Method and apparatus for scale and biofilm control
AssigneesMIOX Corporation, ABQ UV Pollution Solutions, Inc.
InventorsRodney E. Herrington, Michael Fraim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for electrolytically controlling the formation of scale and biofilm in water purification and other systems. An anode is deposited on or disposed on or adjacent to a surface, such as that of a quartz UV tube, providing a low pH environment which inhibits the formation of carbonate scale and biofilm.
Claims42
An apparatus for reducing carbonate scale formation on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- an object comprising a UV element for decontaminating a contaminated fluid;
- a power supply;
- a cathode;
- and
- an anode disposed on or near a surface of said object, said anode wrapped around said object, said anode and cathode electrolytically producing at least one oxidant to decontaminate the fluid;
- wherein said anode produces a low pH environment in the fluid at said surface, thereby inhibiting carbonate scale formation or reducing carbonate scale on the surface.
A method for reducing carbonate scale formation on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a cathode;
- disposing an anode on or near a surface of an object comprising a UV element by wrapping a wire anode on the surface;
- contacting the anode and the surface with a contaminated fluid;
- electrolytically producing one or more oxidants using the cathode and anode;
- purifying the fluid using UV radiation from the UV element and the oxidants;
- producing a low pH environment in the fluid in the vicinity of the anode;
- and
- inhibiting formation of or removing carbonate scale, biofilms, or algae from the surface.
A method for reducing carbonate scale formation on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a cathode;
- disposing an anode on or near a surface of an object comprising a UV element by depositing the anode directly on the surface;
- contacting the anode and the surface with a contaminated fluid;
- electrolytically producing one or more oxidants using the cathode and anode;
- purifying the fluid using UV radiation from the UV element and the oxidants;
- producing a low pH environment in the fluid in the vicinity of the anode;
- and
- inhibiting formation of or removing carbonate scale, biofilms, or algae from the surface.
An apparatus for reducing carbonate scale formation on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- an object comprising a UV element for decontaminating a contaminated fluid;
- a power supply;
- a cathode;
- and
- an anode disposed on or near a surface of said object, said anode and cathode electrolytically producing at least one oxidant to decontaminate the fluid;
- wherein said anode comprises a conductive material deposited on said surface, said conductive material being UV-transparent and comprising diamond;
- and
- wherein said anode produces a low pH environment in the fluid at said surface, thereby inhibiting carbonate scale formation or reducing carbonate scale on the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.