Method and apparatus for electrocoagulation

摘要

A method and apparatus is described that uses a device 110 which presents a surface of a dielectric material to a flowing or circulating fluid (such as water) that results in charge being created at a boundary layer of the dielectric. The pipe work 104 contacts the device 110 which comprises an electromagnetic material that has an affinity to negative charge and tends to charge the material that has an electronegative potential according to the triboelectric series. The material may be PTFE, ABS or polypropylene. A least two connections to the ground 126 are provided. The fluid flowing interacts with the device 110, which then acts as a dielectric charge generator without the use of a battery or DC supply. Variable resistance 128 may also be included to control the potential difference between the metal and the earth. The system may be used in a cooling tower, boiler or oil (hydrocarbon) pipeline.