Method and apparatus for reducing pollutant emissions while increasing efficiency of combustion

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing pollutant emissions from a source of combustion while simultaneously increasing the combustion efficiency. In a preferred mode, the technique contemplates the separation, removal and collection of positively charged species at the combustion zone. This is achieved by applying a relatively small magnitude electrostatic field at the combustion zone via positive and negative electrode means. A negative electrode may be positioned adjacent aperture means formed in the sidewall of the combustion chamber at the combustion zone so as to attract positive ionic species that include the pollutant emissions (e.g., NO.sup.+) desired to be extracted. A negative electrode may also be electrically connected to a tube that serves to collect the pollutant for later processing to a useful by-product (e.g., nitrogenous fertilizer). Effective removal of the ionic species at the combustion zone permits combustion to occur at higher temperatures which, in turn, results in greater combustion efficiency.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.