Method for purifying liquids

Abstract

A method for purification of drinking water and other liquids includes providing a generally cylindrically-shaped open-ended tube for flow of the liquid therethrough, the tube comprising a transducer for converting electrical energy to acoustic energy, providing a liquid moving means for flowing the liquid through the tube, and providing an electrical power source for providing electrical power to the tube. The method further includes operating the liquid moving means to flow the liquid through the tube, and operating the power source to transmit ultrasound through the liquid in the tube to induce cavitation in the liquid in the tube. The cavitation inactivates microorganisms in the liquid.

1 . A method for purifying drinking liquids, the method comprising the steps of: 
 flowing a drinking liquid through a generally cylindrically-shaped open-ended tube comprising a transducer for converting electrical energy to acoustic energy; and    providing electrical power to the transducer to generate ultrasound and transmit the ultrasound through the liquid in the tube to induce cavitation in the liquid in the tube;    wherein the cavitation so induced operates to inactivate microorganisms in the liquid.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said transducer is operated at ultrasonic frequencies of about 30-200 kHz.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the liquid is water and the tube is placed within an existing water line.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the tube is placed proximate a point of use.  
     
     
         5 . A method for purifying drinking liquids, the method comprising the steps of: 
 flowing a drinking liquid through a generally cylindrically-shaped open-ended non-toxic tube having ceramic rings mounted thereon; and    providing electrical power to the ceramic rings to generate ultrasound, and transmitting the ultrasound through the liquid in the tube to induce cavitation in the liquid in the tube;    whereby to inactivate microorganisms in the liquid.    
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the liquid is water and the non-toxic tube is placed in a water supply conduit proximate a point of use of the water.  
     
     
         7 . A method for purifying drinking liquids, the method comprising the steps of: 
 flowing a drinking liquid through a generally cylindrically-shaped open-ended tubular housing having an annularly-shaped fiberglass layer disposed coaxially therein and spaced from the housing, and having ceramic rings disposed adjacent the fiberglass layer and disposed inwardly thereof; and    providing electrical power to the ceramic rings to vibrate the rings to generate ultrasound, and transmitting the ultrasound through the liquid to induce cavitation in the liquid in the housing;    wherein the cavitation in the liquid serves to inactivate microorganisms in the liquid.    
     
     
         8 . A method for purifying drinking liquids, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cavitation assembly comprising: 
 a generally cylindrically-shaped open-ended tube comprising a transducer for converting electrical energy to acoustic energy;  
 a liquid moving means; and  
 an electrical power source;  
 operating the liquid moving means to flow the liquid through the tube; and  
   operating the electrical power source to provide electrical power to the transducer to generate ultrasound and transmit the ultrasound through the liquid in the tube to induce cavitation in the liquid in the tube; 
 wherein the cavitation inactivates microorganisms in the liquid.  
   
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the tube includes rings of ceramic material.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the tube and ceramic rings comprise a piezoelectric transducer.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the transducer is operated at ultrasonic frequencies of about 30-200 kHz.  
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the rings are of different ceramic materials and are operated at different ones of the frequencies.  
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the drinking liquid is water and the tube is placed within an existing water line.  
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the tube is placed proximate a point of use of the drinking water.  
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the liquid is water and the non-toxic tube is placed in a water supply conduit proximate a point of use of the water.