Abstract

Method of and apparatus for killing microorganisms in a substance, characterized by the step of conjointly generating a magnetic field and an electrohydraulic discharge and subjecting every differential volume of the substance to the combined physical magnetic field and the electrohydraulic discharge of lethal intensity at least once. The physical magnetic field is at least of a sufficient intensity to contain and direct the electrohydraulic discharge and preferably, is itself of lethal intensity. The pulsed magnetic field and the electrohydraulic discharge are repeated at a frequency proportional to the rate of flow of the substance through a volumetric region into which the magnetic field is passed and within which the electrohydraulic discharge electrodes are located. Also discussed are preferred embodiments, in which the substance is a liquid-like substance, such as sewage, chemical waste, liquid mining material, etc.; and preferred apparatus; and preferred modes of operation such as continuous, batch, and modified batch-continuous.