Ion enhancement

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating a body of water to kill microorganisms by enhancing the concentration metal ions therein. The apparatus comprising a dispenser with a first housing having a water accessible compartment containing a source of a N-halohydantoin compound for releasing the N-halohydantoin compound when contacted by the body of water with the at least one N-halohydantoin having the formula: wherein R and R1 each independently comprises an alkyl group, and wherein X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of bromine, chlorine and hydrogen and a second housing having a water accessible compartment containing an insoluble metal ion donor for releasing metal ions when contacted by the body of water containing the N-halohydantoin.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a body of water to kill microorganisms by enhancing a concentration of metal ions comprising:
 adding silver salt to the body of water; and   adding at least one N-halohydantoin compound to the body of water to interact with the silver salt to enhance a silver ion concentration in the body of water with the at least one N-halohydantoin having the formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R and R1 each independently comprises an alkyl group and wherein X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of bromine, chlorine and hydrogen. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of adding at least one N-halohydantoin compound comprises adding 1,3-Dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-Dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylhydatoin, or monochloro-5-methylhydation to the body of water to interact with the silver salt to enhance a silver ion concentration in the body of water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the body of water comprises a body of water support in a spa. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the body of water comprises a body of water support in a swimming pool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of adding at least one N-halohydantoin compound comprises adding a combination of 1,3-Dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydation, 1,3-Dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylhydatoin, and monochloro-5-methylhydation to the body of water to interact with the silver salt to enhance a silver ion concentration in the body of water. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of adding a silver salt to the body of water comprises adding silver chloride. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of adding a silver salt to the body of water comprises adding silver bromide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of adding a silver salt to the body of water comprises adding silver chloride to the body of water on a limestone carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method of treating a body of water comprises treating a body of recreational water for at least partial human immersion therein by insertion of a tablet comprised of silver chloride and the at least one N-halohydantoin compound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of placing a dispenser containing both the silver salt and the at least one N-halohydantoin compound in the body of water and allowing water to come into contact with both the silver salt and the at least one N-halohydantoin compound. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a body of water to kill microorganisms by enhancing a concentration of metal ions comprising:
 adding a source of metal ions to the body of water to generate metal ions in the body of water; and   adding at least one N-halohydantoin compound to the body of water to enhance the metal ion concentration in the body of water to thereby lessen the need for a supplemental biocide with the at least one N-halohydantoin having the formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R and R1 each independently comprises an alkyl group, and wherein X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of bromine, chlorine and hydrogen. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the source of metal ions comprises silver chloride. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of adding the source of metal ions to the body of water comprises adding the source of metal ions to the body of water on a of limestone carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of increasing the temperature of the body of water to increase the dissolution of the at least one N-halohydantoin compound in the body of water. 
     
     
         15 . A dispenser for killing microorganisms in a body of water comprising:
 a first housing having a water accessible compartment containing a source of a N-halohydantoin compound for releasing the N-halohydantoin compound when contacted by the body of water with the at least one N-halohydantoin having the formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R and R 1  each independently comprises an alkyl group, and wherein X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of bromine, chlorine and hydrogen; and
 a second housing having a water accessible compartment containing a metal ion donor for releasing metal ions when contacted by the body of water containing the  5 , 5 -dimethylhydantoin. 
 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the metal ion donor comprises an insoluble metal ion donor. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the source of N-halohydantoin compound comprises a source of 1,3-Dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the source of N-halohydantoin compound comprises a source of a combination of 1,3-Dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydation, 1,3-Dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylhydatoin, and monochloro-5-methylhydation. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the first housing and the second housing are located in a dispenser having a set of openings for the ingress and egress of water into the compartments in the dispenser. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the silver ion donor comprises silver chloride.