United States Patent
`Davies
`
`1191
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`_ [51]
`
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`ELECTROLYTIC LIQUID PURIFICATION
`PROCESS AND APPARATUS
`
`Inventor: Bruce Davies, Kenmore, Wash.
`
`Assignees: Advanced Water Systems, Inc.,
`Woodinville; Water Regeneration
`Systems, Inc., Kirkland, both of
`Wash.
`
`Appl. No.: 163,501
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 2, 1988
`
`Int. C1.4 ......................... c0213 1/46; C25B 15/08;
`c2513 9/00; B01D 13/02
`U.S. Cl. .................................... 204/152; 204/188;
`204/229; 204/240; 204/276; 204/269; 204/306;
`210/748
`Field of Search ................ 204/269, 270, 275—276,
`204/229, 240, 130, 131, 136, 152, 306, 188;
`210/748
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`........... 204/275 X
`2,864,750 12/1958 Hughes, Jr. et al.
`
`204/269
`3,523,891
`8/1970 Mehl ....................
`
`204/269
`3,679,556
`7/1972 Doevenspeck
`3,728,245
`4/1973 Preis et a1.
`.......................... 204/275
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`4,917,782
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Apr. 17, 1990
`
`3,835,018
`9/1974 Casanovas eta].
`................. 204/228
`3,865,710
`2/1975 Phipps ...............
`.. 204/276x
`
`3,925,176 12/1975 Okert ........... 204/152
`
`.. 204/149x
`4,419,206 12/1983 Frame
`l/1984 Neymeyer ........... 204/270
`4,425,216
`
`3/1984 Branchick et a1.
`...... 204/149
`4,436,601
`2/1986 Paniagua ........
`.. 204/276x
`4,572,775
`4,623,436 11/1986 Umehara ............................. 204/149
`
`Primmy Examiner—Donald R. Valentine
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christensen, O’Connor,
`Johnson & Kindness
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Liquid is clarified by passing it between spaced plates of
`a stack including two interleaved sets of plates, one set
`being connected to one direct current lead and the other
`set being connected to the other direct current lead.
`The liquid may flow through the spaces between the
`plates in a single direction in parallel paths or may flow
`in a serpentine path. Impurities removed from the liquid
`adhere to the plates and may be purged from the plates
`periodically by reversing the direction of flow of cur-
`rent between the plates. Impurities sloughed off the
`plates are trapped in a filter in the cell outlet.
`
`4 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`1
`
`
`CONT/F01.
`
`(Viva/7'37
`
`
`
`Tennant Company
`Exhibit 1105
`
`Tennant Company
`Exhibit 1105
`
`

`

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`Apr. 17,1990
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`Apr. 17, 1990
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`ELECTROLYTIC LIQUID PURIFICATION
`PROCESS AND APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a process and appara-
`tus for electrolytically treating water and other liquids
`and particular for treating water to be used for drinking
`purposes or for human body contact.
`2. Prior Art
`The electrolytic disinfection of waste water or con-
`taminated water is disclosed in U.S. Ochert Pat. No.
`3,925,176 issued Dec. 9, 1975 for Apparatus and
`Method for Electrolytic Sewage Treatment which uti-
`lizes an electric cell through which the water flows in a
`serpentine path between the inlet and outlet ends of the
`cell.
`In addition, Casanovas U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,018 issued
`Sept. 10, 1974 for Apparatus for the Treatment by Me-
`tallic Ions of Aqueous Liquids shows a vat provided
`with electrodes through which liquid is circulated.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`A principal object of the invention is to remove from
`liquid impurities that cannot be effectively filtered out
`such as by a strainer, 21 filter cloth or paper filter or an
`activated charcoal filter.
`Another object is to provide a process and apparatus
`which will remove from liquid impurities of different
`types such as chemical impurities, including chlorine,
`metals and alkaline material, which will also kill and
`remove minute biological material such as algae and
`microbes, and which will tend to render the ph of the
`liquid approximately neutral.
`'
`A further object of the invention is to provide a pro-
`cess which will be effective quite quickly so that it can
`purify liquid during a single pass through the apparatus
`but which process can also be used for processing por-
`tions of a body of liquid such as in an aquarium, a swim-
`ming pool or a hot tub.
`Another object is to provide apparatus for effecting a ‘
`liquid purification process which is simple and compact
`while being effective.
`A specific object is to provide a water purification
`process and apparatus that will remove residual impuri-
`ties from water after normal water treatment, such as
`chlorine, hardening impurities, such as alkaline mate-
`rial, and biological impurities such as algae and mi-
`crobes, including bacteria.
`It is also an object to provide apparatus for perform-
`ing the clarifying process which is simple, compact,
`reliable and inexpensive to operate.
`A further specific object is to utilize the clarifying
`process and apparatus for removing impurities from
`cutting fluid such as soluble oil used in machining oper-
`ations for lubrication and cooling.
`The foregoing objects can be accomplished by utili-
`zation of a clarifying electrolytic cell in conjunction
`with a filter and appropriate control and timing mecha-
`nism for controlling the operation of the electrolytic
`cell in conjunction with suitable pressure or pumping
`equipment to pass the liquid through the apparatus.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
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`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`FIG. 1 is a top perspective of a clarifying electrolytic
`cell utilized in the apparatus of this invention with parts
`broken away. FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cell with
`
`1
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`4,917,782
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`2
`parts broken away. FIG. 3 is a transverse section
`through the cell taken on line 3—3 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is
`a top perspective of internal components of the cell
`shown in exploded relationship.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing various components of
`the apparatus used in conjunction with a domestic
`plumbing fixture such as a kitchen sink or a wash basin.
`FIG. 6 is a diagram of portable apparatus that can be
`attached to a discharge faucet of a plumbing fixture.
`FIG. 7 is a diagram of apparatus used in conjunction
`with a water supply well system.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of apparatus to be used in con-
`junction with the water system of a vehicle such as a
`house trailer, a recreational vehicle or a cabin cruiser.
`FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating control and timing
`mechanism for the apparatus.
`FIG. 10 is a top perspective of an alternate type of
`clarifying electrolytic cell with parts broken away.
`FIG. 11 is a side elevation of such alternate type of
`electrolytic cell with parts broken away and FIG. 12 is
`a transverse section through such alternate type of elec-
`trolytic cell taken on line 12—12 of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is
`a top perspective of internal components of such alter—
`nate type of electrolytic cell shown in exploded rela-
`tionship.
`'
`FIG. 14 is a top perspective of a modification of the
`alternate type of clarifying electrolytic cell with parts
`broken away.
`’
`FIG. 15 is a diagram of apparatus utilizing the alter-
`nate type of clarifying electrolytic cell in connection
`with an aquarium.
`'
`FIG. 16 is a diagram of apparatus utilizing the alter-
`nate type of clarifying electrolytic cell in connection
`with a hot tub or swimming pool.
`.
`FIG. 17 is a diagram of an alternate type of apparatus
`utilizing a clarifying electrolytic cell
`in conjunction
`with a hot tub or swimming pool.
`FIG. 18 is a diagram of apparatus utilizing a clarify-
`ing electrolytic cell for clarifying cutting fluid.
`FIG. 19 is a detailed circuit diagram of control and
`timing mechanism for use with a clarifying electrolytic
`cell of the type shOWn in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The process and apparatus of the present invention is
`not intended primarily for use in treating badly polluted
`water, or for treating large quantities of water such as in
`connection with a municipal water supply system or
`sewage treatment plant. On the contrary, such appara-
`tus is intended for use in finish clarification of water or
`other liquid by an end user of such water or liquid.
`Consequently the apparatus for performing the process
`of the invention ordinarily does not have large capacity
`and can be quite compact and even provided in the form
`of a portable unit that can be used temporarily in a
`particular installation.
`The heart of the clarifying apparatus is the clarifying
`electrolytic cell such as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
`Such cell is shown as including a cylindrical casing 1 on
`one end of which a liquid supply pipe 2 is connected and
`a liquid discharge pipe 3 is connected to the other end of
`the casing. In the interior chamber 4 of the casing is
`lodged a stack of electrode plates including two compo-
`nents or plate sets disposed in ’interstratified or inter-
`leaved relationship. Thus in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive,
`grouped anode plates 5 and grouped cathode plates 6
`are shown in interleaved relationship. The anode plates
`
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`5 project in parallel, equally-spaced, cantilever fashion
`from an end connecting plate 7. The cathode plates 6
`project in parallel, equally-spaced, cantilever fashion
`from an end connecting plate 8.
`The opposite edges of the plates in the stack are held
`by mounting blocks 9 located at opposite sides of the
`stack. The outer sides of such blocks are cylindrically
`convex to fit tightly against the inner wall of the cell
`casing 1 and the inner chordal faces of the blocks have
`equally spaced parallel grooves 10 extending length-
`wise of the cell for receiving the opposite edges respec-
`tively of the plates 5 and 6 to hold the plates firmly in
`accurately spaced relationship.
`The ends of the mounting blocks 9 fit against the end
`plates 7 and 8 respectively to close the sides of the
`channels between the plates of the stack. The edges of
`the mounting blocks 9 extend above the top and below
`the bottom of the stack of plates as shown in FIG. 3.
`The spaces above the stack of plates and below the
`stack of plates are closed by filler blocks 11 having
`outer cylindrically convex sides to fit snugly the inside
`of the cylindrical cell casing l and inner flat sides to fit
`contiguously against the upper and lower plates of the
`stack respectively.
`The anode plates 5 and cathode plates 6 are inter—
`leaved with the free end of each cantilever plate spaced
`from the adjacent end plate a distance approximately
`equal
`to the spacing between adjacent plates of the
`stack so as to form within the stack a series of return
`bends between adjacent interplate spaces providing a
`sinuous passage from the entrance end of the casing to
`the exit end of the casing through the plate stack. The
`mounting blocks 9 and filler blocks 11 are made of mate-
`rial impermeable to liquid, such as closed cell foamed
`plastic material, which serves as a barrier to flow of 35
`liquid from the entrance end of the casing to the exit end
`of the casing other than through the sinuous passage
`between the interleaved plates and mounting blocks 9.
`The capacity of the cell for flow of liquid through it
`will depend upon the width of the plates 5 and 6 in the
`stack, the space between adjacent plates and the space
`between each plate free end and the adjacent end con—
`necting plate. For most purposes the plate width should
`be in the range of 3 to 5 inches (7.62 to 12.7 cm) and the
`spacing between adjacent plates should be one-eighth to
`one-quarter of an inch (3.5 to 7 mm). It is desirable for
`the space between adjacent plates to be small so as to
`provide a short path for travel of electricity between
`the plates. The time during which the liquid is subjected
`to the electric field between the anode and cathode
`plates can be regulated by selection of the length of the
`path between the liquid and the plates which is deter-
`mined by the length of the plates, and by the velocity of
`the liquid flowing through the interplate passage. Pref-
`erably the length of the plates 5 and 6 is in the range of 55‘
`5 inches to 10 inches (12.7 to 25.4 cm) and the velocity
`of the water may be 8 to 20 feet (2.4 to 6 m) per minute
`so that the water will be in contact with the plates for a
`period of 15 to 40 seconds.
`The clarification of the liquid is accomplished by the
`transmission of electricity between the anode and cath—
`ode plates and the electric field which such transmission
`produces without the plates adding any material to the
`liquid. For that reason it is desirable for the plates to be
`made of inert material such as having a substrate of 65
`titanium coated with ruthenium oxide (Ru04).
`The clarifying electrolytic cell shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
`3 and 4 has a long path of travel for the liquid between
`
`45
`
`4
`_ the electrode plates for the size of the cell, the stack of
`plates shown in FIG. 2 providing seven passes length-
`wise through the plate stack because of the utilization of
`return bends forming the sinuous path.
`An electric wire 12 connected to the end connector
`plate 7 of the set of anode plates 5 and a wire 13 con-
`nected to the end connecting plate 8 of the set of cath-
`ode plates 6 are connected to control electronics cir-
`cuitry 14 for controlling the operation and timing of the
`electrolytic cell. The wires 12 and 13 pass through a
`gland 5 containing a bolted connection mounted on the
`wall of the cell.
`To render the cell inoperative in the event that flow
`of liquid through the cell ceases or drops below a mini-
`mum selected flow rate, a flow-sensitive probe 16 is
`mounted in the cell in the path of liquid flow. Such
`probe is mounted from the wall of the cell by a mag-
`netic flow switch 18 connected by a wire 17 to the
`control circuitry 14. Such switch is normally in off
`position and deflectable to cell-energizing switch-clos-
`ing position by pressure against the probe of liquid
`flowing through the cell.
`Because of the long sinuous flow path through the
`cell casing 1, such cell is well suited for use in apparatus
`through which water passes only once from a supply to
`a discharge for use. Such an installation is shown in
`FIG. 5 in which the electronic control mechanism for
`the cell is powered by a source of electricity 19 which
`conveniently may be a 110 volt or a 220 volt alternating
`current source. A monitor 20 is connected to the con-
`trol circuitry 14 to indicate the functioning of the sys-
`tem. Such monitor may,
`for example,
`include three
`lights, one being a red light,
`illumination of which
`would indicate some malfunction of the system; a yel-
`low light, illumination of which would provide a warn-
`ing that some component of the system may have diffi-
`culty soon; and a green light,
`illumination of which
`would indicate that the system is in proper operation.
`Approaching difficulty may be near clogging of a filter.
`In order to reduce the burden on the clarifying elec-
`trolytic cell for purification of liquid flowing through it,
`it is desirable to provide a filter 21 ahead of the entrance
`to the cell which may be an absorbent paper cartridge
`to remove particles from the liquid before it reaches the
`cell. In operation impurities such as chemicals and bio-
`logical matter will migrate to the plates of one set, usu-
`ally the anode plates 5, to which most of the impurities
`would adhere, but some of the impurities may be swept
`along with the current of liquid but of the cell in which
`event they would be trapped in a cell outlet filter 22
`preferably of the activated charcoal type. Such filter
`would also absorb liberated chlorine which is
`fre-
`quently present in treated domestic water, or chlorine
`produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride salt dis-
`solved in the water.
`
`In addition to preserve the clarifying action of the
`cell the direction of current flow through the wires 12
`and 13 should be reversed periodically. such as every 10
`to 30 hours, for a short time, such as l5 to 60 minutes, to
`release and purge from the cell plates impurities that
`have accumulated on them. Such impurities sloughed
`off the plates will be carried by the flowing liquid out of
`the cell but will be trapped in the charcoal filter 22 and
`thus prevented from being discharged from the clarify-
`ing apparatus.
`The clarifying apparatus can be installed in a house-
`hold water system by connecting the entering filter 21
`to the cold water supply 23 for a sink or a wash bowl,
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`for example. The apparatus will have its own discharge
`faucet 24 controlled by a valve operated 'by handle 25.
`Such installation of the apparatus preferably does not
`interfere with the usual connection of the cold water
`supply source to the faucet 26, which may be a mixing
`type of faucet also connected to a hot water supply
`source 27. Thus, water of desired temperature may be
`obtained from the faucet 26 for dishwashing purposes
`while water finally clarified by the apparatus described
`above can be obtained from the outlet 24 for drinking
`and cooking purposes.
`The apparatus described above can be sufficiently
`compact as to be readily portable for temporary installa-
`tions and such apparatus is shown in FIG. 6 . This appa-
`ratus is the same as described in connection with FIG. 5
`except that the filter 21 can be connected to a water
`supply source by a sleeve coupling 28 that can simply be
`slid over the discharge end of a cold water supply fau-
`cet. To facilitate packing of the apparatus the discharge
`faucet 24 can be detachably connected to the clarifying
`apparatus by a quickly disconnectible coupling 28’.
`While the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is best adapted
`for use in connection with a municipal water system, the
`apparatus shown in FIG. 7 can be utilized in a system
`supplied with water from a well sewing on or two
`residences as distinguished from a large commercial
`well. In such an installation water is pumped from the
`well 29 by a pump 30, which may be of the centrifugal
`type, to a holding tank 31. Such pump may have a ca-
`pacity of 30 gallons to 50 gallons per minute and operate
`intermittently. Water is supplied from the holding tank
`31 to the clarifying apparatus at a rate much slower than
`the rate at which pump 30 fills the holding tank. Such
`holding tank may be elevated so that water flows from
`it to the outlet of the clarifying apparatus at a rate of 35
`about one gallon per minute.
`The clarifying apparatus used in the well system is
`generally similar to that described in connection with
`FIG. 5. The filter 21 being of the absorbent paper car-
`tridge type will remove sand from the 'well water.
`While the clarifying apparatus can operate as a de-
`mand system like the apparatus of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6,
`the clarifying process can alternatively be in operation
`during movement of water from the holding tank 31 to
`a final holding tank 32‘when water is not being with-
`drawn from the system through the connection 33 to
`the house plumbing system. For such operation the
`holding tank 32 may be of the pressurized bladder type
`in which the holding tank is a bladder housed in a con-
`tainer under air pressure so that when water is flowing
`into the bladder air is being pressurized in the container
`and when an outlet faucet of the house plumbing system
`is opened the air under pressure pressing on the bladder
`will force water from the holding tank to the opened
`faucet. When the bladder of holding tank 32 has been
`filled the back pressure will automatically deenergize
`the pump or terminate flow of water by gravity into the
`tank. Such termination of flow will cause the flow
`switch 18 to deenergize the clarifying cell.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of apparatus used for clarifying
`water in the water system of a house trailer, a recre-
`ational vehicle or a cabin cruiser. Such apparatus in-
`cludes the same clarifying cell control mechanism, mon-
`itor, flow switch and filters as used in the apparatus
`described in connection with FIG. 5. In this instance,
`however, the power source will not be rectified alter-
`nating current but can be a primary source of direct
`current electricity such as a 12 volt battery 19’.
`
`60
`
`6
`As in the apparatus of FIG. 6, water is supplied to the
`apparatus through a temporary connection 28 which
`may be a hose coupling. The filling connection for the
`apparatus has in it a check valve 35 which will permit
`flow from the connection 28 only into the apparatus.
`Water from the supply connection will flow through
`the clarifying apparatus including filter 21, clarifying
`cell 1 and filter 22, as described in connection with FIG.
`5. Water discharged from filter 22 will flow to the water
`storage tank 36. During such filling operation the man-
`ual valve 37 must be in open position.
`After the tank-filling operation has been completed
`the manual valve 37 should be closed. Water for use can
`be pumped out of the storage tank 36 by the pump 38
`and conveyed to the sink or tub 39 by a line connected
`to the apparatus between the filter 22 and the control
`valve 37. The pump can be energized by closure of a
`switch to dispense water or such pump can be con-
`trolled automatically by a demand switch actuated
`when a faucet for the tub or sink 39 is opened.
`Although the water in the storage tank preferably has
`passed through the clarifying apparatus once while the
`tank is being filled, the water for use is pumped by pump
`38 to a sink or tub 39 through a connection to the appa-
`ratus between the check valve;35 and the filter 21 so
`that such water passes again through the filter 21, cell 1
`and filter 22 on its way to the sink or tub 39. Alterna-
`tively, the tank can be filled directly through a filling
`connection 36’,
`in which case the water would be
`treated only once, namely, while being pumped from
`the tank to the sink or tub. Such a filling operation
`would expedite filling of the tank but an additional
`clarifying operation can be performed by filling the tank
`36 through the clarifying apparatus as discussed above.
`In other
`installations water can be recirculated
`through clarifying apparatus repeatedly, such as by
`treating successive portions of the contents of a swim-
`ming pool or a hot tub where water from a swimming
`pool or a hot tub is recirculated repeatedly through
`clarifying apparatus it is not necessary that the path of
`travel of the liquid in contact with the electrolytic cell
`plates be as long as in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1
`to 4. In the alternative type of clarifying electrolytic cell
`shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 the anode plates 5a
`and the cathode plates 6a can be of the same size as the
`anode plates 5 and the cathode plates 6, shown in FIGS.
`1, 2, 3 and 4. In this instance, however, the anode plates
`5a project in cantilever fashion from a central connect~
`ing strap 7a instead of from a connecting end plate.
`Similarly the cathode plates 6a project in cantilever
`fashion from a connecting strap 80 instead of from an
`end plate 8, thus providing a multiple branch through
`passage between the plates of the stack. While the
`anode plates 5:: and the cathode plates 6a are inter-
`leaved as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, such plates can
`be held in properly spaced relationship by their opposite
`edges being fitted into the grooves 10 of the plate
`mounting blocks 9 as shown in FIG. 12 and described in
`connection with FIG. 3. Similarly the space above the
`upper anode plate 5a and beneath the lower cathode
`plate 6a can be filled by filler blocks 11, as shown in
`FIG. 12 and described in connection with FIG. 3.
`With the electrolytic clarifier plates 5a and 6a,
`mounting blocks 9 and filler blocks 11 assembled in the
`manner indicated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, liquid can
`flow in substantially straight parallel paths between the
`plates from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 of the cell with
`negligible obstruction by the plate connecting strap 70
`
`'
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`

`

`7
`and 8a. The time of contact of the liquid with the anode
`plates and the cathode plates in such a through-passage
`cell would be only approximately one-seventh as long
`in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 as in the
`apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 if the flow velocity
`were the same because of the sinuosity of the path in the
`latter case.
`
`The arrangement of the anode plates 5a and the cath-
`ode plates 6a in the clarifying electrolytic cell shown in
`FIG. 14 is the same as the plate arrangement shown in
`the cell of FIGS. 10 to 12 but the structure for support-
`ing the plates in such arrangement is different. In this
`cell, instead of using mounting blocks and filler blocks
`to position the cell plates and provide a barrier to flow
`of liquid through the cell around the plates, the plates
`extend between and are mounted by two mounting
`rings 90 spaced apart lengthwise of the cell and prefera-
`bly located adjacent to opposite ends of the plate stack
`respectively. Such rings have rectangular apertures
`opposite sides of which are provided with grooves into
`which the opposite edge portions of the plates fit to
`hold the plates. The peripheries of such mounting plates
`fit snugly against the inner periphery of the cell casing
`so as to block passage of liquid between such rings and
`the cell casing. While the spaces at opposite sides of the
`cell edgewise of the plates between the two spaced
`mounting rings 90 are in communication with the inner
`plate spaces, such spaces between the mounting plates
`provide dead liquid-filled areas which do not interfere
`with the continual flow of liquid between the plates
`from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cell.
`Multiple-branch through-passage cells of the type
`shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 and 14 can be used effectively
`in the representative types of apparatus illustrated in
`FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18.
`In FIG. 15 the clarifying electrolytic cell 1a is used
`for maintaining the liquid in the aquarium 40 in clean
`condition to obviate the formation of scum on the sur-
`face of the water, formation of deposits on the interior
`wall of the aquarium tank and clouding of the water.
`Because of the recirculation of water in the aquarium by
`the pump 41 through the cell 1a, it is not necessary to
`provide a filter ahead of the cell. The filter 22 beyond
`the cell will remove from the water material that has
`been coagulated by the treatment of the water passing
`through the cell either in free condition or which is
`sloughed off the plates of the cell when the direction of
`the current is reversed. As discussed above, the filter 22
`is of the activated charcoal type.
`Another application of the through flow type of clari-
`fying electrolytic cell is illustrated in FIG. 16 in which
`water in a hot tub or swimming pool 43 is recirculated
`through the apparatus. In this apparatus, as an auxiliary
`feature, a local water recirculating duct may have in it
`a jet pump 44 withdrawing water from the lower por-
`tion of the hot tub or pool and injecting it into the hot
`tub or pool at a higher elevation to agitate the water for
`massaging or mixing purposes.
`The clarifying apparatus includes a pump 41 with-
`drawing liquid from one portion of the pool and forcing
`such liquid through a recirculating path including a
`heater 45 to maintain the temperature of the water in the
`hot tub or pool at a desired level. Beyond the heater 45
`the recirculation path branches, one portion of such
`path being through a conventional filter 46 which may
`be of the diatomaceous earth type. From the discharge
`end of such filter water may return to the hot tub or
`pool. Such a recirculation circuit is conventional. The
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,917,782
`
`.8
`filter 46, however, will not remove from the water
`finely divided impurities or chemical impurities such as
`chlorine or metals. To remove such residual impurities
`a portion of the recirculated water passes through a
`bypass branch around filter 46 which includes the clari-
`fying electrolytic cell 1a of the through-flow type fol-
`lowed by a filter 22 of the paper type. The amount of
`water flowing through such bypass can be regulated by
`a manual control valve 37.
`the entire
`In the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17,
`amount of water recirculated with respect to the hot tub
`or swimming pool 43 is clarified by the apparatus of the
`present invention except for the water recirculated by
`the jet pump 44 for agitation or mixing purposes. In this
`case the absorbent paper cartridge filter 21,
`the
`through-flow type of clarifying electrolytic cell 1a, the
`flow switch 18 and a second paper cartridge filter 22 are
`all arranged in series with the main pump 41 and heater
`45.
`
`The apparatus shown in FIG. 18 is used for clarifying
`soluble oil for reuse in a machining operation as cutting
`oil or cooling oil. In this apparatus the soluble oil
`is
`pumped for use from a sump 47 to a machine 48, such as
`a drill press or milling machine, for example, .and re—
`turned to the sump. Such return oil may contain metal-
`lic chips,
`lubricating oil, dirt and perhaps biological
`impurities. It is desirable to clean the soluble oil contin—
`uously for ruse. Such cleaning operation is effected by
`recirculating a portion of the oil continuously from the
`sump through clarifying apparatus. Such clarifying
`apparatus includes the pump 41 pumping liquid from
`the sump 47 into a chip bag filter 49 to filter out chips of
`appreciable size, although minute chips may pass
`through it.
`The soluble oil next passes through a tramp oil filter
`50 which separates lubricating oil that rises to the sur-
`face of the soluble oil emulsion. The soluble oil emul—
`sion then passes through the through-flow clarifying
`cell 1:: and returns to the sump.
`The control circuitry 14 used to control the clarifying
`cell 1a in the soluble oil reconditioning apparatus may
`be the same as or similar to that used for the clarifying
`apparatus shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Because the oper-
`ation of the clarifying apparatus will be continuous, the
`inclusion of a flow-sensitive switch 18 might be consid-
`ered to be unnecessary. Actually, however, it is desir-
`able to include such a flow-sensitive switch in the appa-
`ratus because, if the flow through the apparatus should
`be excessively impeded, such as by the chip bag filter 49
`becoming filled and clogging flow of liquid through the
`clarifying apparatus, the supply of electricity from the
`control circuitry 14 to the cell 1a will be cut off and the
`red warning light of the monitor 20 will be illuminated
`to notify the operator of trouble in the recirculating
`operation.
`The result of utilizing the clarifying apparatus for
`clarifying soluble oil is that microbes will be killed and
`malodor will be avoided so that such oil may be reused
`for a period of as much as a year instead of being re-
`placed in approximately one month, as is customary.
`FIG. 9 shows a diagram for the control circuitry of
`the sinuous flow cell 1 shown in the apparatus of FIGS.
`5, 6, 7 and 8, and FIG. 19 shows a diagram for the
`control circuitry for the through-flow cell In of the
`apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18. The
`control mechanism for the two types of cells is similar,
`both requiring the impression of direct current on the
`cell plates. In both instances, it is preferred that, where
`
`

`

`4,917,782
`
`9
`possible, the electricity be supplied from a conventional‘
`alternating current source 19, such as 110 volt or 220
`volt transformed to a low voltage, such as 12 volts or 24
`volts, depending on the particular type of installation
`for which the clarifier is to be used. The higher voltage
`is preferable for apparatus including larger capacity
`cells so as to enable the current of the electricity sup-
`plied to the cell plates to be lower for a given power
`utilization.
`The circuitry for the serpentine flow cell 1, shown in
`FIG. 9, and for the through-flow cell 1(a) shown in
`FIG. 19, are similar. To provide the direct current for
`the cells a rectifier 51 is provided in circuit with the
`alternating current supply 19 of 110 o