Abstract: An improved collector structure is disclosed which is adapted for use in electrostatic precipitators to increase the efficiency of operation by increasing the electric field uniformity in the device and by reducing the power consumption without appreciably increasing reentrainment of the precipitated particles during operation. The collector is provided with an insulating material of the type which has an electrical relaxation time, .rho..epsilon., that is preferably greater than that associated with the particle current in the gas near the collector electrode, a triboelectric rank that is as low as possible if the collector electrode is negatively charged or as high as possible if the collector electrode is positively charged with respect to the opposite electrode and a thickness and resistivity such that the voltage drop across the insulation does not exceed about 5 to 10% of the applied voltage between the oppositely charged electrodes of the precipitator.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which are particularly efficient in removing small as well as large particles. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. A source of ions is provided by bombardment of the effluent gas stream with electrons. A strong electric field established between the electrodes creates at least one region of ions having only one polarity and moves these ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. In the region having ions of one sign, these ions rapidly charge the particles, especially small sized particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which offer improved efficiency in removing particles of all sizes. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. Ions of one sign enter the effluent gas stream from a thermionic ion emitter. A strong electric field is established between the electrodes to move the ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. These ions of one sign rapidly charge the particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing matter, particularly chemical compounds, to constituent elements in a high temperature environment (a plasma) and separating one of the elements from the other elements. Reduction is effected by raising the input compound to a high temperature -- thermally disassociating it. Separation is effected by partly ionizing one of the species (elements) to be separated and moving the resultant mixture of gas and plasma at a velocity (v) through a magnetic field (B) having a vector component (B.sub..vertline.) perpendicular to the plasma velocity vector. The interaction of the perpendicular and parallel components of the magnetic field with the ions and electrons in the plasma produces a separating force perpendicular to the direction of plasma flow. The separating force acts on the entire specie which is significantly ionized even though it is only partially ionized.