By Liquid Flushing Patents (Class 95/75)
  • Patent number: 10864526
    Abstract: An improved electrode for use in an electrostatic precipitator is disclosed. The electrode comprises a generally rod-shaped conductive central portion, to which are attached a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements. Each disc-shaped element has a number of sharp points spaced around its circumference and a plurality of openings near its center. The central portion of the central portion passes through the centers of each of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion, and may be equally spaced along the central portion. The disc-shaped elements are conical or convex in shape, and oriented with their rims raised above their centers so that any water that collects on them runs out through the openings and down the central portion of the electrode. This greatly reduces or eliminates arcing between the electrode and a collector in the electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Johnsgard, Robert T. LoBianco
  • Patent number: 10799884
    Abstract: A fluid processing system and method of processing a fluid includes a tank having an outer wall, a heating element, and an insulating element. The heating element is situated within the tank and includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The insulating element is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. As such, powering the heating element directs an electric current through the fluid within the tank for heating the fluid, while the insulating element provides electrical and thermal insulation to the outer wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: Khairul Alam, Hajrudin Pasic
  • Patent number: 8876950
    Abstract: Disclosed is technology and device for uniform distribution of water film on solid collecting plate used on a wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The device includes clamping plate fastening bolts, suspended clamping plates, a water distribution pipe, guide vanes, collecting plate, a limiter, a two-way limited fixed axis and a double arming bolt. The surfaces of the solid collecting plate are subjected to coating pretreatment, the upper parts of the collector are connected with the water distribution pipe, and the 45° guide vanes are twisted; a corrugated diversion with the width of 5 to 8 mm is adopted; stainless steel pipes are crosswise welded, water distribution holes are formed at the water distribution pipe, the distribution pipe is connected with an external water tank, and the inlet quantity of the water is controlled by a PLC; the collectors are placed vertically, and the ESP contains a set of sharp discharge electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Shandong University, Qufu Shanda Energy and Environment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunyuan Ma, Jingcai Chang
  • Patent number: 8852325
    Abstract: A device for collecting particles that have a high electron affinity, particularly explosive particles, from a gas, includes a flow channel (12a) in which at least one electrically positive collector electrode (20a) and at least one ionising electrode (18a) are arranged, between which an electrical field is present so that the particles having high electron affinity can be indirectly charged by corona discharge on the ionising electrode (18a) and can be displaced towards the collector electrode (20a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Beer, Gerhard Müller, Jan Spannhake, Wolfgang Legner
  • Publication number: 20140000455
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing mercury from an incoming gas stream contaminated with mercury so as to deliver an outgoing gas stream free of the removed mercury introduces ozone into the gas stream to deposit mercury carried by the gas stream on separator elements so as to remove the deposited mercury from the gas stream. The deposited mercury is washed off of the separator elements, and the removed mercury is collected for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Isaac Ray, Boris Altshuler
  • Patent number: 8323386
    Abstract: A compact electrostatic particulate collector for sampling contaminants has a collection chamber defined by a titanium inner surface of a wall. A potential inducer is disposed within the chamber to create a field potential between itself and the wall of the chamber. A blower is disposed to propel air to be sampled through the chamber. At least one rinse channel is disposed to wet the inner surface of the wall of the chamber substantially 100%. The rinse channel is angled to direct a rinse liquid in a spiral direction around the inner surface of the wall. Contaminants in the air being sampled are electro statically biased into the rinse liquid on the wall and rinsed out of the chamber for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Matthew Langle, Buddy Justin Winheim, Noah Boydston, Steven D. Graham, Nancy Zamora Olivares, Mark Edward Reynolds, Thomas John Breier
  • Patent number: 8241396
    Abstract: This inventions provides a method for the removal of smut, fine dust and exhaust gas particles from polluted air including providing a particle catch arrangement with a charged surface, the particle catch arrangement being arranged to generate a static electric field, wherein the electric field is at least 0.2 kV/m. The invention further provides a particle catch arrangement including a surface that can be charged, further including a generator arranged to generate charge to the surface that can be charged and to generate a static electric field of at least 0.2 kV/m, wherein the particle catch arrangement is part of or integrated with an object including street furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Willibrordus Nicolaas Johannes Ursem, Johannes Cornelis Maria Marijnissen, Rein Andre Roos
  • Patent number: 8241398
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
  • Patent number: 8088198
    Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator (1) includes an inlet (2) for receiving a gas (4) containing a pollutant, and an outlet (6) for discharging therefrom the gas (8) from which said pollutant has been at least partially removed. Nozzles (24) are operative for purposes of spraying liquid onto at least one first vertical collecting surface (30) of at least one collecting electrode (18). A liquid distributor (42) is provided for purposes of pouring liquid onto at least one second vertical collecting surface (44), said at least one second vertical collecting surface (44) being located on a further collecting electrode (36), with said further collecting electrode (36) being located downstream of said at least one collecting electrode (18). The nozzles (24) are located upstream of the liquid distributor (42), as viewed with reference to the direction of flow of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Sune Bengtsson, Rikard Hakansson
  • Patent number: 8043573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 8043413
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for removing foreign objects from the airstream entering an inlet system of a turbomachine. The system may include an electrostatic system that may be configured to charge conductive, or partially conductive foreign objects that are in the airstream flowing through the system. This system may create an electric field to draw the charged foreign objects, allowing for a collecting section to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic accumulation system for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cleaning system for cleaning components of the collecting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Stephen D. Hiner, Aaron M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110252965
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-filter (1) for exhaust gas cleaning and/or heat recovery, particularly also for exhaust gas cleaning for the exhaust gases of biomass firings, in which the electro-filter (1) has a precipitation chamber (2) through which the exhaust gas is passed, whereby a charging device (6) for electrostatic charging of particles present in the exhaust gas is disposed in the region of the precipitation chamber (2) or adjacent to the precipitation chamber (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Tobias Boehm, Hermann Kuhrmann, Julius Rawe
  • Publication number: 20110100212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel, comprising: two plates of substantially equal dimensions positioned on each other; which plates are connected medium-tightly to each other along their peripheral zones; which plates enclose a cavity; a feed for feeding a liquid, in particular water, into the cavity; and openings close to and along a peripheral edge of the panel for flow of the liquid out of the cavity during operation such that during operation the openings are situated close to the upper peripheral edge of the panel, wherein the liquid flows downward over at least one outer surface of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: OMEGA THERMO PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventor: Herman Johan Oonk
  • Patent number: 7833324
    Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator is disclosed to include a condensation-growth chamber, a precipitation chamber connecting with the condensation-growth chamber, three dual-sleeve members mounted in the precipitation chamber, three discharge electrodes connecting with the dual-sleeve members, two insulating members covering on the inner surface of the precipitation chamber, and two ground electrodes mounted on the outside of the precipitation chamber. Thus, a uniform water film is formed on the surface of the insulating members to wash away the particles from waste gas. The condensation-growth chamber is provided for the particles to grow therein and thereby enhances the collection efficiency. The insulating member acts as a shield between the discharge electrodes and the ground electrodes and thereby avoids a short circuit or sparks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tzu-Mimg Chen, Shou-Nan Li, Chuen-Jinn Tsai, Sheng-Jen Yu, Guan-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 7824475
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a device for purification of air is provided, including a metal plate electrical connections connected to the metal plate in order to impress a voltage on the metal plate, a heating element for heating the metal plate, and a nozzle connected to a water supply in order to spray the metal plate with water. In further embodiments the device includes a metallic cylinder, a fan disposed at one end of the cylinder and a restriction disposed at the other end of the cylinder, together with live coils for providing an electric field, where the centre of the electric field around the coils coincides with the location of the device's other units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Hans-Jacob Fromreide, Tomm Slater
  • Patent number: 7763101
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water-flowing mechanism in a wet type electrostatic precipitator that can stably and quickly form a water film on a dust-collecting plate even at the beginning of the operation and that has an excellent adjusting function of a supplying flow-rate of washing liquid. The present invention includes a dust-collecting plate, a washing liquid supplying source to wet the dust-collecting plate, and a cylindrical member that is opened according to the shape of the upper end face of the dust-collecting plate and into which the washing liquid supplying source is inserted, wherein the horizontal cross-section of the dust-collecting plate is formed in a corrugated shape, and the lower opening of the cylindrical member is formed in a corrugated shape according to the dust-collecting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachio Maekawa, Mitsuaki Yanagida, Shinichi Kawabata, Keigo Orita, Yoshihiko Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20100154631
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for removing foreign objects from the airstream entering an inlet system of a turbomachine. This system may include an electrostatic system that may be configured to charge conductive, or partially conductive foreign objects that are in the airstream flowing through the system. This system may create an electric field to drawing the charged foreign objects, allowing for a collecting section to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic accumulation system for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cleaning system for cleaning components of the collecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Stephen D. Hiner, Aaron M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7682427
    Abstract: A tubular collector for precipitating electrically loaded aerosols from a gas stream stands vertically in a gas stream duct. The stream flows upwards in the section. The tubular collector includes at least one group of pipe bundle which extends at the most over the internal width of the duct and including at least one dimensionally stable pipe bundle whose lower side or side that faces the flow rests on a grating or perforated metal sheet connected to an electric reference potential. At least the top side or side away from the stream of a group of pipe bundles is uniformly sprayed with rinsing liquid. The pipes of a group of pipe bundles are held apart by spacers so that the stream flows over their outer and inner sides. The pipes of a group of pipe bundles are identical and have different adjustment heights. The pipes have such a length that at least when a turbulent flow enters one pipe, a laminar gas stream is formed downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Andrei Bologa, Hanns-Rudolf Paur, Klaus Woletz, Thomas Wäscher
  • Patent number: 7662219
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator that can prevent the corrosion of a discharge electrode even if a gas to be treated containing a corrosive mist is treated. In an electrostatic precipitator having a discharge electrode arranged along a flow path of the gas to be treated, a spray nozzle that can spray a water to the upstream side of the discharge electrode is mounted. A wet film is formed on the surface of the discharge electrode with the water sprayed from the spray nozzle. The sprayed water is desirably a water vapor or a water droplet having a particle diameter of less than 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachio Maekawa, Mitsuaki Yanagida, Shinichi Kawabata, Keigo Orita, Yoshihiko Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7641718
    Abstract: The electrostatic precipitator (1) includes the housing (8) having the air duct (7) for communicating between the inlet (4) for sucking the contaminated air (3) and the outlet (6) for discharging the cleaned air (5), the air flow generator (10) generating the air flow (9) in the air duct (7), the collecting section (14) having a plurality of adsorption plates (13) rotating in accordance with the adsorption shaft (11), and the discharge section (24) equipped with the charging plate (20) having the discharge surface (21) opposing the adsorption surface (12) of the adsorption plate (13) and a plurality of the discharge electrodes (19) provided at the edge (22) of the charging plate (20) opposite the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Zesu Giko Co., Ltd, Hidec Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masatoshi Furuta, Shigenobu Ohkura
  • Patent number: 7632341
    Abstract: A hybrid, wet electrostatic precipitator has multiple precipitation zones for removing particulate and contaminants from a flue gas stream. A first precipitation zone has at least one discharge electrode and at least one collection plate made of a metal or a fiber glass reinforced plastic. A second precipitation zone has at least one discharge electrode and at least one collecting electrode which is a porous membrane sheet. The precipitation zones are in series with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Triscori, Albert L. Moretti, Robert E. Snyder, Donald P. Tonn
  • Patent number: 7621984
    Abstract: The disclosed electrostatic precipitator cartridge for a tower air cleaner in accord with the present invention is low-cost, because it is constructed of injected molded plastics material and stamped and extruded metal components. It is easy to clean, not only because it's constitutive metal parts and plastic components are machine washable but also because the cartridge as a whole is machine washable, the pieces and components are designed and arranged to prevent intracartridge fluid buildup or retention after washing, thereby eliminating any electrical shorting or arcing or other undesirable phenomena resulting therefrom that could interfere with the operation of the electrostatic filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Head waters R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross L. Cowie, Rudy A. Vandenbelt
  • Publication number: 20090277329
    Abstract: This inventions provides a method for the removal of smut, fine dust and exhaust gas particles from polluted air comprising providing a particle catch arrangement with a charged surface, the particle catch arrangement being arranged to generate a static electric field, wherein the electric field is at least 0.2 kV/m. The invention further provides a particle catch arrangement comprising a surface that can be charged, further comprising a generator arranged to generate charge to the surface that can be charged and to generate a static electric field of at least 0.2 kV/m, wherein the particle catch arrangement is part of or integrated with an object comprising street furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Willibrordus Nicolaas Johannes Ursem, Johannes Cornelis Maria Marijnissen, Rein Andre Roos
  • Publication number: 20090114092
    Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator (1) comprises an inlet (2) for receiving a gas (4) containing a pollutant, and an outlet (6) for discharging therefrom the gas (8) from which said pollutant has been at least partially removed. Nozzles (24) are operative for purposes of spraying liquid onto at least one first vertical collecting surface (30) of at least one collecting electrode (18). A liquid distributor (42) is provided for purposes of pouring liquid onto at least one second vertical collecting surface (44), said at least one second vertical collecting surface (44) being located on a further collecting electrode (36), with said further collecting electrode (36) being located downstream of said at least one collecting electrode (18). The nozzles (24) are located upstream of the liquid distributor (42), as viewed with reference to the direction of flow of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Sune Bengtsson, Rikard Hakansson
  • Patent number: 7479175
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a collector electrode assembly removable from an opening on the top surface of the unit and a safety lid detached from the collector electrode assembly for covering the opening on the top surface of the unit. The safety lid is configured to cover the opening whether the collector electrode assembly is at rest within the housing or has been removed from the housing for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sylmark Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Peter Spiegel
  • Patent number: 7465338
    Abstract: A window screen apparatus employing electrostatic principles to purify air. The window screen mesh wires encompass electrically-conductive filaments that are charged by a high-voltage DC pulse generator. Between and surrounding the wires an electric field is created that charges, traps, and repels airborne particulate. An alternative embodiment consists of a window screen in which the screen mesh wires are manufactured from permanently electrostatically charged fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Christian F. Kurasek
  • Patent number: 7459009
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate matter from a gas stream containing particulate matter, the apparatus including: a mist-producing element that mixes a gas stream entering the apparatus with liquid droplets; and a down flow Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) pass section having ionizing electrodes that electrically charge the particulate matter and the intermixed liquid droplets, and collecting surfaces in the form of an array of polygonal tubes, wherein the collecting surfaces are under the influence of an electrical field to attract and remove electrically-charged particulate matter and intermixed liquid droplets from the gas stream. An embodiment utilizing two down-flow Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) sections (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eisenmann Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Ray, Mark A. West, Boris Altshuler
  • Patent number: 7297182
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate matter from a biomass combustion gas stream, the apparatus having a mist-producing element that mixes a gas stream entering the apparatus with liquid droplets; a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) section that includes ionizing electrodes that electrically charge the particulate matter and the intermixed liquid droplets and collecting surfaces under the influence of an electrical field which attract and remove electrically-charged particulate matter and intermixed liquid droplets from the gas stream; and a scrubbing section that provides for additional scrubbing of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Eisenmann Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Ray, Mark A. West, Boris Altshuler, Bradley L. Ginger
  • Patent number: 7273516
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first air stream and a second air stream includes a plurality of plates limiting first and second exchange chambers which are serially arranged in a transversal direction with respect to the plates. A first air stream of outside air passes through the first exchange chambers, a second air stream originating from ventilated rooms passes through the second exchange chambers. The heat exchanger further includes an ionization device for ionizing particles entrained in the first air stream so that the particles deposit at conductive plates of the first exchange spaces, a water distribution system for periodically discharging water into the first exchange spaces for cleaning the plates of the heat exchanger from deposited particles, and a water collection device for discharging collected water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mentus Holding AG
    Inventor: Urs A. Weidmann
  • Patent number: 7270697
    Abstract: Electrostatic precipitators, including wet electrostatic precipitators, having a bank of conductive tubes which receive a gas stream having entrained particulates and an electrode connected to an electric current, wherein the tubes each include an internal restriction creating a hydrostatic pressure more evenly distributing the gas flow between the tubes eliminating the requirement for flow distribution devices, such as air straighteners and perforated plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald I. McAnespie
  • Patent number: 7115153
    Abstract: Electric oil separator that separates oil from an airflow of a ventilator. The separator includes an emission electrode and a collecting electrode. Moreover, the separator includes an injection device structured and arranged to inject oil as a cleaning fluid onto at least one of the emission electrode and the collecting electrode, so as to inject oil obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the collecting electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Ahlborn, Dieter Baumann, Bernhard Batram
  • Patent number: 6858064
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the purification of a gas which apparatus includes a three section conduit with an ionization and cleaning section in which particles contained in water-saturated air are ionized and then conducted through a chamber with grounded walls so that part of the particles are deposited on these walls, an additional cleaning section which includes grounded tubes past which the gas is conducted to remove additional charged particles and a filter section in which dry remaining fine particles are removed from the gas stream, the deposited particles are flushed from all three sections and the flushing water including the particles is cleaned and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Andrei Bologa, Thomas Wäscher, Hans-Rudolf Paur, Werner Baumann
  • Patent number: 6632267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for separating materials in the form of particles and/or drops from a gas flow, in which method the gas flow is directed through a collection chamber the outer walls of which are grounded, and in which high tension is directed to the ion yield tips arranged in the collection chamber, thus providing an ion flow from the ion yield tips towards the collection surfaces, separating the desired materials from the gas flow. It is characteristic of the invention that the collection surfaces conducting electricity are electrically insulated from the outer casings; and that high tension with the opposite sign of direct voltage as the high tension directed to the ion yield tips is directed to the collection surfaces. According to an embodiment of the invention the electrical insulation is made of ABS, and the surface conducting electricity comprises a thin chrome layer arranged on the insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Veikko Ilmasti
  • Patent number: 6533841
    Abstract: Filter plates in an electro-filter are cleaned using nozzles which, during spraying, are displaced longitudinally with the side edges of the filter plates while at the same time being rotated. The nozzles are mounted in a plane slightly different from the plane of the filter plates to enable the spray jets to reach the furthermost areas of the plates when the nozzles are at the greatest angle of incidence during washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toftejorg A/S
    Inventor: Erik Lund Jepsen
  • Patent number: 6530981
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a gas, which combines together in a single unit an Inertial Separator and an Electrostatic Precipitator, so as to reduce or eliminate the shortcomings of the latter two types of devices when they are used separately, and to synergistically enhance the efficiency and effectiveness compared to when they are operated separately in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Scotlund Stivers
  • Patent number: 6508861
    Abstract: An improvement in an electrostatic precipitator and method for removing particulate contaminants entrained in a gas stream passed through an electrode arrangement in which particulates are charged in a first electrostatic field and subjected to a second electrostatic field to be removed and collected for further disposition. The electrode arrangement includes a charging section having a charging electrode and a field electrode, and a collecting section having a repelling electrode and a collecting electrode. The field electrode and the collecting electrode are integrated, providing a relatively compact construction, and the charging electrode and the repelling electrode are electrically separated by high voltage diodes in a single power supply arrangement such that the charging section and the collecting section each are provided with a corresponding electrostatic field operated at an optimum voltage and current for respectively charging and collecting particulate contaminants entrained in the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Croll Reynolds Clean Air Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac Ray
  • Patent number: 6488740
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) field disposed along a combusted fossil-fuel flue gas stream path downstream of a dry ESP field. The wet ESP field includes a chamber having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet, and at least one collection plate positioned within the chamber. The chamber also includes one or more wash nozzle positioned adjacent the collection plate, and a wet hopper positioned substantially under the collection plate. The apparatus preferably further includes one or more cooling nozzles positioned near the flue gas inlet. The cooling and wash nozzles are fluidly coupled to a water source, while the wet hopper is fluidly coupled to either a pH adjustment module or a treatment processor. A method of removing contaminants from a flue gas stream using the above apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan V. Patel, Alfred L. Hester, David W. Morris
  • Patent number: 6231643
    Abstract: A membrane is used as a collection substrate in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Possible material choices include fibers in the form of woven mats, screens made from stainless steel wires or fiber reinforced polymer composite membranes. The membranes have a tensile bias applied during operation, and have impulse tensile force applied during a dust removal step. By combining a dry ESP membrane field with wet-film cleaning field, it may be possible to improve collection efficiencies both by reducing turbulence and eliminating re-entrainment losses due to rapping. Through implementation of new materials that resist hostile ESP environments, the invention enhances the possibility of using novel technologies, such as pulsed corona and others, suitable for removal of molecules such as NOx and SOx, which is very important for meeting proposed PM2.5 EPA emissions regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: Hajrudin Pasic, Md Khairul Alam, David J. Bayless
  • Patent number: 6228148
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating solid or drop-like particles from an air flow is provided. The air flows through a separator chamber between an electrode, ion generating means or like particle charging device disposed in the separator chamber, and a grounded collector surface, so that the particles are charged by the charging device and accumulate on the collector surface. The air flows along a substantially spiral path around the charging device in at least a part of the separator chamber so that due to the action of centrifugal force at least a portion of the particles pass toward the grounded collector surface at the periphery of the chamber. A small flow of purified air flows downwardly in a central part of the separator chamber so that it washes the charging device in the separator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Velmet Corporation
    Inventors: Rami Aaltonen, Juha Leimu, Petri Norri
  • Patent number: 6126727
    Abstract: An electrode panel-drawing device of a static ion discharger, including a box body. A top section of the box body is formed with an opening. A bottom section of the box body is disposed with a connecting seat. The box body is disposed with ventilators, an activating switch and an adjustment button. A motor, a fan and an AC-to-DC circuit board are disposed in the box body. A drawer body is fitted into the opening of the box body. The drawer body is disposed with discharge needles and electrode panels at equal intervals. The positive terminal of the circuit board is connected to the discharge needles, while the negative terminal of the circuit board is connected to the electrode panels. The positive discharge needles ionize the air to eliminate the static electricity. The drawer body can be drawn out of the box body for directly washing the discharge needles and the electrode panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Lo
  • Patent number: 6117403
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Zero Emissions Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Patent number: 6110256
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulates and corrosive gases from a gas stream includes the serial use of a condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section for removing smaller particulates, in the submicron range, in conjunction with a vertically aligned preliminary scrubber section which removes larger particulates, in the micron range, and corrosive gases, in an integrated unit in which the temperature and moisture conditions in the gas stream are controlled for assuring effective and efficient operation of the condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section. Discharge electrodes of the electrostatic precipitator are supported by insulators which are protected against deleterious deposits of particulates by discharge electrode elements and collector electrode elements placed between the gas stream and the insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Croll Reynolds Clean Air Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Reynolds, Isaac Ray
  • Patent number: 5968231
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Grignotage, (SARL)
    Inventors: Michel Parmentier, Jean-Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 5855652
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for rapidly collecting aerosols containing solid particles and micro organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, from relatively large volumes of air and concentrating these particulates as samples in water. This apparatus operates under conditions conducive to preserving the integrity and viability of the collected micro organisms. Ambient air containing aerosols drawn into and through the collector's interior by an air mover, is mixed with very warm air saturated with moisture and then with cold air, to cause the resulting vapor mixture to become supersaturated. This supersaturated water vapor rapidly condenses onto the incoming aerosol particles to form droplets with particles at their centers. The airstream carrying these droplets enters a cloud of air ions produced by a corona generator or, alternately, by a radioactive source emitting alpha particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Topaz 2000, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Talley
  • Patent number: 5797978
    Abstract: An air filter body includes a plurality of discs of electrically insulating material arranged in a stack and having ribbed contacting faces defining small filtering passageways between the contacting faces of adjacent discs. Each disc has an electrode layer insulated by the respective disc from the electrodes of the adjacent discs. Each electrode is electrically connected to an electrical terminal at an edge of the respective discs. Electrical conductors connect the electrical terminals of alternating discs to one side of a voltage source, and the electrical terminals of the remaining alternating discs to the other side of the voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Gideon Rosenberg, Ilan Leskly
  • Patent number: 5601791
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Norman Plaks, Charles B. Sedman, Leslie E. Sparks