode
solution electrode is 19.71 mm wide.times.69.38 mm long to give a
gap of about 9.3 mm. A weak potassium hydroxide solution with a pH
of 13.7 was used as the internal electrolyte for the anode and the
cathode. Adelaide tap water was used in the anode and cathode
circuit. The anode and cathode circuits accommodated about 1.6
litres of liquid. Variable speed pumps were used to circulate the
Adelaide tap water through the electrodes. The preliminary test was
carried out at room temperature and the external anolyte and
catholyte liquid pH were measured at regular intervals. The DC
power source was set to current control mode for the test.
Electrode material and shape and internal anolyte and catholyte
characteristics were not optimized in this preliminary test. The
results of the test were:
3TABLE 3 Unipolar Activation of Adelaide Tap Water Using Compound
Electrodes Time (minutes) 0 2 60 120 180 240 Cell Voltage 3.26 3.10
3.26 3.34 3.62 3.57 Cell Amperes 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.05
Anode Voltage 1.58 1.45 1.56 1.64 1.79 1.77 Cathode Volts 1.71 1.67
1.72 1.73 1.84 1.83 Anode pH 7.9 8.3 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.4 Cathode pH 7.9
8.3 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.6
[0047] The cell current was reduced from 0.03 to 0.01 amperes after
the start of the experiment because bubbles were noted in both the
anode and cathode internal electrodes indicating reaction was
taking place in the internal electrolyte. This is an area where
more studies need to be made to ensure that the internal
electrolyte acted only as an electron conductor. The experimental
results indicated that a chemical reaction occurred within the
anolyte and the catholyte and the different reactions was indicated
by the difference in the ending pH of the anolyte and
catholyte.
[0048] The preliminary test indicated that the compound electrode
is successful in carrying out electrolytic unipolar activation of
liquids. The model that would fit the results is that there is a
complete electronic circuit as described above. Since the anode
electrode is electro-positive, electrons are removed from the
anolyte liquid at the anode cell. Electrons are transferred to the
catholyte liquid by the negative cathode electrode. The electrical
resistance of the internal solution or the electrolytic membrane is
an important variable in the operation of this compound electrode.
For a given cell voltage, the higher the electrical resistance of
the membrane or internal solution, the more electrons are available
at the anode electrode and cathode electrode for unipolar
reactions.
[0049] A variation of the compound electrode is shown on FIG. 7
where the solution electrode is eliminated and an internal solution
or gel or electronic membrane made from polymer or ceramic is in
contact with both the anode electrode and the cathode electrode to
provide the complete electronic circuit. The electronic membrane
allows the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode
electrode only. The anode electrode and the cathode electrode are
separated by a common wall that is part of the anode cell and the
cathode cell. In a commercial unit, the anode cell and cathode cell
may be cubical or cylindrical electrodes and contain the anolyte
and catholyte respectively.
[0050] The third apparatus for carrying out unipolar activation was
developed from the concept of the compound electrodes. If the
resistance of the electrolytic membrane or internal electrolyte
were made very high such as infinitely high, there will be no
electron flow between the anode and cathode electrode via the
electrical link. The electron flow will be from the anode electrode
to the DC power source and from the DC power source to the cathode
electrode. These electrons are used entirely in chemical reactions
at the anode cell and in the chemical reactions at the cathode
cell. To test this concept, the apparatus shown on FIG. 5 was
arranged so that anode electrode and the anode solution electrode
were connected and acted as the anode electrode. The same
connections were made of the cathode electrode and the cathode
solution electrode as shown on FIG. 8. The anode electrode is a 50
mm.times.288 mm long titanium tube coated with platinum, ruthenium
and rhodium and the anode solution electrode connected to the anode
electrode has an outside diameter of 38 mm coated with platinum,
ruthenium and rhodium. The cathode electrode is exactly the same as
the anode electrode. Adelaide tap water was used as the electrolyte
and two tests were conducted, one at 9.02 volts and the other at
18.04 volts. The results are shown on Table 4.
4TABLE 4 Unipolar Activation Using Separate Electrodes Time,
minutes 0 15 30 45 60 Cell Voltage 9.02 9.02 9.02 9.02 9.02 Cell
Amperes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Anode Temp. C. 16 17 18 18 18
Cathode Temp C. 17 17 18 18 18 Anode pH 6.7 6.7 7.0 6.8 7.0 Cathode
pH 6.2 6.0 5.9 5.5 4.2 Cell Voltage 18.04 18.04 18.04 18.04 18.04
Cell Amperes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Anode Temp. C. 16 18 18 18 19
Cathode Temp. C. 17 18 18 18 19 Anode pH 6.9 6.9 7.1 7.2 7.2
Cathode pH 6.7 6.9 6.9 7.0 6.7
[0051] Effort to measure the current was not successful and the
current was below the 2 milli-ampere range of the instrument
available. The results show that the anode liquid increased in pH
(alkaline) while the cathode liquid decreased in pH (acidic). This
trend is more pronounced at the lower voltage (9 volts) than at the
higher voltage of 18 volts. The trend is also opposite to that
shown on Table 1. The difference in unipolar action between Table 1
and Table 4 is that electrons pass through the electrolyte in Table
1 similar to the apparatus of Dr. Bakhir while in Table 4, the
electrons do not pass through the electrolyte. The electrolyte was
passed at turbulent action in the experiments in Table 4 to ensure
that there is no dead spot and that the electrolyte was in good
contact with the electrodes.
[0052] The results in Table 4 indicate that there may be a
different regime of reactions in this type of unipolar activation.
There may be less pH active species produced and more pH non-active
species. The cell voltage and the nature of the fluids passing
through the electrodes or the additives in the fluids would affect
the results desired.
[0053] In a commercial system, the most appropriate electrodes may
be pipes or tubes with surface increasing features such as gauss,
or expanded metal, or helical guides inside the electrode with
surfaces coated with material for corrosion resistance and low
over-voltage characteristics. A diagram of such a commercial unit
is shown on FIG. 9 where a DC source 140 is connected to the
cylindrical anode electrode 141 and cylindrical cathode electrode
142 with liquid fed to each electrode. Activated anolyte is
produced at the anode cell and activated catholyte is produced at
the cathode cell.
[0054] Throughout this specification various indications have been
given as to the scope of this invention but the invention is not
limited to any one of these but may reside in two or more of these
combined together. The examples are given for illustration only and
not for limitation.
[0055] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow
unless the context requires otherwise, the words `comprise` and
`include` and variations such as `comprising` and `including` will
be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group
of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of
integers.
* * * * *