Abstract: A pluggable state-of-charge (SOC) indicator and methods of use are disclosed. The pluggable SOC indicator includes at least one voltage input jack for connecting to a battery, at least one instance of control electronics, and at least one SOC indicator, such as a 5-bar liquid crystal display (LCD). Embodiments of the pluggable SOC indicator include, but are not limited to, a pluggable single-connector SOC indicator, a pluggable dual-connector SOC indicator, and a pluggable quad-connector SOC indicator. Further, the control electronics are programmable for any input voltage range and/or battery discharge characteristics.

Abstract: The present application provides a turbine inlet air filter system for filtering a flow of air about a compressor. The turbine inlet air filter system may include an inlet filter house and an inlet duct extending from the inlet filter house to the compressor. The inlet duct may include an air elbow with an elbow gate thereon.

Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing pathogens or odoriferous or gaseous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules, optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, optionally (f) an ozone sensor, optionally (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, and optionally (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for recycling ash fines emanating from fluidized bed reactor to ash classifier thereof. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a reaction vessel, a conical gas distribution grid positioned therein which defines the bottom surface of the fluidized bed, a first venturi connected to the bottom of the gas distribution grid, and a classifier connected to the bottom of the first venture. The method comprises separating the fine ash particles from the exit gas stream, and using a transport gas stream to deliver the fine ash particles collected into the classifier wherein the transport gas is used as all or part of classifier gas.

Abstract: A method for converting soot particles of an exhaust gas includes providing at least nitrogen dioxide or oxygen in the exhaust gas, ionizing soot particles with an electric field, depositing electrically charged soot particles on inner channel walls of at least one surface precipitator, and bringing at least nitrogen dioxide or oxygen into contact with the deposited soot particles on the inner channel walls of the at least one surface precipitator. A device for carrying out the method includes at least one surface precipitator having a plurality of channels through which the exhaust gas can flow and extending between an inlet region and an outlet region, and at least one deposit inhibitor for electrically charged soot particles provided in at least part of the inlet region, especially allowing the soot particles to be evenly deposited and the surface precipitator to be continuously regenerated.

Abstract: A smoke removal apparatus, capable of operating in a confined space without ventilation of the apparatus to the atmosphere to provide removal of smoke from air to be treated. The apparatus includes one or more of the following filters: a mechanical filter; an electrostatic filter; and/or a chemical filter. The apparatus is arranged to collect smoke from a relatively higher position, pass smoke through the one or more filters/and expel treated air to a relatively lower position.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: This application describes a method and apparatus for removing a wide range of particles from a source of gas flow or separation of particulates from dust, mist, or vapor generating devices. An innovative use of open porous materials, which causes little pressure drop, in combination with an electrostatic grids structure is described. The apparatus is capable of removing particulates in the size range 0.01 to 1 micrometer with efficiencies as high as 99.5%. A key feature of the apparatus is that the air to be purified flows parallel to the filters instead of through them, which results in very low power consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration system and method that uses a corona discharge grid and a series of electrostatic grids to filter ambient particles. The filtration system eliminates, or greatly reduces, the pressure drop across the associated filter media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particles preferentially accelerates particles to a rotating collector, which then reliably conveys collected particles to a discharge with minimal re-entrainment of the particles in the fluid stream. The collector minimizes energy transfer to the fluid and maximizes separation under conditions of high particle loading, fine particle content, or both. The separator may be operated in any vertical, horizontal or oblique orientation, or within devices whose orientation varies over time.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing pollutants in a gas stream are disclosed. The gas stream is introduced into a condensation chamber to condense the gas stream. It then proceeds into a first reaction chamber adapted to electrochemically alter the gas stream. From there, the gas stream is directed into a reduction chamber adapted to reduce pollutants and a resonance chamber adapted to ionize the gas stream. The gas stream is then directed into a second reaction chamber adapted to further reduce pollutants in the stream. After treatment, the gas stream may be discharged into the atmosphere or recirculated through the apparatus to further reduce pollutants in the gas stream, the latter providing for a closed-looped system.

Abstract: Provided are plasma-aided gas storage methods and apparatus. In one embodiment, a porous powder bed assembly equipped with corona discharge electrodes is used to generate a non-equilibrium plasma of negatively ionized gas molecules which absorb onto porous particles, e.g., activated charcoal, to form a gas storage entity. Gas adsorbed onto the particles is desorbed at moderate temperatures by aid of ultraviolet light illumination.

Abstract: An emission treatment system includes a separation device having a vessel that includes an inlet for receiving an emission stream having entrained solid particles. A first outlet from the vessel discharges captured solid particles from the emission stream and a second outlet from the vessel discharges a clean stream having fewer entrained solid particles than the emission stream received into the separation device. A particle collector is fluidly connected with the separation device and includes a collection portion for capturing solid particles from the emission stream.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particles preferentially accelerates particles to a rotating collector, which then reliably conveys collected particles to a discharge with minimal re-entrainment of the particles in the fluid stream. The collector minimizes energy transfer to the fluid and maximizes separation under conditions of high particle loading, fine particle content, or both. The separator may be operated in any vertical, horizontal or oblique orientation, or within devices whose orientation varies over time.

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: Systems for and methods of providing air purification and cleaning in combination with odor elimination in a single unit, such as a tabletop unit for home or office use, are disclosed. The air cleaning device includes a housing, an air intake port, an air movement mechanism, a pre-ionizer, a filter, a post-ionizer, an air exhaust port, and a flow chamber for holding a compound such as an odor elimination supply. An air movement mechanism, ozone removal mechanism, and/or filter/odor elimination assembly may also be present.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of connectors used to connect gas sources to apparatus for the administration or other use of gas or mixtures of gases, and more specifically to filters used to remove biological contaminants that might be colonized with the pressurized containers used in gas administration for respiratory support of a user or patient or other applications where biological contamination is not desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using deep pleated filters to provide efficient and safe electrically enhanced filtering (EEF), with ultra low pressure drop, higher efficiency of particulate removal and higher dirt holding capacity over the life of the filter. An EEF may be constructed with a housing, with or without an internal air moving device such as a fan, a deeply pleated filter, preferably a V-pack filter with sets of downstream ground electrodes and charge transfer electrodes borne by the exterior surface of the filter packs that form the filtering element. An ionizer assembly that ionizes the gas and charges particles entering the deeply pleated filter and also transfers a charge to the charge transfer electrodes on the filter pack. A plate seals the gasket on the filtering element against the ionizing assembly. A high electrical potential is applied to charging elements in the ionizer and, in some embodiments, a fan or motor assembly.

Abstract: A method of removing mercury from a coal fired power plant exhaust gas includes passing the exhaust gas through a bulk particle filter to remove coarse particles, introducing powdered activated carbon into the exhaust gas downstream of the bulk particle filter, introducing mercury laden powdered activated carbon containing exhaust gas into a fine particle filter to separate the mercury containing powdered activated carbon from the exhaust gas, separating the powdered activated carbon from the mercury at an elevated temperature in an inert gas environment and recirculating the separating powdered activated carbon into the exhaust gas upstream from the fine particle filter. The desorption is preferably effected at a temperature of about 300 to 500° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. The method is adapted to remove mercury which may be on the order of about 1 to 1000 ppm to 1 to 10 micrograms/cubic meter of exhaust gas. Corresponding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An air purification and disinfection apparatus incorporates an air inlet filter (1) spanning the intake of the apparatus, an ultraviolet light source (2) for treating the air within a chamber (14) of the apparatus, and an equalising screen (3) spanning the outlet of the apparatus. The chamber (14) is lined with a reflective sheet (11) or coating such that the ultraviolet light is reflected around the chamber (14). The air inlet filter (1) removes larger airborne particles from the airflow prior to entering the chamber (14). The light source (2) may be located in the chamber (14) or in a housing (16) which communicates with the chamber (14). With the reflective surface of the chamber (14), the intensity of the light source (2) can be maintained when dirt begins to build up on the light source (2), thereby extending the length of time that passes between each cleaning of the light source (2).

Abstract: A multi-stage collector of the type used to collect particles from industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones can be elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes can provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The collector can also be used to clean inlet gas in gasification plants and to collect re-usable materials from a gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as an in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: A method for separating phases of a mixture comprising and oil-water together with gas. At least a substantial part of the gas is separated from the emulsion before the emulsion is introduced into a separator tank. The oil-water emulsion from which the gas has been separated is conducted to a liquid-liquid cyclone for further separating the phases of the emulsion. The liquid-liquid cyclone is located inside the separator tank. The emulsion is conducted to the separator tank for separating the oil from the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing means and adsorption and/or absorption means so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: An air purifier discharges air directly to a room without forcing the air to pass through a HEPA filter when the level of contaminations in the air, such as dust particles, is determined to be sufficiently low. The air purifier thus minimizes air pressure loss and attenuates operational noise caused by the HEPA filter, through which air passes. In an aspect, the air purifier includes a main body defining an air passage therein to allow sucked air to pass therethrough prior to being discharged, and a first filter installed in the main body to be switched between a dosed state and an open state. The first filter removes contaminants from the sucked air in the dosed state, and allows the sucked air to pass smoothly through the air passage in the open state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using deep pleated filters to provide efficient and safe electrically enhanced filtering (EEF), with ultra low pressure drop, higher efficiency of particulate removal and higher dirt holding capacity over the life of the filter. An EEF may be constructed with a housing, with or without an internal air moving device such as a fan, a deeply pleated filter, preferably a V-pack filter with sets of downstream ground electrodes and charge transfer electrodes borne by the exterior surface of the filter packs that form the filtering element. An ionizer assembly that ionizes the gas and charges particles entering the deeply pleated filter and also transfers a charge to the charge transfer electrodes on the filter pack. A plate seals the gasket on the filtering element against the ionizing assembly. A high electrical potential is applied to charging elements in the ionizer and, in some embodiments, a fan or motor assembly.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtered mask enclosure having an exterior portion and interior regions within the exterior portion such that the interior regions have a filtering region and a purging region connected to the filtering region. The present invention further includes a method of removing a first contaminant in a gas phase, a second contaminant in a solid phase, and a third contaminant having an electrical charge from a purge gas and flowing the purge gas through a vicinity of a mask while exposing a wafer with light through the mask.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling particulate air pollutants of the present invention combines filtration and electrostatic collection devices. The invention includes a chamber housing a plurality of rows of filter elements. Between the rows of filter elements are rows of high voltage discharge electrodes. Between the rows of discharge electrodes and the rows of filter elements are grounded perforated plates for creating electrostatic precipitation zones.

Abstract: An air cleaner having a minus ion generator and a positive electrode. The minus ion generator carries a high minus voltage, and the positive electrode carries a high plus voltage. Preferably, the minus ion generator has a heater. The air cleaner may have an absorbing sheet positioned close to the positive electrode. Preferably, the minus ion generator is spaced apart from the positive electrode by a distance not less than a half of the maximum distance between walls of room. Preferably, the high plus voltage is not less than 4,000 Volts, and the absolute value of the high minus voltage is larger than the absolute value of the high plus voltage. Preferably, the air cleaner has a sterilizing function.

Abstract: An electrostatically stimulated air filtering device includes a dielectric filter material having an inlet side and an opposed outlet side for filtering out contaminants in an air stream directed through the device. A grounded control electrode is positioned upstream of the filter material, and an ionizer electrode is positioned between the control electrode and the filter material. A flexible ground electrode is positioned downstream of the filter material, the ground electrode being comprised of an electrically conductive painted coating confined to and in planar contact with the outlet side of the filter material.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling particulate air pollutants of the present invention combines filtration and electrostatic collection devices. The invention includes a chamber housing a plurality of rows of filter elements. Between the rows of filter elements are rows of high voltage discharge electrodes. Between the rows of discharge electrodes and the rows of filter elements are grounded perforated plates for creating electrostatic precipitation zones.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the number of particles within a chamber of a fabrication tool located within a gray area of a clean room. A portable clean room station is provided that is capable of producing a white environment having fewer particles than the gray environment. The portable clean room station is positioned so that the chamber is exposed to the white environment of the portable clean room station rather than to the gray environment when the chamber is opened within the gray area. The white environment, which has fewer particles than the gray environment, is produced by employing the portable clean room station, and the chamber is then opened. Thereafter maintenance is performed on the opened chamber. Preferably the white environment is selected so as to have at least two orders of magnitude fewer particles per cubic foot than the gray environment.

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 and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

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 device and method for controlling particulate air pollutants of the present invention combines filtration and electrostatic collection devices. The invention includes a chamber housing a plurality of rows of filter elements. Between each row of filter elements is a grounded plate. Between the grounded plates and the filter elements are electrode grids for creating electrostatic precipitation zones between each row of filter elements. In this way, when the filter elements are cleaned by pulsing air in a reverse direction, the dust removed from the bags will collect in the electrostatic precipitation zones rather than on adjacent filter elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: An air cleaner with separate ozone gas and ionized air outputs, and method of purifying air is provided. The air cleaner includes an exterior housing which houses an ozone generator component and a ionized air generator component. In operation, air is drawn through the air cleaner by means of a blower and is first passed through a multi-layered filter. The air then passes through an ionizer which ionizes the air and induces on it a net negative electric charge. As the ionized air is recirculated back into the device, the negatively charged air is electrostatically precipitated by the filter which maintains a net positive electric charge. The ozone generator component within the housing draws in air via an air pump which produces an output of pressurized air to the ozone generator. Within a mixing chamber of the ozone generator, the pressurized air is mixed with ozone produced therein and is then output through an independent ozone outlet tube.

Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaner is disclosed for use in removing particulate matter from moving streams of air. A high voltage ionizer is used as a corona source to ionize the particulate matter as it approaches the air filter portion of the electrostatic air cleaner. The air filter uses reticulated polyether foam filter media for collecting the particulate matter, and the filter media is non-deliquescent, thus preventing the high-voltage electric field from being dissipated by imbedded water vapor, which is the cause of filter inefficiency in the prior art. In one embodiment, the air filter uses strips of conductive material raised to a very high DC voltage interleaved between strips of conductive material held to ground potential, and these strips are oriented so as to be parallel to the direction of the air flow through the air filter's foam filter media, thereby creating an electric field that is perpendicular to the direction of air flow.

Abstract: An integrated SCR ESP employs catalytic collector plates for NO.sub.x and particulate removal. Ammonia injected either directly in the ESP or upstream therefrom catalytically reduces NO.sub.x to nitrogen and water. The excess ammonia assists in capturing particulates in the ESP. This prevents problems of ammonia slippage. The SCR catalytic collector plates are positioned in at least one field of the ESP and preferably in at least the first field.

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.

Abstract: A method of depth filtration of particles from a fluid carrying particles including providing in a deep filter a quantity of filter medium elements, at least some of the elements being ionically conductive, applying an electric field to the deep filter to cooperate with individual the elements, permitting or causing said fluid with particles to flow into the deep filter, influencing the movement of particles in the deep filter by the electric field to enhance the filtration of the particles from the fluid. Suitable elements are polyacrylic fibers treated with caustic soda to modify the surface charge, where the electrical conductivity of the fibers vary within individual fibers and between different fibers. The application also concerns an apparatus where the filter medium is supported by a plastic mesh. Disc electrodes permit drinking water to be purified.

Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaner is disclosed along with a method for removing particulate matter from moving streams of air. A high voltage ionizer is used as a corona source to ionize the particulate matter as it approaches the air filter portion of the electrostatic air cleaner. The air filter uses a pair of reticulated polyether foam filters for collecting the particulate matter. The foam filters are separated by a thin, grid-like layer of semiconductive material (carbon-impregnated polycarbonate) which is raised to a very high DC voltage. The foam filters are also surrounded by thin, grid-like layers of electrically conductive material which are held at ground potential, thus creating a high-voltage electric field through each of the foam filters. The polyether foam filter media is non-deliquescent, thus preventing the high-voltage electric field from being dissipated by such imbedded water vapor, which is the cause of filter inefficiency in the prior art.

Abstract: A sulfur trioxide conditioning system includes a catalytic converter that converts a portion of the sulfur dioxide in a flow of flue gas to sulfur trioxide. The catalytic converter includes a catalyst support, which is disposed across at least a portion of the cross section of a main duct from a burner to a heat recovery apparatus, and a catalyst on the catalyst support. The amount of the catalyzed surface exposed to the flow of flue gas is selectively varied to control the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide.