Abstract: An apparatus (10) to carry out a process, in particular for the electrically induced agglomeration of gas-borne particles, contains a closed flow duct (12) through which is directed an aerosol containing particles (14). For the purpose of the bipolar charging of the aerosol, at least one electrode pair (20, 22) is arranged in the flow duct (12), the electrode (20) being wired, so as to be ungrounded, to the negative pole of a current source, the strength of which is sufficient to produce a corona discharge between the electrodes (20 and 22). The electrodes (20 and 22) of each electrode pair are designed to be needle-shaped and are arranged to be insulated with respect to the flow duct walls, such that their tips (26) are disposed opposite each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved spacer assembly for use in an electrostatic precipitator. The electrostatic precipitator collects solid particles carried by a flue gas from a source of combustion. The precipitator includes a plurality of spaced parallel plates for collecting the above mentioned particles by electrostatic attraction of the particles to the plates. Each of the plates has a plurality of stiffeners extending outward from the respective plate. Each stiffener is opposite a like stiffener on the opposed plate. A plurality of spacer assemblies is positioned between opposed plates to hold the plates in a flat attitude and to maintain adjacent surfaces of opposed plates equidistantly spaced from one another. Each of the spacer assemblies includes a spacer having opposite ends abutting a pair of opposed parallel plates adjacent to the respective stiffeners of the plates. An upright is connected to the spacer.

Abstract: A grid-frame stabilizer and method of operation for an electrostatic precipitator includes a rigid stand-off member that prevents oscillation of a grid frame used to keep discharge electrodes of the precipitator separated from one another. One end of the stand-off member is rigidly connected to the grid frame and the other end is rigidly connected to a fixed housing component through at least one electrical isolator. The fixed housing component is firmly affixed to an interior region of the precipitator. The stand-off member passes into the housing component through a housing opening which is preferably sealed by a membrane designed to prevent particle contamination of the surfaces of the electrical isolators.

Abstract: In the process for investigating particles situated in a gas, a gas stream is guided past a miniaturized UV excimer radiator. In this case, the particles are ionized and subsequently filtered out, and the resultant photoelectrically induced current is measured. Since particles from different sources (petrol engine, diesel engine, cigarette smoke) exhibit a wavelength dependence which is characteristic of the source, by measurements at at least two wavelengths, which is readily possible when using UV excimer radiators with different gas fillings, pollutants can be detected according to the source.

Abstract: A composite filter media is formed of a plurality of layers. A central layer of electrostatically charged material formed of a carded mixture of polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene and electro-negative substituted organic resin fibers such as modacrylic acrylonitrile-vinyl, chloridevinylidene chloride copolymer efficiently filter more than 99% of 0.1 to 0.5 micron particles. A flame retardant prefilter layer of polyester removes large particles and a backing of flame retardant linear polyester provides tear resistance. An optional layer of electrostatically charged, melt blown, polyolefin such as polypropylene prevents the central layer from loading up by effectively filtering intermediate sized particles.

Abstract: An oily mist resistant electret filter media is provided. The filter media includes polypropylene electret fibers and a melt processable fluorochemical additive. The additive has a melt temperature of at least 25.degree. C. and a molecular weight of about 500 to 2500. Also provided is a method for filtering particulate material from air containing oily aerosol particles.

Abstract: The steps of the method of the invention are preferably practice on apparatus consisting of components arranged in a closed system for removing particulate matter and gases from a polluted gas stream that includes a sorbent particulate charging and injection gun for electrostatically charging sorbent particles and injecting them into a polluted gas stream to charge and agglomerize pollution particulates therein, the stream flowing into a collection system housing that contains a series of moving and static bed filters and provides for operations at pressures less than atmospheric, and at temperatures up to two thousand (2000) degrees F. The filter beds are maintained across the housing and spaced apart from front to back therein, each filter containing a media material selected for removing the charged agglomerized pollution and sorbent reacted particulates and reacting with gases in the polluted gas stream, providing for removal thereof to clean that gas stream that is then vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: An electronic air cleaner includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for creating a fluid stream through the housing. Inside the housing is provided a set of first parallel conductive plates and a set of second parallel conductive plates, herein the first and second plates ar interspersed in an alternating fashion. An ionizer is provided on each of the second plates, and a source of negative high voltage is connected to each of the first plates. Particulate matter can be removed from the air stream in a method using the above-described electrostatic air cleaner.

Abstract: In order to enhance the efficiency of charging in a friction charger, it is proposed to precharge the particles before the first collision with the walls by making use of the photoeffect. This is performed, preferably, through irradiating the particles using UV radiation from a UV excimer radiator.

Abstract: A radon decay product remover for use in a conventional, residential lamp. The remover screws into the light bulb socket of a lamp and provides a replacement socket for a light bulb. The flow of electric current to the light bulb is controlled by an on-off switch in the radon decay product remover. When used in a table lamp, an ion generator includes electrodes (from which negative and/or positive ions are emitted) that attach to the exterior of the lamp shade.

Abstract: A solid, adhesive-free, layered composite material consisting of two clearly defined layers, one made of membrane filters and the other of porous material, the said composite material being formed by bringing a polymeric membrane filter forming substance in its gel condition into contact with the porous material, and solidifying the said gel on the porous material; the composite material is useful as a nutrient medium carrier for microbiological tests.