Method and apparatus for treating fluids

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale are disclosed. The invention includes an apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles, or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale. The apparatus can include an open fluid directional means or conduit. The preferred open fluid directional means is a conduit manufactured of resilient, corrosion-resistant material. The apparatus is attached to a power source and has a controller means. The controller means is desirably a microprocessor and can include a switching means for regulating the current to the apparatus. However, simpler circuits and components can be used for the controller means. The apparatus includes a field generating means. The field generating means forms a treatment field. The treatment field is a magnetic field and/or an electrical field in an effective dose sufficient to treat the fluid. The effective dose is determined by the exposure time(s) and strength(s) of the treatment field(s) and the concentration of contaminants present in the fluid subjected to the treatment.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A method for treating a fluid with electromagnetic fields, said method comprising:
 flowing fluid through a non-metallic conduit in a treatment zone:   supplying power to a signal generator, the signal generator having at least one switch, a first controller which operates said at least one switch, and a first power source fed by said power for supplying power to said at least one switch;   providing a high frequency electromagnetic field into said treatment zone in sufficient strength and for a sufficient exposure time to treat contaminants in said fluid;   switching alternate halves of an applied alternating supply voltage through a second controller, said second controller including two diodes configured to switch respective alternate halves of said applied alternating supply voltage;   supplying said power to a second power source, said second power source including a transformer; and   providing a low frequency electromagnetic field in said treatment zone in sufficient strength and for sufficient exposure time to treat contaminants in said fluid.