Electrolytic cell for inactivation and destruction of pathogenic material

This invention relates to an electrolytic cell for inactivating and destroying fluid borne pathogenic materials. The cell comprises layers of permeable electrically conductive material separated by layers of permeable electrical insulation. The conductive layers act as the cell electrodes which are connected to a source of alternating current, having a current potential ranging from about 0.1 to about 20 volts with frequencies to about 0.1 to about 10 cycles per second. A suitable filter housing, surrounds the cell and is arranged so that the pathogen containing fluid passes through the permeable electrode layers of the cell. The pathogenic materials are therefore subjected to the electrical potential set up between the layers and are inactivated or destroyed. A cell according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of layers of conductive and insulative material disposed around a perforated core or tube to thereby form a cylindrical cell body.