FORM-2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
PROVISIONAL
Specification
(See section 10 and rule 13)
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASTEWATER
TREATMENT
THERMAX LIMITED
an Indian Company
Chinchwad, Pune411 019, Maharashtra, India
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION DESCRIBES THE INVENTION.
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FIELD OF INVENTION:
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wastewater treatment.
PRIOR ART:
All reverse osmosis (RO) based water treatment systems are commonly subject to reduced efficiency and failure as a result of scaling and
clogging of membrane by solid particles suspended in the aqueous medium. As a means for reducing these problems, the concept of pretreating the water by inducing an electrostatic field across it has been known for many years and many devices have been utilized with varying success for RO pretreatment.
This invention envisages improved performance of wastewater treatment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide an electrostatic device for use in large-scale conventional water / wastewater pretreatment systems that require the application of very high DC voltages for efficiency of operation.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that utilizes a dielectric material capable of withstanding the very high voltages required for large-scale water / wastewater systems and, at the same time, efficiently transferring the electrostatic field intensity across the water body.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that is not susceptible to shutdowns as a result of imperfections of connection /
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construction that causes arcing between the conductive and dielectric layers thereof.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that minimizes the use of insulating material to prevent contact between the conductive metallic layer of the device and the water medium surrounding it.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can be manufactured and assembled at low cost according to the above-stated criteria. This is achieved by using commercially available components and materials, modified only to the extent necessary to fit the requirements of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
This invention envisages an improvement in water / wastewater pretreatment by utilizing an electrostatic/ electro-ionic device whereby there is a substantial decrease in the chemical consumption during primary coagulation system and also improvement in the downstream biological treatment system.
ADVANTAGES
The advantages of the invention are:
1. Substantial decrease in chemical consumption in primary treatment
2. Improvement in performance in the downstream biological system
3. Improved biodegradability
4. Substantial decrease in befouling in the RO membranes or any other type of membranes
5. Pretreatment of water prior to its chemical coagulation
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The invention will be described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment. Reference to this embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates an elevation view of an electrostatic device according to the present invention using vitrified ceramic tube.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the open-end portion of the device shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the device of the invention in use in a pipe-elbow arrangement of a large-scale water / wastewater pretreatment system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Typically, said vitrified ceramic tube has a circular cross-section.
Typically, said conductive material consists of a metallic powder filled inside the ceramic tube by means of conductive adhesive.
Typically, said electrically insulated sealing means consists of nonconductive adhesive material.
Typically, said electrical means for energizing said conductive material consists of an insulated cable electrically connected thereto and adapted
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to be connected to a power supply in closed circuit with said electrical ground.
Typically, said insulated cable is electrically connected to said conductive material by means of a conductive bushing attached to the cable and electrically connected to the conductive material.
Typically, said power supply is adapted to provide a high voltage system ranging between 5000 to 30,000 volts in closed circuit with said electrical ground.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific structure of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
Dated this 7th day of April 2006

Mohan Dewan
of R. K. Dewan & Co Applicant's Patent Attorney
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