Patent number: 6773489

Grid type electrostatic separator/collector and method of using same

Inventors:

  • Dunn; John P.

Field of technology: Electronics, Vehicles, Engines and Transportation

Patent granted on: Tue, 10 Aug 2004

Patent drawing

Abstract

An electrical type grid electrostatic collector/separator removes particles from an air stream. The apparatus includes multiple parallel grids that act as the porous material, enclosed in a sealed compartment so that the entrained air flows parallel and between one or more centrally located grids. A direct current high voltage field is established between the grids with the polarities alternating between facing grids. The system is preferably used for conductive and semi-conductive materials because of the ease at which the particles can receive an induced charge. The charged particles are separated and collected when they are attracted toward the relatively open wire or woven grids and pass laterally through and onto the next attracting grid until they are out of the air stream and generally fall by gravity to the collection vessel. When non-conductive particles are present, external methods of pre-charging by corona discharge are preferably used. When non-conductive particles are present, both internal and external methods of pre-charging by corona discharge are used with the external method being preferred.