Advanced particulate matter control apparatus and methods
AssigneeEnergy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
InventorsStanley J. Miller, Ye Zhuang, Jay C. Almlie
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for collection and removal of particulate matter, including fine particulate matter, from a gas stream, comprising a unique combination of high collection efficiency and ultralow pressure drop across the filter. The apparatus and method utilize simultaneous electrostatic precipitation and membrane filtration of a particular pore size, wherein electrostatic collection and filtration occur on the same surface.
Claims20
A process for removing particulate from a gas stream, the process comprising:
- providing a porous conductive filter membrane having pores;
- creating an electrostatic field across the pores of the conductive filter membrane;
- flowing a gas stream with particulate through the pores of the porous conductive filter membrane, the applied electrostatic field reducing the pore size of the conductive filter membrane to an effective pore size, thereby preventing the passage of at least a portion of the particulate through the conductive filter membrane and removing it from the gas stream with low filter drag, high filtration velocity, or a combination thereof.
An integrated electrostatic collection and electrostatically enhanced filtration process for removing particulate from a gas stream, the process comprising:
- providing a porous conductive filter membrane having pores;
- applying an electrostatic field to the porous conductive filter membrane and simultaneously creating an electrostatic field across the pores of the conductive filter membrane;
- flowing a gas stream with particulate through the pores of the porous conductive filter membrane, the applied electrostatic field reducing the pore size of the conductive filter membrane to an effective pore size and preventing the passage of at least a portion of the particulate through the conductive filter membrane;
- and
- collecting at least a portion of the particulate on the porous conductive filter membrane and thereby removing the portion of the particulate from the gas stream with low filter drag and/or high filtration velocity across the porous conductive filter membrane.
An apparatus for removal of particulate from a gas stream, said apparatus comprising:
- a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said chamber operable for a gas stream to enter through said inlet and exit through said outlet;
- a porous conductive filter membrane having pores and located within said chamber and in fluid communicating with said inlet and said outlet;
- a high-voltage discharge electrode located between said inlet and said porous conductive filter membrane;
- and
- a high-voltage source operable to apply a high-voltage potential difference between said high-voltage discharge electrode and said porous conductive filter membrane and create a reduced pore size by an electrostatic field preventing passage of at least a portion of the particulate through said pores.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.