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: An air purification assembly (10) that is adapted to be used in combination with a vehicle incorporating a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system (100). The assembly (10) consists of three elements: an electrostatic stabilizing filter (12), a membrane filter (32) and an electronic ionizer (40). The three assemblies (12, 32, 40) when operating in combination with the HVAC system (100) substantially absorb unpleasant odors, smoke, dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and particulate matter produced by a vehicle exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger “carrier” particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionization region for imparting an opposite electrical charge to each of the flow streams, an agglomeration region receiving the flow streams to facilitate the agglomeration of the oppositely charged particles, and an outlet for exhausting the gas flow containing agglomerated particles to facilitate collection, processing or other activity on the agglomerated particles. The present invention provides an efficient system for gathering large amounts of small particles in a gas flow.

Abstract: An aerosol detector, particularly well suited for liquid chromatography applications, includes a corona discharge source controlled to selectively charge the non-volatile residue particles of an aerosol. The aerosol initially is composed of droplets of a liquid sample, with the residue particles resulting from droplet evaporation. The selectively charged residue particles, each carrying a charge in proportion to its size, are collected at a conductive filter. The electrical current along a conductor coupled to the filter is measured repeatedly or continuously to provide an indication of concentrations of the non-volatile material. Preferably, a pneumatic nebulizer is used to generate the aerosol. When used in a liquid chromatography system, the detector can yield several separated areas of relatively high electrical current, corresponding to concentrations of several different analytes in the liquid sample.

Abstract: A method of separating a low density fly ash fraction from an overall group of fly ash entrained in a gas stream including the steps of passing the gas through a duct having a first area; passing the gas stream from the duct through an expansion nozzle; passing the gas stream through the expansion nozzle and into a hollow body having a second area, whereby the second area is larger than the first area; decelerating the gas stream as it enters the expansion nozzle to separate out low density ash particles; and collecting the low density ash particles from a hopper positioned adjacent the expansion nozzle.

Abstract: A low density ash particle separation and collection method and device for separating low density particles, primarily frothy-solid particles with internal and external porosity and thick walled hollow particles, from the overall mixture of higher density particles including raw fly ash as produced by coal fired power plants. Specifically, the invention relates to a device and method for separating and collecting the low density fly ash fraction composed of thick walled hollow fly ash particles and frothy generally solid particles with both internal and external porosity and a relatively small amount of cenospheres from the overall mixture of ash particles composing raw ash as produced by coal fired power plants by de-energizing one or more fields of large electrostatic precipitators during electrostatic precipitation of the ash resulting in the dropping out of the lower density particles in the hoppers located below the de-energized field(s) of the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A low density ash particle separation and collection method and device for separating low density particles, primarily frothy-solid particles with internal and external porosity and thick walled hollow particles, from the overall mixture of higher density particles including raw fly ash as produced by coal fired power plants. Specifically, the invention relates to a device and method for separating and collecting the low density fly ash fraction composed of thick walled hollow fly ash particles and frothy generally solid particles with both internal and external porosity and a relatively small amount of cenospheres from the overall mixture of ash particles composing raw ash as produced by coal fired power plants by de-energizing one or more fields of large electrostatic precipitators during electrostatic precipitation of the ash resulting in the dropping out of the lower density particles in the hoppers located below the de-energized field(s) of the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A low density ash particle separation and collection method and device for separating low density particles, primarily frothy-solid particles with internal and external porosity and thick walled hollow particles, from the overall mixture of higher density particles including raw fly ash as produced by coal fired power plants. Specifically, the invention relates to a device and method for separating and collecting the low density fly ash fraction composed of thick walled hollow fly ash particles and frothy generally solid particles with both internal and external porosity and a relatively small amount of cenospheres from the overall mixture of ash particles composing raw ash as produced by coal fired power plants by de-energizing one or more fields of large electrostatic precipitators during electrostatic precipitation of the ash resulting in the dropping out of the lower density particles in the hoppers located below the de-energized field(s) of the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for removing suspended particles from a gas stream that directs at least a portion of such gas stream upwardly at the precipitator inlet. This causes the gas flow near the bottom of the treatment zone in the precipitator to have a lower velocity. The gas flow near the bottom has a greater number of suspended particles as particles dislodged from the gas flow above may re-enter the gas flow at a point below. The slowed gas flow is in contact with the treatment zone for a longer period of time, thereby allowing for more particles to be dislodged.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a fluid containing size-controlled particles that is optimized with respect to use of a target fluid as a matrix fluid under conditions approximating actual conditions. In a preferred embodiment, size-controlled SiO2 particles are obtained by mixing and dispersing SiO2 starting particles having various sizes in a N2 carrier gas followed by fractionation with a fractionator. The size-controlled particles are electrostatically collected by a porous member from the carrier gas flow. Ultrasonic vibrations are then applied to the porous member while a HCl matrix fluid flows through the porous member loaded with the size-controlled particles. This causes release of the size-controlled particles from the porous member and their admixture and dispersion into the HCl matrix fluid.

Abstract: The process serves for removing carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen from an air stream by catalytic oxidation. Dusts and/or aerosols of a particle size of less than 20 &mgr;m are removed from the air stream upstream of the catalytic oxidation.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device for filtering internal combustion engine exhaust gases, comprising an electrostatic filtering chamber equipped with electrostatic filtering means, a line for supplying gases into the chamber, in fluid communication with an inlet of the chamber, at one of the ends of the supply line, the other end of the supply line being provided with an opening having an inlet orifice adapted to allow the penetration of the exhaust gases and of a flow of ambient air for cooling the exhaust gases. In this device, the means for drawing the exhaust gases and the air flow are mounted downstream of an outlet of the chamber, to allow the mixture of air and gases to pass into the said chamber and reject the filtered gases into the environment and a filter for coarse solid particles and droplets derived from the mixture is mounted in the chamber, upstream of the electrostatic filtering means.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulates and corrosive gases from a gas stream includes the serial use of a condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section for removing smaller particulates, in the submicron range, in conjunction with a vertically aligned preliminary scrubber section which removes larger particulates, in the micron range, and corrosive gases, in an integrated unit in which the temperature and moisture conditions in the gas stream are controlled for assuring effective and efficient operation of the condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section. Discharge electrodes of the electrostatic precipitator are supported by insulators which are protected against deleterious deposits of particulates by discharge electrode elements and collector electrode elements placed between the gas stream and the insulators.

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: An exhaust emissions filtering system for filtering of particulate matter from a flow of exhaust. The exhaust emissions filtering system comprises an ultrasonic transducer unit, an ultraviolet light unit, a magnetic particle filter unit, and an electronic control unit. The exhaust emissions filtering system removes particulates from exhaust emissions by fracturing the particles with the ultrasonic transducer unit, further breaking down the fractured particles with a high-intensity ultraviolet light, and removing the particles with an electrostatic mesh that is located in the magnetic particle filter unit.

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: Method to remove organic halogenated molecules from gaseous currents arriving as a residue of industrial working processes or not, the gaseous current being delivered into a reactor (16) containing a fluid bed consisting of at least one solid adsorbent element after having undergone at least one filtration followed by a cooling, the gaseous current cooperating with the solid particles with exchange by adsorption between the gaseous current and the solid particles, the reactor (16) achieving a time of contact between the gaseous current and the solid particles at least longer than 3 seconds, the gaseous current which enters the reactor (16) having a temperature lower than 80.degree. C., but advantageously between 30.degree. and 70.degree. C., the cooling of the gaseous current upstream of the reactor (16) being followed by a gas/water or gas/air heat exchanger (13).

Abstract: A clog-resistant filter and method for extracting fine particulate contaminants, such as smoke, from a gaseous fluid stream, such as air, uses an induced voltage electrode to efficiently capture the contaminant particles in a filter material whose pores are many times larger than the diameter of the particles to be captured. The filter material is physically so configured to further enhance that interaction and is disposed between at least a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A method for reducing pollution emissions from a glass melting furnace using electrostatic granular bed (EGB) technology. The granules in the EGB filter are themselves formed from an alkaline earth metal material. The granules react with sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas and form a layer of alkaline earth metal sulfates and sulfites in the granules. Simultaneously alkali metal-containing particles are deposited on the granules. The accumulated layers of pollutants are easily removed by mechanical agitation.

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: A method and apparatus for simultaneously preheating cullet and removing pollutants from glass furnace gases is disclosed. Raw moist cullet having fine glass dust material and other impurities adhered to its surface is heated by furnace gases which remove the moisture and the impurities by entrainment. The dry, clean cullet is then electrically charged and used to filter the exhaust gases which have been electrostatically charged.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter of a combination of a layer of filter material having electrostatic properties and a layer of filter medium without electrostatic properties. The medium is a lofted material arranged to retain particles in the sub-micron and lower micron ranges, and in use, is located upstream of the material. The invention also includes a method of filtering dust from the atmosphere utilizing the electrostatic filter.

Abstract: A method for reducing pollution emissions from a glass melting furnace using electrostatic granular bed (EGB) technology is disclosed. In one embodiment, sorbent dust containing an alkaline earth metal material, e.g., calcium, is injected into a prereactor for reaction with furnace exhaust gases. A layer of calcium material forms over the granules. These granules are co-mingled with granules from an EGB filter which, over a period of time, retain a layer of low resistivity alkali metal salt. The resulting mixture of granules maintains a high resistivity and therefore prolongs the life of granules used in the EGB filter. In an alternative embodiment, the granules in the EGB filter are themselves formed from an alkaline earth metal material. The granules react with sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas and form a layer of alkaline earth metal sulfates and sulfites in the granules. Simultaneously alkali metal-containing particles are deposited on the granules.

Abstract: For the separation of dioxins and furans from exhaust gases from combustion plants, particularly from refuse incinerating plants, a process is described in which the dust and the gaseous pollutants HF, HCl, SO.sub.2, and SO.sub.3 are first substantially entirely separated from the exhaust gases in known manner, the thus prepurified exhaust gas is then supplied to a wet-process electrostatic precipitator, and 10 to 500 mg activated carbon powder per sm.sup.3 are added to the prepurified exhaust gas immediately before it enters the wet-process electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing emissions, originated in the manufacturing industry, especially from polymerization operations and thermoplastic polymer processing operations which includes collecting the air, containing the emissions, directing the air, containing the emissions through a first heat exchanger thereby cooling the air, directing the air, exiting the first heat exchanger, through a second heat exchanger, thereby cooling the air, directing the air exiting the second heat exchanger to a liquid removal system and directing the air, exiting the liquid removal system through the first heat exchanger, thereby heating the air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing emissions, originated in the manufacturing industry, especially from polymerization operations and thermoplastic polymer processing operations by collecting the air, containing the emissions, cooling the air, directing the air to a liquid removal system and heating the air.

Abstract: A composite filter media is formed of a plurality of layers. A central layer of electrostatically charged material formed of a carded mixture of polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene and electro-negative substituted organic resin fibers such as modacrylic acrylonitrile-vinyl, chloridevinylidene chloride copolymer efficiently filter more than 99% of 0.1 to 0.5 micron particles. A flame retardant prefilter layer of polyester removes large particles and a backing of flame retardant linear polyester provides tear resistance. An optional layer of electrostatically charged, melt blown, polyolefin such as polypropylene prevents the central layer from loading up by effectively filtering intermediate sized particles.

Abstract: An electrostatically stimulated air filter and process, contemplates a housing having an fluid intake and a fluid exhaust; a upstream electrode, disposed downstream of the fluid intake, for carrying a ground potential; a filter, disposed downstream of the prefilter, for filtering out contaminants in the fluid; an ionizing electrode, disposed between the filter and the prefilter, for carrying a second potential; and a downstream electrode, disposed downstream of the filter, for carrying a ground potential; and a fan, downstream of the filter, for driving air through the prefilter and the filter. Ionization of incoming fluid occurs as a result of electric fields generated by the downstream electrode, the ionizing electrode, and the upstream electrode. The filter comprises an upstream dielectric layer and a downstream conductive layer, usually fibers coated with activated carbon powder.

Abstract: A pollution control system and method in which hot flue gas is cooled to saturation in a quencher and passed through a condenser absorber assembly to further cool the saturated gases while growing small particles as the particles act as nuclei for the condensation of water vapor thereon. The grown particles are carried through an aperture having a low pressure drop throat so that high efficiency particle collection is accomplished. At its outlet, the aperture produces a concentration of the gases and water droplets. A dome shaped gas reverser, having its concave surface directed upstream, is located spaced apart from the aperture and in substantial alignment with the outlet of the aperture. The gas reverser receives the gas stream as it exits the aperture, mixing and diffusing the gas and its constituents as they change direction to spill out over the lip of the gas reverser.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating electric charges in a clean room is disclosed involving removing fine and superfine grains from air in the clean room, and generating ions in the thus purified air inside the room.