FLOW-THROUGH OXYGENATOR
An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.
1 . A dissolved oxygen generating device comprising:
an oxygen emitter having an anode and a cathode separated at a critical distance, the critical distance ranging from 0.005 inches to 0.140 inches;
a direct current source; and
a control circuit including a thermistor temperature sensor and a timer control circuit, wherein a water temperature measured by the thermistor temperature sensor adjusts an off time of the timer control circuit.
2 . The dissolved oxygen generating device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a water container holding a volume of water, the oxygen emitter placed within said water container and the thermistor temperature sensor measuring the water temperature within the water container.
3 . The dissolved oxygen generating device of claim 2 , wherein the off time of the timer control circuit is greater for cold water than compared to warm water.
4 . The dissolved oxygen generating device of claim 1 , wherein the critical distance is defined by a non-compressible, non-conducting spacer.
5 . The dissolved oxygen generating device of claim 1 , wherein the emitter comprises a multi-layer arrangement including at least one anode and at least two cathodes.
6 . The dissolved oxygen generating device of claim 5 , wherein the emitter comprises a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes.