Abstract: Provided is a filter module including a filter arranged on a flow path through which air passes, a first electrode arranged to face a first surface of the filter and a second electrode arranged to face a second surface of the filter opposite to the first surface, wherein a space is maintained in at least one of between the first surface and the first electrode or between the second surface and the second electrode through a spacer, so that the first electrode and the second electrode are prevented from being electrically connected to each other through foreign substances that are collected by the filter at a predetermined amount or more.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate to the utilization of coal-derived fine mineral matter in chemical recycling of plastics or of solid mixed plastic waste. The instantly disclosed mineral based catalyst benefits the processes of catalytic cracking, gasification and steam reforming to maximize carbon utilization and production of plastics of original quality from recycled or renewable feedstocks while reducing the plastic pollution in the environment. The catalyst can be based on inorganic fine mineral matter, a natural ancient mineral mixture found in coal deposits and containing a plurality of transition metals, such as iron, copper, and manganese, as well as calcium, barium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, which can act as co-catalysts. Addition of the catalyst can convert plastic to syngas at a faction of the energy of conventional technologies.

Abstract: A system and method for making electret media is presently provided. The method involves placing a piezoelectric material adjacent a media and applying a mechanical stress to the piezoelectric material and thereby transferring an electric charge from the piezoelectric material to the media and making the electret media. The system is configured to place the piezoelectric material adjacent the media and to apply mechanical stress to the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: Provided is an energy conversion film excellent in charge retention performance and suppressed in deterioration of piezoelectricity even if it is exposed to a high temperature environment and an energy conversion element and the like using the film. An energy conversion element comprising: an energy conversion film at least comprises a charged resin film consisting of a resin film at least containing a thermoplastic resin and a metal soap; and an electrode provided on at least one of the two surfaces of the energy conversion film.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter comprises a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium comprises a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame comprises a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.

Abstract: A device includes a connected array of cells formed in a stack of flexible sheets. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack includes a first sheet and a second sheet bonded together at multiple bond locations. Each sheet has an electrically conductive layer disposed on an electrically non-conductive layer, the conductive layer comprising an electrically conductive non-metal material. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack is arranged so that the non-conductive layer of each first sheet is between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets. The cells of the array reversibly transition between an open state and a closed state in response to an electric potential having a magnitude greater than a threshold value applied between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner filter bag comprising a first filter layer and a second filter layer, wherein the first filter layer is arranged upstream of the second filter layer in air flow direction, and wherein the first filter layer has at least 3 and at most 25 individual plies, especially at least 5 and at most 15 individual plies, wherein each individual ply is a dry-laid nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 g/m2 to 50 g/m2, especially having a basis weight of 8 g/m2 to 30 g/m2.

Abstract: An improved air exhauster for a vehicle is provided, comprising a non-woven filter with a covering sheet of material fastened to the filter face. The filter may be assembled into a frame and the covering sheet may acts as valve to allow air outflow from the interior of the vehicle, yet restrict outside noise from entering. The covering sheet may be a relatively more dense non-woven material than the filter or may be a polymer film. The covering sheet may be attached at the centerline of the filter to function as a pleat separator and reduce the incidence of pleat collapse under high flow rate or increased pressure drop.

Abstract: A device and method include ionizing particles to be captured, creating electric fields to polarize mats of filter material, and trapping the ionized particles in the polarized mats.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe separator (5) for electrostatically separating particles of a mixture of valuable materials, e.g., a mineral salt mixture, having different electrical charges, comprising a carrier pipe (10), wherein the carrier pipe has two field electrodes (8, 9) arranged opposite each other for generating an electric field, wherein the field electrodes (8, 9) are covered toward the inside by an insulating layer.

Abstract: Stretched articles, such as oriented polymeric films or fibers, having microstructure features on at least one surface thereof, and processes for making such articles, are disclosed. A method of making fibers comprises forming a polymeric film having a body having a first surface and a second surface and having a longitudinal dimension. The film also comprises a plurality of elongate microstructure features disposed on the first surface of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the body, wherein the elongate microstructure features are substantially parallel. The method further comprises stretching the polymeric film in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the body, and fibrillating the stretched polymeric film along the longitudinal dimension of the body to provide one or more fibers, wherein each fiber has at least one microstructure feature thereon.

Abstract: A collecting electrode for use in wet electrostatic precipitators, the collecting electrode being fabricated from an electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant and temperature and spark resistant composite material comprising carbon fiber and thermosetting resin so as to pro\ the collecting electrode with an improved arc resistance, as dictated by erosion density and direction, by controlling the weave pattern and/or fabric thickness of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hydrodischarging and hydrocharging substrates and articles to produce enhanced ability to avoid attraction of contaminants or improved capability of removing contaminants from fluids are disclosed. In another form the method involves removal of electric charges or neutralization of charge on or within substrates. Also disclosed are methods of making using electret substrates and articles for removing particulates and mists from fluid streams.

Abstract: A two-sided attraction structure including an electrostatic chuck portion (2) and a power supply portion (5), the electrostatic chuck portion (2) including a dielectric member (3) in a plate-like shape, which is made of an insulating material and has a front side and a back side, and an internal electrode (4) mounted into the dielectric member, the front side and the back side of the dielectric member each serving as an attraction surface when voltage is applied to the internal electrode (4), the power supply portion (5) applying the voltage to the internal electrode, of the electrostatic chuck portion (2), in which the power supply portion (5) includes a solar cell (6) and a voltage boost circuit (7) for boosting power generated by the solar cell (6).

Abstract: An electric precipitator to collect contaminants, such as dust, using electrical attraction. The electric precipitator includes high-voltage electrode plates and low-voltage electrode plates alternately stacked to form an electrification region and a collection region in an air flow direction, wherein each of the high-voltage electrode plates includes a discharge electrode to generate discharge between the discharge electrode and an opposite electrode so that contaminants are electrified in the electrification region and a collection electrode disposed over the electrification region and the collection region to collect the electrified contaminants in the collection region.

Abstract: An electrode for plasma generation according to the present invention includes a plurality of collecting portions having a plurality of through holes, the plurality of collecting portions facing a gas flow in a direction where gas to be treated flows and provided spaced apart from each other. The electrode is applied to a plasma reactor of a treatment device to be provided for a device which discharges the smoke including PM, for example, an exhaust gas purifying device for automobile, or a smoke treatment device used in a facility where the smoke is discharged such as a plant.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator is provided with a ionizing unit and a collecting unit placed on the downstream side of the ionizing unit, and the ionizing unit has discharge electrodes each of which generates a corona discharge and a ground electrode plate connected to the earth, and in this structure, the ground electrode plate is provided with an insulating substrate, a resistor formed on the surface of the insulating substrate and a conductive section that is electrically connected to the resistor on the surface of the insulating substrate, and the discharge electrodes face the resistor of the ground electrode plate at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: Gases are stored, separated, and/or concentrated. An electric field is applied across a porous dielectric adsorbent material. A gas component from a gas mixture may be selectively separated inside the energized dielectric. Gas is stored in the energized dielectric for as long as the dielectric is energized. The energized dielectric selectively separates, or concentrates, a gas component of the gas mixture. When the potential is removed, gas from inside the dielectric is released.

Abstract: An illustrative filter includes an electret material, which has a long-lasting electric charge, that is at least partially coated or covered with a conductive layer. An optional insulation layer may be disposed over at least part of the conductive layer. If the electret material has a positive charge, then the filter attracts particles with a negative charge, and vice versa. The filter adsorbs the attracted particles until it becomes saturated with particles, at which point the conductive layer is charged to have a polarity that is opposite the built-in polarity of the electret and that matches the polarity of the adsorbed particles. The charged conduction layer repels the adsorbed particles from the filter, cleaning the filter for continued use.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device (100) includes a first electrode (10) that includes a conductive section (12) and a dielectric (14) that covers the conductive section (12), and a second electrode (20) that is disposed opposite to the first electrode (10) at an interval of 0.3 to 3.0 mm. Charged particulate matter contained in a fluid that passes through the space between the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (20), or particulate matter that is contained in a fluid and charged by a discharge that occurs due to application of a voltage between the electrodes (10) and (20) is electrically adsorbed on at least one of the electrodes (10) and (20), and the particulate matter adsorbed on the electrodes (10) and (20) is detected by measuring a change in electrical properties of the first electrode (10), or a change in electrical properties of the electrodes (10) and (20).

Abstract: An electric precipitator prevents dielectric breakdown by ensuring the dielectric distance among a plurality of electrodes. The electric precipitator includes a charging section for charging dust particles in air, and a collecting section for collecting the dust particles charged by the charging section. The collecting section includes a high voltage electrode having a conductive layer coated with a dielectric layer, and a low voltage electrode having at least one protrusion that maintains a gap between the high voltage electrode and the low voltage electrode. The conductive layer includes at least one cutting part formed in an area corresponding to the protrusion.

Abstract: A method is provided which can efficiently remove conidia and microbe or the like of a phytopathogen from air and does not cause generation of ozone originated from discharge or so, thereby preventing occurrence of a plant disease without damaging a plant. There are also provided a flying organism removing apparatus and a plant protecting apparatus which can adequately capture flyable organisms, such as spores of a phytopathogen and/or small vermin, by applying an electrostatic field to the flyable organisms. An electrostatic field generated by dielectric polarization is applied to flyable organisms.

Abstract: A method is provided which can efficiently remove conidia and microbe or the like of a phytopathogen from air and does not cause generation of ozone originated from discharge or so, thereby preventing occurrence of a plant disease without damaging a plant. There are also provided a flying organism removing apparatus and a plant protecting apparatus which can adequately capture flyable organisms, such as spores of a phytopathogen and/or small vermin, by applying an electrostatic field to the flyable organisms. An electrostatic field generated by dielectric polarization is applied to flyable organisms.

Abstract: Electret webs are presented which include a blend of a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The charge-enhancing additives include a heterocyclic imide material which is free of fluorinated groups. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media.

Abstract: An electrically stimulated air filter apparatus for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing maintaining an ionizer electrode and electrically induced electrodes for producing electrical fields that interact with particles in an air stream passing through the housing to create clusters of the particles, and an electrically induced filter for collecting and separating the clusters of the particles from the air stream passing through the housing.

Abstract: A flotage trapping device has at least one plus electrode and at least one minus electrode. The plus electrode and minus electrode are alternately disposed. The electrodes trap the flotage floating in the air. Another flotage trapping device has at least one electrode of a single polarity and a space ion generating device for generatingions of polarity opposite to that of the electrode so as to form an ion space around or adjacent the electrode. A flotage repelling device has at least one electrode of a single polarity, and a space ion generating device for generating ions of the same polarity as that of the electrode so as to form an ion space around or adjacent of the electrode.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the introduction of foreign material to wafers. A system includes an enclosure structured and arranged to carry wafers used in semiconductor device manufacturing, and an attractive material arranged as at least a portion of an interior surface of the enclosure.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator is disclosed to include a condensation-growth chamber, a precipitation chamber connecting with the condensation-growth chamber, three dual-sleeve members mounted in the precipitation chamber, three discharge electrodes connecting with the dual-sleeve members, two insulating members covering on the inner surface of the precipitation chamber, and two ground electrodes mounted on the outside of the precipitation chamber. Thus, a uniform water film is formed on the surface of the insulating members to wash away the particles from waste gas. The condensation-growth chamber is provided for the particles to grow therein and thereby enhances the collection efficiency. The insulating member acts as a shield between the discharge electrodes and the ground electrodes and thereby avoids a short circuit or sparks.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device (100) includes a first electrode (10) that includes a conductive section (12) and a dielectric (14) that covers the conductive section (12), and a second electrode (20) that is disposed opposite to the first electrode (10) at an interval of 0.3 to 3.0 mm. Charged particulate matter contained in a fluid that passes through the space between the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (20), or particulate matter that is contained in a fluid and charged by a discharge that occurs due to application of a voltage between the electrodes (10) and (20) is electrically adsorbed on at least one of the electrodes (10) and (20), and the particulate matter adsorbed on the electrodes (10) and (20) is detected by measuring a change in electrical properties of the first electrode (10), or a change in electrical properties of the electrodes (10) and (20).

Abstract: An electric precipitator prevents dielectric breakdown by ensuring the dielectric distance among a plurality of electrodes. The electric precipitator includes a charging section for charging dust particles in air, and a collecting section for collecting the dust particles charged by the charging section. The collecting section includes a high voltage electrode having a conductive layer coated with a dielectric layer, and a low voltage electrode having at least one protrusion that maintains a gap between the high voltage electrode and the low voltage electrode. The conductive layer includes at least one cutting part formed in an area corresponding to the protrusion.

Abstract: Improvements in active field polarized media air cleaner include an aerodynamic front cowling to reduce static air resistance, a rear double hinge to reduce blow by, a resistive center screen permitting the sharing of high voltage power supplies while reducing the tendency to arc and allowing for a higher operational voltage, a dielectric media support frame to produce a more uniform electrostatic field and reduce blow by, while at the same time reducing the tendency to spray corona and/or arc at the edges of the center screen, a substantially flat conductive outer screen to produce a more uniform electrostatic field throughout the filter media and a high-voltage shield to reduce high-voltage arcing and the spraying of corona where the high-voltage probe contacts the center screen.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an air flow pathway extending through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. Air conditioning apparatus is disposed in the airflow pathway between the inlet and the outlet conditioning an air stream passing through the air flow pathway from the inlet to the outlet. A modular electrically stimulated air filter apparatus is carried by opposed, parallel frameworks mounted in series in the air flow pathway between the inlet and the air conditioning apparatus filtering entrapping contaminants in the air stream flowing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The opposed parallel frameworks are mounted to opposed supports affixed to the housing.

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A compact, hybrid particulate and gas collector that can be used in an ultra-clean air purification, vehicle emissions control system, gas turbine, or in any other application where space and lower cost is important or in applications where sub-micron and nano-particulate filtering is needed such as in clean rooms and surgical suites. A gas flow enters the device in a first chamber and can be immediately exposed to a high-tension corona discharge electric field which typically results in a strong ionic flow by charging and collecting the incoming effluent (oil mist, soot particles, etc.). Subsequently, the charged flow enters a second zone of high-tension uniform electric field that causes the remaining charged particles to migrate to one of the charged electrodes.

Abstract: A compact, hybrid particulate and gas collector that can be used in a vehicle emissions control system, gas turbine, or in any other application where space and lower cost is important or in applications where sub-micron and nano-particulate filtering is needed. A gas flow enters the device in a first chamber and can be immediately exposed to a high-tension corona discharge electric field which typically results in a strong ionic flow by charging and collecting the incoming effluent (oil mist, soot particles, etc.). Subsequently, the charged flow enters a second zone of high-tension uniform electric field that causes the remaining charged particles to migrate to one of the charged electrodes. One of the electrodes can be made of porous filter material that allows the cleaned gas to flow into an exit zone also containing a high-tension uniform electric field where the remaining effluent can be collected prior to the clean gas exiting either to ambient air or being re-circulated to be used again by the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for recovering elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, elemental iron, elemental gold and other elemental materials from an air flow including a funnel-shaped receptor (14) and an inverted cone-shape electrode node body (12) spaced from the funnel receptor, a funnel-shaped reaction zone (45) between the outer surface of the electrode node body and the inner surface (60) of the receptor for receiving the air flow, and a plurality of point source electrodes (36) mounted to the electrode node body (12) and projecting into the reaction zone (45). The electrode node body (12) and the receptor (14) are electrically isolated from each other, the receptor (14) is connected to ground, and a voltage source is electrically connected to the electrode node body (12).

Abstract: A system for decontaminating a gas is provided. The system includes: a passageway containing at least one set of two or three electrodes. If the set contains three electrodes, it has two outer electrodes electrically connected together and one inner electrode.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an air flow pathway extending through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. Air conditioning apparatus is disposed in the airflow pathway between the inlet and the outlet conditioning an air stream passing through the air flow pathway from the inlet to the outlet. A modular electrically stimulated air filter apparatus is carried by opposed, parallel frameworks mounted in series in the air flow pathway between the inlet and the air conditioning apparatus filtering entrapping contaminants in the air stream flowing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The opposed parallel frameworks are mounted to opposed supports affixed to the housing.

Abstract: A device separates particulates from a gas stream flowing through the device. The device includes at least one high voltage electrode and a substantially cylindrical separator. The high voltage electrode applies a first voltage to the gas stream. The separator has an inlet for introducing the gas stream into the separator tangentially to an interior wall of the separator, a particulate outlet for expelling the particulates from the separator, and a gas stream outlet.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic ionization stage in an electrostatic separation device for purifying a flowing aerosal including finely dispersed particles entrained in a gas. The wet electrostatic ionization stage includes a plate disposed across a cross section of a flow channel and connected to a ground potential or reference counterpotential. The plate includes substantially identical openings through which the gas flows. The wet electrostatic ionization stage also includes a high-voltage grid disposed across the cross section of the flow channel either upstream or downstream from the plate and electrically isolated from a wall of the flow channel. The high voltage grid is coupled to a high voltage potential via a bushing disposed in the wall of the flow channel. For each opening in the plate, a rod-shaped high-voltage electrode coupled at one end to the high-voltage grid has a free end projecting centrically into the one opening.

Abstract: A surface discharge type air cleaning device including an insulating dielectric body formed in the shape of a sheet, a discharge electrode formed at the upper surface of the insulating dielectric body, and a ground electrode formed at the lower surface of the insulating dielectric body. The discharge electrode is formed of a closed pattern having a predetermined area on the upper surface of the insulating dielectric body. The discharge electrode has a non-pattern part disposed in a pattern part where the pattern is formed. The electrode is not formed at the non-pattern part. The ground electrode is formed at a predetermined position corresponding to the non-pattern part. The area of the non-pattern part is reduced to decrease generation of ozone, and the area of the pattern part is enlarged to increase generation of negative ions and hydroxyl radicals.

Abstract: An air filter including a plurality of air-pervious sheets of electret filtration material. The sheets are disposed in a parallel relationship to form a stack of sheets, and each of the sheets has a plurality of slits formed therein for subsequent expanding to form openings. The stack is connected together at opposing ends, such as by bonding. The sheets can be pleated by mounting in a frame. The frame has opposing ends to which the opposing ends of the stack are mounted. The filter media initially has no frame and is not pleated, but is in a flat pad form that is expanded to be installed into a frame. The frame is then mounted in an appliance, such as a room air filter. When the filter is inserted into the filter housing it is expanded and can take a pleated form.

Abstract: Arranged within a cylindrical housing are capturing cells each including a cylindrical outer electrode capable of capturing particulates and an inner electrode inserted into the outer electrode and lined at its outer surface with a dielectric. A divergent exhaust unit is arranged on an end of the housing so as to guide exhaust to interiors in the respective capturing cells. A convergent exhaust unit is arranged on the other end of the housing so as to communicate with a gap between an inner surface of the housing and outer surfaces of the outer electrodes in the respective cells. The inner and outer electrodes are connected to an electric discharge controller.

Abstract: In various aspects of the invention, electrostatic filters having insulated electrodes are described. In such embodiments, care is taken to prevent the accumulation of opposing charges on the insulation, which, over time, would serve to significantly degrade the strength of the electrostatic field created in the dielectric, and thus reduce the performance of the electrostatic filter. A variety of mechanisms are described for mitigating the opposing charge buildup problem.

Abstract: A dust-collecting electrode where at least one unit electrode between the unit electrodes facing each other includes: a ceramic dielectric body, a surface conductor disposed so as to cover at least a part of the surface of the ceramic dielectric body on the side where the unit electrodes face each other, and an internal conductive layer disposed inside the ceramic dielectric body and being electrically independent of the surface conductor. The dust-collecting electrode being capable of generating an electric field and silent discharge between the unit electrodes by applying voltage between the surface conductor of the one unit electrode and the other unit electrode and generating creeping discharge on the surface of the one unit electrode by applying voltage via the ceramic dielectric body.

Abstract: A volatile organic compound treatment apparatus including an adsorber coming into contact with a gas to be treated and adsorbing volatile organic compounds; a plurality of pairs of electrodes, divided into a plurality of groups, which generate electric discharge so that a part of the adsorber is exposed to the electric discharge; and an electric discharge control mechanism for controlling whether or not the electric discharge is generated in what pair of the electrodes by applying a voltage to every group of the pair of electrodes such that different parts of the adsorber are sequentially exposed to the electric discharge.

Abstract: A surface discharge air cleaning device includes an insulating dielectric body, a discharge electrode formed at the upper surface of the insulating dielectric body, and a ground electrode formed at the lower surface of the insulating dielectric body, the discharge electrode being formed of a closed pattern and at least one non-pattern part, at which the electrode is not formed being disposed in the closed pattern, therefore a uniform and stable plasma formation is accomplished, and the number of hydroxyl radicals and negative ions is increased while the amount of ozone is decreased.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter having an improved dielectric is described. The dielectric constitutes a dielectric mat formed from high porosity non-woven fibers having pores that have a void fraction of at least 97%. The dielectric mat is sandwiched by a pair of porous electrodes. The fibers that form the mat have a maximum cross sectional thickness that is less than 100 microns and a length to maximum thickness ratio of greater than 10. The pores are preferably statistically substantially equally sized and open in three dimensions. In various preferred embodiments, the void fraction of the dielectric mat is greater than 99 percent. The mat preferably has a tortuosity of at least 2. The maximal cross sectional width of the fibers is preferably in the range 0.1 to 50 microns. In many implementations, the fibers that form the dielectric mat are formed from either polyester or polypropylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purifier having a small size so as to be easily mounted to various home appliances, and preventing ozone which is harmful to a human body from being generated, the air purifier including an insulating dielectric including a solid; a discharge electrode provided in the insulating dielectric; a ground electrode provided in the insulating dielectric and spaced for a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode; and a power supply coupled with the discharge electrode and the ground electrode for supplying a high voltage thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purifier with a small size, having an excellent air purifying capacity, capable of preventing a large amount of ozone from being generated, the ozone harmful to a human body. The air purifier includes a case, a pair of discharge electrodes provided at upper and lower parts of the case, a ground electrode provided between the pair of discharge electrodes, a pair of insulating dielectric layers provided on upper and lower surfaces of the ground electrode, and a power source coupled respectively to the ground electrode and the discharge electrode so as to supply voltage thereto.