Reticulated liquid treatment devices with electric power source

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for treating liquids, and methods for treating liquids, particularly by using such devices. Reticulated electrode structures with a high proportion of surface area to volume are formed with at least two metals, and are coupled in arrays to an electrical driving signal such as an alternating and/or direct current voltage source, for ion exchange with a liquid to be treated, to produce, e.g., potable water.

1 . A device for treating liquids, comprising at least two metals, said metals having reticulated structures, wherein said reticulated structures are coupled to an electrical driving signal for ion exchange, electron transfer or electro-catalysis with the liquid to be treated.  
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metals are in the form of an alloy.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical driving signal is an alternating current or a direct current voltage source.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate having said reticulated structure, wherein said metals are disposed upon said substrate.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said substrate comprises a non-metallic material.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, and composite materials.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said substrate comprises a metal.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said metals are selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, platinum, magnesium, aluminum, activated alumina, zinc, tin, titanium and palladium.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said metals comprise copper, zinc and silver.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising at least about 20 weight percent zinc.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising up to about 45 weight percent zinc.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising at least about 35 weight percent copper.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising up to about 60 weight percent copper.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9  comprising from about 40 weight percent to about 60 weight percent copper, from about 25 weight percent to about 45 weight percent zinc, and from about 0.5 weight percent to about 25 weight percent silver.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising at least about 0.5 weight percent silver.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising at least about 8 weight percent silver.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising up to about 30 weight percent silver.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reticulated structure comprises a porosity of at least about 90 percent.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reticulated structure comprises a porosity of at least about 95 percent.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reticulated structure comprises pores having diameters of at least about 5 microns.