Method and device for treating water and use thereof

Abstract

The present patent disclosure concerns a device for treating water, comprising a housing; an inlet for receiving water arranged at a first end of the housing; an outlet for outputting the treated water arranged at a second end of the housing; and two or more electrodes arranged in the housing, the two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite the first electrode such that a space is formed between the first and second electrodes; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water, wherein the first and the second electrodes are arranged electrically insulated from the housing.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATING WATER AND USE THEREOF

[0002] The present patent disclosure concerns a method and device for treating water and use thereof. Particular embodiments of the device are for reducing NOXemissions from a combustion chamber. Other embodiments of the device are for producing antioxidative water, hydrogen, oxygen and / or mixtures of these.

[0003] When combusting fuels, like diesel, petrol, or (natural) gas, due to the heat formed during the combustion, some of the nitrogen present in air reacts with the oxygen in the air to form nitrogen oxides, such as nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), in varying ratios. These nitrogen oxides together, which are typically referred to as NOX, are considered to contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain. Emission standards for combustion engines have increasingly stringent NOXemission limits.

[0004] The addition of hydrogen to combustion mixtures for combustion chambers has shown the effect of improving the combustion process, but has the disadvantage of increasing the combustion temperature, which reduces the combustion chamber / engine lifetime.

[0005] In addition, hydrogen storage and transport are problematic. One way to generate hydrogen is from water, such as by electrolysis. Treating water by electrolysis devices has the problem of often requiring aggressive electrolytes, for instance comprising potassium hydroxide, and catalysts which are typically noble and / or rare metals such as platina and iridium.

[0006] It is an object, among objects, to provide an improved device for treating water. Another object, among the objects, is to provide a device for reducing NOXemissions in combustion chambers.

[0007] To this end, in a first aspect, there is provided a device for treating water, comprising a housing; an inlet for receiving water arranged at a first end of the housing; an outlet for outputting the treated water arranged at a second end of the housing; and two or more electrodes arranged in the housing, the two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite the first electrode such that a space is formed between the first and second electrodes; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water, wherein the first and the second electrodes are arranged electrically insulated from the housing.

[0008] The electrodes being hydrophilic have the effect of allowing the formation of so-called exclusion zone (EZ-) water. Experiments have shown the formation EZ -water at hydrophilic surfaces. This is for instance described by Prof. G. Pollack in “The Fourth Phase of Water - Beyond Solid Liquid Vapor”, Ebner and Sons Publishers, 2013. EZ-water forms, for instance, on Nation (sulfonated tetrafluorethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer) layers, Nafion being a hydrophilic material. The name EZ-water follows from the structured nature of this phase and its tendency to exclude impurities such as particles. The formation of EZ-water is accompanied by charge separation, EZ-water being negatively charged, while the water outside the EZ-water phase being positively charged. When the EZ-water is negatively charged, it may be described by the general chemical formula H3O2, having a net charge of -1 (see e g. Ch. 4, e g. Fig. 4. 10, of “The Fourth Phase of Water”).

[0009] The growth of EZ-water can be accelerated by radiant energy such as infrared radiation. Another way to grow the EZ-water is by applying a potential, in particular a negative potential. This is used in the present device. The EZ-water being electrically charged means that the water is conductive. Also, the water that is not part of the EZ-water has increased amounts of hydronium ions, and is thus also conductive. In addition, the EZ-water excludes other ions and particles so those will also be in the remainder of the water not part of the EZ- water. This means that the device can use demineralized water or distilled water, which will become conductive by being present in the device. Beneficially, the water needs no additives such as alkaline salts in order to increase conductivity. When the device is used before an air inlet of a combustion chamber, for instance, in this way there is no or less corrosion or fouling as there are no additives. In addition, the formation of EZ-water is limited by the presence of electrolytic species, such as salts or minerals, in the water.

[0010] When the device is used together with a combustion chamber, with a mixture of water and air being input into the device, and the output mixture of treated water and air being fed into the air inlet of the combustion chamber, the amount of NOXthat is emitted is drastically reduced. Emission reductions of over 30% have been measured. This may be due to the EZ-water, being typically antioxidative, to react as a reducing agent with NO and NO2. Hydrogen produced in the device may further act as a reducing agent.

[0011] The inlet may be one or more inlets.

[0012] In an embodiment, the device is configured such that the two or more electrodes have corresponding two or more polarities, wherein adjacent electrodes have opposite polarities. In this way, two sides of the electrodes are used and thus the surface area for treating the water is increased. In an embodiment, the electrodes may be made of steel, such as stainless steel. The steel is preferably polished, such as to improve its hydrophilic properties. One type of suitable steel is polished 316L stainless steel. In an embodiment, the steel is brushed, grinded and / or polished. The polishing is preferably done one-directionally. This increases the surface wetting by water on the steel. In other words, the hydrophilicity of the steel is increased.

[0013] In an embodiment, the second electrode is concentrically arranged around the first electrode This allows for a compact design of the device.

[0014] In an embodiment, the first electrode is arranged is shaped as a rod or cylinder shape and arranged along a central axis of the device.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device comprises a third electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the second electrode.

[0016] In an embodiment, the device comprises a fourth electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the third electrode.

[0017] The device may comprise additional electrodes, such as the preferred embodiment described below. The principle of operation, however, remains the same or similar.

[0018] The second to fourth electrodes, when concentrically arranged with respect to each other, may be shaped as cylinders with a circular or oval cross section. The second to fourth electrodes have open longitudinal ends so that any gas and / or water is able to pass through the space between the electrodes. The respective cross sections of the electrodes may alternatively be square, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like, having sharp comers. It is an option that the distance between the electrodes is constant along their respective surfaces. The first electrode may be shaped as a cylinder as well, but with closed ends. The first electrode may comprise a cone- shaped surface at one or both longitudinal ends.

[0019] Alternative to the concentrically arranged electrodes, the electrodes can be arranged as plates stacked on top of each other. The plates may be flat plates, or plates with curves / waves. It is an option that the distance between the electrodes is constant along their respective surfaces.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the electrodes may be shaped in a spherical or toroidal (donutlike) geometric shape or as rids within a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the second end is opposite the first end.

[0021] In an embodiment, the two or more electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more electrically insulating spacers, wherein the one or more spacers are positioned such that a shaped flow path is formed for flow of the water from the first end towards the second end along the first and second electrodes.

[0022] In an embodiment, the walls of the one or more electrically insulating spacers have a meandering shape. The meandering shape causes a further increase of the length of the flow path

[0023] In an embodiment, the device comprises an input chamber arranged at an inlet side of the device and configured to reduce a flow speed of the received water.

[0024] In an embodiment, the inlet is a first inlet, wherein the device comprises a second inlet for receiving a gaseous substance.

[0025] In an embodiment, the first inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the second inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

[0026] In an embodiment, the second inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the first inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

[0027] In an embodiment, the first inlet comprises a disperser for distributing the water in order to create a mixture of the water and the gaseous substance.

[0028] The device may comprise vortexing elements configured to create a vortex or swirling motion of the water or water / air mixture through the device. This results in a longer and controlled flow path of the water along the electrodes. The water may be saturated with the present gases. For instance, if the water is saturated with oxygen this may aid the growth of the EZ -water zones. Also, the presence of the vortex cools the water and / or gas / water mixture. One possible explanation is that rotating charges such as ions emit radiant energy, thus causing the cooling. Then, at least a part of this radiant energy may be absorbed by the EZ -water which grows faster as a result (cf. chapter 10 of “The Fourth Phase of Water” cited above).

[0029] The spacers may be shaped to form a spiralling flow path. In this way the spacers are used to create the vortex, i.e. the spacers have the function of the vortexing elements. Furthermore, when a gas / water mixture is input into the device, the flow paths may cause an improved mixing of the phases.

[0030] Alternative to using the spacers to create a vortex, it is an option that the first and / or second inlet is / are arranged in a direction having a tangential component relative to the central axis in order to create a swirling motion of the input gas and / or water. The first and / or second inlets are embodiments of the vortexing elements in this configuration.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, input cones configured to cause vortex in the input fluid may be used at or near the inlet. The input cones are embodiments of the vortexing elements in this configuration.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the outlet may comprise an output cone having a vortex shape. The output cone causes a vortex to be created in the fluid before the output cone. The output cone is an embodiment of the vortexing elements in this configuration.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the inlet side of the device may comprise a vane body comprising vanes configured to create a vortex in the passing water or gas / water mixture. The vane body may be static or configured to rotate. When the vane body is configured to rotate, the device may comprise an electrical motor configured to rotate the vane body. The vane body is an embodiment of the vortexing element in this configuration.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the electrodes themselves may be shaped such that a vortex shaped flow path is formed. The electrodes may thus act as vortexing elements in this configuration.

[0035] In an embodiment, the gaseous substance is a gas, such as air.

[0036] In an embodiment, the device comprises an output chamber arranged at an outlet side of the device and configured to increase a flow speed of the treated water or treated gas / water mixture.

[0037] In an embodiment, the device is configured such that the outlet is mountable or connectable to an air inlet side of a combustion chamber.

[0038] The water and water / air mixture may be referred to generally as fluid, fluid to be treated or treated fluid. In an embodiment, the device is configured or suitable for reducing NOXemissions of a combustion process in a combustion chamber.

[0039] The inlet side of the device may comprise the first end. The outlet side of the device may comprise the second end.

[0040] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system comprising a device according to any one of the embodiments according to the first aspect and a combustion chamber, wherein the device is arranged to supply an air / treated water mixture to the combustion chamber.

[0041] According to a third aspect, the use is provided of a device according to any one of the embodiments according to the first aspect used to supply an air / treated water mixture to a combustion chamber.

[0042] In an embodiment, the water is demineralized or distilled water.

[0043] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for treating water, the method comprising; receiving water at an inlet; treating water by applying a voltage to the water flowing in a space between two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode opposite the first electrode thereby preferably allowing exclusion zone water to form; and outputting the treated water at an outlet; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water.

[0044] In an embodiment, the method for treating water is performed by any one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect.

[0045] The exclusion zone water may be water comprising zones in which the water has (on average) the general formula H3O2. In other words, the exclusion water may be antioxidant water.

[0046] In an embodiment, the received water is demineralized or distilled water.

[0047] In an embodiment, the receiving comprises receiving air at the one or more inlets, the method further comprising, forming a water / air mixture, wherein the treating the water comprises treating the water / air mixture, and wherein the outputting the treated water comprises outputting the treated water / air mixture, wherein the output treated water / air mixture is fed into a combustion chamber for combusting fuel. It will be apparent that any the features of any of the first, second, third and fourth aspect can be readily applied to any one of the other aspects and vice versa.

[0048] It will be understood that technical advantages and effects associated with features and / or embodiments of one aspect, apply to the corresponding, similar or equivalent features and / or embodiments the other aspects. It will also be apparent that the features of the various aspects and / or embodiments thereof may be applied to the other aspects and / or embodiments thereof.

[0049] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present disclosure. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the disclosure will become more apparent, and the aspects and embodiments will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Fig. 1 schematically shows a cross section in perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure;

[0052] Fig. 2 schematically shows a longitudinal cross section of a device according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure;

[0053] Fig. 3 schematically shows an electrode with spacers of a device according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure;

[0054] Fig. 4 schematically shows a system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure; and

[0055] Fig. 5 illustrates a graph of measured NOXconcentration versus time when a device according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure is used together with a combustion chamber.

[0056] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0057] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, also shown in the appended drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be done within the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined with reference to the claims below.

[0058] A device 1 for treating water comprises a housing 8. The housing 8 is made of an electrically isolating material. The electrically isolating material may be anodised aluminium, such as hard anodised aluminium. Other suitable materials for the housing 8 include electrically insulating ceramic materials, polymer materials, and composite materials, such as polyether ether ketone based composites. The device 1 comprises an inlet 40 for receiving water arranged at a first end of the housing 8. The device 1 further comprises an outlet 44 for outputting the treated water arranged at a second end of the housing 8. As can be seen in Figure 2, the second end, at which the outlet 44 is situated, is at an opposite side of the device 1 relative to the first end, at which the inlet 40 is situated. The device 1 includes a two or more electrodes arranged in the housing 2. The two or more electrodes comprise a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 12 arranged opposite the first electrode such that a space is formed between the first 10 and second 12 electrodes. At least one of the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 12 comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water. The first 10 and the second 12 electrodes are arranged electrically insulated from the housing 8.

[0059] The first electrode 10 extends along central axis 101. The second electrode 12 is concentrically arranged around the first electrode 10 and around the axis 101. The first electrode 10 is arranged is shaped as a rod or cylinder shape. The device 1 comprises a third electrode 14 concentrically arranged around and spaced from the second electrode 12 and a fourth electrode 16 concentrically arranged around and spaced from the third electrode 14. In this embodiment, the device 1 comprises a fifth electrode 18 and a sixth electrode 20. The fifth electrode 18 is concentrically arranged around and spaced from the fourth electrode 16. The sixth electrode 20 is concentrically arranged around and spaced from the fifth electrode 18.

[0060] The device 1 is configured such that the electrodes have corresponding two or more polarities, wherein adjacent electrodes have opposite polarities. For instance, if the first electrode 10 has a first polarity, the second electrode 12 has the second polanty, the third electrode 14 has the first polarity, the fourth electrode 16 has the second polarity, the fifth electrode 18 has the first polarity, and the sixth electrode 20 has the second polanty. The first polanty can be positive, while the second polarity can be negative, in case direct current is used.

[0061] The device 1 comprises first electrical contact 30 and second electrical contact 32. The first electrical contact 30 may be for connecting the first polarity and the second electrical contact 32 may be for connecting the second polarity. The device 1 may comprise a controller configured for controlling the voltage applied over the first 30 and second 32 electrical contacts.

[0062] The first electrical contact 30, having a first polarity, is in electrical contact with the first electrode 10, third electrode 14, and the fifth electrode 18. The first electrical contact 30 is electrically insulated from the second 12, the fourth 16 and the sixth 20 electrodes. The second electrical contact 32, having a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity when direct current is used, is in electrical contact with the second electrode 12, the fourth electrode 16 and the sixth electrode 20. The second electrical contact 32 is electrically insulated from the first 10, the third 14 and the fifth 18 electrodes.

[0063] As visible in Fig. 2, the electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more electrically insulating spacers 50. The spacers 50 may, for instance, be made of rubber. The one or more spacers 50 are positioned such that a shaped flow path 60 is formed for flow of the water from the first end towards the second end along the electrodes. It is noted that the spacers 50 are not shown in Fig. 1, for sake of clarity. As an example, the sixth electrode 20 is shown in a flat unfolded state in Fig 3 in order to show the spacers 50. Note that the electrodes, including the sixth electrode 20, are shaped as cylinders in the present embodiment, and the view of Fig. 3 is an unfolded view wherein the cylinder shaped electrodes are arbitrarily cut to show the spacers 50. Axis 400 crosses three of the spacers 50, as seen in the perspective of Fig. 2 parallel to the central axis 101. More spacers 50 can be fitted onto each electrode in order to increase the number of flow paths 60. The side walls of the one or more electrically insulating spacers 50, being the sides walls adjacent to the flow paths 60, may have a meandering shape (not shown).

[0064] The spacers 50 are distanced by distance d, which may vary in a range of 1 to 10 cm, preferably 2 to 8 cm. The spacers 50 are further angled relative to axis 400 with angle a, which may lie in the range of 10 to 80 degrees, preferably 20 to 60 degrees.

[0065] The device 1 may comprise an input chamber 22 arranged at an inlet side of the device 1 and configured to reduce a flow speed of the received water. The input chamber 22 may be arranged to and enable the mixing of the gas / water mixture. The inlet may be a first inlet 40. The device 1 may comprise a second inlet 42. Depending on the application, the first inlet 40 may be for receiving water, and the second inlet 42 may be for receiving a gas, or gas mixture, such as air. The first inlet 40 may alternatively be for receiving the gas or gas mixture and the second inlet 42 may be for receiving the water.

[0066] The first inlet 40 is arranged along the central axis 101 of the device. The second inlet 42 is radially distanced from the central axis 101. There may be multiple second inlets 42 arranged at the first end of the device 1, e.g. at opposing sides relative to the central axis 101.

[0067] When the first inlet 40 or the second inlet 42 is used to input water, each may comprise a disperser for distributing the water in order to create a mixture of the water and the gaseous substance. The device 1 may comprise an output chamber 24 arranged at an outlet side of the device 1 and configured to increase a flow speed of the treated water or treated gas / water mixture.

[0068] The device 1 may be configured to be mounted at an air inlet side of a combustion chamber. Schematically, a combination of a device 100, which is the same as the device 1 except if stated otherwise, and a combustion chamber 300, is shown in Fig. 4. The device 100 comprises first inlet 340 and second inlet 342, which may be configured similarly as inlets 40 and 42 respectively. The first inlet 340 may be for inputting (compressed) air into the device 100. The second inlet 342 may be for inputting (distilled or demineralized) water into the device 100 The device 100 further comprises electrical contacts 330 and 332, which are in electrical contact with the electrodes comprised in the device 100. The device 100 outputs a treated water / gas mixture 344 to the combustion chamber 300. The combustion chamber 300 comprises further inputs, such as a fuel input, which are not shown. The combustion chamber 300 outputs gaseous output stream 360 which may be analysed, for instance for its NOXcontent. The assembly of the device 100 and the combustion chamber 300 may comprise air bypass 346 which bypasses a part of the air provided to the device 100, for example 5 to 50% of the air flow, such as 10 to 40%, e.g. 12, 14, 16, 20, 25, 30, or 35%.

[0069] In an embodiment, the distances between the electrodes lie in the range of 0.1 - 5 mm, such as 2, 3, or 4 mm. By varying the plate distances of the independent electrodes, the flow conditions such as flow speed between the electrodes may be altered. The plate distance is large enough to create EZ -water, but not too large so that too much volume will be created between the plates (which may cause a result of insufficient contact between the water and the stainless (hydrophilic) electrodes).

[0070] The disperser of the inlets may be a nozzle. The nozzle may be configured to spray or atomize the water into the input chamber 22. Increased atomization typically may result in an improved air / water mixture. Tests show that when no air is used, and the device only is input with water, then no or almost no hydrogen may be created. EZ-water is created, however. By adding more air (flow), more hydrogen is created.

[0071] The electrodes may alternative to the steel or stainless steel based hydrophilicity, comprise or be treated by any one of the following methods in order to make hydrophilic electrodes. One way is by using a chemical oxidation treatment to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface of a (stainless) steel electrode or layer on the electrode. Typically, the hydrophilicity increases with the increase of the oxidation temperature and the prolongation of the oxidation time. Such a chemical oxidation treatment can increase the content of oxygen-containing polar groups on the surface of the stainless steel electrode and within a certain thickness range, so that the surface (free) energy and polar components of the stainless steel electrode may be enhanced, thereby effectively improving the hydrophilicity of the surface of the stainless steel electrode. The (negatively charged) oxidation layer also can help the growth of the EZ- water. Another way to create a hydrophilic electrode is to coat the electrode with a hydrophilic layer such as Nafion. In this case, the layer should be kept thin such that the electrical conductivity remains high enough. Alternatively, thin film coatings (such as Platinum) may be applied to the electrode surfaces. Alternatively, the electrodes may be treated with laser induced surface texturing and plasma surface treatments, see for example Kim et al., in “Surface modification for hydrophilic property of stainless steel treated by atmospheric-pressure plasma jet”, Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 171, Issues 1-3, 2003, Pages 312-316, https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / S0257-8972(03)00292-5.

[0072] Fig. 5 shows experimental data of the NOXconcentration coming from the output of a combustion chamber of a DAF XF truck diesel engine. The engine is heated up before the experiment. Diesel (B7 EN590) was used as fuel. The device according to the present patent disclosure was connected to the combustion chambers of the engine analogue to Fig. 4, with about l / 8thof the air flow bypassing the device. With the device turned on, a voltage of 27,8 V DC was applied. The ambient temperature was 10 °C. The ambient humidity as 94%. The current used by the device at 120 ml / min water injection was 3.2 A. The current used by the device at 190 ml / min water injection was 3.5 A. The injected water was distilled water with total dissolved solids lower than 4 ppm.

[0073] From the time marked with line 500, at around 200 seconds, the device is turned on and the treated water / air mixture is supplied to the engine. The measured exhaust temperature was obtained with active water treatment device. The exhaust temperature did not change significantly after switching on the water treatment device. About 100 seconds after the device is switched on, as indicated by line 500 in Fig. 5, the NOXconcentration stabilizes at 35% less than before the device is turned on, showing the powerful effect on the NOXemissions.

[0074] A summary of the test results of Fig. 5 is given in the following Table 1.

[0075] Table 1 : Example test results for water treatment device with fitted 190 ml / min water injection nozzle

[0076] The shown exhaust temperature is measured about 4 meters after the combustion chambers of the engine and is an average value taken when steady state is achieved while injecting the water / air mixture obtained from the device.

[0077] Further test results for injection of air / water mixtures obtained from the device into the engine for a different water injection nozzle is shown in Table 2.

[0078] Table 2: Example test results for water treatment device with fitted 120 ml / min water injection nozzle

[0079] As is clear from the tables, for both nozzles the NO and NO2 levels decrease remarkably, up to a 53% decrease for NO with a 190 ml / min nozzle used in the device.

[0080] Comparative example

[0081] Table 3 shows test results for NO and NO2 concentrations when only injecting distilled water into the DAF engine, without treating the water.

[0082] Table 3: Test results for untreated distilled water injection into the engine As can be seen from Table 3, although there is a decrease in the NO concentration, this is lower than for the treated water examples of Table 1 and Table 2 of 44% and 53% respectively. In addition, the NO2 concentration did not decrease, but increased during water injection, probably due to the water having an oxidizing effect on some of the NO.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, also shown in the appended drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be done within the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined with reference to the claims below.

[0084] The disclosure further comprises the following clauses:

[0085] 1. Device for treating water, comprising: a housing; an inlet for receiving water arranged at a first end of the housing; an outlet for outputting the treated water arranged at a second end of the housing; and two or more electrodes arranged in the housing, the two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite the first electrode such that a space is formed between the first and second electrodes; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water, wherein preferably the first and the second electrodes are arranged electrically insulated from the housing.

[0086] 2. Device according to clause 1, wherein the second electrode is concentrically arranged around the first electrode.

[0087] 3. Device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the first electrode is arranged or is shaped as a rod or cylinder and arranged along a central axis of the device.

[0088] 4. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising a third electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the second electrode.

[0089] 5. Device according to clause 4, comprising a fourth electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the third electrode.

[0090] 6. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the device is configured such that the two or more electrodes have corresponding two or more polarities, wherein adjacent electrodes have different, or opposite, polarities.

[0091] 7. Device according to clause 6, comprising a controller configured to control a respective voltage applied to the two or more electrodes.

[0092] 8. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the two or more electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more electrically insulating spacers, wherein the one or more spacers are positioned such that a shaped flow path is formed for flow of the water from the first end towards the second end along the first and second electrodes. 9. Device according to clause 8, wherein walls of the one or more electrically insulating spacers have a meandering shape.

[0093] 10. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising an input chamber arranged at an inlet side of the device and configured to reduce a flow speed of the received water.

[0094] 11. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the inlet is a first inlet, wherein the device comprises a second inlet for receiving a gaseous substance.

[0095] 12. Device according to clause 11, wherein the first inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the second inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

[0096] 13. Device according to clause 11, wherein the second inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the first inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

[0097] 14. Device according to clause 11, 12, or 13, wherein the first inlet comprises a disperser for distributing the water in order to create a mixture of the water and the gaseous substance.

[0098] 15. Device according to any one of clauses 11 to 14, wherein the gaseous substance is air.

[0099] 16. Device according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising an output chamber arranged at an outlet side of the device and configured to increase a flow speed of the treated water.

[0100] 17. Device according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the device is configured to be mounted at an air inlet side of a combustion chamber.

[0101] 18. Use of a device according to any one of clauses 1 to 16 to supply an air / treated water mixture to a combustion chamber.

[0102] 1 . Use according to clause 18, wherein the water is demineralized or distilled water.

[0103] 20. Method for treating water, the method comprising: receiving water at one or more inlets; treating the water by applying a voltage to the water flowing in a space between two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode opposite the first electrode thereby allowing exclusion zone water to form; and outputting the treated water at an outlet; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water.

[0104] 21. Method according to clause 20, wherein the receiving comprises receiving air at the one or more inlets, and further comprising, forming a water / air mixture, wherein the treating the water comprises treating the water / air mixture, and wherein the outputting the treated water comprises outputting the treated water / air mixture, wherein the output treated water / air mixture is fed into a combustion chamber for combusting fuel.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device for treating water, comprising: a housing; an inlet for receiving water arranged at a first end of the housing; an outlet for outputting the treated water arranged at a second end of the housing; and two or more electrodes arranged in the housing, the two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite the first electrode such that a space is formed between the first and second electrodes; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water, wherein preferably the first and the second electrodes are arranged electrically insulated from the housing, wherein the second electrode is concentrically arranged around the first electrode.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is arranged or is shaped as a rod or cylinder and arranged along a central axis of the device.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a third electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the second electrode.

4. Device according to claim 3, comprising a fourth electrode concentrically arranged around and spaced from the third electrode.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured such that the two or more electrodes have corresponding two or more polarities, wherein adjacent electrodes have different, or opposite, polarities.

6. Device according to claim 5, comprising a controller configured to control a respective voltage applied to the two or more electrodes.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two or more electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more electrically insulating spacers, wherein the one or more spacers are positioned such that a shaped flow path is formed for flow of the water from the first end towards the second end along the first and second electrodes.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein walls of the one or more electrically insulating spacers have a meandering shape.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an input chamber arranged at an inlet side of the device and configured to reduce a flow speed of the received water.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet is a first inlet, wherein the device comprises a second inlet for receiving a gaseous substance.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the first inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the second inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

12. Device according to claim 10, wherein the second inlet is arranged along a central axis of the device, wherein the first inlet is radially distanced from the central axis.

13. Device according to claim 10, 11, or 12, wherein the first inlet comprises a disperser for distributing the water in order to create a mixture of the water and the gaseous substance.

14. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the gaseous substance is air.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an output chamber arranged at an outlet side of the device and configured to increase a flow speed of the treated water.

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured to be mounted at an air inlet side of a combustion chamber.

17. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims to supply an air / treated water mixture to a combustion chamber.

18. Use according to claim 17, wherein the water is demineralized or distilled water.

19. Method for treating water, the method comprising: receiving water at one or more inlets; treating the water by applying a voltage to the water flowing in a space between two or more electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode opposite the first electrode thereby allowing exclusion zone water to form; andoutputting the treated water at an outlet; wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a hydrophilic surface arranged to be in contact with the water, wherein the second electrode is concentrically arranged around the first electrode.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the receiving comprises receiving air at the one or more inlets, and further comprising, forming a water / air mixture, wherein the treating the water comprises treating the water / air mixture, and wherein the outputting the treated water comprises outputting the treated water / air mixture, wherein the output treated water / air mixture is fed into a combustion chamber for combusting fuel.

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