Abstract: A device for separating paint overspray from the cabin exhaust air of painting systems which is laden with overspray having at least one separating surface, on which the cabin exhaust air can be guided along and which is electrically conducting and connected to a pole of a high voltage source. An electrode device arranged in the air stream is associated with the separating surface and connected to the other pole of the high voltage source. Paint overspray is transported away from the separating surface by an electrically conducting separating fluid, which can be fed to the separating surface and flows over the separating surface so that a large part at least of the solids pass from the cabin exhaust air flowing past into the separating fluid.

Abstract: An electrically enhanced air filtration system is disclosed which uses rear fiber charging is disclosed. In particular, a fibrous filter may be placed in an upstream position within the system with one or more ionization arrays positioned downstream or to the rear of the fibrous filter in terms of airflow direction. The fibrous filter may include a grounded side and fiber side with the grounded side being upstream of the fiber side. The ionization array may include a plurality of electrodes each extending unidirectionally toward the fibrous filter.

Abstract: An electrostatic screen battery for emission control (ESBEC) system includes a plurality of screens. The screens are arranged in an alternating manner so that screens at a first electric potential are interposed with screens at a second electric potential. An ionizer is disposed upstream of the screens. An exhaust stream passes by the ionizer and then through the screens, where particulates are deposited onto the screens. In preferred embodiments the screens have hydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: An air filtration system includes a frame directing an airflow through the air filtration system and a power supply. An ionization array is located in the frame across the airflow and connected to the power supply. The power supply provides a first voltage to the ionization array. A field wire is located in the frame downstream from the ionization array and is energized to a second voltage only by an electrical energy discharge from the ionization array. A method of operating an electrically enhanced air filtration system includes energizing an ionization array, located across an airflow through the air filtration system, to a first voltage via electrical power supplied by a power supply. Electrical energy is discharged from the ionization array into the airflow. A field wire downstream of the ionization array is energized to a second voltage only by the discharge of electrical energy from the ionization array.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter device. The filter device comprises a housing with an air inlet and an filtered air outlet; a high voltage electric field region provided between two ends of the housing, wherein the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the direction along which the air is introduced into the housing; an ionization source provided in the electric field region to ionize the ionizable pollutants present in the air introduced from the air inlet and form the resultant ionized pollutants which will move towards both ends of the housing under the influence of the electric field; and a discharging device for discharging the ionized pollutants which have arrived at the ends of the housing out of the filter device. The present invention also relates to a filtering method of using the filter device, and a trace detector.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling the operation of an electrostatic precipitator (6) using a control strategy for a power to be applied between at least one collecting electrode (28) and at least one discharge electrode (26). The control strategy is directed to controlling, directly or indirectly, a power range and/or a power ramping rate. As such, the temperature of a process gas is measured. When the control strategy controls a power range, a power range is selected based on the measured temperature, an upper limit value of the power range being lower at a high temperature of said process gas, than at a low temperature. When the control strategy controls a power ramping rate, a power ramping rate is selected based on the measured temperature, a power ramping rate being lower at a high process gas temperature, than at a low process gas temperature.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator cell containing a collection assembly, a plurality of collection assembly ground plates disposed in the collection assembly, a plurality of banks disposed in the collection assembly, wherein each bank containing a collection assembly charge plate and a voltage isolator is described. Electrically isolating portions of an electrostatic precipitator cell results in reduced arcing and overall increases in cleaning efficiency. As air cleaner utilizing the electrostatic precipitator with isolated banks is also described.

Abstract: A flying air purifier includes a flying unit configured to fly within a space at a first elevation. The flying unit is also configured to fly within the space at a second elevation. The flying air purifier also includes an air purifier mounted to the flying unit and configured to remove particles from air within the space at the first elevation and at the second elevation. The air purifier includes an air inlet having a first charge and an air outlet having a second charge, wherein the second charge is opposite of the first charge.

Abstract: Present invention provides an air filter material using a laminated electret nonwoven fabric subjected to electret processing in which one layer or a plurality of layers of nonwoven fabrics (referred to as nonwoven fabric B) including fibers having a mean fiber diameter in the range of 10 micrometers to 100 micrometers and being larger than a mean fiber diameter of fibers constituting nonwoven fabric A are laminated on at least one side of a nonwoven fabric (referred to as nonwoven fabric A) obtained by mixing two kinds of fibers having a mean fiber diameter in the range of 0.1 micrometer to 15 micrometers and having a different melting point (fibers having a lower melting point are defined as fibers D and fibers having a higher melting point are defined as fibers E), and a laminated electret filter material having a low pressure loss and a high collection efficiency. The filter material is suitably used for a medical mask, an industrial mask, a general purpose mask or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for selecting particles, such as based on their morphology, is disclosed. In a particular example, the particles are charged and acquire different amounts of charge, or have different charge distributions, based on their morphology. The particles are then sorted based on their flow properties. In a specific example, the particles are sorted using a differential mobility analyzer, which sorts particles, at least in part, based on their electrical mobility. Given a population of particles with similar electrical mobilities, the disclosed process can be used to sort particles based on the net charge carried by the particle, and thus, given the relationship between charge and morphology, separate the particles based on their morphology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for separating particulate material from a gas flow, comprising a substantially elongate housing provided with a peripheral wall and an inlet opening for admitting the gas flow with particulate material into the housing; a number of electrodes extending in the housing up to a predetermined radial distance from the peripheral wall; and an outlet opening arranged downstream in the housing for discharging the gas flow, wherein the outlet opening extends from the axial centre line of the housing to a point some radial distance from a peripheral wall of the housing, and wherein the particulate material is guided into an intermediate space between the outlet opening and the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A multi-stage collector for multi-pollutant control that contains alternating narrow and wide sections with glow discharge electrodes in some narrow sections, a uniform electric field in wide sections for collecting particles charged by the glow discharge and streamer discharge electrodes in wide or narrow sections that convert and destroy harmful gaseous pollutants such as SO2, NOx and volatile organic compounds as well as convert heavy metals such as mercury into a particulate form. Steady state streamer discharge is supported by non-pulsed power supply. The streaming discharge can convert the polluting gases into nitric and sulfuric acid which can be removed by combining it with ammonia to form solid salts.

Abstract: In various aspects of the invention, electrostatic filters having insulated electrodes are described. In such embodiments, care is taken to prevent the accumulation of opposing charges on the insulation, which, over time, would serve to significantly degrade the strength of the electrostatic field created in the dielectric, and thus reduce the performance of the electrostatic filter. A variety of mechanisms are described for mitigating the opposing charge buildup problem.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger compartment air filter device comprising a filtration medium comprising (i) a first filter layer comprising a electrostatically charged split fiber nonwoven web layer and optionally a scrim affixed to said split fiber layer; (ii) a nonwoven web of electret charged thermoplastic microfibers as a second filter layer, said microfibers having an effective fiber diameter (EFD) of greater than 10 ?m and comprising a thermoplastic resin having a resistivity greater than 1014 ohm?cm and an additive selected from fluorochemical compounds or oligomers, organic triazine compounds or oligomers, hindered amine compounds, aromatic amine compounds, nitrogen containing hindered phenols, metal containing hindered phenols and mixtures thereof; said web having a basis weight less than 60 g/m2; and (iii) a support layer made of a web material having an air permeability of 3750 l/(m2×s) or more at 200 Pa; said first filter layer being upstream from said second filter layer and said support layer being downstre

Abstract: A method of utilizing a filter having a filter body removing solid particles from a fluid, in order to extend the life cycle of the filter body before cleaning or replacement thereof is required, characterized in applying to the fluid, upstream of the filter body, an AC electrical field of a frequency and intensity to agglomerate solid particles in the fluid reaching the filter body, such as to reduce the number of smaller particles in the fluid tending to clog the filter body. Also described are a plurality of filter constructions for extending the life cycle of the filter body in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: An air purifier for removing particles in air includes an outer casing, and an ionizer module. The ionizer module includes a power unit and an ionizing electrode unit, electrically connected to the power unit. The ionizing electrode unit includes a first electrode set as an electrode terminal disposed within the outer casing at an air inlet, a second electrode set disposed within the outer casing at an air outlet, and a third electrode set disposed within the outer casing at a position between the first and second electrode set, wherein a voltage of the third electrode set is higher than a voltage of the first electrode set for drawing the air from the first electrode set to the second electrode set via the second electrode set while dirt particles contained in the air is trapped on the second and the third electrode sets.

Abstract: A collecting device for collecting suspended particles includes a mobility analysis device; a collecting container connected to an outlet of the mobility analysis device; a discharge electrode disposed inside the collecting container for charging the particles inside the collecting container by generating single polar ions; and a collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles inside the collecting container by an electric potential difference relative to the discharge electrode. In the mobility analysis device, the particles are charged and guided into a flow path. An electric field is created in the flow path, and the particles are guided into the path perpendicular to the electric field. Since a mobility of a particle in an electric field depends on a size of the particle, the particles guided in the path are separated according to the electric field, thereby obtaining particles with sizes in a specific range.

Abstract: A laminar flow, wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with planar collecting electrodes preferably made of membranes, such as a woven silica fiber. The collecting electrodes are spaced close to planar discharge electrodes to promote laminar flow (Re<2300). Charging electrodes are positioned upstream of the wet ESP to charge the particulate entering the wet ESP to promote collection. The wet ESP is preferably downstream from a conventional turbulent dry ESP for collecting a substantial portion of the larger particulate in the gas stream prior to the gas stream entering the wet ESP.

Abstract: An electrical type grid electrostatic collector/separator removes particles from an air stream. The apparatus includes multiple parallel grids that act as the porous material, enclosed in a sealed compartment so that the entrained air flows parallel and between one or more centrally located grids. A direct current high voltage field is established between the grids with the polarities alternating between facing grids. The system is preferably used for conductive and semi-conductive materials because of the ease at which the particles can receive an induced charge. The charged particles are separated and collected when they are attracted toward the relatively open wire or woven grids and pass laterally through and onto the next attracting grid until they are out of the air stream and generally fall by gravity to the collection vessel. When non-conductive particles are present, external methods of pre-charging by corona discharge are preferably used.

Abstract: A laminar flow, wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with planar collecting electrodes preferably made of membranes, such as a woven silica fiber. The collecting electrodes are spaced close to planar discharge electrodes to promote laminar flow (Re<2300). Charging electrodes are positioned upstream of the wet ESP to charge the particulate entering the wet ESP to promote collection. The wet ESP is preferably downstream from a conventional turbulent dry ESP for collecting a substantial portion of the larger particulate in the gas stream prior to the gas stream entering the wet ESP.

Abstract: An dry horizontal flow electrostatic precipitator wherein a portion of the gas flow passing through the precipitator is extracted from the upper portion of the casing, such extraction flow having a lower particle concentration than gas flow at the bottom portion of the casing due to re-entrainment. The extraction gas flow is extracted by a manifold positioned at the top of the casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable air filtration system for removing contaminants from room air. In one embodiment, the air filtration system comprises a power supply and an air blower module electrically connected to the power supply. The air filtration system further comprises an ionization module engaged with the air blower module and comprising a first control grid and a high voltage grid electrically connected to the power supply. The air filtration system further comprises a filter module removably engaged with the ionization module. The filter module comprises a filter and a second control grid. Engagement of the filter module and the ionization module creates an electrical connection between the second control grid and the power supply. Activation of the air filtration system creates a first ionization field between the high voltage grid and the first control grid and a second ionization field between the high voltage grid and the second control grid.

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 method for obtaining devolatilized coal, utilizing a multi-zone electrostatic precipitator, from the air-borne effluent streams of coal fired boilers includes the steps of directing an effluent stream, generated by the combustion of coal and carrying a plurality of particles including carbon and ash, to an electrostatic precipitator, wherein the plurality of particles include first and second pluralities of particles including a first plurality of particles having a greater carbon to ash weight ratio than the second plurality of particles; de-energizing a first zone of the electrostatic precipitator and collecting a plurality of particles that exit the precipitator from the first zone, the plurality of particles collected at the first zone being substantially composed of the first plurality of particles.

Abstract: In electric filters with a negative corona, an aerosol is formed in the entrance area if ammonia is present in the flue gas, reducing the separation performance of the filter. To avoid this, spray electrodes and separation electrodes provided in the entrance area of the filter are wired so that a positive corona forms there. In sections downstream in the flow direction of the gas, spray electrodes and separation electrodes are wired such that a negative corona forms there.

Abstract: A dust neutralizing and flocculating system used in an air cleaning system for removing contaminants contained in indoor air including a radio frequency generating electrode and an ion generating electrode. Fine particles passing through a moderately efficient filter equipped in the air cleaning system sequentially pass through the radio frequency generating electrode and ion generating electrode. The fine particles are dipolarly magnetized while passing through the radio frequency generating electrode, thereby exhibiting an increased inter-particles attraction. The ion generating electrode adds cations and anions to the fine particles, thereby promoting the flocculation of the fine particles circulating in the room installed with the air cleaning system. By virtue of the promoted flocculations, the particle size of the particles circulating in the room increases. The particles with an increased size are secondarily removed by the filter.

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: An improved hot-side electrostatic precipitator is provided which more efficiently removes particulates such as fly ash from gases by substantially decreasing the occurrence of back corona discharge. The improved hot-side electrostatic precipitator is based upon the discovery that back corona discharge occurs primarily, if not entirely, in the accumulated particle layer in those sections of the collection plates having a temperature low enough to initiate back corona discharge.

Abstract: A photosensitive diazo composition for a pre-sensitized lithographic plate which exhibits an extended shelf life as well as improved printing performance, the composition comprising (a) a diazonium compound, (b) an organic high molecular weight binder, and (c) from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of oxalic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: NEGATIVE WORKING LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATES WHOSE COATING COMPRISES THE ADMIXTURE OF ACRYLATED ESTERS OF EPOXY RESINS WITH NEGATIVE WORKING LITHOGRAPHIC SENSITIZERS ARE FORMED, WHEREBY THE NON-IMAGE AREAS ARE REMOVABLE BY AQUEOUS ALKALI DEVELOPERS.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a two-component diazotype material comprising a film support and a light-sensitive layer thereon, the light-sensitive layer being composed of at least one polymeric hydrophobic binder, a light-sensitive diazonium salt and a coupler, the improvement that the light-sensitive layer additionally contains at least one resin containing acid groups, which resin has an acid number of at least about 100 and which is derived from the maleic acid or phthalic acid type.

Abstract: Composite foils for producing colored advertising indicia comprise a colored, tacky layer between two release foils, the colored layer being sensitive to light either as being solubilized in exposed areas, these areas being washed away to leave the indicia, or as being insolubilized by exposure, the unexposed areas being washed away.

Abstract: A light-sensitive printing plate having a matt layer, which is removable at development, on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A heat-developable diazotype sheet containing an acid-stabilized diazonium salt in one layer thereof and an acid-neutralizing component in another layer thereof is shown wherein at least 25% by weight of the acid-neutralizer component comprises imidazole derivatives of a specific formula.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate comprising a support having thereon a photosensitive layer comprising a photo-curable composition and an o-quinonediazide compound in an amount of about 0.05 to 4 parts by weight per part by weight of the photo-curable composition.

Abstract: Light sensitive coating compositions containing a dyestuff, which compositions exhibit improved adhesion to transparent film substrates, are disclosed. For example, the adhesion between a polyester base film and a light sensitive coating composition containing a light sensitive diazo material, a resinous binder and a dyestuff is improved by additionally incorporating into the composition an effective amount of an adhesion promoter based on a copolyester obtained by the esterification and subsequent polymerization of a lower alkylene glycol with a mixture of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and at least one acyclic dicarboxylic acid. These coating compositions may be readily removed from the base film by appropriate lithographic developer solutions without substantial residual staining of the film by the dyestuff present in the coating composition.

Abstract: A liquid developer for use in developing binary diazo copying materials which consists essentially of an alkali metal salt of an aminoacid and/or an alkaline earth metal salt of an aminoacid.

Abstract: The photosensitive composition contains a water-soluble graft copolymer of a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate grafted with acrylonitrile and optionally another vinylic monomer, a polymeric emulsion and a diazo compound. This composition possesses high resistance to solvent, abrasion and moisture and a favorable water-dissolubility as well.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a material adapted for imagewise exposure to actinic light comprising a transparent or translucent support having a positive-acting quinone diazide light-sensitive coating composition in direct contact with one surface thereof, the improvement comprising that the surface of said coating in direct contact with said support is substantially photodecomposed, and that a gradient exists in said coating wherein the percentage of undecomposed light-sensitive quinone diazide increases with increasing distance from said support. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the novel material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum base material for presensitized printing plates. The aluminum has an anodically produced oxide layer on the surface thereof, which layer is at least 0.0002 mm. thick, and the oxide layer is reacted with polyvinyl phosphonic acid.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein lithographic plates having an aluminum base the surface of which has been made porous and hardened first by an alternating current anodization in a hydrochloric acid electrolyte and then by a direct current anodization in a sulfuric acid electrolyte.

Abstract: Photographic element designed to prevent duplication by contact copying with actinic light, formed from a synthetic organic polymer having a nitrogen gas permeability suitable for use as a vehicle in a vesicular film, and a light sensitive diazotype composition dispersed therein in which the diazotype composition includes a light decomposable diazonium salt and a coupler for forming a dye with said diazonium salt. Upon image-wise exposure and development, the light-struck areas are vesiculated and an azo dye is formed in the nonlight-struck areas. The image formed from the vesicules relative to the azo dye provide sufficient contrast for viewing by projected light but insufficient contrast for contact copying with UV light.

Abstract: A processor for developing diazo film defined by a pair of flat platens disposed within a housing and spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the film. The housing includes intake and outlet openings aligned with the space between the platens and means for advancing an incoming film from the intake opening, through the space between the platens and for discharging it through the outlet opening. The platen facing the emulsion side of the film is heated and includes at least one passage through which a metered amount of aqueous ammonia is passed for each film that is to be developed. The ammonia is vaporized in the passage and discharged against the emulsion side of the film. A transverse groove in the emulsion facing surface of the platen communicates with the passage to distribute the ammonia vapor over the full width of the film. The developing temperature is between about 150.degree.-200.degree. F.

Abstract: Photographic masks, suitable for reproduction in a photoresist layer -- by exposure of the latter to actinic light under the mask, and development of the photo-resist image -- of the pattern of a microelectronic component or device, are made by exposure to light in accordance with an original (especially by contact exposure under a primary mask) containing the pattern to be reproduced, of light-sensitive material having a flat, rigid, dimensionally stable transparent base such as glass and a thin (e.g. 0.

Abstract: A method for producing an improved aluminum substrate for lithographic printing plates which comprises applying an interlayer bonding solution to the surface of an aluminum web, heating said interlayer solution on the surface of the said aluminum at an elevated temperature and removing any excess solution which has not reacted with the aluminum substrate.

Abstract: A diazotype material useful for making duplicates of continuous tone originals, such as X-ray films, comprising a transparent film support having a coating of a layer thereon consisting essentially of at least two light-sensitive diazo compounds having different photolysis rates, couplers for the diazo compounds, an ultraviolet radiation absorbing material and homogeneously distributed in the layer at least about 7% by weight, based on the weight of lacquer, of an inert particulate material such as silica. The use of this material makes it possible to approximate a logarithmic photolysis, thereby providing sufficient linearity in the corresponding characteristic curve to achieve the desired duplicating results.

Abstract: An imaging film comprising, as an essential component thereof, an imaging structure formed of a thin layer of a metal, or metal-like, image forming material on which there is provided a thin layer of an energy sensitive material. The imaging structure, in turn, has a coating or layer of a sensitizing material thereon which material comprises a composition formed of a mixture of one, or more, amines, organic halogen compounds and a polymer or copolymer. The sensitizing material acts not only to increase the absolute sensitivity of the basic imaging structure but, also, to extend its spectral sensitivity from essentially the invisible, or ultraviolet light region to the visible light region enabling the imaging film to be used as a primary recording film for the production, for example, of original microfilm having, among other things, uniquely high contrast, resolution and acuity characteristics.

Abstract: The density of defects formed during the exposure of a positive resist layer, due to the loss of photoresist in circular areas is reduced by the addition of an antistatic agent. The resist layer includes a phenol-formaldehyde resin and an o-diazoquinone photoactive compound and a suitable antistatic agent is a 2-alkyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium salt.

Abstract: A heat-tempered film element having a core-set curling tendency and a net core-set curl at least about 15% below that of a similar non-heat-tempered film element is provided by a process which comprises heating a sheet or roll of self-supporting, core-set-prone thermoplastic polymeric film, which is non-coated or is coated with one or more layers on at least one surface, under ambient relative humidity of less than 100%, at a temperature in the temperature range of from about 30.degree. C. up to about the glass transition temperature (Tg) of said polymer for 0.1 to 1500 hours, said heating being continued until the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the resulting film undergoes upon subsequent core-setting at 21.degree. C. and 50% R.H. for 2200 hours is reduced by at least 15%, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units untreated thermoplastic polymer film undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable air filter for use in heating, ventilating, cooling, and forced air systems. The air filter includes a media for filtering air and adapted to be cut with scissors, and a frame embracing the peripheral edges of the media. The frame includes a pair of male sections and a pair of female sections respectively telescopingly receiving the male sections. Also, the frame is adapted to be cut with scissors and is preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride. Each of the male sections includes a T-shaped projection and each of the female sections includes a complementary shaped T-shaped slot adapted to telescopingly receive the T-shaped projection for preventing inward separation of the sections from one another. In the preferred form the media is of the electrostatic type and includes at least one layer of polypropylene woven in an egg-crate pattern. Also, the layer preferably includes a pad of washable polyester material.