Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from gas streams. A first step involves selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream. A second step involves applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant. A third step involves capturing the selected contaminant after ionization.

Abstract: A device for separating the constituents of a multi-constituent material includes a substantially cylindrical plasma chamber and two, axially opposed plasma injectors. The injectors convert the multi-constituent material into a multi-species plasma and inject the multi-species plasma into a core portion of the plasma chamber. Ions in the plasma diffuse from the core portion to an annular volume within the chamber where the ions are separated according to their respective mass to charge ratios. To effect separation, electrodes and coils are provided to establish crossed electric and magnetic fields in the annular volume. With the crossed electric and magnetic fields, low-mass ions in the annular volume are placed on small orbit trajectories and drift axially for capture at the ends of the plasma chamber. High-mass ions in the annular volume are placed on large orbit trajectories for capture at the cylindrical wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An isotope separator includes a cylindrical chamber having first and second ends, and a length “L.” Inside the chamber, an E×B field is applied to produce plasma rotation. The energy in the plasma rotation is chosen to be much higher than the electron temperature which is clamped by radiation. As the plasma then transits the chamber through the length “L”, the electrons cool the thermal temperature of the isotope ions while maintaining the rotation. Under these conditions, the minority and majority isotopes become substantially separated from each other before they exit the chamber. To achieve this result, E×B is determined using mathematically derived expressions and, in compliance with these parameters, the length “L” of the chamber is determined so that the plasma residence time in the chamber, &tgr;1, will be greater than the cooling time, &tgr;2 (&tgr;1>&tgr;2) necessary to affect isotope separation.

Abstract: A high throughput plasma mass filter includes a substantially cylindrical shaped plasma chamber with structures for generating a magnetic field (B) that is crossed with an electric field (E) in the chamber (E×B). An injector introduces into the chamber a multi-species plasma having ions of different mass to charge ratios. To obtain high throughput (&Ggr;), the initial density of this multi-species plasma is considerably greater than a collisional density wherein there is a probability of “one” that an ion collision will occur within a single rotation of the ion under the influence of E×B. The length of the chamber is chosen to insure heavy ions can make their way to the wall before transiting the device.

Abstract: A device and method for selectively establishing predetermined orbits, relative to an axis, for ions of a first mass/charge ratio (m1), requires crossing an electric field with a substantially uniform magnetic field (E×B). The magnetic field is oriented along the axis and the electric field has both a d.c. voltage component (∇&PHgr;0) and an a.c. voltage component (∇&PHgr;1). In operation, voltage &PHgr;0 is fixed to place the ions m1 on confined orbits around the axis when &PHgr;1 is zero. On the other hand, when &PHgr;1 is tuned to a predetermined value, the ions m1 are ejected away from the axis. With E×B established in a chamber, the ions m1 will pass through the chamber when on confined orbits (&PHgr;1=0), and they will be ejected into the wall of the chamber when on unconfined orbits (&PHgr;1=predetermined value).

Abstract: It is disclosed a combined system for the elimination of pollutants from gaseous effluents of the type that comprises means for carrying out at least one electronic bombardment operation and means for carrying out at least one electrostatic interaction operation, in which a heat diffusion and molecular destabilization operation is performed as a previous treatment in order to restrict the flow of gases in such a way that it causes the gas molecules and suspended particles to tend to split up and electronically destabilize at the time that the temperature of the same gases is reduced; and/or a magnetic molecular rearrangement operation is carried out prior to each electrostatic interaction operation, consisting of subjecting the gases to a magnetic field having such a force that achieve a rearrangement of the sub-particles and heavier molecules thus achieving a selective separation that prepares the gaseous stream for the electrostatic interaction operation.

Abstract: A collector for use in removing metal ions from a plasma in a vacuum chamber includes a collector plate that is mounted inside the chamber and formed with an internal cooling channel. An injector introduces a dissociated salt into the chamber with a first throughput value, and it introduces a plasma including metal ions into the chamber with a lower second throughput value. A pump is used to pump a liquid coolant through the cooling channel to maintain the collector plate at a temperature that forms a portion of the salt as a protective layer on the collector plate, and causes the salt to thereafter deposit on the layer in a molten condition at a faster rate than evaporation therefrom to trap metal ions therein. The trapped metal ions are then removed with the molten salt from the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes a brake rubbing interface operative to slow a vehicle when activated. The interface produces airborne brake dust particles when activated. A dust collector plate is positioned in close proximity to the brake rubbing interface to collect the brake dust. A charging circuit is operative to generate an electrostatic charge so that the brake dust is attracted to the charged collector plate.

Abstract: A stochastic cyclotron ion filter for separating ions in a multi-species plasma according to mass uses an electrical field (E) crossed with a magnetic field (B). In particular, the electric field is stochastically generated by an amplified noise source with a band pass filter that passes only frequencies in an interval between &ohgr;1 and &ohgr;2. The filter also includes a cylindrical chamber for receiving the multi-species plasma, and coils are used to generate the magnetic field inside the chamber. In operation, the stochastically generated electric field resonates with particles in the plasma that have a cyclotron frequency &OHgr; in the frequency interval (&ohgr;1<&OHgr;<&ohgr;2). In one embodiment, an electrode is mounted at one end of the chamber, and the electrode is connected with the amplifier to establish the electrical field in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of pipes, pipe systems and related equipment, and the fluid and gas carried in the pipes to prevent scaling and build-up of deposits in the pipe. A first exemplary embodiment of the system comprises a pipe for carrying a fluid and at least one magnet assembly abutting portions of the exterior of the pipe to be treated. The magnet assembly preferably includes a plurality of magnet structures, the magnet structures being disposed at different radial positions around the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: A filter for removing pollutants from gases, particularly exhaust gases, includes a plurality of paths for the gases to flow through and a source of magnetic field arranged to apply the magnetic field to the gases. Optionally, one or more heaters are also provide to raise the temperature of the gases to a predetermined temperature. As the hot gases through the passageway and the magnetic field, pollutants contained therein are effectively burned or otherwise removed from the gases.

Abstract: A device and method for removing metalliferous particles from a powder so that the powder can be reused. A contaminated powder fluid stream flows down tube (6/7) into zones A, B and C adjacent the surface of a magnet (4). The flow flows past the surface of the magnet (4) and is directed towards the surface of the magnet (4) by baffles (10A, 10B). The magnet (4) separates metallic particles from powder particles and these metallic particles are removed from the face of the magnet (4) by scraper bars (21) conveyed by endless belts (22) supported by roller sets (23). The device can also include a fan (5) for promoting the movement of air in a counter direction to the delivered powder mixture.

Abstract: A plasma filter for separating particles includes a hollow semi-cylindrical chamber that is enclosed by a wall. At least one plasma source is mounted in the chamber between the longitudinal axis of the chamber and the wall for generating a multi-species plasma containing light mass particles (M1) and heavy mass particles (M2). A magnetic coil is used to generate a magnetic field, Bz, in the chamber that is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and electrodes at each end of the chamber generate an electric field, Er, in the chamber that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. These crossed electric and magnetic fields rotate the multi-species plasma on a curved path around the longitudinal axis, and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, to separate M1 from M2.

Abstract: An air filtering system used to increase the filter capture efficiency of particulate matter carried in the air. Particulate matter carried in the air, such as in a furnace forced air system, receives a charge by contacting the duct's surface. As this charged particles move through conventional air filter material most are capture and retained in the material. To increase this capture rate of particulate matter, spaced magnetic strips are placed in the filter material in a generally parallel configuration. The polarity of the magnetic strips can be alternated to insure particles having positive of negative charges are slowed down, diverted, or both, as they flow through the filter material. The result of this action is an increase in the capture efficiency of the filter material. It is believed that the capture efficiency can be increased from about 87 percent with no magnetic strips to about 96 percent when strips are used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically separating magnetizable particles from a mixture of magnetizable and nonmagnetizable particles of similar size and density by passing the particles through a magnetic field generated by a cylindrical coil around the outside of the column of the separator, and enhanced by a ferrous metal mass or ring within the column located generally centrally of the coil.

Abstract: A plasma mass filter using a helical magnetic field for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical outer wall located at a distance “a” from a longitudinal axis. Also included is a coaxial cylindrical inner wall positioned to establish a plasma chamber between the inner and outer walls. The magnetic field is generated in this chamber with an axial component (Bz) and an azimuthal component (B&thgr;), which interact together with an electric field to create crossed magnetic and electric fields. The electric field has a positive potential, Vctr, on the inner wall and a zero potential on the outer wall.

Abstract: A plasma filter for separating positive ions from negative ions in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical shaped chamber. Magnetic coils surrounding the chamber generate a magnetic field that is aligned substantially parallel to the chamber's longitudinal axis. An electrode generates an electric field that is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field to create crossed magnetic and electric fields inside the chamber. The inward directed electric field has a negative potential on the longitudinal axis and a substantially zero potential at the wall of the chamber. An injector injects the multi-species plasma into said chamber to interact with said crossed magnetic and electric fields.

Abstract: A method for separating charged particles according to their mass requires providing a multi-species plasma in a chamber. The plasma includes both relatively low-mass charged particles (M1) and relatively high-mass charged particles (M2) which are influenced by crossed electric and magnetic fields (E×B) in the chamber. Specifically, the crossed fields (E×B) rotate the particles M1 and M2 in respective orbits that are characteristic of the mass of the particular particle. Inside the chamber, each charged particle has a respective cyclotron frequency (&OHgr;), and the plasma is maintained with a density wherein the collisional frequency (&ngr;) of particles in the chamber relates to the cyclotron frequency such that their ratio is greater than approximately one (&OHgr;/&ngr;≧1). Additionally, a collector is positioned to intercept the particles (M2) in their orbits and to thereby separate the particles (M2) from the particles (M1).

Abstract: A tandem plasma mass filter for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical shaped wall which surrounds a hollow chamber. A magnet is mounted on the wall to generate a magnetic field that is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. Also, an electric field is generated which is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field and which, together with the magnetic field, creates crossed magnetic and electric fields in the chamber. Importantly, the electric field has a positive potential on the axis relative to the wall which is usually zero potential. When a vapor is injected into the chamber and ionized, the resultant multi-species plasma interacts with the crossed magnetic and electric fields to eject high-mass particles into the wall surrounding the chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a rotating multi-species plasma includes a pair of annular shaped coaxially oriented conductors. The conductors are both aligned along a central axis and are spaced apart to create a plasma passageway between them. In this configuration, the conductors generate respective magnetic field components which interact to create a magnetic field having an increased magnitude in the passageway and a decreased magnitude along the central axis. The filter also includes an electric field which has a positive potential along the central axis and a decreasing potential in an outwardly radial direction from the central axis. Specifically, this electric field is crossed with the magnetic field in the passageway to confine low-mass particles in the passageway and to eject high-mass particles from the passageway.

Abstract: A liquid decontamination system has a liquid treatment chamber having a liquid input and output and a gas input and output. A plurality of electrodes are positioned to place a voltage across the liquid treatment chamber and the liquid therein. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the electrodes for placing a magnetic field across the chamber and liquid therein. As the contaminated liquid is fed through the liquid treatment chamber, a predetermined gas, such as nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide, are fed into the contaminated liquid while simultaneously having the electric and magnetic fields applied to the liquid. The liquid leaving the treatment chamber is fed to a flush tank which removes contaminates and agglomerated solids therefrom.

Abstract: A method and system for diamagnetic manipulation of an object in a surrounding medium in a low gravity environment is provided. The system can be used in various applications such as containerless materials processing, protein crystal growth, and particulate filtering. If the application requires directional manipulation of the object, at least one magnet or electromagnet is required. The object is repulsed by the magnet if the object is more strongly diamagnetic than the surrounding medium. If the object is less diamagnetic than the surrounding medium, however, then the object is effectively attracted to the magnet. For an application that requires suspension of the object, two oppositely polarized magnets are used to generate an appropriate magnetic field gradient to suspend the object in a location where opposing field vectors generated by the two magnets cancel each other out, producing a net field strength of zero.

Abstract: A method and system for orienting diamagnetic liquids in a container in a low gravity environment includes at least one magnet. The magnet or magnets are placed at the end of the container opposite a desired location for the diamagnetic liquid. The magnetic field generated by the magnet creates a diamagnetic force that repels the diamagnetic liquid away from the magnet and toward the desired location.

Abstract: The dust concentration of the flue gas leaving an electrostatic precipitator and introduced into an absorption tower of a desulfurizer is adjusted to a level of 100 to 500 mg/Nm.sup.3. At the same time, a dust slurry having a higher dust concentration is separated and withdrawn from the slurry within the aforesaid absorption tower, and then subjected to a solid-liquid separation treatment. Thus, solid matter containing dust at a high concentration is extracted and discharged out of the system of the desulfurizer.

Abstract: A plasma mass filter for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical shaped wall which surrounds a hollow chamber. A magnet is mounted on the wall to generate a magnetic field that is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. Also, an electric field is generated which is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field and which, together with the magnetic field, creates crossed magnetic and electric fields in the chamber. Importantly, the electric field has a positive potential on the axis relative to the wall which is usually zero potential. When a multi-species plasma is injected into the chamber, the plasma interacts with the crossed magnetic and electric fields to eject high-mass particles into the wall surrounding the chamber. On the other hand, low-mass particles are confined in the chamber during their transit therethrough to separate the low-mass particles from the high-mass particles.

Abstract: An exhaust emissions filtering system for filtering of particulate matter from a flow of exhaust. The exhaust emissions filtering system comprises an ultrasonic transducer unit, an ultraviolet light unit, a magnetic particle filter unit, and an electronic control unit. The exhaust emissions filtering system removes particulates from exhaust emissions by fracturing the particles with the ultrasonic transducer unit, further breaking down the fractured particles with a high-intensity ultraviolet light, and removing the particles with an electrostatic mesh that is located in the magnetic particle filter unit.

Abstract: A process for reducing iron containing contaminants from a process stream of amine used for acid gas stripping by passing the process stream of amine adjacent a magnet sufficient to extract at least a portion of the iron containing contaminants from the process stream of amine, and an apparatus for removing iron containing contaminants from a process stream of amine used to strip acid gases from said amine in a cyclic flowpath having a main source of a process stream of amine, a conduit for containing the flow of a slipstream of the main source of the process stream of amine, a magnet adjacent the conduit sufficient to extract at least a portion of the iron containing contaminants from the process stream of amine, a filter for removing particulates from the slipstream upstream of the magnet, a filter for removing particulates from the slipstream downstream of the magnet, and a conduit for returning the slipstream to the main source of a process stream of amine with a reduced iron containing contaminant conten

Abstract: A device for removing magnetizable parts from a liquid, dry substance, or gas includes a housing and at least one magnet whose magnetic field extends into the space inside the housing. The magnet attracts magnetizable parts in the substance passing through the housing. Each magnet is positioned in a magnet holder. A spraying member is positioned in the space within the housing to clean the outside of each magnet holder.

Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for combining ions with a neutral gas and flowing the mixture with a radial flow component through a magnetic field so that the weakly ionized gas is confined by the neutral gas. When the weakly ionized gas is present in sufficient density, a weakly ionized non-neutral plasma is formed that may be trapped in accordance with the present invention. Applications for a weakly ionized non-neutral plasma exploit the trap's ability to store and manipulate ionic species in the presence of neutral gas. The trap may be connected to a mass spectrometer thereby permitting species identification after a fixed period of time. Delicate and/or heavy particles such as clusters may be held and studied in a "gentle" environment. In addition, the trap can provide a relatively intense, low-energy source of a particular ion species for surface implantation or molecular chemistry. Finally, a long trap may permit spectroscopy of unprecedented accuracy to be performed on ionic species.

Abstract: A method for separating gases or other fluids involves placing a magnetic field on a monolithic carbon fiber composite sorption material to more preferentially attract certain gases or other fluids to the sorption material to which a magnetic field is applied. This technique may be combined with the known "pressure swing adsorption" technique utilizing the same sorption material.

Abstract: An oxygen enriched air producing apparatus includes a casing, at least one rotor rotatably disposed in the casing to thereby define a space between the casing and the rotor, and a magnetic field generating device for generating a magnetic flux extending axially within the space between the casing and the rotor. An oxygen enriched air outlet and a nitrogen enriched air outlet are formed in the casing so as to be spaced from each other in an axial direction of the space.

Abstract: A gas contaminant separator includes a pressure tube and a concentric and axially aligned down pipe mounted within the pressure tube. The pressure tube and down pipe define an annular space having a helical rib extending therein. A plurality of magnets are mounted to the down pipe above the helical rib adjacent a perforated plate. A spiral induction plate is mounted within the down pipe for imparting rotation on a gas stream after the gas stream moves through the magnetic field created by the magnets, and through the perforated plate. A gas inlet admits gas into the annular space, and a gas outlet removes gas from the down pipe after it has passed through the annular space, across the magnetic field, through the perforated plate, and through the spiral induction plate mounted in the down pipe.

Abstract: A fluid is circulated through a region of single magnetic polarity within a complex magnetic field and with increased exposure time as compared to prior art devices. The fluid travels through a coil of tubing arranged between two magnetic fields that interact to form the region of single polarity. In a preferred embodiment, the fields are generated by two sets of magnets, one on the inside of the coil and one on the outside of the coil. The magnets are arranged such that like poles of all the magnets face the tubing in the coil, creating the region of single polarity. Treating fuel or recirculated exhaust gases prior to burning in internal combustion engines results in improved engine output characteristics.

Abstract: A gas contaminant separator includes a pressure tube and a concentric and axially aligned down pipe mounted within the pressure tube. The pressure tube and down pipe define an annular space having a helical rib extending therein. A plurality of magnets are mounted to the down pipe above the helical rib adjacent a perforated plate. A spiral induction plate is mounted within the down pipe for imparting rotation on a gas stream after the gas stream moves through the magnetic field created by the magnets, and through the perforated plate. A gas inlet admits gas into the annular space, and a gas outlet removes gas from the down pipe after it has passed through the annular space, across the magnetic field, through the perforated plate, and through the spiral induction plate mounted in the down pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magneto-hydrodynamic system and method for the treatment of pipes and the fluid carried in the pipes to prevent scaling and build-up of deposits in the pipe. The magneto-hydrodynamic system comprises a pipe for carrying a fluid and at least one magnet unit abutting the exterior of the pipe to be treated. The magnet unit comprises at least four magnets, each having a magnetic-field density of about 6,700 gauss, end pole pieces on each end of the magnet units, and a top pole piece covering the surface of the magnets on a side of the magnets opposite the side in contact with the pipe to be treated.