Electrostatic precipitator assembly

An electrostatic precipitator unit comprising:

• (a) tubular collection means having an inner surface and a longitudinal axis;
• (b) an electrode suspended within said tubular collection means comprising:
• (i) a substantially cylindrical collector portion having an upper end, a lower end, a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said collection means, and a circumferential outer surface, the collector portion being sized so that suspension thereof within said collection means creates a first gap between said inner surface of said collection means and said outer surface of said collector portion, the minimum width of said first gap defining a first distance;
• ii) a transition region having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being attached to said collector portion lower end, said transition region gradually decreasing in cross-section from said upper end to said lower end;
• and
• (iii) a charging portion comprising
• (A) a rod attached to said lower end of said transition region extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said collection means said rod having an outer surface, the maximum distance across said outer surface being less than the maximum distance across said collection portion outer surface;
• and
• (B) disk means attached substantially normally to said rod having a peripheral edge, said disk means being sized so that suspension of said charging portion within said collection means creates a second gap between said peripheral edge and said inner surface of said collection means, the minimum width of said second gap defining a second distance, said second distance being substantially as great or greater than said first distance;
• and
• (c) power means operably coupled with said electrode for establishing an electrical potential difference across said first gap and said second gap.