Fluid treatment device

Abstract

A fluid treatment device is disclosed. The fluid treatment device includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid treatment device may include a control device which adjusts a parameter of an alternating potential difference provided between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode.

1 . A fluid treatment device for treating a water based fluid, comprising:
 a conduit through which the water based fluid travels;   at least a first electrode and a second electrode placed in direct contact with the water based fluid;   a control device coupled to the at least two electrodes to provide an alternating potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode and to monitor a conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one characteristic of the alternating potential difference is adjusted by the control device based on an indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode, the at least one characteristic includes a peak voltage of the alternating potential difference and a duty cycle of the alternating potential difference, wherein in response to an increase in the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode the control device first reduces the peak voltage until a threshold peak voltage is reached and subsequently reduces the duty cycle of the alternating potential difference.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode provides an indication of a conductivity of the water based fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the peak voltage of the alternating potential difference is increased in response to a reduction in the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the duty cycle of the alternating potential difference is increased in response to a reduction in the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold peak voltage corresponds to a target power to be applied to the water based fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode provides an indication of a conductivity of the water based fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the peak voltage of the alternating potential difference is increased in response to a reduction in the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the duty cycle of the alternating potential difference is increased in response to a reduction in the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein a period of the alternating potential difference is adjusted by the control device to enhance resonance in the water based fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 9 , wherein the period is adjusted by varying the period through a range of periods. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein the period varies between about 1 kHz to about 9 kHz. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein the period varies between about 1 kHz to about 7 kHz. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein the period varies between about 2 kHz to about 8 kHz. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein the period varies between about 3 kHz to about 9 kHz. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein the period is at least about 3 kHz. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 15 , wherein the period is varied through a varying voltage input to a voltage controlled oscillator, the voltage controlled oscillator being coupled to a switching circuit that reverses a polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit has an interior through which the fluid travels and the first electrode and the second electrode are placed in the interior of the conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is made of a non-metallic material. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are supported by the conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the duty cycle of the alternating potential difference is maintained at 100 percent until the peak voltage of the alternating potential difference drops to a set voltage and thereafter the duty cycle is reduced.