Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus in which the electrical field and particle charge can be uniform and stable. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus comprises: a cyclone body; an air intake pipe, through which air flows from outside into the cyclone body; an air exhaust pipe, through which air flows out of the cyclone body; a grounding member installed on the inside surface of the cyclone body; a plurality of discharge electrode members installed on the air exhaust pipe; and a high voltage power source connected to the air exhaust pipe. The air exhaust pipe conducts electricity, and the discharge electrode members are installed on one or more sides of the air exhaust pipe, are needle-shaped, and protrude from the outer surface of the air exhaust pipe so as to form a uniform and stable electrical field.

Abstract: An air/oil separator for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a centrifugal separation stage in fluid communication with a downstream electrostatic separation stage. The centrifugal separation stage rotationally drives an electric generator to power the electrostatic separation stage.

Abstract: A device separates particulates from a gas stream flowing through the device. The device includes at least one high voltage electrode and a substantially cylindrical separator. The high voltage electrode applies a first voltage to the gas stream. The separator has an inlet for introducing the gas stream into the separator tangentially to an interior wall of the separator, a particulate outlet for expelling the particulates from the separator, and a gas stream outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus, which collects particulate matter contained in a gas flowing through a flow path formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer surface and an inner surface, includes: an outer shell that forms the outer surface of the flow path; a ground electrode that forms the inner surface of the flow path; a filter layer that is arranged between the outer shell and the ground electrode; and a discharge electrode that generates, when a voltage is applied, an ion wind inducing a secondary flow toward the ground electrode in a direction transverse to the flow path. The secondary flow passes through the ground electrode and the filter layer having a predetermined aperture ratio.

Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus in which the electrical field and particle charge can be uniform and stable. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus comprises: a cyclone body; an air intake pipe, through which air flows from outside into the cyclone body; an air exhaust pipe, through which air flows out of the cyclone body; a grounding member installed on the inside surface of the cyclone body; a plurality of discharge electrode members installed on the air exhaust pipe; and a high voltage power source connected to the air exhaust pipe. The air exhaust pipe conducts electricity, and the discharge electrode members are installed on one or more sides of the air exhaust pipe, are needle-shaped, and protrude from the outer surface of the air exhaust pipe so as to form a uniform and stable electrical field.

Abstract: Contaminant laden gas streams from wood product dryer operations, and other sources, are purified. The gas stream first is saturated with moisture by contacting the gas stream with fine liquid droplets which entrain particulates. The gas stream then is subjected to a plurality of separate particulate and liquid droplet removal steps before a droplet-free gas stream having substantially reduced particulate contaminant levels is passed to a burner for removal of volatile organic compounds from the gas stream.

Abstract: A gas separation apparatus combines the technologies of electrostatic precipitators and centrifugal particle separators into a single unit. At an inlet into the gas separation apparatus, a water spray is introduced into the gas stream. The water spray may include various chemical additives, typically selected to react with or neutralize the particulates as they are mixed with the water or for other benefit. The resulting water and particulate mixture, which is much more dense than air, is centrifugally separated and collected through a drain tube outlet. In addition to the centrifugal forces applied to the gas and water stream, an electrical field of magnitude sufficient to produce coronal discharge is also applied to a central electrode. The electric field is generated between the cylinder wall and the central electrode, to assist the centrifugal forces and thereby remove additional particulate beyond that ordinarily removed by a standard centrifugal separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas supply for an electrostatic filter and an electrostatic filter arrangement which has an electrostatic filter and a gas supply. Here, the gas supply has an incoming flow channel of constant cross-sectional area, a gas inlet hood with cross-sectional area expanding in the direction of the electrostatic filter, and an admixture arrangement for a conditioning means, wherein at least one flow distributor is arranged in the expanded cross-sectional region of the gas inlet hood. Characterizing features include a first vortex arrangement generating a leading-edge vortex arranged in the incoming flow channel, a second vortex arrangement generating a leading-edge vortex arranged in the gas inlet hood before the flow divider in the gas flow direction, and the admixture arrangement arranged in the region of one of the two vortex arrangements.

Abstract: An adjustable eddy electrostatic precipitator, including a main body, an electrode array, an adjustable opening and a precipitating device. The main body has an inner space with an air guiding plate of helical shape, an entrance for air and an exit for air. The electrode array is placed close to the entrance, ionizing air as well as particles floating therein. The adjustable opening is located at the exit, having an adjustable aperture. The precipitating device is connected with a bias high voltage for adsorbing ionized particles. Air entering the main body through the entrance is ionized, ionizing particles floating therein. Ionized particles are driven towards a single zone and are collected depending on size and charge in an adjustable manner.

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.

Abstract: A device for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream includes subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to an electronic filtration stage and optionally a second cyclonic separation stage to obtain the clean air stream. The electronic filtration stage is optionally removable with a cyclonic cleaning stage from the vacuum cleaner. The electronic filtration stage is optionally an electrostatic precipitator which utilizes air flow through the vacuum cleaner to generate the voltage used by the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A device for separating liquid particles from an entraining gas or vapor stream. The device employs mechanical centrifugal forces to concentrate liquid droplets in a limited space for further extraction from the gas flow using an electrical field and an electrically charged collecting surface whereby the particles are attracted to and deposited on the surface for further extraction by the gas flow without reintrainment of the liquid back into the vapor stream. The device is constructed to provide an area of low gas velocity for removing the liquid from the device.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream includes subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to an electronic filtration stage and optionally a second cyclonic separation stage to obtain the clean air stream. The electronic filtration stage is optionally removable with a cyclonic cleaning stage from the vacuum cleaner. The electronic filtration stage is optionally an electrostatic precipitator which utilizes air flow through the vacuum cleaner to generate the voltage used by the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having an improved efficiency to remove a broader spectrum of contained particles is disclosed. The cyclone separator is provided with a member positioned to interact with at least the inner portion of a fluid circulating within the cyclone cavity to impart changes in the acceleration of the fluid as it rotates within the cyclone cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream includes subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to an electronic filtration stage and optionally a second cyclonic separation stage to obtain the clean air stream. The electronic filtration stage is optionally removable with a cyclonic cleaning stage from the vacuum cleaner. The electronic filtration stage is optionally an electrostatic precipitator which utilizes air flow through the vacuum cleaner to generate the voltage used by the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A cyclone or hydrocyclone for separating fluids and particles includes an electrostatic charge generator, a direct current power source, a magnet or an electromagnet for augmenting the centrifugal separation forces generated by the cyclone or hydrocyclone. The cyclone or hydrocyclone also includes a physical vibration generator or a sonic wave generator or both.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flue gas conditioning device (1) comprising an inlet (2), a diffuser (3) in extension of the inlet, and an essentially cylindrical pipe area (4) in extension of the diffuser, said pipe area being equipped with a bottom (5) and an outlet (6) opposite the diffuser, said diffuser and said cylindrical pipe area defining a conditioning chamber, means being provided in an area of the conditioning chamber near the inlet to introduce conditioning water into the flue gas, wherein means (10) are provided in the device to impart a rotating momentum to the flue gas stream, and means (10) are also provided to impart to the rotating flue gas stream a momentum in the axial direction. This may e.g. be realized by the provision of guide blades (11) which extend radially in the inlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating fluids and/or solid matter or gases having different specific weight from a gas flow. The apparatus includes a gas inlet connector and a gas outlet connector. The apparatus contains a tube like cavity which conically is enlarged from the gas inlet connector to the gas outlet connector. Also included is an auxiliary gas inlet passage that opens to the cavity in proximity to the gas inlet connector tangentially to the lateral area of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream has subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to a second cyclonic separation stage and an electronic filtration stage to obtain the clean air stream.

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.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: Collection of particles from a gas stream and the separation of dissimilar particles from a gas stream by a field effect auxiliary gas cyclone (FEAGC) is enhanced by providing an inductive field that attracts or repels particles and an auxiliary gas system that complements the field effect by providing an additional independent internal control for particle velocity, particle concentration, and system delta p. The FEAGC has three adjustable operating variables: (1) an auxiliary high pressure air input orifice located in the cyclone input which is used to increase the product velocity while reducing the solids to gas ratio; (2) an electric field between the cone and the vortex that subjects charged particles to either an attractive or repelling field; and (3) an auxiliary air venturi located in the inlet of the vortex to control the delta p and to control the operating temperature of the vortex and insulating materials.

Abstract: A particle separator having a housing, a radially centered core, helical augers which force a fluid stream in a helical flow direction, and separator devices for the progressive separation of particles from a particulate contaminated fluid stream.

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 gasification system for solid wastes having a thermal reactor and a mechanical gas cleaner, an indirect heat exchange cooler, and an electrostatic precipitator for cleaning and cooling the produced gas. Feed material is continuously fed to the central section of the thermal reactor above an air introduction manifold and nozzles and in an upward direction, forming a stratified charge. As feed material moves upward and outward from the reactor center it is reduced to ash. An agitator assures contact between the hot particulate product and hot gases resulting in gasification of the feed material and net movement to the sidewall of the thermal reactor, forming ash. The air introduction nozzles serve as a grate. Ash descends along the sidewall to the reactor base for removal. The mechanical cleaner has a high speed rotating brush-like gas separator element and scraper combination which removes condensed tars and particulates from the produced gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling a gas stream and concentrating selected constituents found therein. The apparatus includes a collection chamber into which a gas stream is drawn and a nozzle which sprays charged droplets of a collection fluid countercurrent to the gas stream. The charged droplets, now containing the selected constituents, are propelled to the wall under the influence of an electrostatic force and collected in a collection well at the bottom of the collection chamber. The apparatus can include a cyclonic flow inducer which imparts a circumferential component to the gas stream velocity, thereby enhancing collection efficiency by increasing the residency time of the gas stream within the collection chamber.

Abstract: A body furniture is provided having one or more air exhaust ports and a built-in air fan. A top plate having one or more air suction port is positioned on the furniture body, and a tornado-based suction unit is removably placed on the one or more of the air suction ports. The tornado-based suction unit includes a cylinder having a window formed through a peripheral wall thereof, and a suction hole formed through at least one of end surfaces of the cylinder connected to a suction side of the air fan. An artificial tornado is generated within the cylinder and collects contaminated air such as the smoke of cigarettes. The collected contaminated air is cleaned. Minus ions or fragrance may be supplied to air sucked from the suction hole to fill a space around the body.

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: An apparatus and method for reducing the amount of unburned carbon in raw flyash, wherein raw flyash containing unburned carbon is introduced into the tribocharger, the tribocharger producing positive and negative surface charges on the respective particles of carbon and flyash, introducing the charged particles into an electrical field containing positively and negatively charged plates, the positively and negatively charged particles being collected on the negatively and positively charged plates, and selectively vibrating the plates to selectively recover the unburned carbon and flyash.

Abstract: Pollution separator and purifier apparatus (10) for at least one fluid mixture comprises: an inlet member (14) for admitting the fluid mixture to be treated into a stationary cylindrical body (12); a rotor mounted in the cylindrical body (12) and having a stack of at least two plates (18) with openings, cooperating with means that generate a pressure drop in the top portion of the apparatus and generating upward helical motion in the mixture to be treated; a hopper (22) for collecting the heavy phase, connected to the cylindrical body (12) beneath the rotor (16) and provided with forced evacuation means (24); and an extractor member (26) for extracting the treated mixture, and connected to the cylindrical body (12) above the rotor (16).

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (100) including an airflow path, dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path, a motor or fan unit (110) for causing air to flow along the airflow path and also arranged therein, a first filter (112) arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (110) and a second filter (114) arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (110), wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use the dirt and dust collecting device are made accessible or removed for emptying or replacement, both filters (112, 114) are visible to the user. This arrangement encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (112, 114), thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner (100).

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator including a cylindrical tube the upper end of which is provided with a gas outlet while the lower end is provided with a gas inlet. Mounted adjacent the upper end of the tube is an ion source. Adjacent the lower end of the tube is a diaphragm which is vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A liquid is supported on the diaphragm and caused to vibrate in order to produce a mist. An electric potential is established between the ion source and the liquid so that carbon particles contained in the gas stream passing through the precipitator are trapped by liquid droplets which are then conveyed back to a reservoir for the liquid.

Abstract: An electrostatically enhanced separator (EES) which provides mechanical separation and electrostatic separation to yield a compact and highly efficient separation system. The EES (10) may be incorporated in a collection system as well using a conventional collection device such as a cyclone collector (32), bag filter (37) or electrostatic precipitator (38). The EES (10) includes a cylindrical-walled separation chamber (11) with an inlet passage (13), a clean flow outlet (21), and a particle outlet passage (15). The inlet passage (13) and particle outlet passage (15) are both thin elongated slits which open tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the chamber for providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along the wall.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has a fiber filter between the filter layer and the motor where the fiber filter has an electrically charged non-woven material for removing very fine air particles in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.

Abstract: An electrostatically enhanced separator (EES) provides mechanical and electrostatic separation of particles from gas stream to yield a compact and highly efficient separation system. The EES (10) may be incorporated in a collection system as well using a conventional collection device such as a cyclone collector (32), bag filter (37) or electrostatic precipitator (38). The EES (10) includes a cylindrical-walled separation chamber (12) with an inlet passage (13), a clean flow outlet (21), and a particle outlet passage (15). The inlet passage (13) and particle outlet passage (15) are both thin elongated slits which open tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the chamber for providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along the wall.

Abstract: An assembly for wet cleaning combustion gases includes at least one dust extracting device and at least one dust absorbing device. The main vessel of the dust extracting device includes a bottom having a ridge roof structure. An inlet is provided for introducing combustion gases into the main vessel, and an outlet is provided for extracting at least partially cleaned combustion gases from the main vessel. A filter is located between the inlet and outlet. First and second auxiliary vessels are arranged with respect to the main vessel so as to form a Z-shape, when viewed from above. Sediment tanks located in the bottom of the auxiliary vessels receive sediment introduced therein from conveyors provided in the low portions of the main vessel. Waste fluid is discharged from the sediment tanks into the auxiliary vessels. The assembly also includes a dust absorbing device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation of vaporous heavy metal compounds from a carrier gas wherein the heavy metal compounds are cooled and desublimed. An apparatus for carrying out this process has a melting furnace with a discharge opening for a gas/vapor mixture, which leads to a cooling device. Vaporous heavy metal compounds can be separated from a carrier gas on a large industrial scale. In addition, the apparatus for carrying out this process is easy to operate. The gas/vapor mixture is turbulently mixed immediately after the discharge from the furnace in a mixing section with cold air and is thus cooled. During this cooling, the vaporous heavy metal compounds desublime and are filtered as particles in a filter.