# US 10,864,526 B2 · Electrode for electrostatic precipitator gas scrubbing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,526 B2 - Document ID: US10864526B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/968,736 - Filed: 2018-05-01 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-03 - Assignees: Airgard, Inc. - Applicants: Airgard, Inc. - Inventors: Mark W. Johnsgard; Robert T. LoBianco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864526B2 ## CPC - B03C 3/16: wet type - B03C 3/017: Combinations of electrostatic separation with other processes, not otherwise provided for - B03C 3/41: Ionising-electrodes - B03C 3/47: flat, e.g. plates, discs, gratings - B03C 3/49: tubular - B03C 2201/10: Ionising electrode with two or more serrated ends or sides - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) ## Abstract An improved electrode for use in an electrostatic precipitator is disclosed. The electrode comprises a generally rod-shaped conductive central portion, to which are attached a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements. Each disc-shaped element has a number of sharp points spaced around its circumference and a plurality of openings near its center. The central portion of the central portion passes through the centers of each of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion, and may be equally spaced along the central portion. The disc-shaped elements are conical or convex in shape, and oriented with their rims raised above their centers so that any water that collects on them runs out through the openings and down the central portion of the electrode. This greatly reduces or eliminates arcing between the electrode and a collector in the electrostatic precipitator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode assembly for use in an electrostatic precipitator, comprising: a first electrode including a generally tubular conductive portion; and a second electrode, comprising a rod-shaped conductive central portion located along a longitudinal central axis of the first electrode and having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements, each disc-shaped element having sharp points spaced around a circumference of the disc-shaped element and a plurality of openings near a center of the disc-shaped element, the central portion of the second electrode passing through the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion of the second electrode, and wherein the sharp points of the disc-shaped elements are raised toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode from the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements by at least 0.05 inches for each inch of radius of the disc-shaped elements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a concave shape, with a concave side facing toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a conical shape, with an apex of the conical shape facing toward the bottom end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the disc-shaped elements are located equally spaced along the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 5 An apparatus for treating gas, comprising an electrostatic precipitator section having: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a gas inlet for receiving gas located toward the lower end of the casing; a gas outlet for exhausting gas located near the upper end of the casing; a first electrode including a generally tubular conductive portion; a second electrode, comprising a rod-shaped conductive central portion located along a longitudinal central axis of the first electrode and having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements, each disc-shaped element having sharp points spaced around a circumference of the disc-shaped element and a plurality of openings near a center of the disc-shaped element, the central portion of the second electrode passing through the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion of the second electrode, and wherein the sharp points of the disc-shaped elements are raised toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode from the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements by at least 0.05 inches for each inch of radius of the disc-shaped elements; a power supply having a positive terminal connected to the first electrode and a negative terminal connected to the second electrode; a liquid inlet located toward the upper end of the casing for receiving a water spray; and a liquid outlet located toward the lower end of the casing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a concave shape, with a concave side facing toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a conical shape, with an apex of the conical shape facing toward the bottom end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the disc-shaped elements are located equally spaced along the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for treating gas, comprising an electrostatic precipitator section having: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a gas inlet for receiving gas located toward the lower end of the casing; a gas outlet for exhausting gas located near the upper end of the casing; a first electrode including a generally tubular conductive portion; a second electrode, comprising a rod-shaped conductive central portion located along a longitudinal central axis of the first electrode and having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements, each disc-shaped element having sharp points spaced around a circumference of the disc-shaped element and a plurality of openings near a center of the disc-shaped element, the central portion of the second electrode passing through the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion of the second electrode; a power supply having a positive terminal connected to the first electrode and a negative terminal connected to the second electrode; a liquid inlet located toward the upper end of the casing for receiving a water spray; a liquid outlet located toward the lower end of the casing; and a packed column scrubber section positioned within the casing and concentric to the electrostatic precipitator section, the packed column scrubber section having a first inlet located near the top of the casing for receiving gas from the outlet of the electrostatic precipitator section and a second inlet for receiving water. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for treating gas, comprising an electrostatic precipitator section having: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a gas inlet for receiving gas located toward the lower end of the casing; a gas outlet for exhausting gas located near the upper end of the casing; a first electrode including a generally tubular conductive portion; a second electrode, comprising a rod-shaped conductive central portion located along a longitudinal central axis of the first electrode and having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements, each disc-shaped element having sharp points spaced around a circumference of the disc-shaped element and a plurality of openings near a center of the disc-shaped element, the central portion of the second electrode passing through the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion of the second electrode; a power supply having a positive terminal connected to the first electrode and a negative terminal connected to the second electrode; a liquid inlet located toward the upper end of the casing for receiving a water spray; a liquid outlet located toward the lower end of the casing; a second liquid inlet; and a conduit configured to receive liquid from the second liquid inlet and direct the liquid onto the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the conduit has a plurality of outlet holes configured direct liquid from the second liquid inlet onto the central portion of the second electrode from multiple directions. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for treating gas, comprising an electrostatic precipitator section having: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a gas inlet for receiving gas located toward the lower end of the casing; a gas outlet for exhausting gas located near the upper end of the casing; a first electrode including a generally tubular conductive portion; a second electrode, comprising a rod-shaped conductive central portion located along a longitudinal central axis of the first electrode and having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements, each disc-shaped element having sharp points spaced around a circumference of the disc-shaped element and a plurality of openings near a center of the disc-shaped element, the central portion of the second electrode passing through the centers of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion of the second electrode; a power supply having a positive terminal connected to the first electrode and a negative terminal connected to the second electrode; a liquid inlet located toward the upper end of the casing for receiving a water spray; a liquid outlet located toward the lower end of the casing; a second liquid inlet; and a conduit configured to receive liquid from the second liquid inlet and having a plurality of outlet holes configured to direct the liquid onto each of the plurality of disc shaped elements. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the electrostatic precipitator section and the packed column scrubber section are each tubular, such that the electrostatic precipitator section is located in a central tubular portion of the casing and the packed column scrubber section is in a surrounding tubular portion of the casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a concave shape, with a concave side facing toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the disc-shaped elements have a conical shape, with an apex of the conical shape facing toward the bottom end of the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sharp points of the disc-shaped elements are raised toward the top end of the central portion of the second electrode from the centers of the disc-shaped elements by at least 0.05 inches for each inch of radius of the disc-shaped elements. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the disc-shaped elements are located equally spaced along the central portion of the second electrode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a chamber filled with an inert gas or clean dry air and located between the power supply and the second electrode, wherein the negative terminal of the power supply is connected to the second electrode through the chamber.