Application of Pulsed Electric Fields and Magnetic Pulse Compressor Technology for Water Sterilization

The increasing demand for clean drinking water has significantly intensified the need for long lifetime, inexpensive water sterilization systems. The notably high lifetime, compact size, reliability and repetition-rates of magnetic pulse compressors present them as a promising alternative to the existing circuits used for PEF applications. The application of these systems for the purification of water has yet to be explored. The use of the short duration electrical pulses from the magnetic pulse compressor for inactivation of spores, bacteria (Escherichia coli) and viruses in drinking water is being investigated at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Coupled with the demand for clean drinking water, inexpensive water treatment systems based on high rep- rate magnetic pulse compression technology could play a significant role in point of use systems. The test cell designed herein allows static and flowing tests for pulse widths of 100-500 ns. The viability of the selected pathogens after treatment is assayed after a specific number of pulses are applied. The protocols and test data are also presented. The integration and design of a test cell for rapid testing of the microorganisms is also presented along with the circuit topology of the magnetic pulse compressor.