The present inventions relate to a method and device for galvanic processing of liquids especially of drinkable liquids and in particular of drinking water. More specifically, it relates to a method and disk device that changes the ion composition of liquids and especially drinking water by galvanic action between an anode and a cathode.

It is known that vitalized (also called activated) liquids have improved bio-energetic properties and information properties: first of all, it is the hydrogen exponent balance and the pH quantity. Further properties include the informative quantities of specific electric conductivity measured in μΞ, the total concentration of electrically neutral soluble ingredients measured in mg/1, and the redox potential measured in mV. It has been shown that generating turbulences and vortices in a moving liquid results in a change of the bio-energetic properties of the liquid.

Therefore, various techniques were developed during the recent decades to provide such healthy vitalized liquids and especially vitalized drinking water. One example is documented in US 8,926,804 B2. US 8,926,804 B2 describes a fluid container with a hollow body having an opening for filling. The opening is fitted with a connector connecting an openable cap. The container further having an outlet for dispensing the fluid. The outlet is fitted with a processing device for producing a swirling motion of the fluid. Further it was found that galvanic treatment of the liquid improves the bio-energetic properties of the liquid, so that the device for producing the swirling of the fluid was configured such that it functions simultaneously as a galvanic processing device. The galvanic processing device has a plurality of electrodes made of metal with different electrochemical potential. The electrodes are disk shaped with a central hub surrounded by wing like segments swirling the out-flowing fluid, so that with the galvanic processing device simultaneously a galvanic treatment of the fluid and a swirling motion of the fluid is obtained.

Further, hard water is a widely known problem, causing not only ugly deposits on armatures and in kettles, but also makes it often necessary to use a larger amount of soap, laundry detergent and dish liquid, which is negative for the environment and the water treatment in wastewater treatment plants. In addition, hard water increases the necessary maintenance efforts and can even reduce lifetime of hot-water central heating systems, household machines like hot-water boilers, dish washers, washing machines, steam irons etc. and even of large industrial facilities. Also house water pipes and main water supplies of local water suppliers can show damages and a lifetime reduction in the present of hard water.

Therefore, big efforts were made to softening water. Well known methods are the use of ion exchanger and chemical precipitation. Further galvanic treatments are described in US 8,715,469 B2 and US 8,691,059 B2. The galvanic processing device in US 8,715,469 B2 includes disk shaped electrodes, namely anodes made from a first metal and cathodes made from a second, different metal. The electrodes have circumferential segments aligned at a first angle s relative to the plane of the circumference of the electrode. The circumferential segments include a bend, resulting in a portion of each of said circumferential segments being aligned at a different angle t relative to the plane of the circumference of the electrode. The galvanic processing device in US 8,691,059 B2 includes a flow container with an inlet, an outlet and a longitudinal axis defined by the inlet and the outlet. It further comprises disk shaped electrodes, which are arranged with their planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The disk shaped electrodes are configured as described in US 8,715,469 B2 with a hub surrounded by circumferential segments aligned at a first angle s relative to the plane of the circumference of the electrode and a portion with a second different angle t relative to the plane of the circumference of the electrode, so that the swirl of the flow through the flow container has components with different directions. The cathodes and anodes are placed alternating along the longitudinal axis. Dielectric spacer rings separate the anodes and the cathodes .

Although the galvanic processing devices presented in the prior art deliver good results in vitalizing and softening water, it is an ongoing ambition to improve the efficiency of this known devices and improve the resulting quality of the liquids - especially of drinking water - treated by such a vitalizing galvanic process. Thereby the galvanic processing device should not be expensive in manufacturing. It should be easy and time-efficient in assembling as well as in installing. It should further be robust and the necessary maintenance efforts should be low.

In a first embodiment a galvanic processing device comprises at least two disk shaped electrodes. The electrodes are designed for being flowing through by a liquid. Each of the at least two disk shaped electrodes defining a disk plane. The at least two disk shaped electrodes each comprise a central hub and circumferential segments around the central hub, preferably wherein the central hub is substantially circular. Each of the at least two disk shaped electrodes is made of an electronically conducting metal, wherein the metals have different electric potentials. Or with other words: one electrode of the at least two electrodes is made of a first metal, the other electrode is made of a second metal different from the first metal, so that one electrode serving as anode and the other electrode serving as cathode. The circumferential segments are arranged in at least two disk rings coaxially to the central hub, wherein the at least two disk rings and their circumferential segments, respectively, are radially separated from each other by annular bridges. The circumferential segments within each of the disk rings are separated from each other by radial bridges, wherein the radial bridges interconnect the annular bridges and the central hub. The central hub, the radial bridges and the annular bridges lay within the disk plane. A galvanic action is generated between said at least two electrodes when immersed in a liquid. A galvanic processing device as described above creates a more intensive swirl of the fluid flow and thereby introduces a high amount of energy into the fluid. The intense high energetic swirling causes an high intense contact of the fluid with the electrodes, which improves the efficiency of the galvanic process and increases the quality of the treated water.

Advantageously the circumferential segments protrude per disk ring aligned and with a clearly defined protrusion angle from the disk plane, wherein the clearly defined protrusion angle is different for at least two of the disk rings. By this measure a more reproducible result is obtained . Further it is advantageous if the circumferential segments of all disk rings protrude from the disk plane to the same side of the disk plane.

An improvement of efficiency and quality of the treated liquid is also obtained, if the circumferential segments of the disk rings protrude from the disk plane in such a manner that the fluid flow is swirled by the different disk rings in contrary directions as clockwise and counter ^¬ clockwise .

The clearly defined protrusion angles are preferably chosen in the range of -10° to -80° and in the range of +10° to +80° respectively. Preferably there are at least three circumferential segments in each disk ring, in order to obtain a good swirling . The electrodes advantageously arranged parallel to each other in a defined distance to each other and in particular perpendicular with their disk planes along a common axis leading through their hubs. In case of more than two electrodes the anodes and the cathodes are preferably arranged alternating along said common axis and in particular with equal distances between each other. The intense of swirling is improved by this measure and the efficiency of the galvanic process as well. The input of energy into the lowing liquid is increased by this measure.

As described above electrodes having disk rings with circumferential segments protruding from the disk plane in such a manner that the fluid flow is swirled by the different disk rings in contrary directions is increasing the efficiency of the galvanic process. Even better is the above described effect if one of the at least two electrodes has a first inner disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid clockwise and a second more outer disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid counter-clockwise, and alternating so on from the inner disk ring to the most outer disk ring, in case more than two disk rings are present. The second of the at least two electrodes in contrary has a first inner disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid counter-clockwise and a second more outer disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid clockwise, and alternating so on from the inner disk ring to the most outer disk ring, in case more than two disk rings are present. If more than two electrodes are present in the galvanic processing device each even-numbered electrode may be a first electrode and each odd-numbered electrode may be a second electrode (or vice versa) . Thus, the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged alternating, i.e. along a common axis and in particular perpendicular with their disk planes to said common axis. This measure increases the swirling and vitalizing process and intense the contact of the fluid with the electrodes.

In a further embodiment the galvanic processing device has at least one disk shaped electrode, which has three or more disk rings. The number of disk rings may depend on the outer diameter of the electrode and on the flow velocity of the incoming fluid. But in general more disk rings may generate a better, even more energetic and intense swirling and thereby increase efficiency. The central hub may have an aperture therein also called through hole or may lack such an aperture, dependent on how the electrodes are connected to each other and whether an additional flow effect should be aimed in the centre of the electrodes by having an aperture or having no aperture.

Advantageously the disk shaped electrode is made in one piece and the circumferential segments of the electrode are each separated from the disk at all sides except on a bending side leaving the radial bridges and the annular bridges. The circumferential segments are bent on their bending sides, so that they protrude from the disk plane 14 in the clearly defined protrusion angle. Or with other words, each of the circumferential segments of an electrode is formed integrally with the central hub, the radial bridges and the annular bridges of the electrode. Such an electrode is cheap in manufacturing and robust during operation .

In a special embodiment the circumferential segments of an electrode are separated by slits (23) from the radial bridges (22) and/or annular bridges. This generates a different kind of swirling which may be advantageously, i.e. dependent on the composition of the liquid (ion and cations of the liquid) . In a preferred embodiment the metal of one of the at least two electrodes is made of silver or a silver-alloy and the metal of the other electrode of the at least two electrodes is titanium or a titanium-alloy especially a TiZn-alloy or Instead of titanium or a titanium-alloy magnesium or a magnesium-alloy may be used. It has been found that a combination of silver/silver-alloy and titanium/titanium- alloy or magnesium/magnesium-alloy, respectively, increases the efficiency of the galvanic processing device although the metals are more expensive than usually used materials like zinc, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass and carbon. Nevertheless, these conventionally used materials zinc, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass and carbon can be used in the here presented galvanic processing device as well for the electrodes. Instead of having massive electrodes of silver/silver-alloy and titanium/titanium-alloy or magnesium/magnesium-alloy, respectively, it is thinkable to cover electrodes with an according layer of silver/silver-alloy and titanium/titanium-alloy and magnesium/magnesium-alloy, respectively, in order to reduce the costs. It has been found that especially by using a silver/silver-alloy electrode the quality of the treated liquid is increased, which is attributed to the antibacterial effect of silver/silver-alloy.

In a preferred embodiment the galvanic processing device has at least one pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode, which are electrically coupled, so that it is usable as a kind of electrochemical cell. By this measure the galvanic process for vitalizing and softening a liquid can be used as a source of electrical power. Although it is well known that a galvanic process can be used as an electrical cell or battery for producing electrical power, no hint is given in the prior art that vitalizing and softening a liquid by a galvanic process can also be used as a source of electrical power.

In case the galvanic processing device comprises two or more anodes and two or more cathodes, the two or more anodes and the two or more cathodes are coupled parallely or in series, or in other words in such a case: either all anodes are electrically coupled with each other and all cathodes electrically coupled with each other, whereby the number of coupled anodes is preferably equal to the number of coupled cathodes, and wherein the coupled anodes and the coupled cathodes are electrically connected, so that they are usable as a kind of electrochemical cell, or the anodes and the cathodes are pairwise electrically coupled and the pairs are connected parallely, in order to be used as a kind of battery, dependent on what electric tension or intense of current might be used in the system.

In a further development of the above described galvanic processing device a power consumer is electrically connected with the kind of electrochemical cell and the kind of battery, respectively. The power consumer might be one out of the group comprising at least: a light source emitting visible light, a resistor, a diode, a LED, an UV- radiation emitting power consumer, an UV-LED, an infra-red radiation emitting power consumer. Especially where the power consumer is an UV-radiation emitting source, and in particular an UV-LED, the quality of the treated liquid can further be improved as UV- radiation (also called UV-light) has an anti-bactericidal effect. Preferred are UV-light emitting sources, emitting light with a wavelength in the range of 180nm to 350nm preferably in the range of 250nm to 300nm and even more preferred emitting light with a wavelength of 280nm.

In case galvanic processing device comprises a plurality of disk shaped electrodes it might be advantageous if the outer diameter of at least one of the plurality of disk shaped electrodes is larger as the outer diameter of the other electrodes or the disk shaped electrodes are pairwise having different outer diameters or each one of the disk shaped electrodes has a different outer diameter. This measure allows a flexible design of the galvanic processing device and thereby a flexible applicability of the same. The design of the galvanic processing device with respect to the diameters of its electrodes may be dependent of the circumstances and the environment the galvanic processing device should be used (flow pressure, flow velocity, flow direction, laminar flow or non-laminar flow, diameter of the inlet, the outlet etc.), so that the efficiency can be optimized for each environment.

In a preferred embodiment the galvanic processing device has a container with an inlet and an outlet, which inlet and outlet defining a general flow direction, wherein in particular the one or more electrodes are arranged aligned to each other perpendicular to the general flowing direction. Having such a container makes it easier to install the galvanic processing device as a whole within a minimum of time and installation efforts and allows also integration of UV-chambers in said container (see below) . The container is preferably made of a non-conducting material like plastic.

The electrodes might be fixed to each other, i.e. by clicking them into according ring slits in the inner wall of the container or by non-conducting spacer rings, which are positioned at outer peripheries of said electrodes. Thus, the electrodes might be put into the container as a block connected by the spacer rings or the spacer rings are formed in such a way that they can be connected easily, i.e. by a snatch mechanism, so that they will form together the container wall. In a further embodiment the general flow direction extends along a longitudinal axis of the container. The container is in particular formed as a tube having a circular or oval or a polygone cross section. In such a case at least the outer circumferential rim of the disk shaped electrodes follows the geometry of the cross section of the container, so that the disk shaped electrodes fit in the container. In a further development of this galvanic processing device, the container is rejuvenated in direction or counter-direction of the general flow direction and is especially in form of a cone or truncated cone.

The galvanic processing device as presented herein is advantageously arranged in a stationary manner in a linear flow of fluid. It is preferably embedded in a water pipe, in a shower head or tap.

In another preferred embodiment the container has at least one inlet and at least one outlet and is formed as a sphere or an ellipsoid or a hyperboloid or a potato like 3- dimensional body. Such a galvanic processing device is very advantageously applicable in all cases where the originally fluid flow is not laminar and/or not clearly defined in its direction. In such a case this type of galvanic processing device is preferably arranged in a movable manner in a non ^¬ linear flow of fluid, i.e. such a design of the galvanic processing device might be used free movable in a dish washer or in the washing drum of a washing machine. Nevertheless, galvanic processing device constructed with a container formed as a sphere or an ellipsoid or a hyperboloid or a potato like 3-dimensional body and having one inlet and one outlet, might also be arranged in a stationary manner in a linear flow of fluid and might also be used within a water pipe or as a shower head or a tap.

In even a further embodiment a plurality of disk shaped electrodes are coupled to each other by a shaft guided through their hubs, wherein the shaft is made of an electrical non-conducting material. The shaft might be fixed within a water pipe or another hollow object by a strutting .

In a preferred embodiment such a shaft is hollow and made of a transparent non-conducting material. One or more electrodes are electrically coupled and to form a kind of electrochemical cell or a kind of battery (see above) and one or more power consumers power consumers electrically connected to the coupled electrodes are arranged within the transparent shaft. This is especially advantageous for light emitting power consumers and in particular UV-LEDs, so that the emitted UV-light of the UV-LEDs can be used for disinfection purposes.

As mentioned before the circumferential segments protrude from the disc plane; herein the distance between the disc plane and the top of the protruding circumferential segments, that means the point of the protruding circumferential segment that is farthest away from the disc plane, is named the height of the electrode disc. In a further embodiment the galvanic processing device the disc shaped electrodes are positioned to each other in a flexible manner, wherein flexible manner means that the distance from one disc to the next disc is predetermined, but flexible in a certain range and that the disks with their disc planes are not necessarily arranged parallel to each other, but that the angle between the disc planes can vary. By this measure it is possible to implement the galvanic processing device within already existing houses and pipes, also flexible hoses and pipes, of liquid transporting systems, like water supply systems (to households and within a house and connecting the public supply system with the one of a building) or liquid transport systems in industry, i.e. beverage manufacturing industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry etc.. The distance range, wherein the electrode discs are positioned in in a more or less flexible manner to each other reaches from almost touching each other (which means the distance is still big enough that no electrical power is transported over this distance/this "almost touch") and maximum 1½ to 2 times the height of the disk plane. It is understood that in order to create the needed flexibility the distance on one side of two neighbouring discs might close to the maximum and on the counter side may be close to the minimum, as well as all constellations in between.

For this purpose, the disc shaped electrodes are integrated in a flexible hose or tube made of rubber, silicon or a flexible plastic material or they integrated in a hose or tube made of a flexible metal or a flexible hose or tube made of a mixture thereof (i.e. Pex-AL-Pex) . In one embodiment the integration is obtained by using disc holders, which disc holders each connect one electrode disc from inside of the tube/hose with the wall of the tube and hose, respectively. In a preferred embodiment the disc holders ensure that the minimum distance between the electrodes is always given. In a different embodiment the disc electrodes are connected directly from the inside of the tube/hose with the wall of the tube and hose, respectively.

It should be mentioned here that the expressions "disk" and "disc" are synonymous. Further the expressions "electrode", "disc electrode", "electrode disc" and "disc shaped electrode", "disc" "disk" are also used interchangeably.

Independent of the design and detailed configuration of the galvanic processing device the method to treat a liquid with a galvanic process using said galvanic processing device comprises the steps of

- a flow of a liquid through at least two electrodes of the device, and

- swirling the liquid simultaneously in different directions during the flow through the circumferential segments of the at least two electrodes;

- and simultaneously swirling the liquid randomly at the annular bridges and radial bridges.

In particular, the liquid is swirled by each disk ring of each of the electrodes in a different direction and in case of more than two circles in an alternating manner, i.e. alternating clockwise and counter-clockwise per circle.

In galvanic processing devices with a plurality of electrodes swirling is preferably obtained by alternating the direction of swirling per circle of the electrode (see above) and per electrode. In particular, having electrodes arranged alternating along and perpendicular to a common axis through their hubs, the even-numbered electrodes swirl the through flowing fluid in an inner circle in a first direction and in a more outer circle in the other direction and the od-numbered electrodes swirl the through flowing fluid per circle in the contrary directions.

The method further may comprise generation of electric power by the galvanic redox reaction in the through flowing liquid .

When using the galvanic process as a power source a further step in the method is the use of the generated electric power by integrated power consumers .

When using the galvanic process as a power source a further step in the method is the use of the generated electric power for disinfection purposes especially by using the electrical power for operating an UV-LED and emitting UV- light to the liquid by the UV-Led with a wavelength in the range of 180nm to 350nm, preferably in the range of 250nm to 300nm and even more preferred with a wavelength of 280nm. An UV-LED is preferred because of the low power consume, but nevertheless other UV-light emitting sources may be used as well. In another step the electrical power generated by the method is used for generating visible light by integrating a light source emitting visible light in the power generating galvanic processing device. This is very useful when the galvanic processing device is integrated in a shower head or a tap and if the light source emits the visible light in a way that the light is visible, when water runs through the shower head or tap at the outlet of the shower head or tap, respectively.

Particular embodiments and further developments might be given in the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to examples of possible embodiments. Same elements in the figures are indicated by the same index numbers. It should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments and, accordingly, are not limiting the scope of the present invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings show schematically:

Fig. la, lb a first embodiment of a disk shaped electrode of a galvanic processing device in different perspectives ;

Fig.2a, 2b also in different perspectives a second embodiment of a disk shaped electrode of a galvanic processing device; Fig.3 to 6 various further embodiments of a disk shaped electrode of a galvanic processing device each in different perspectives;

Fig.7a, 7b embodiments of the galvanic processing device;

Fig. 8a to 8c a further embodiment of the galvanic processing device including use of generated electric power;

Fig. 9a to 12 various further embodiments of the galvanic processing device including use of generated electric power;

Fig. 13a, 13b examples for installed galvanic processing devices ;

Fig. 14a to 14c a further embodiment of a galvanic processing device.

Fig. 15a, 15b SEM pictures of the crystals of calcium carbonate (CaC03) treated and not treated with the herein described method/device

Fig. 16a, 16b reflection angles of the crystals shown in figures 15a, 15b taken by x-ray diffraction

In various figures parts not relevant to the immediate description might have been omitted.

Figures la and lb show a first embodiment of a disk shaped electrode 12 (also called: "disk like electrode 12" or short: "electrode 12") having a central hub 16 defining a central axis 34 perpendicular to a disk plane 14 defined by the disk shaped electrode 12. In this embodiment the central hub 16 presents a central aperture 15, but the central hub 16 may also be lack an aperture. The aperture might be formed in order to create a special flow of the through flowing fluid or in order to accommodate a supporting structure, for supporting the at least two electrodes like a shaft 50, as shown in figs. 7a, 7b. Coaxially arranged to the central hub 16 are two disk rings 18, 18' separated from each other by an annular bridge 20. Each disk ring 18, 18' comprises a plurality of circumferential segments 24 separated from each other by radial bridges 22. In this embodiment the circumferential segments 24 of the outer disk ring 18' are outermost surrounded by an outer annular bridge 20 also called outer circumferential rim 21. The radial bridges 22 interconnect the annular bridges 20, 21 and the central hub 16, wherein the central hub 16 and the radial bridges 22 and the annular bridges 20 lay within the disk plane 14. Seen from an axial 34 perspectives, the circumferential segments 24 of all disk rings 18 protrude in the same direction from the disk plane 14, or with other words to the same side of the disk plane 14.

As said above disk shaped electrodes 12, as described here, are provided for a galvanic processing device in order to be flown through by a liquid especially by water. As shown in figure lb the circumferential segments 24 usually protrude from the disk plane 14 in a flow direction 28 of the liquid. However, in cases where the flow direction of the liquid is not clearly defined, direction of protrusion of the circumferential segments and flow direction of the liquid don't have to be the same (see, i.e. figures 14a- 14c) . As shown in figures la and lb, the circumferential segments 24 preferably protrude aligned per disk ring 18, 18' and with a clearly defined protrusion angle s, t from the disk plane 14. The outer geometry of the circumferential segments 24 in this embodiment are more or less trapezoid, wherein one pair of sides of the trapezoid follows the radial lines of the disk shaped electrode 12 and the crossing pair of sides follows the annulus lines of the according disk ring with the according radii. The circumferential segments 24 are bend at one of the radial sides with a protrusion angle s or t dependent on the disk ring, such that seen from an axial 34 perspectives, all circumferential segments 24 protrude from the disk plane 14 to the same side of the disk plane 14.

In the here shown embodiment the circumferential segments 24 of the disk rings 18, 18' protrude from the disk plane 14 in a clearly defined protrusion angle s, t, wherein the protrusion angle s in the inner disk ring 18 differs from the clearly defined protrusion angle t in the outer disk ring 18' in such a manner, that the fluid flow is swirled by the different disc rings 18 in contrary directions as clockwise and anticlockwise.

The disk shaped electrode 12 shown in figures 2a and 2b is principally constructed in the same way as the disk shaped electrode 12 in figures 1 and lb, but in this embodiment the circumferential segments 24 are smaller than the cut outs in the disk shaped electrode 12 between the annular bridges 20 and radial bridges 22. Hence, the circumferential segments 24 separated from said radial bridges 22 and/or annular bridges 20 by slits 23.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a disk like electrode 12 in different perspectives. Again the disk shaped electrode 12 has two disk rings 18, 18' each with a plurality of circumferential segments 24 separated by radial bridges 22 and annular bridges 20 and protruding from the disk plane 14 in the same axial direction, but per disk ring 18, 18' with a different protrusion angle s, t. However, in this embodiment the aperture 15 through the hub 16 is formed for accommodating a support structure 54 like it is shown in figures 14a to 14c.

Figure 4 also shows a further embodiment of a disk like electrode 12 in different perspectives. Again the disk shaped electrode 12 has two disk rings 18, 18' each with a plurality of circumferential segments 24 separated by radial bridges 22 and annular bridges 20 and protruding from the disk plane 14 in the same axial direction, but per disk ring with a different protrusion angle s, t. However, wherein the outer geometry of the jet-wing like circumferential segments 24 in figures la to 3 are more or less trapezoid, the circumferential segments 24 of the embodiment of figure 4 show an outer rim following more or les a triangular geometry.

The embodiments presented in figure 5 and 6 are in principle constructed like the one shown in figures la and lb but have no apertures in the hub 16 and have more than two disk rings. However, it is also possible to provide the hub 16 of each of these examples with an aperture 15 too. The embodiment of figure 5 has three disk rings 18, 18', 18'' and the embodiment of figure 6 has four disk rings 18, 18', 18'', 18'''. The protrusion angle s, t, u, v between the disk plane 14 and the protruding circumferential segments 24 of each of the three disk rings 18, 18', 18'' and four disk rings 18, 18', 18'', 18''', respectively, are different and cause a heavy swirling of the through flowing liquid in different directions.

The clearly defined protrusion angle s, t, u, v are each in the range of -10° to -80° and +10° to +80°, respectively, with respect to the disc plane. Preferably the protrusion angle of the circumferential segments 24 of each odd- numbered disk ring 18, 18'' counter the protrusion angle of the circumferential segments 24 of each even-numbered disk ring 18', 18''' such that i.e. in figure 6 protrusion angle s of the inner disk ring 18 may be in the range of -10° to -80°, i.e. -40°, protrusion angle t of the second disk ring 18' may be in the range of +10° to +80°, i.e. +40° or +50°, protrusion angle u of the third disk ring 18'' may be again in the range of -10° to -80° i.e. again -40°or i.e. -65° or -78° and protrusion angle v of the fourth and outermost disk ring 18''' may be in the range of +10° to +80°, i.e. +40° or +50° or +65°etc.

Each disk shaped electrode 12 has a certain height h, which is defined by the distance between the disc plane 14 and the top of those protruding circumferential segments 24, which protrude the farthest from the disk plane 14. In this connection the disk plane 14 is defined as the lower side of the disk like electrode 12, which is the side opposed to the protruding circumferential segments 24. With other words, the height of the electrode disk is defined as the distance between the disk plane 14 and the point of the protruding circumferential segment 24 that is farthest away from the disc plane 14, as shown in figures 3 to 6.

Figures 7a to 14c present different variants of a galvanic processing device 10 comprising a plurality of pairs of disk shaped electrodes 12 as described above and presented in figures 1 to 6. The pairs of electrodes 12 in these embodiments are aligned with their disk plane 14 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34. Each pair of electrodes 12 comprises a first electrode 12 made of a first electronically conducting metal or metal alloy and a second electrode 12 made of a second electronically conducting metal or metal alloy different from the first metal/metal alloy. Thereby the first metal/metal alloy and the second metal/metal alloy are chosen such that they have a different electrical potential, so that each of the pairs of disk shaped electrodes 12 has one electrode 12 serving as an anode 30 and one electrode 12 serving as a cathode 32. The metal/metal alloy of the electrodes 12/30, 12/32 is preferably one out of the group comprising: zinc, zinc alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, copper, copper alloy, especially brass, carbon, silver, silver alloy . In the embodiments of figures 7a to 13b the electrodes 12 are aligned with their disk planes 14 in such a way perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34, that the circumferential segments 24 of the various disk shaped electrodes 12 are protruding with different protrusion angles s, t, u, v per disk ring 18, 18', 18'', 18''' but in the same axial direction from their disk planes 14, that means the circumferential segments 24 protrude all from the disk plane 14 to the same side of the disk plane 14 but per disk ring 18, 18', 18'', 18''' aligned and with a different protrusion angle s, t, u, v.

In contrary the embodiment of figures 14a to 14c shows electrodes 12a, 12b, which are aligned with their disk planes 14 in such a way perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34, that in a first half 56 of the device 10 the circumferential segments 24a of the electrodes 12a protrude to a first side of their disk planes 14 and in a second half 58 of the device 10 the circumferential segments 24b of the electrodes 12b protrude from their disk planes 14 to the opposite sides of their disk planes 14, wherein again the circumferential segments 24a, 24b of the electrodes 12a, 12b protrude with different protrusion angles per disk ring 18, 18' , 18" , 18" ' .

In figures 7a and 7b a galvanic processing device 10 is presented comprising a plurality of disk shaped electrodes 12, which are connected to each other by a central shaft accommodated by the apertures 15 in the central hubs 16 of each of the electrodes 12. The electrodes 12 in figure 7a are not electrically connected to each other and serve only as anode 12/30 and cathode 12/32 for the galvanic treatment of the liquid flowing through the electrodes 12 in flow direction 28; they especially provide galvanic softening of water. This effect is obtained by the different electronic potential of the chosen metal/metal alloy of the first electrode 12/30 and second electrode 12/32 in each pair of electrodes 12, wherein the chosen metals in this example are Ag (silver) and a TiZn-alloy. Anodes 12/30 and cathodes 12/32 are arranged alternating along the shaft 50. The electrodes in fig. 7a have two disk rings, wherein the od- numbered electrodes 12/30 have a first inner disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid clockwise 90 and a second outermost disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid counter-clockwise 92. The even-numbered electrodes 12/32 in contrary have a first inner disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid counter-clockwise 92 and a second outermost disk ring swirling the through flowing liquid clockwise 90. The electrodes 12 in figure 7b are connected to each other in the same way as those in figure 7a but they are electrically connected to each other so that these electrodes not only serve as anode 12/30 and cathode 12/32 in a galvanic treatment of the liquid flowing through the electrodes 12, but also can be used as a kind of electrical cell 40 producing electric power. Although the amount of electric power generated by the galvanic treatment of the liquid flowing through the electrodes might be small, it is possible to use the electric power for small power consumers 42 like resistors for warming the flowing through liquid or light emitting LED. In this embodiment the especially UV light emitting LEDs 46 are used as power consumers 42 for antibacterial effects.

In the special arrangement shown in figure 7b the shaft 50 is made of a hollow transparent electrical isolator. The electrical connection 40 of the electrodes is realized within the shaft 50 and the power consumers 42 in this embodiment UV-LED 46 are arranged within the transparent shaft, so that the through flowing liquid is radiated with the UV-light from inside during its swirl flow through the electrodes. Figure 7b is further an example as how such an galvanic processing device 10 for vitalizing and softening a liquid might be installed within a water pipe 82 by using strutting 53, which are arranged between the inner wall of the water pipe 82 and the shaft 50 of the galvanic processing device 10.

Figure 8a and 8c show a galvanic processing device 10 comprising a plurality of pairs of disk shaped electrodes 12, which are connected to each other by a container 36 having a container wall 38. The electrodes are snapped into grooves (not shown) provided in the container wall 38 in equal distance to one another. The electrodes 12 are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 34 of the container 36. The container 36 has an inlet 35a and an outlet 35b defining a general flowing direction 28. The cross section of the container 36 can be circle like, as it is also shown in figures 8a, 8c and also in the uppermost example of figure 8b, but it is also possible that the cross section of the container 36 is oval or polygonal, as it is exemplary demonstrated in the further examples of figure 8b.

The electrodes 12/30, 12/32 in figure 8a are pairwise electrically coupled and used as a kind of an electric power generating electrochemical cell 40. The generated electric power can be used by various power consumers, presented general with the index number 42. More specified examples are given by a resistor 48 for warming the through flowing liquid, a normal LED 44 emitting visible light, i.e. in order to signalize that water runs; or an UV-light emitting UV-LED 46, for disinfection purposes.

Figure 8c shows in the upper part an anode 12/30 and a cathode 12/32 electrically coupled in a kind of an electrochemical cell 40 as already shown in Figure 8a. In the lower part are two anodes 12/30 and two cathodes 12/30 electrically coupled in a kind of an electrochemical cell 40a and in the middle part three anodes 12/30 and three cathodes 12/30 electrically coupled in a kind of an electrochemical cell 40b. This presentation is only to show that in the galvanic processing device a discretionary number of anodes 12/30 and cathodes 12/32 my electrically coupled in order to form a kind of an electrochemical cell and deliver electric power for an according power consumer 42. Of course it is also possible to couple anodes 12/30 and cathodes 12/32 pairwise and connect the pairs of coupled electrodes 12/30, 12/32 in order to realize a kind of a battery 40c. Which way the anodes 12/30 and cathodes 12/32 are electrically coupled depend on the electric tension and the intense of current necessary for the according power consumer 42

Figure 9a and 9b show a galvanic processing device 10 very similar to the one shown in figure 8a to 8c with a circle like cross section of the container 36, which is arranged in a water pipe 78. The electrodes 12 of the galvanic processing device 10 are electrically coupled for delivering electric power to a number of UV-LEDs 46. The UV-LEDs are arranged in a UV-chamber located downstream of the electrodes 12 at the inner surface of the container wall 38, where the UV-LEDs are randomly disposed axially as well as along the circumference. The example of figure 10 is constructed like the one in figures 9a, 9b, but in this example the UV-LEDs 46 are arranged in two UV-chambers 47a, 47b: a first UV-chamber 47a arranged upstream of the electrodes 12 and a second UV- chamber 47b arranged downstream of the electrodes 12. Further the UV-LEDs in this example are equally disposed along the circumference in each of the two UV-chambers.

The examples of figure 11 is constructed like the example in figures 9a, 9b, but the UV-LEDs are arranged in the UV- chamber 47 along the longitudinal axis 34 held by according struts 72.

The example of figure 12 is constructed like the example in figure 11 but has two UV-chambers 47a, 47b like the example in figure 10. In Figure 13a galvanic processing device as shown in figure 11 is integrated in a water pipe 78 and a tap 82 respectively whereby, the UV-chamber 47 with the centrally arranged UV-LEDs is arranged downstream in a distance to the electrodes.

Figure 13b presents a shower head 80 with an integrated galvanic processing device 10, wherein the electrodes 12 are electrically coupled for delivering electric power for LEDs 42/44 which emit visible light in such a way that the light is visible when water runs out of the shower head 80.

As described above the embodiment of figures 14a to 14c show a galvanic processing device 10 having a sphere like container 36 with various through holes 62 in the container wall 60 and electrodes 12a, 12b, which are aligned with their disk planes 14 in such a way perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34, that in a first half 56 of the device 10 the circumferential segments 24a of the electrodes 12a protrude to a first side of their disk planes 14 and in a second half 58 of the device 10 the circumferential segments 24b of the electrodes 12b protrude from their disk planes 14 to the opposite sides of their disk planes 14, wherein again the circumferential segments 24a, 24b of the electrodes 12a, 12b protrude with different protrusion angles per disk ring 18, 18', 18'', 18'''. The electrodes are fixed to each other by an axial supporting structure 54 accommodated by the apertures 15 in their hubs 16 (see also the embodiment of the electrode 12 presented in figure 3) . As can be seen the electrodes have different outer diameters adapted to the sphere design of the container. As said before the container might also have a different form like ellipsoid, hyperboloid, or the form of a 3-dimensional potato like, hollow body. Such a galvanic processing device 10 is preferably used in a movable way in a non-stationary flow, as i.e. in a washing drum of a washing machine or other turbulent flowing. Instead of having various apertures such a galvanic processing device 10 may also have only one inlet and one outlet and then might be used stationary in a laminar flowing.

Figures 15a-15d to 17a to 17e show different versions of a flexible variant of the galvanic processing device 10; each figure cluster, namely 15a-15d, 16a-16e. 17a-17e, presents different perspectives and sections views of a special version of a flexible galvanic processing device 10. All flexible variants of the galvanic processing device 10 have in common that the disc shaped electrodes 12 are positioned to each other in a flexible manner, wherein flexible manner means that at least during operation the distance from one electrode disc 12 to the next electrode disc 12 is predetermined, but flexible in a certain range. The distance range, wherein the electrode discs are positioned in in a more or less flexible manner to each other reaches from almost touching each other (which means the distance is just big enough that - in the liquid wherein the device 10 should be used - no electrical power is transported over this "almost touching" distance (see reference sign 102) and maximum 1½ to 2 times the height h of the disk (see reference sign 100) . Further, the disk shaped electrodes 12 with their disk planes 14 are not necessarily arranged parallel to each other during operation, but the angle between the disk planes 14 can vary (see reference signs 100 and 102) . It is understood that in order to create the needed flexibility the distance on one side of two neighbouring disc electrodes 12 might close to the maximum 100 and on the counter side may be close to the minimum 102, as well as all constellations in between (see figures 15b, 16b, 17b) . By this measure it is possible to implement the galvanic processing device 10 within new houses, tubes and pipes as well as in already existing houses, tubes and pipes, wherein the hoses, tubes and pipes can be already bended once or more times or at least can be used in a bended or multiple bended form. Tus the galvanic processing device 10 is usable in liquid transporting systems, like water supply systems (public water supply systems supplying water to households, private systems within a house and systems connecting the public supply system with one or more buildings) or liquid transport systems in industry, i.e. beverage manufacturing industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry etc., wherein in those systems not only water is transported, but various different liquids.

The embodiment presented in figures 15a to 15d has a flexible container 66 made of flexible material like silicon, rubber or plastic or a mixture thereof. For the flexible container 66 two flexible have pipes of the same flexible material are made. The electrode discs 12 are insert in one of the have pipes 66a preferably in equal distance to each other and parallel to each other and are fixed in this position, what usually is possible by either just push the disc 12 in the relative weak material or by providing cuts/slits 68 parallel and equidistant to each other at the inner surface of the first have pipe 66a (see fig. 15 c) and put the disc electrodes therein. That means that the disk shaped electrodes 12 are directly connected to the wall of the flexible container 66 from inside of the hollow flexible container 66. In the following the second have pipe 66b is put on top of the first have pipe 66a, wherein this second have pipe 66b may also show according cuts/slits or not, and the two have pipes 66a, 66b are welded together (see fig. 15d) . The galvanic processing device 10 with a plurality of disc electrodes 12 can then be placed in on piece in a part of the liquid transporting system 90 see fig. 15a, 15b, which is i.e. a tube, pipe or hose having an inner radius which is slightly larger than the outer radius of the flexible container 66, and which is either rigid and bend already and fixed in the given radius (tube, pipe) or it is semi-flexible, i.e. as they are used for connecting elements of a heating system with each other or with the water supply system, like i.e. Pex-Al-Pex, or it is flexible like a hose, so that the device 10 will follow during operation all bends the hose 90 will made; like shower hoses and hoses used in the garden.

The embodiment presented in figures 16a to 16e the flexible container 66 is again made of a plastic, but this plastic is a shrinkable plastic, which shrinks at temperatures about at least 20K above the usually hottest temperature of usual use of the galvanic processing device 10. In order to place the electrodes discs 12 into the shrinkable plastic container, the electrode disks 12 are each placed in a ring holder 1 (see fig. 16c and d) made of isolating material. Each ring holder 1 has an axial extending wall 3 with a plane outside surface extending axially perpendicular to a virtual flow direction 28' of a liquid. The axial extending wall 3 has at its inside a ring notch 2, wherein the ring notch 2 is arranged in a region of an axial end of the axial wall 3 of the ring holder 1. The ring holder and its notch 2 are designed for accommodating an electrode disk 12, preferably by a snatch mechanism (see fig. 16e) . The axial wall 3 of the ring holder 1 is designed in a way that when the electrode disc 12 is placed in the notch 2 and the circumferential segments 24 of the electrode disk protrude in the virtual flow direction 28' of a liquid (see fig. 16e), the wall 3 of the ring holder extends axially in the flow direction 28' a little over the height h of the electrode disc or it is of equal axial extension in flow direction, in case it extends in the counter flow direction axially over the electrode disc (see fig. 16 e) . The main point is that axial extension d of the wall 3 of the ring holder 1 extends over the height h of the electrode disc 12. By this measure it is ensured that when assembling the galvanic processing device 10 by pushing the electrode discs 12 in their ring holders 1 into the hollow, shrinkable plastic container 66 one after another in a constant row, that the electrodes 12 are placed in a minimum distance to each other (definition of minimum distance see above) . After having placed all electrode discs 12 in a row and perpendicular to a virtual flow direction 28' (which usually means also parallel to each other) in the shrinkable container 66; the whole assembly is heated to the shrink temperature, so that the plastic of the container shrinks over the ring holders 1. After the shrinking process the assembly is cooled down, such that the electrode discs 12 in their ring holders 1 are fixed in the material of the plastic container 66, which is even in the cooled down stage flexible, so that it can be used as described above for figures 15a-15d.The embodiment presented in figures 17a to 17e is very similar to that one in figures 16a-16e. However, the ring holder 1 - again made of isolating material - has an axial extending wall 3, which wall 3 has an convex outside (see figures 17c, 17d) in contrary to the plane outside shown with the ring holder of fig. 16 c, 16d. In addition, the wall 3 can be of an extension d equal to the height h (not shown) of the electrode disc 12 or even a bit less (see fig. 17b', 17e) or can be a bit larger (not shown) . Further the flexible container 66 in this embodiment is made of a flexible metal sheet. For assembling the metal sheet is provided with ring nuts 84. The ring holders 1 with the electrode discs 12 placed in their ring notches 2, preferably by a snatching mechanism, are placed in the ring nuts 84 of the flexible metal container. For assembling the metal sheet, which will form the container wall with the ring nuts 84 is provided as a flat metal sheet having linear parallel nuts 84' arranged perpendicular to a virtual flow direction 28' of a liquid. The ring holders 1 comprising the disc shaped electrodes 12 are placed with their convex outside walls 3 in the linear, parallel nuts, wherein the axial extension and the convexity of the wall 3 of the ring holders 1 and the concavity and wide of the nuts 84' are adapted to each other. When all electrodes 12 of the galvanic processing device in their ring holders 1 are placed in the nuts 84' of the outstretched metal sheet, the metal sheet is bend around the discs 12 and the ring holders 1, respectively, and the two regions of the metal sheet facing each other are welded together such as to form a metal, axially in flow direction 28 extending, flexible container 66. The ring holders 1 with the discs 12 are fixed by this measure within the nuts 84 of the flexible metal container 66 and all together form a flexible galvanic processing device 10, wherein either the ring holders by their extension d or the nuts 84 by their wide define the distance between neighbouring electrode discs 12 ' , 12 ' ' and ensure that no electric current flows via the gap between them. This embodiment is preferably used per se as a flexible connection, i.e. between a supply system and i.e. a boiler, etc. , but may also be used per se as a shower hose or in a way as described above for figures 15a-15d.

A further embodiment (not shown) my combine the embodiment described in figure 7a, 7b with a central shaft, connecting the electrodes 12 and mounting the shaft in the container by struts, with the flexible container made of silicon, rubber or a flexible plastic, like in figures 15a-15d, but the shaft of course is flexible as well. All these flexible variants of the galvanic processing device can be designed to form electrical cells or a battery like it is shown for rigid variants in figures 8a, to 13b. Further the section view of the flexible bendable variants of the galvanic processing device 10 can have different shapes as already mentioned for rigid variants and shown in fig. 8b. It is understood that the container material, out of the group of silicon, rubber, a flexible plastic or a flexible metal, as mentioned above is always chosen suitable for the liquid, which should be transported, considering corrosion matters as well as matters of food law if applicable etc. .

Beside all the effects described above it has been found that the precipitation of limescale is considerably reduced by the galvanic treatment according to the invention based on the use of a galvanic processing device according to the invention. This is attributed to the different crystal form of the calcium carbonate ( CaC03 ) in the water after the treatment of supply water with the galvanic process. Figures 18a, 18b show the pictures of the crystals of calcium carbonate ( CaC03 ) taken with an Scanning Electron Microscope, wherein figure 15a shows the calcium carbonate ( CaCOs ) of the supply water without any treatment and figure 15b shows the calcium carbonate ( CaC03 ) of the supply water after treatment with an galvanic processing device according to the invention. Figures 19a, 19b show reflection angles of the crystals shown in figures 15a, 15b taken by x-ray diffraction analysis: figure 16a shows the reflection angles of calcium carbonate ( CaC03 ) of the supply water without any treatment and figure 16b shows the reflection angles of calcium carbonate ( CaC03 ) of the supply water after treatment with an galvanic processing device according to the invention. A person skilled in the art can easily recognize which elements given in the embodiments and the description above can - within the scope of the claims - be combined in a way that makes sense. However, it is not possible to show and describe all possible combinations as a matter of space.