Axial-sump electrolytic flow cell

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods pertaining to an axial-flow electrolytic sump for operation in low to medium conductivity hard water. The axial-flow electrolytic sump can include easily replaceable components providing for ease of maintenance, low-cost replacement, and the lowest impact to the environment for the service life of the system. In general, the axial-flow electrolytic sump can comprise a removable/replaceable electrode cartridge that is operably enclosed in a sump housing.

1 . An axial-flow electrolytic cell, comprising:
 a sump assembly having a sump head and a sump chamber, the sump head including a cartridge aperture providing access to an internal volume of the sump chamber; and   a removable electrode cartridge having an electrode assembly mounted to a cartridge head, the cartridge head adapted for removable attachment to the sump head such that the electrode assembly is positioned within the internal volume of the sump chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plug assembly attaching to a plug receptacle on the cartridge head, the plug assembly providing power to the electrode assembly when the plug assembly is connected to the plug receptacle.   
     
     
         3 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 2 , wherein the plug assembly is axially aligned with the electrode assembly when the plug assembly is connected to the plug receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the sump head includes a flow inlet port and a flow outlet port, the flow inlet port and the flow outlet port being axially aligned so as to define a sump mounting width between the flow inlet port and the flow outlet port. 
     
     
         5 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 4 , wherein the sump mounting width is less than an electrode length. 
     
     
         6 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 4 , wherein the sump head includes a quick connect feature at the flow inlet port and the flow outlet port. 
     
     
         7 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the sump chamber is removably connected to the sump head with a rotational connection means. 
     
     
         8 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 7 , wherein the rotational connection means comprises a threaded connection. 
     
     
         9 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the removable electrode cartridge is rotatably connected to the sump head. 
     
     
         10 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 9 , wherein the removable electrode cartridge includes at least one bayonet tab that interfaces with a retention flange on the sump head so as to positively retain the electrode assembly within the internal volume of the sump chamber during operation. 
     
     
         11 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the removable electrode cartridge further comprises a sleeve positioned over the electrode assembly, the sheath comprising a scale inhibiting material. 
     
     
         12 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 11 , wherein the scale inhibiting material comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The axial flow-electrolytic cell of  claim 11 , wherein the sump head, sump chamber and cartridge head are constructed of a non-conducting material, the non-conducting material being different than the scale inhibiting material. 
     
     
         14 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 13 , wherein the non-conducting material is selected from the group consisting of: ABS, PVC, and PPO. 
     
     
         15 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein a second sump housing having a second sump internal volume can be attached to the sump head; and wherein a second removable cartridge assembly having a second electrode assembly can be attached to the sump head, wherein the second sump internal volume and second electrode assembly are matched so as to vary electrolytic performance as compared to the original sump internal volume and electrode assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The axial-flow electrolytic cell of  claim 15 , wherein the sump head remains operably mounted within a flow system as the electrolytic performance is varied through attachment of the second sump housing and the second electrode assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A method of electrolytically treating fluid comprising:
 providing a sump head having a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet, wherein the fluid flow inlet and fluid flow outlet are in axial alignment;   attaching a sump chamber to the sump head to define an interior sump volume;   mounting a removable electrode cartridge in a cartridge aperture in the sump head such that an electrode assembly is positioned within the interior sump volume;   supplying a nontreated fluid flow to the fluid flow inlet; and   removing an electrolytically treated fluid flow from the fluid flow outlet.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 replacing the removable electrode cartridge with a second electrode cartridge upon reaching an end of a useful life of the removable electrode cartridge.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 supplying power to the electrode assembly with a removable plug assembly, the removable plug assembly attaching to a plug receptacle in a cartridge head of the removable electrode cartridge such that the removable plug assembly is in axial alignment with the electrode assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 covering the electrode assembly with an electrode sleeve, wherein said electrode sleeve comprises a scale resistant material.   
     
     
         21 . A fluid flow system for treating a fluid with electrolysis, comprising:
 a removable electrode cartridge having an electrode assembly mounted to a cartridge head; and   a means for mounting the removable electrode cartridge to a fluid flow system, wherein the removable electrode cartridge is replaceable with a second removable electrode cartridge without disassembling the means for mounting from the fluid flow system.   
     
     
         22 . The fluid flow system of  claim 21 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a sump head such that the electrode assembly is positioned directly within a sump chamber attached to the sump head. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid flow system of  claim 21 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a cartridge fitting directly mounted within a conduit such that the electrode assembly is positioned directly within the conduit.