Abstract: Method and apparatus for the removal of particulate matter, fumes, mists and noxious gases from a gas stream utilizing selectively sized and electrically charged water droplets, preferably between 30 and 60 microns, that exhibit significantly enhanced affinity for smaller uncharged particles through dielectrophoretic attraction, said droplets being present in such relatively low concentration that performance is not limited by space charge. The charged droplets are caused to move relative to the gas stream by inertial or electrostatic means, or both, at such a velocity and path as to maximize encounters between charged droplets and the particles to be collected.