Liquid barrier filter and method of operation

A apparatus for removing pollutant particulates from a stream of contaminated gas comprising:

• means forming a reservoir;
• a body of liquid in said reservoir, said liquid being selected from liquid fluorocarbons and liquid silicones;
• a filter matrix having a portion positioned below the surface of said body means for moving said filter matrix to form, outside said surface of said body, a continuous liquid film acting as a filter barrier to said stream of contaminated gas;
• inlet means located upstream of said continuous liquid film for admitting and directing said contaminated gas to said liquid film whereby pollutant particulates carried by the admitted contaminated gas are absorbed by said liquid when contacting said liquid film, while gas free of pollutant particulates is permitted to pass through said continuous liquid film;
• outlet means allowing passage of said gas free of said pollutant particulates.

A face mask having incorporated therein an apparatus for removing pollutant particulates from a stream of contaminated gas comprising:

• means forming a reservoir;
• a body of liquid in said reservoir, said liquid being selected from liquid fluorocarbons and liquid silicones;
• a circular filter matrix having a portion positioned below the surface of said body, means for moving said filter matrix to form, outside said surface of said body, a continuous liquid film acting as a filter barrier to said stream of contaminated gas;
• inlet means located upstream of said continuous liquid film for admitting and directing said contaminated gas to said liquid film whereby pollutant particulates carried by the admitted contaminated gas are absorbed by said liquid when contacting said liquid film, while gas free of pollutant particulates is permitted to pass through said liquid film;
• outlet means allowing passage of said gas free of said pollutant particulates.