Abstract: A system for separating oxygen from air operates at a pressure less than atmospheric. The oxygen separation system includes an entry port for ambient air, and at least two separate exhaust ports through which separate exhaust streams are drawn by separate suction sources. The oxygen separation system further includes a low-energy ionization portion that favors creation of molecular oxygen ions, and a higher-energy portion disposed between the ionization portion and one of the exhaust ports. A plurality of gas-permeable electrodes are charged to different voltages to provide the different portions inside the separator. An exhaust stream taken from the anode side of the separator is enriched in oxygen relative to ambient air.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator reduces contamination of the ground electrode by separating charging and collection stages.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a building is provided. The ventilation system includes a pair of passages between the interior and exterior of the building and at least one corona discharge apparatus for drawing fluid through the passages. The ventilation system may also include an energy recovery ventilator for transferring energy, humidity or the combination of energy and humidity between the fluid flowing through the two passages. Variable flow rates through the passages are provided by varying the voltage to the corona discharge apparatus. In addition, the corona discharge apparatuses may filter the air flowing through the passages.

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 filtration system for filtering particulates from air. A plurality of point ionization sources are positioned in the proximity of the periphery of an air flow channel and being oriented to generate ions in the proximity of the air flow channel in a direction generally upstream from each respective one of the plurality of point ionization sources. A particulate collection surface is positioned within the air flow channel in a downstream direction from the plurality of point ionization sources. The particulate collection surface is electrostatically charged in an opposite direction with respect to ground than the electrical charge of the ions. An ion trap is positioned within the air flow channel between the plurality of ionization sources and the particulate collection surface. The ion trap is relatively electrically neutral as compared with the particulate collection surface and the ions.

Abstract: A multistage space-efficient electrostatic collector cleans a gas flowing therethrough along a gas flow path having a first stage provided by a first corona discharge zone along the gas flow path, and a second stage provided by a second corona discharge zone along the gas flow path and spaced along the gas flow path from the first corona discharge zone. A method is provided for increasing residence time within the corona discharge zone of gas flowing through an electrostatic collector.

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: An electrostatic filter (1) has a chamber (11) into which a gas stream is introduced. An ioniser (19) in the form of an electrode array (20) is located in the chamber (11) and creates an ionising zone through which the gas stream passes. A charged outlet (21) is located downstream from the ioniser (19). As the gas stream passes through the ionising zone, the unwanted particles therein are charged and urged away from the outlet (21) by the ioniser (19). Charged particles approaching the outlet (21) are also electrostatically repelled therefrom, permitting “clean” gas to be extracted through the outlet.

Abstract: Fine particles of dust and other pollutants in gas streams are agglomerated to form larger particles which are more easily filtered in downstream processing. In one embodiment, particles in successive portions of the gas stream are charged with opposite polarity, and the gas stream is introduced into an Evasé portion (12) to slow it down. Particles of different sizes have differential deceleration and therefore mix generally in the direction of flow, leading to agglomeration of oppositely-charged particles. In another embodiment, a gas stream is divided into substreams in respective parallel passages, and the particles in adjacent passages are charged to opposite polarity. Deflectors at the downstream end of the passages cause substreams of particles of opposite polarity to mix, with resultant agglomeration of oppositely charged particles.

Abstract: A high performance dust collector has a main body. The main body includes a suction tube, a discharging electrode, a discharging plate, a dust accumulating electrode, and an exhaust tube. When exhaust gas from the burnt light or heavy diesel oil enters into the suction tube, since the exhaust gas passes through the discharging electrode and the discharging plate with negative charges, the coal particles in the exhaust gas become anions. When the waste gas passes through the metal net transfer belt, the coal particles with anions will adhere to the metal net transfer belt since the dust accumulating electrode is connected to a positive voltage end. Thereby, air exhausted from the exhaust tube has been cleaned and thus has no coal particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

Abstract: An electrostaticly charged filtration media is provided including a plurality of polymeric structured polymeric film layers having a structured surface defined on at least one face of each structured film layer forming at least in part flow channels. The plurality of structured film layers are configured as a stack with the structured surfaces defining a plurality of ordered inlets open through a face of the stack that are in fluid communication with ordered fluid pathways. Each fluid pathway is defined at least in part by at least one discrete flow channel such that fluid can flow substantially unimpeded from one of the inlets to an outlet opening at another face of the stack. A layer of fluid pathways is defined by two opposing charged film layers at least one of which is a structured film layer. The flow channels have an average height of from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and an average width of from 0.05 mm to 50 mm and an average aspect ratio of from 0.5 to 10.

Abstract: A multi-stage particulate matter collector of the type used to collect particles from waste industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones are elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes 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 electric field is also relatively uniform in this region causing electrostatic collection on the plates and filter surface.

Abstract: Ionizing apparatus includes a housing that supports a plurality of ionizing electrodes disposed within fluid apertures that are connected via tubing conduits to pass fluid therethrough about the electrodes. Gas to be ionized is supplied under pressure to the apertures transporting gas ions generated at the electrodes in response to high ionizing voltage supplied thereto. To clean the ionizing apparatus, cleaning liquid is supplied under pressure in one flow direction through the tubing conduits and apertures to remove particles from within the tubing conduits and apertures and from surfaces of the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method to electrostatically charge or neutralize particles conveyed in a pneumatic stream. More particularly the invention is drawn to an apparatus that has at least two longitudinal chambers separated from each other with a plate electrode. Within each chamber is at least one corona charging electrode with multiple discharge points and at least one power level zone. The apparatus divides a single gas stream into a multiple streams where corona discharge polarizes or neutralizes particles with a similar or dissimilar polarity causing coalescing or separation of the particles as they exit the charging chambers.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of a flowing gas, such as an exhaust gas, includes at least one pair of smooth electrodes that are arranged opposite each other so that they form between them a discharge space through which a gas flows. For each pair of electrodes, at least one electrode is coated with a dielectric material on a side facing the discharge space. At least one electrode has one or more thickened areas facing the discharge space. The one or more thickened area has at least one opening through which the gas can flow. A device may be used in the cleaning of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines of motor vehicles as well as the cleaning of waste gases of power plants or waste incinerating plants.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator has a high voltage electrode including multiple wire segments that are positioned within a surrounding electrically conductive porous media having a central axis and wherein the electrode assembly extends along the central axis. The electrode assembly has a plurality of wire lengths positioned to extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the porous media, and the wire segments being arranged to have a substantially longer total length than the length of extension along the longitudinal axis. An aerosol containing droplets is passed into the interior of the porous media, and across the electrode, which is charged with a high voltage. The porous media is at a substantially lower or different voltage from the high voltage electrodes. Flow of the aerosol containing particles charged by the electrode passes through the porous media to the outlet and the charged particles are precipitated by the porous media.

Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus provides a housing with a column shape and an air cleaning unit within a portion of the housing, the cleaning unit having a complementary shape. The air inlet and outlet nozzles to the housing are provided at a top and bottom face, with the inlet and outlet openings to the air cleaning unit corresponding with the housing nozzle inlets and outlets locations. However, the air cleaning unit inlet and outlet openings are displaced from the nozzle inlets and outlets.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a tubular housing and electrodes which ionize air and cause the air to be filtered and to move through the tubular housing without use of moving parts, such as an impeller, thereby providing air filtration and ventilation without generation of vibrations and acoustic disturbances. An electric potential is applied between a longitudinally-oriented needle electrode and a planar or curved transversely-oriented net electrode disposed within the housing downstream of the needle electrode, thereby forming a longitudinally asymmetric electric field that ionizes and accelerates air molecules toward the net electrode, carrying the air molecules past the net electrode and through the air outlet. The assembly further includes a tubular duct electrode disposed within the housing on the outlet side ofthe net electrode, which collects ionized particles precipitated from the air.

Abstract: Particle traps for semiconductor wafer vapor processors and methods of filtering particles in a semiconductor wafer processor are described. In accordance with a preferred implementation, a semiconductor wafer processor includes a processing chamber for containing a gas during processing of a semiconductor wafer. A particle trap is positioned within the reaction chamber and is operative for removing particles within the processing chamber. In one version, the particle trap is an electrostatic precipitator charged for removing particles from the gas. In accordance with another implementation, a semiconductor wafer vapor processor includes a processing chamber for containing a gas during processing of a semiconductor wafer. A wafer holder is provided within the processing chamber. A particle trap comprising at least two chargeable elements is positioned within the processing chamber and is spaced from the wafer holder. In one version, the processing chamber is a reaction chamber.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus with an air cleaning function. In the apparatus, an electric dust collector is provided in the air passage on the rear side of a heat exchanger. A heater for self-cleaning is combined with a dust collector electrode of the electric dust collector. A heat shield plate is combined with the heater. Air flow resistance is not increased although the dust collector electrode is plane in shape. An increase of air flow resistance caused by the use of the heat shield plate is also suppressed.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for purifying air from charged particles. The precipitator includes at least a pair of electrode elements (R and A) spaced apart by a gap distance (a). The electrode elements are moisture-proof. At least one of the electrode elements is composed of a high ohmic cellulose material and is coated with a thin moisture-proof layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) to carry out a process for the in situ generation of agglomerate structures and the controlled influencing of the resulting agglomerates contains a closed flow duct (12) through which is directed an aerosol containing particles (14). For the purpose of the bipolar charging of the aerosol, at least one electrode pair (20, 22) is arranged in the flow duct (12), the electrode (20) being wired, so as to be ungrounded, to the negative pole of a current source, the strength of which is sufficient to produce a corona discharge between the electrodes (20 and 22). The electrodes (20 and 22) of each electrode pair are designed to be needle-shaped and are arranged to be insulated with respect to the flow duct walls, such that their tips (26) are disposed opposite each other.

Abstract: A particle separator having a housing, a radially centered core, helical augers which force a fluid stream in a helical flow direction, and separator devices for the progressive separation of particles from a particulate contaminated fluid stream.

Abstract: The system includes a platform assembly which includes a plurality of helium airships for support of an emitting electrode to produce a large amount of electrical charges, in the form of electrons, into the surrounding atmosphere. The electrons may be generated by various apparati, including field induced emission and ultraviolet induced emission and ionization. Also provided are a large bank of solar cells to produce the necessary power for the assembly and a propulsion system, either a propeller system or an ion engine. A positive electrode may also be included which collects the undesirable atmospheric elements, such as chlorine atoms, to which negative charges have become attached. Alternatively, the platform could be arranged to include a negatively charged surface at which chlorofluorocarbons, for instance, can dissociate after they come in contact with negative charges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical and biological air purifier. The air purifier has a housing having an inlet and an outlet both aligned on a longitudinal axis, a turbulence generator, one or more vacuum ultraviolet (UV) sources achieving a chemical purification and one or more germicidal ultraviolet (UV) sources achieving the biological purification. The turbulence generator is mounted within the housing downstream of the inlet and promotes a dispersion and mixing of air received through the inlet. The vacuum UV source is mounted within the housing downstream of the turbulence generator and breaks oxygen molecules into mono-atomic oxygen which then reacts with chemical contaminants present in the air and degrades them by successive oxidation to odorless and inoffensive byproducts. The turbulence generator reduces the production of ozone by increasing the contact between the mono-atomic oxygen and the chemical contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) to carry out a process, in particular for the electrically induced agglomeration of gas-borne particles, contains a closed flow duct (12) through which is directed an aerosol containing particles (14). For the purpose of the bipolar charging of the aerosol, at least one electrode pair (20, 22) is arranged in the flow duct (12), the electrode (20) being wired, so as to be ungrounded, to the negative pole of a current source, the strength of which is sufficient to produce a corona discharge between the electrodes (20 and 22). The electrodes (20 and 22) of each electrode pair are designed to be needle-shaped and are arranged to be insulated with respect to the flow duct walls, such that their tips (26) are disposed opposite each other.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a workpiece, especially post-cure machining of a composite workpeice, that includes a vacuum subsystem for generating a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area and a particulate charging, electric field generating subsystem integrated in combination with the workpiece and the vacuum subsystem for charging particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece and for creating an electric field that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field. The vacuum subsystem includes a vacuum pump, a hose fluidically interconnected to the vacuum pump, and a nozzle fluidically connected to the hose distal the vacuum pump and having a configuration that defines the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.

Abstract: The apparatus is formed of a centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device and a gas and liquid separation device. The centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device gives high energy to supplied liquid by generating a spirally flowing air stream therein, to thereby ion-dissciate the liquid. Also, it provides energy necessary to micronize and activates the liquid drops with the centrifugal force and Coriolis force acted in the spirally flowing air stream. The activated liquid drops ionize oxygen particles at the gaseous side when electric doublets is oriented on the surface of the liquid drops, thereby causing groups of negative ions to be generated. The gas and liquid separation device separates the gas and liquid sent out from the centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device and discharges air including negative ions into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The filter device for air purification has an electrification grid supplied with a high voltage of negative polarity and arranged on a plane transverse to an air flow for negatively charging particles present in the air. A partition is arranged at an angle in front of the electrification grid so as to convey the stream of air toward a narrower region. A negatively charged deflector plate and a positively charged collector plate, which face one another at a short distance, delimit a respective narrower region for respectively repelling and attracting the negatively charged particles. A germicidal lamp is arranged at an opening of the deflector plate and illuminates the collector plate substantially along its entire length in a direction which is transverse to the air flow.

Abstract: An improved air ionizing apparatus that may be used as part of an air filtering system. The apparatus consists of an air passageway with at least one negatively charged ionizing member therein and a conductive strip, positively charged with respect to the ionizing member extending around at least a major portion of the interior periphery of the outlet of the passageway. The conductive strip attracts the negative ions, causing them to disperse as air directed down the passageway propels them toward and through the outlet of the passageway.

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 dust collector includes a front case and a rear case. A discharging electrode plate and an electrical charge plate are arranged zig-zag along guide elements formed in the front case, the guide elements extending in a front-to-rear direction. A dust collecting part is installed under the discharging electrode plate and the electrical charge electrode plate. An active carbon filter is installed in the rear case in order to deodorize the air.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator device is provided which has a plurality of hexagonal honeycomb collector passage ways, a corresponding mating plurality of stationary rod elements to be centrally located at axes of each said hexagonal honeycomb collector passage ways and a set of bands integrally formed with a multiplicity of the ionizing blades which protrude from the surfaces of each of the stationary rod elements. The geometry of the design has a high degree of efficiency, while at the same time causes the ionizing blades to maintain their electrostatic charging characteristics under a harsh set of environmental conditions.

Abstract: Desensitizer compositions which reduce or extinguish the capability of developers to color colorless compounds which comprise one or more desensitizers and one or more compounds having an absorption peak in the wavelength region of from about 300 m.mu. to about 400 m.mu. and a molecular absorption coefficient of above about 2000.

Abstract: A desensitizing composition used for a recording material capable of forming a color image by the reaction of a colorless color former and an adsorbent, which contains at least one compound obtained by the addition reaction of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative or an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone with an amine, is disclosed. A method of desensitizing an adsorbent contained in a recording material which comprises using such composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Static resistance of a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material is improved by treating said material with a solution or dispersion of a polymer containing quaternary ammonium groups, and which also acts as an antifoaming agent in processing solutions. The polymeric moiety of the polymer has the formula ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are individually a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; A and B are individually an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a hydroxymethylene group, a phenylene group or a mere bond; X.sub.1.sup..crclbar. and X.sub.2.sup..crclbar. are individually an anion; and n is an integer of 10 to 30.

Abstract: A desensitizer composition for desensitizing a developer against coloring a substantially colorless color former comprising as a desensitizing agent at least one N-(aminoalkyl)-lactam of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 2 to 11, m is 2 to 6 and each methylene group can be substituted with an alkyl or aryl group, or a derivative thereof. The desensitizing composition exhibits a strong desensitization effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically replenishing the chemical solutions consumed in a film developing process, which results in a lessening of the chemical activity of the solutions, and where the consumption of some of the chemicals in some of the solutions are dependent on the amount of imagery processed and the rest of the solutions are dependent on the amount of bulk or non-imagery processed. The process generally involves extracting samples of one of the image dependent and one of the bulk dependent solutions, analyzing the samples to determine the chemical activity therein, and replenishing all of the image dependent solutions in relation to the chemical activity in the image dependent sample and all of the bulk dependent solutions in relation to the chemical activity in the bulk dependent sample. Provisions may be made to recycle or regenerate some of the solutions.