Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A precipitation tube bundle for wet electrostatic filters is provided. The precipitation tube bundle consists of a plurality of single-piece precipitation tubes which are held at a distance from each other by an upper support collar, a central guide ring and a lower guide ring. The application is advantageous in that the tube bundle can be produced simply and economically, individual tubes can be replaced and when an electrical breakdown occurs in one of the precipitation tubes, the adjacent tubes are not damaged.

Abstract: A filter made of nonwoven fabric, paper or the like for gaseous media, having an electrically conductive coating made of a conductive substance of pulverizable materials, in particular from electrically conductive carbon-black particles and/or powdery metal particles or other pulverized materials, the carbon-black particles or metal particles being fixed to the filter fibers with the aid of binding agents, and the conductive coating being applied in a reticulated manner on the filtering layer.

Abstract: A washable air filter for removing particles from the inlet air to a heating and/or air conditioning system formed of an assembly of a central polymeric pad containing actively charged charge control agents of a first polarity, a polymeric net containing a dispersion of charged charge control agents of a second polarity in the polymer on each side of the pad and a stiff, deformable metal or plastic grill on each side of the net to form an assembly which can be corrugated and placed in a perimeter frame. The charging is preferably accomplished as the assembly passes over the surface of a roller with a conductive surface.

Abstract: Ionizing apparatus includes a housing that supports a plurality of ionizing electrodes disposed within fluid apertures that are connected via tubing conduits to pass fluid therethrough about the electrodes. Gas to be ionized is supplied under pressure to the apertures transporting gas ions generated at the electrodes in response to high ionizing voltage supplied thereto. To clean the ionizing apparatus, cleaning liquid is supplied under pressure in one flow direction through the tubing conduits and apertures to remove particles from within the tubing conduits and apertures and from surfaces of the electrodes.

Abstract: A pleated filter is provided with electrically conductive fibrous material that releases ions to improve trapping efficiency. The edges of folded filter media are rendered emitting as by attaching conductive strings to the edges of the folds. The ends of the fibers in the strings are left exposed and, by applying high voltage on these strings, ions may be produced which charge dust particles to improve the filter's efficiency. Alternately, the pleated medium itself provides ion-emitting fiber ends along folded edges that have been rendered conductive.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an improved electrostatic filter medium comprising a web of electret fibers which have been treated with fluorine-containing plasmas at a deposition amount of about 0.03 g/m2 to about 1.5 g/m2; electrostatically charged; rinsed; and dried. The present invention is further drawn to a method of producing non-woven webs which have been treated with a fluorine-containing plasma at a deposition amount of about 0.03 g/m2 to about 1.5 g/m2; electrostatically charged; rinsed; and dried.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.

Abstract: A frame-type ozone generator (242) has a plurality of elongated electrodes (201, 202) deployed in substantially parallel, spaced relation to each other so as to form a substantially flat electrode array, and a flow generator (241) for generating a flow of oxygen containing gas through the electrode array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electrode array. Each of the electrodes is formed from an electrically conductive core (211) covered with polyvinyl-difluoride (212). Preferably, each electrode array is arranged within a frame (206) of a given area. Also disclosed are an apparatus for treating a product with ozone-containing gas in which pressure-waves are used to enhance effectiveness of the ozone treatment, and a two-chamber batch method for implementing treatment of a product with possibly harmful gases such as ozone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ionization filter for purifying air that is enriched with dust particles and other inorganic and organic pollutants. The filter has at least one electrically charged emission electrode for producing electrically conductive particles, and at least one passive electrode for collecting the pollutant particles that are in movement in the electric field between the emission electrode and the passive electrode. In accordance with the invention, an extra layer having denaturing properties is placed in the flow path of the pollutant particles that are to be precipitated. This layer is preferably composed of strongly acidic and strongly alkaline layers, or vice versa, with a neutral intermediate layer between layers of different pH values in each case. Micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, spores and/or allergens which move in the electric field of the ionization filter are simultaneously destroyed by this denaturing property.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a two-stage emission electrode of an electrofilter suitable for use with an internal combustion engine, whereby a cleaning body moves along the emission electrode to strip it of deposits. Only the first stage of the electrode is cleaned by the cleaning body.

Abstract: A method of removing particulate solid or liquid aerosol from a gas, which method comprises the step of: passing a particulate solid or liquid aerosol containing gas through an electret filter that comprises a polymer and a performance enhancing additive, wherein the electret filter has a thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) spectrum exhibiting a peak having a width at half height of less than about 30° C., as measured by TSDC test procedure 3.

Abstract: A method of filtering air includes the steps of providing a filter element, providing a pair of electrodes sandwiching the filter element, applying a DC electrostatic field to the electrodes to produce attracting forces between particulates and micro-organisms contained in the air and the filter element, and intermittently applying a sterilizing electrical field concurrently with the electrostatic field. An RF, DC pulse, or AC power supply can be used to generate the sterilizing electrical field.

Abstract: A CVD device A is provided which is equipped with a gas introduction part A3 having an inert gas supply part G1 for supplying a diluting inert gas and a cleaning gas supply path G2 for supplying a cleaning gas, each connected therewith, and equipped with an exhaust gas discharge part A4 for releasing an exhaust gas; an exhaust gas circulation part D1 for circulating an exhaust gas from the CVD device, a cooling part D4 for cooling down and liquefying the cleaning gas in the exhaust gas, and a recovery part 4 for recovering the cleaning gas liquefied in said cooling part D4; the diluting inert gas is composed of a gas having a boiling point lower than that of the cleaning gas; a supply part 6 for supplying a cooling inert gas having the same composition as the diluting inert gas in a liquid state, an inert gas circulation part D3 which is cooled down by heat of evaporation of the cooling inert gas, and an inert gas discharge part 7 for discharging the cooling inert gas evaporated in the inert gas circulation p

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus (100) to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP (120), and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrating the acids for industrial use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved filter formed from a non-dielectric material which has been coated with a dielectric material and electret treated by, for example, DC corona discharge treatment. Also disclosed is a method for the formation of the filter.

Abstract: A method is provided for specifying and altering the electrical properties of fibers and fabrics. This allows the prescription of filter media prepared from these constituents for consistently optimum or near optimum performance in the collection of particulate matter. The method may include the steps of determining the triboelectric properties of fabrics having other desirable filter media characteristics, modifying the triboelectric properties of these fabrics as needed to preferentially selected properties and utilizing, selectively, modified fabrics as the filter medium for optimally attracting gas entrained electrically charged particles to the surface of the filter. The modification of the triboelectric properties may be realized chemically or by dyeing the fibers and fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing electrostatic charge of particles in a waste container. In one embodiment the waste container is coated with a liquid having a viscosity sufficient to prevent tribocharging between the waste container and the waster toner particles, and to collect toner particles deposited from the cyclone separator into the waste container. Another embodiment describes the use of a flange extending into the waste container to prevent tribocharging that can cause explosions in the waste toner bottle.

Abstract: Electrostatic spray apparatus including an electrode for generating a high-voltage corona, one or more sprayers for generating a spray of liquid droplets and for directing the droplets into the high-voltage corona whereby an electrical charge is imparted to the droplets. The conduit which supplies the liquid to the sprayers is electrically grounded so that liquid supplied to the sprayer device is at ground potential. The electrode is continuously maintained substantially clean and dry as it generates the high-voltage corona. A process for removing particulates from a gas stream is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel electrostatic precipitator includes an electrostatic collector section with discharge electrodes positioned between pairs of grounded collector electrodes, a gas entry port located upstream of said electrostatic collector section, and a transition section between the gas entry port and said electrostatic collector section into which an aqueous acid gas neutralizing agent is sprayed into a gas stream. An additional collector section may be interposed between the gas entry port and the point where the acid gas neutralizing agent is injected into the gas stream. The collector section may comprise alternating charging and short collection sections in which the grounded electrodes of adjoining charger and collector sections are connected. A liquid spray removes particulates collected on the grounded electrodes of the collector sections.

Abstract: An integrated SCR ESP employs catalytic collector plates for NO.sub.x and particulate removal. Ammonia injected either directly in the ESP or upstream therefrom catalytically reduces NO.sub.x to nitrogen and water. The excess ammonia assists in capturing particulates in the ESP. This prevents problems of ammonia slippage. The SCR catalytic collector plates are positioned in at least one field of the ESP and preferably in at least the first field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating chaff from coffee and cocoa beans is designed for use in combination with the hot air blowing base of the common household consumer appliance, the electrical popcorn popper. The method comprises a hopper having an open top, an open bottom mountable over the hot air blowing base of the popper for roasting beans and an exhaust gas outlet, a lid for covering the top and a screen mounted over the exhaust gas outlet. The screen is coated with a material that causes its surface to become electrostatically charged during the bean roasting process. The chaff from the beans becomes separated during the roasting process and then is entrained in the exhaust gases which pass upward from the hot air blowing base for roasting the beans and through the open bottom. The chaff is collected on the electrostatically charged screen and is easily removed after the roasting process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method for cleaning an electrostatic precipitator by directing a stream of cleaning gas through a flexible tube positioned inside the electrostatic precipitator. The stream of gas causing the flexible tube to move randomly directing the stream of gas at the precipitator plates with sufficient force to dislodge particles adhered to such plates.