Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of particles from a flow of gas, where both large, heavy and small, light particles can be separated off from the gas by means of the combined effect of an electrostatic attraction force and a centrifugal force in a centrifugal separator (10) of the type that comprises a rotor (14) that has a plurality of adjacent surface elements (16) with intermediate gas flow gaps (48) and that is mounted in such a way that it can rotate in a surrounding casing (12), which casing has an inlet (18) for unclean gas and an outlet (22) for clean gas and an outlet (24) for separated-of f particles. A charging unit (44) ionizes the particles upstream of the rotor (14). An electrical field is generated between adjacent surface elements (16) of the rotor in order to attract the ionized light particles towards a face of the surface elements by means of the electrostatic force.

Abstract: A gas recovery system is disclosed. The gas recovery system includes a gas source productive of a gaseous stream comprising moisture, a gas dryer in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas source, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas dryer. The gas dryer is disposed to receive the gaseous stream and produce a delivery stream absent moisture and a slipstream comprising moisture. The electrochemical compressor is disposed to receive the slipstream at a first pressure and produce a compressed stream at a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel gas filter structure, a filtering method and a method of producing the filter structure. The structure according to the invention comprises a planar, porous isolation material layer (12) having two opposing surfaces. According to the invention both surfaces of the isolation material layer (12) comprise a porous conductive layer (14, 16) comprising a porous filtering matrix treated with a conductive material. The conductive material consists of a material different from the support matrix. By means of the conductive layers it is possible to create in the isolation material an electric field that considerably improves the filtering efficiency of the isolation material, especially for small particles.

Abstract: An air scrubber, system, and method of use are provided. The air scrubber includes an electrospray nozzle for creating an ionic fluid electrospray plume; an air sample intake positioned to provide an air sample interacting with the ionic fluid electrospray plume; and a counter electrode positioned to collect the electrospray plume. The selected chemicals in the air sample are captured by ionic fluid electrospray plume and accumulate on the counter electrode.

Abstract: A dust collector includes a charging part (12) for charging dust with electricity and a dust collecting part (30). Each of a dust collecting electrode (40) and a high-voltage electrode (50) that constitute the dust collecting part (30) includes: a base (41, 51) with a rectangular grid structure having a large number of vent holes (46, 56) formed therein; and projections (42, 52) extending into the vent holes (56, 46) of the opposed electrode (50, 40). The dust collector collects dust by generating an electric field between the dust collecting electrode (40) and the high-voltage electrode (50).

Abstract: Electrostatic system is for optimal charging of aerosols and particulates. In order to improve their collection, the system uses a combination of DC field and AC fields produced by multiple AC electrodes. The system minimizes the size and power consumption of the device, as well as increasing the collection efficiency.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatuses and methods for collecting particulates use an aperture air flow control system and an inline series of alternating discharge and grid type electrodes each with a separate electrical circuit centrally located between either parallel grid electrodes or plate electrodes. In another embodiment, an external enclosed pre-discharger design and physical arrangement improves agglomeration of sub-micron particles. In yet another embodiment, an external opposing dual channel discharger design also improves agglomeration of particles. In another embodiment, two or more separate electrode arrangements are used within a collecting chamber to improve the operation and collection efficiency of the apparatus. The present invention also preferably increases the frequency of recharging the particles, to increase collection efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration enhancement apparatus and an associated method. The apparatus includes a number of electromagnetic grids that are placed in series. The first grid conditions ambient particles to generate particles with both a positive and a negative charge. These charged particles are then delivered to a second and third grid wherein a low, medium, and/or high frequency alternating current is employed to force the positive and negative charged particles to collide and conglomerate with one another. The conglomerated particles are then sent into the ambient environment for subsequent filtration.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for a cold arc discharge used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a method for cleaning a gas containing particulate impurities. The device includes a main separator having an inlet for the gas, an outlet for the gas and a rotating member provided between the inlet and the outlet. The rotating member is adapted to bring the gas to rotate for separating by means of centrifugal forces a main amount of the particulate impurities from the gas, wherein a rest amount of the particulate impurities remains in the gas. The device also includes an additional separator adapted to separate substantially the whole rest amount. The additional separator includes an electrostatic filter.

Abstract: A dual ion generating module is incorporated into a conventional household appliance. The module alternately generates both positive (Antions) and negative (Anions) ions when the appliance is powered.

Abstract: There is provided a flotage trapping device using electrostatic field. The flotage trapping device comprises a body including a power source portion and a boosting portion for boosting, fed from the power source portion, and a collector portion including a collector to which the plus and/or minus high voltage obtained from the boosting portion is applied. The collector portion is formed as a collector cassette by unitizing the collector portion in the form of cassette. A fixing mechanism is provided between the body and the collector cassette for connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. The electric connecters for high voltage is provided between the body and the collector cassette for electrically connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. As a result the collector cassette is detachably mounted on the body.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator element comprises preferably a mesh made of at least two individually insulated conductors with defined openings therebetween. An electrical field in the openings electrostatically attracts suspended particulate to a respective conductors for collection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration enhancement apparatus and an associated method. The apparatus includes a number of electromagnetic grids that are placed in series. The first grid conditions ambient particles to generate particles with both a positive and a negative charge. These charged particles are then delivered to a second and third grid wherein a low, medium, and/or high frequency alternating current is employed to force the positive and negative charged particles to collide and conglomerate with one another. The conglomerated particles are then sent into the ambient environment for subsequent filtration.

Abstract: A dual-filter electrically enhanced air-filtration apparatus and method are described. One embodiment includes an upstream electrically enhanced filter; a downstream electrically enhanced filter; a first control electrode adjacent to an upstream side of the upstream electrically enhanced filter; a second control electrode adjacent to a downstream side of the downstream electrically enhanced filter; and an ionizing electrode disposed between the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters, the ionizing electrode having an electrical potential with respect to the first and second control electrodes. Optional field electrodes may be included to enhance the electric fields associated with the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters.

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: A filtration device including a filtration medium having a plurality of nanofibers of diameters less than 1 micron formed into a fiber mat in the presence of an abruptly varying electric field. The filtration device includes a support attached to the filtration medium and having openings for fluid flow therethrough. A device for making a filter material. The device includes an electrospinning element configured to electrospin a plurality of fibers from a tip of the electrospinning element, a collector opposed to the electrospinning element configured to collect electrospun fibers on a surface of the collector, and an electric field modulation device configured to abruptly vary an electric field at the collector at least once during electrospinning of the fibers. A method for making a filter material.

Abstract: Positive and negative electrode needles, an air-blowing outlet, and a protection cover for covering these electrode needles and the air-blowing outlet are attached to an electrode cartridge which is attached to a housing, and an air-blowing hole positioned in front of the air-blowing outlet in a concentric manner therewith, for blowing out air from the air-blowing outlet toward the outside, and two air-flowing-out holes positioned in a concentric manner with the respective positive and negative electrode needles, and respectively surrounding outer peripheries of respective tip end portions of respective electrode needles via respective gaps for flowing out the air are formed in the protection cover.

Abstract: Provided are a hollow inner electrode constituted by an electrically conductive filter capable of capturing particulates, a cylindrical outer electrode circumferentially surrounding the electrode, a housing incorporated in a flow passage of exhaust and accommodating the electrodes and, a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the exhaust and an electric discharge controller for controlling electric power to be distributed to the electrodes and on the basis of a detected value of the temperature sensor. When the temperature of the exhaust obtained by the temperature sensor is lowered, electric power necessary for generation of discharge plasma is distributed by the discharge controller to the electrodes and, thereby oxidizing the particulates captured by the electrode to reduce electricity consumption.

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: The present invention relates to an electrostatic dust collector comprising a dust charging section and a dust collecting section; wherein said dust charging section comprises: a discharge electrode which is made up of a plurality of paralleled discharge wires, and a counter-electrode which is made up of a metal honeycomb net; and the plane formed by paralleled discharge wires is parallel to the metal honeycomb net; and wherein said dust collecting section comprises: positive metal electrodes and negative metal electrodes disposed alternately, and insulating spacers disposed between each of positive metal electrode and negative metal electrode. The present invention has advantages such as an improved efficiency to remove dust particles, a better ability to decompose harmful gases, a simple structure and a low production cost.

Abstract: An air purifier comprises a main frame, a discharging device, a dust collection device and a voltage generator. The discharging device has a discharging portion and is installed in the main frame. The dust collection device has a dust collection portion and is installed in one side of the discharging device. The air purifier can produce ozone, negative ions and static electricity by moving the discharging portion and the dust collection portion and receiving suitable voltage. The voltage generator, the discharging portion, and the dust collection portion accomplish conduction. So that, the air purifier, according environment, change the operating mode to improve the air quality.

Abstract: A linear trap which allows for charge separation and ion mobility separation in a speedy manner, and enables measurement with high duty cycle. A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source, an ion trap for trapping ions ionized by the ion source, an ion trap controller for controlling a voltage on an electrode included in the ion trap, and a detector for detecting the ions ejected from the ion trap. The ion trap controller includes a table for each mass-to-charge ratio, the table containing a frequency of the voltage used for charge separation, and a gain of the voltage for ejecting a first ion with a first charge outside the ion trap, and retaining in the ion trap a second group of ions with a second charge that is lower than that of the first charge. The ion trap controller controls the voltage based on the mass-to-charge ratio set. The mass spectrometer has significantly improved sensitivity, as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate a mixture of gases—such as carbon dioxide and methane—by an inorganic membrane comprising a ceramic support and a silica layer made from a silicon elastomer sol. The apparatus and method can efficiently separate the gaseous mixture and can also cope with the extreme conditions found in e.g. hydrocarbon producing wells. A method of manufacturing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration enhancement apparatus and an associated method. The apparatus includes a number of electromagnetic grids that are placed in series. The first grid conditions ambient particles to generate particles with both a positive and a negative charge. These charged particles are then delivered to a second and third grid wherein a low, medium, and/or high frequency alternating current is employed to force the positive and negative charged particles to collide and conglomerate with one another. The conglomerated particles are then sent into the ambient environment for subsequent filtration.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a fluid so as to increase oxygen content while reducing surface tension, The apparatus comprises a surface tension modification generator (STMG) comprising an STMG chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid at a first pressure. Probes disposed in the STMG chamber for emitting a frequency into the fluid to modify a physical characteristic of the fluid. The apparature also comprises a multi-chambered device including an inner chamber, an outer chamber enclosing the inner chamber for receiving fluid from the inner chamber, and at least two funnels for flowing fluid from the inside chamber to the outer chamber and creating a turbid fluid condition at a focus point to dissolve oxygen into the fluid forming an oxygenated fluid. A port is connected between the STMG and the inner chamber causing a fluid pressure drop from the STMG to the inner chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and converting exhaust particulates from a stream of exhaust gas, especially a diesel engine, into gaseous substances, in which the exhaust gas is guided through a honeycomb filter (6) made from a porous ceramic material whose axially extending channels (1, 2) are open merely at one face side of the filter and are closed off at the respective other face side, and a voltage is applied to electrodes (3, 4) extending parallel to the channels (1, 2) of the honeycomb filter (6). The closure of the channels (1, 2) at the face side is made in such a way that the channels (1, 2) each extending at the same normal distance from one of the electrodes (3, 4) are either all open or all closed off at their face side (9). The channels (1, 2) are mutually offset in a brickwork-like way.

Abstract: There is provided a heavy oil fired boiler exhaust gas treatment apparatus which removes soot and dust and SO3 in the heavy oil fired boiler exhaust gas efficiently at a low cost without using an excessively large apparatus. The treatment apparatus comprises a charging device 3 provided at the inlet of an absorption tower of a wet type exhaust gas desulfurizer 4 and neutralizer pouring means A provided on the upstream side of the charging device 3 to pour a neutralizer into exhaust gas and neutralize SO3 in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitation system (100) utilizes laminar flow of a particulate-laden gas in order to enhance the removal of sub-micron sized particulates. The system incorporates a vertically oriented housing (105) through which the gas flows downwardly therethrough to a lower outlet port (110). The gas, which may be a flue gas enters the laminar flow precipitator (102) through an inlet port (108) for passage through a charging section (104). The charging section (104) imparts a charge to the particulates carried by the flue gas. The flue gas and charged particles then flow to a collecting section (106) which is downstream and below the charging section (104). The collecting section (106) is formed by a plurality of substantially parallel tubular members, each tubular member defining a collecting passage therein.

Abstract: A corona source suitable for use in vehicle ignition systems uses a conductive coil that receives an RF input at one end and has a corona discharge site at the other end, with a reference electrode capacitively coupled to the coil. The pitch and the length of the coil are selected to produce a corona discharge in response to an RF input signal at a predetermined frequency and voltage, through quarter wavelength resonation. Either the new resonant coil or other corona discharge devices can be used to remediate fluid-borne wastes by initiating and sustaining RF corona discharges within the fluid. The pulses used to initiate the corona discharge preferably have alternating positive and negative components, with high initial voltages on the positive components to initiate the discharge, followed by lower positive voltage levels to sustain the discharge. Unipolar pulses, preferably with progressively decreasing voltage levels, can also be used.

Abstract: A method of charging, coagulating, and filtering out particulates in a fluid. In this method, impurity particulates typified by coloring matter particulates can be efficiently removed without inducing clogging and without the need of maintenance for a long time. Also, a filter element used in this method and a fluid-filtering device are offered. The whole filtering layer of the filter element is made of a conductive layer having numerous voids passing the fluid, or the filter element has plural filtering layers of a conductive material. A filtering layer made of a conductive material is used as an electrically charging electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator, and more particularly an electrostatic precipitator having a sets of improved plate type electrodes having opposing surfaces defining collecting and ionization zones therebetween, and with one of the electrodes in each pair of electrodes including a corona source thereon.

Abstract: A contaminated air purifying apparatus capable of decreasing particles such as dust floating in air, soot produced by a combustion engine and the like and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in exhaust gas. Particulates such as dust, soot and the like are electrostatically negatively charged and collected in a purifying filter section by coulombic force. NOx is converted into N.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 by an action of carbon fiber or carbon particles, resulting in decreased in concentration. The carbon fiber and carbon particles are preferably modified into an increased surface area of 200 to 2000 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A device for controlling the motion of particles suspended in a gas stream is provided, including a pipe, through which at least a fraction of the gas stream flows, a source of AC voltage, a source of DC voltage, and a plurality of electrode sets positioned within the pipe in series, generating an inhomogeneous electric field to cause the particles suspended in the gas stream to concentrate into a narrow axial region in the center of the pipe. Each electrode set includes a first pair of opposed hyperboloidally shaped electrodes connected to the AC voltage source and a second pair of opposed hyperboloidally shaped electrodes connected to the DC voltage. The first and second pairs of opposed electrodes are positioned at spaced apart intervals around the circumference of the pipe to define an opening through which at least a fraction of the gas stream flows. The electrode sets are positioned within the pipe in series such that the gas stream flows through the openings defined by each successive electrode set.

Abstract: Ionization systems in and for laundry dryers and other contexts, whereby to neutralize static electricity build-up and acidic conditions, and thereby create environmentally friendly systems for drying clothes and other fabrics, generally prolonging fabric life, reducing particle and lint entrainment, and also reducing if not eliminating acidic conditions in dryers and other environs.

Abstract: An on board electrostatic filter for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The filter includes a pair of conductive filaments insulated from one another and disposed close together in a substantially parallel, side-by-side relationship. Circuitry is provided for applying an electrical potential difference between the two conductors. This dual filament conductor is preferably packed into a relatively small volume in a tortuous configuration, to form a random mesh, or can be oriented in a more regular serpentine configuration. Other embodiments describe the mesh electrostatic filter to purify air in an HVAC system.

Abstract: An on board electrostatic filter for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The filter includes a pair of conductive filaments insulated from one another and located close together in a substantially parallel, side-by-side relationship. Circuitry is provided for applying an electrical potential difference between the two conductors. This dual filament conductor is preferably packed into a relatively small volume in a tortuous configuration, to form a random mesh, or can be oriented in a more regular serpentine configuration. Other embodiments describe the mesh electrostatic filter to purify air in an HVAC system.

Abstract: A dye-releasing mechanism is described which employs a nondiffusible dye-releasing compound having a dye or dye-precursor moiety attached thereto through a sulfonamido cleavage linkage so that a diffusible sulfonamide dye or dye-precursor will be released upon oxidation and subsequent alkaline hydrolysis of the compound.

Abstract: A multilayer color photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion containing a yellow coupler, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, and a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler, with the red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer or a gelatin interlayer adjacent the red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a non-diffusible colored compound which, on coupling reaction with the oxidation product of a primary aromatic amino developing agent at development, can release a diffusible dye capable of being removed from the photographic layer.

Abstract: My invention is directed to a process of forming dye images. I accomplish this through a first redox amplification reaction in which a cobalt (III) complex oxidizing agent enters into a redox reaction with a reducing agent at the site of a catalyst image. A second redox amplification reaction follows in which a peroxide oxidizing agent is employed along with dye-image-generating reducing agent to form a dye image corresponding to the pattern of the catalyst.

Abstract: My invention is directed to a process of forming dye images. I accomplish this by bleaching a silver image at least in part with a cobalt bleaching agent to form within the silver image pattern an immobile cobalt reaction product. The concurrent presence of the immobile cobalt reaction product, a peroxide oxidizing agent and a dye-image-generating reducing agent within the silver image pattern allows a dye image to be formed which corresponds to the silver image pattern.

Abstract: Stable nitroxyl radicals are useful as oxidants in photographic elements or film units.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a dye image through redox amplification using a peroxide oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by forming an immobile cobalt complex image and using this image to define a reversal immobile catalytic manganese complex image. The immobile catalytic manganese complex image is employed as a catalyst in a peroxide redox amplification step to form an image dye.

Abstract: A process for the formation of formazan dye images employing nuclei of metals from Groups VIIIB and/or IB of the periodic table to catalyze the reduction of tetrazolium salts to the corresponding formazan dye by a reducing agent.

Abstract: A photothermographic element and composition for providing a dye image comprises (a) photographic silver halide in association with (b) an oxidation-reduction image-forming combination comprising (i) a silver salt oxidizing agent, with (ii) an organic reducing agent, (c) a polymeric binder for the element or composition and (d) a leuco-base dye which is oxidizable to form a dye image. After imagewise exposure of a photothermographic element or composition containing the described combination, a color image can be developed by overall heating the photothermographic element. Negative or positive dye images can be provided. The dye image can be transferred to an image receiver.

Abstract: Positive color diffusion transfer images are produced by a process that employs light-sensitive photographic elements containing dye-releasing redox agents. The dye-releasing redox agents may be a sulfonamido compound or a hydroquinone derivative which are capable of cleaving to release a diffusible color-providing moiety. A preferred process involves the use of black-and-white developer compositions and comprises1. developing only a negative silver image in the imagewise exposed areas of the photographic element;2. fogging the residual silver halide;3. developing the residual silver halide in the fogged element to silver and concurrently releasing a diffusible dye or dye precurser in the non-image, fogged silver halide areas; and4. at least a portion of the diffusible dye or dye precurser compound diffusing to a dye image-receiving layer.

Abstract: Heterocyclic N-oxides are useful as oxidants in photographic elements or film units.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in processes wherein an oxidation-reduction reaction is utilized to form an image. In one aspect of this invention, the improvement comprises employing an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent which undergo imagewise redox reaction in the presence of catalytic material, the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent being so chosen that the reaction products are noncatalytic for the oxidation-reduction reaction. In another aspect of this invention, a substitution inert metal complex is utilized as the oxidant in oxidation-reduction, image-forming processes. Novel processing compositions and photographic materials are also described.

Abstract: Photographic elements, processes for forming images in photographic elements and new compounds are disclosed. Generally, the invention relates to immobile compounds which can be used to provide positive images from negative recording-developing photographic materials such as negative silver halide emulsions. The compounds contain a photographically useful group such as a dye or dye precursor and are capable of releasing said photographically useful group under alkaline conditions, and are also capable of reaction with an oxidized silver halide developing agent before substantial release of said photographically useful group occurs, to provide a reaction product having a substantially lower rate of release of said photographically useful group. In specific embodiments, the compounds of this invention contain an electrophilic cleavage group located in the linkage between a ballast group and a photographically useful moiety wherein said electrophilic cleavage group is a carbamic acid derivative.