US3411025A - Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3411025A
US3411025A US438930A US43893065A US3411025A US 3411025 A US3411025 A US 3411025A US 438930 A US438930 A US 438930A US 43893065 A US43893065 A US 43893065A US 3411025 A US3411025 A US 3411025A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
charged
gas
vapor
aerosol
power
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US438930A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alvin M Marks
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US438930A priority Critical patent/US3411025A/en
Priority to IL25282A priority patent/IL25282A/xx
Priority to DE19661539301 priority patent/DE1539301A1/de
Priority to GB10825/66A priority patent/GB1098989A/en
Priority to NL6603181A priority patent/NL6603181A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3411025A publication Critical patent/US3411025A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02N—ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H02N3/00—Generators in which thermal or kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy by ionisation of a fluid and removal of the charge therefrom

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power in which a moving gas under pressure containing a condensable vapor cools as it flows through ions in an electric field, the vapor condenses on the ions to form minute charged droplets and thereafter further condenses upon the droplets to form larger charged droplets which are passed through a conversion space having a repelling electric field.
  • a collector electrode at the exit of the conversion space discharges the charged droplets, an electrical load is connected between the collector electrode and the ionizer.
  • Various means for charging, forming, controlling and introducing the droplets are also disclosed.
  • This invention relates to a device for transducing the thermal and/or kinetic power of a moving charged aerosol gas to electric power and vice versa, with good aerodynamic and electrical efficiency.
  • the charged particle is moving in a carrier gas against an electric field, which induces a slip velocity opposite to the velocity of the carrier gas.
  • a slip velocity opposite to the velocity of the carrier gas.
  • the particle radius is small in relation to the electric charge per particle, a great number of charged particles may be present in a unit volume of gas and the charge density is large, but the slip velocity may then be a large fraction of the gas velocity. Excessive frictional power loss, and little or no power conversion may result.
  • the slip velocity is small but there may be too few charged particles per unit volume and the charge density may be too small, and hence only a little power may be converted.
  • the charge density of a charged aerosol is defined as the electric charge per unit volume of the charged aerosol.
  • chafo is an acronym for charged aerosol and formation.
  • Standard conditions for the gas are defined as 10 newtons/m. at 300 K.; or, approximately one atmosphere at 27 C.
  • supersaturated vapor as used herein, is a vapor in that condition in which it is capable of condensing upon an electrically neutral aerosol droplet.
  • a superheated vapor is one in which an electrically neutral droplet will evaporate.
  • a supersaturated ice vapor tends to preferentially condense on ions or charged particles.
  • a charged liquid particle may be stable in superheated vapor, where a neutral liquid particle will evaporate, provided the superheat is not too great.
  • the particle mobility is related to particle radius, particle charge, gas density and other physical parameters. Optimum values of these physical parameters for a charged aerosol gas to operate as an efficient power transducer are hereinafter derived.
  • the breakdown electric field in air under standard conditions is approximately 3 X 10 volts/m.
  • the breakdown electric field strength of a gas is increased in approximately direct proportion to the gas density.
  • the converted electric power increases as the square of the electric field intensity, and hence as the square of the gas density.
  • Mobility is defined as the velocity given to a charged particle or ion in a gas by a unit electric field intensity. It is expressed in the MKS system as the units m. /voltsee. In air under standard conditions, negative ions or positive ions have a mobility of approximately 10 m. /volt-sec.
  • the breakdown electric field intensity results in an ion velocity of about 300 m./ sec. through the air.
  • 300 m./sec. is a subsonic velocity within a suitable operating velocity range.
  • the optimum mobility of a charged aerosol particle is defined as that which results in a charged aerosol particle having an arbitrary negligibly small slip velocity, taken herein as 1% of the carrier gas velocity, under the near breakdown electric field intensity.
  • the charged aerosol particles must have an optimum mobility which corresponds to an optimum ratio of radius to electric charge. To use a still smaller mobility would not result in a useful improvement; the larger radius particle might result in fewer particles per unit volume and result in a smaller charge density.
  • the optimum mobility of a charged aerosol particle depends on the choice of gas velocity. This velocity is usually chosen subsonic, not exceeding about 0.5 Mach to keep the gas friction power losses small. The gas velocity cannot be much less than 0.5 Mach to maintain a substantial electric current transport via the charged aerosol gas. As an example, under standard con ditions and with subsonic gas velocity, the optimum mobility for the charged aerosol particle is 10- m. /voltsee.
  • One of the objects of this invention is to provide an eflicient charged aerosol power converter, which avoids one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the methods and apparatus of the prior art.
  • An object of this invention is to provide an improved power transducer utilizing a charged aerosol of optimum characteristics suitable for employment as a generator, pump or thrustor.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an improved jet pump by the use of charged aerosols of optimum characteristics.
  • An object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods and devices for producing charged aerosols having an optimum mobility.
  • An object of this invention is to efiiciently produce a charged aerosol comprising charged liquid particles having an optimum ratio of radius to electric charge.
  • a further object of this invention is to minimize the frictional power loss due to the slip of the charged paritcles relative to the gas in a charged aerosol power transducer, by providing charged aerosol particles of optimum mobility.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide improved methods of forming and charging aerosols.
  • Another object of this invention is to modify the electrojet process so as to produce charged aerosol particles of optimum mobility.
  • Another object of this invention is an improved condensation process producing charged aerosol particles of optimum mobility.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide :a method and apparatus in which condensation of vapor onto an ion continues, fonming a singly charged droplet of increasing radius, until the mobility is decreased to a suitable optimum value.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus in which multiply charged liquid particles acquire additional liquid from surrounding vapor to increase the particle radius and decrease the mobility to an optimum value.
  • a further object of this invention is to equalize the charging current produced by each unit area of a charging array.
  • This invention also concerns a new method and apparatus of introducing thermal jet power into a gas for increasing its kinetic power through the use of a charged aerosol jet.
  • FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axis of flow of one form of a charged aerosol converter according to the present invention, showing an assembly of elements forming an airfoil array.
  • FIGURE 2 shows a cross-sectional view, taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 normal to the axis of flow.
  • FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional detail view similar to FIGURE 1 of another form of the charged aerosol converter, utilizing an improved condensation type charged aerosol formation and charging process.
  • FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional detail view of still another form of the charged aerosol converter, utilizing an improved combination of an electrojet type and condensation type charged aerosol forming and charging process.
  • FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary, somewhat isometric view of a charged aerosol formation and charging device, according to the present invention.
  • FIGURE 6 graphically represents the particle radius versus mobility for singly charged particles, and for multiply charged particles.
  • FIGURE 7 shows a graph of a mathematical function useful in calculating the optimum radius of a charged aerosol particle.
  • FIGURE 8 shows a graph of the optimum radius for singly charged particles versus relative gas density.
  • the solid curves were calculated for different given values of relative breakdown electric intensity for the gas.
  • the dashed curves correspond to different electric power densities.
  • a conduit 10 containing the charged aerosol converter assembly comprises: The chafo section 31, for forming and charging the charged aerosol; the converter section 32 where the heatkinetic power is transduced to electric power, or vice versa; and the collector section 33 where the charged aerosol is discharged and connected to the external load current.
  • the charged aerosol A number of different processes may be employed to form and clharge the aerosol.
  • a fluid jet is emitted from an orifice into a gas stream in the presence of a strong electric field.
  • the fluid is subject to electric forces, and to mechanical forces generated by the slip of the particle relative to the gas stream.
  • the mechanical forces and the electrical forces tend to disrupt the fluid drop; the surface tension forces tend to keep the fluid drop together.
  • the breakup into smaller charged droplets continues until an equilibrium condition between these contending forces is established.
  • a charged aerosol is formed which comprises particles of the order of one micron in radius, with many charges on each particle.
  • the electrojet process is an efficient method for producing charged aerosol particles.
  • the ratio of the electric charge to the radius of the charged aerosol particles is large, then the mobility of such particles may be too large for them to act as an eflicient power transducer.
  • condensation process a gas containing a condensable vapor is directed through a nozzle and continuously expanded to decrease the temperature of the vapor in the presence of ions, whereupon the vapor condenses to form charged aerosol droplets suspended in the flowing gas stream. Effective condensation of the vapor onto a singly charged particle causes the charged liquid droplet to increase in radius. In this manner a charged aerosol may be formed having optimum mobility and capable of acting as an eflicient power transducer.
  • charged aerosol particles produced by the condensation process may produce singly charged particles thaving radii so small that their slip and frictional power loss is excessive.
  • a large temperature drop was heretofore required which was obtained by a gas-vapor flow through a nozzle having a large expansion ratio. Gases flowing in nozzles having large expansion ratios are usually accompanied by excessive frictional power losses.
  • a suitable subsonic gas velocity is maintained with small proportionate flows of jets of condensable vapors.
  • a large drop in temperature is obtained by conversion of the superheat of the jet into jet kinetic power imparted to the carrier gas.
  • the condensable vapor is initially slightly superheated, and cools by mixing with the cooler carrier gas. In both cases the vapor condenses onto charged particles such as ions and liquid droplets.
  • the electric charge on the particle is predetermined by the process of formation.
  • the condensation process
  • the electrojet process except with ultra thin jets, produces multiply charged particles.
  • the radius of the charged particle may be too small in relation to its charge, the mobility too large, and the slip velocity greater than 1% of the gas velocity; and hence eflicient operating conditions may not be attained.
  • the problem solved herein is that of producing charged particles of such small mobility that they are capable of performing as an efiicient thermal-kinetic-electric power transducer.
  • this result is achieved by the condensation of vapor onto the previously formed and charged particles, whether singly or multiply charged, causing the radius of the particles to increase and their mobility to decrease until it becomes optimum.
  • an electrojet process employing ultrathin jets of liquid. These ultrathin liquid jets are mechanically disrupted by the gas into particles having an optimum radius for a few electric charges. The charge on each particle is controlled by the voltage applied to the jet. A charged aerosol results which is capable of efficient power transduction.
  • the converter section 32 includes an airfoil array 16.
  • Each airfoil in the array has a streamlined cross section so that the airfoil array is in effect an array of slit-nozzles 41.
  • the charged aerosol-gas flows through these slit-nozzles and electrothermodynamic power conversion occurs.
  • Each airfoil 16 has a conducting strip 17 on its upper and lower surface.
  • the conducting strips 17 apply an electric field to the chafo ionizer electrode 30 which is carried by the conduit upstream of the airfoils 16.
  • the function of the chafo ionizer electrode 30 is to supply ions used as nuclei to form and charge the aerosol.
  • the ionizer electrode 30 may be an array of points, wires or thin tubes.
  • the conversion region of the nozzle 41 lies between the planes 51 and 52, which are separated by a distance L.
  • the collector electrode section 33 performs the function of discharging the charged aerosol at the end plane 52 of the conversion region of the nozzle 41.
  • collector electrode 33 shown in FIGURE 3 is a plurality of thin tungsten wire points 34, which function in a manner hereinafter described.
  • the chafo, converter and collector sections are mounted within the duct 10, which is shown in FIGURE 2 as rectangular in section.
  • the duct 10 may be suitably split with a flange joint generally indicated at 37 to enable the ready assembly of the transducer components within the duct.
  • the chafo section, the converter section, and the collector section are spaced and insulated from each other by the insulating spacers 35 and 36 respectively.
  • the chafo electrode 29 may be entirely fabricated of metal and connected directly to and supported within the metal duct 10 which may be at ground potential.
  • the converter section 32 comprises an array of airfoil elements 16 constructed of insulating material, for example, fused quartz.
  • Each airfoil element 16 has conducting charging strips 17, 17' therein just downstream of the thickest portion of the airfoil. If the voltage applied between the charging strips and the chafo electrode 29 were increased sufiiciently; or if the electrode spacings were not everywhere equal, within the usual dimensional tolerances, then current density imbalance may occur. To avoid this it is sometimes preferred to utilize the balast resistor network hereinafter described.
  • the conducting strips 17, 17 are connected by balast resistors 18, 18 (see FIGURE 3) to a common lead 19 within the airfoil element. A function of this structure is to equalize the current per unit cross section of the array.
  • the charging electrode 17 When the charging electrode 17 is at a suitable potential relative to the chafo electrode 29, the aerosol formation and charging processes herein described occur in the chafo region 40.
  • the electrode 17 may be at +3 kv. relative to the chafo electrode 29, which may be at zero or ground potential.
  • the mobility of the charged particles 44 in the conversion region of the nozzles 41 must have approximately the optimum value. During the formation of the charged aerosol particles 44, there exists only free electrons, negative ions, or charged particles of relatively large mobility. In the chafo region 40, the ions or just-formed small charged aerosol particles have a mobility from 10 to 10 times greater than the larger charged aerosol particles in the conversion section of the nozzle 41.
  • the collector section The charged aerosol particles are discharged at the exit plane 52 of the conversion (nozzzle space 41. Since they now carry no charge, they areTfo longer affected by the electric field. In some cases these uncharged particles are unstable and evaporate to form a vapor in the carrier gas.
  • the current flow in the discharge region is conducted by positive ions emitted from the point electrodes 33 which discharge the charged aerosol particles at the exit plane 52. These positive ions traverse the region at the exit plane 52. These positive ions traverse the region 46 rapidly because of their relatively large mobility.
  • the charged particle 47 at the exit plane 52 of the conversion space 41 is shown as it is being discharged by a positive ion 48 from the point electrode 34 (see FIGURE 3).
  • the large space charge density causes a substantial increase of electric potential in the downstream direction.
  • the charging region 40 and in the discharging region 46 there is little electric potential buildup due to space charge density.
  • Charge density in coulombs/m. is equal to current density in amps/m. divided by velocity in m./ sec. Except for slight leakage currents, the current is the same across each of the regions 40', 41 and 46.
  • the mobilities and velocities of the ions in the regions 40 and 46 are large, compared to the conversion region 41 where the charged aerosol particles in the carrier gas have a relatively small velocity.
  • Ions are emitted from the point electrode 34 to discharge the charged aerosol at the exit plane 52.
  • the space charge of the negatively charged aerosol in the conversion space 41 results in a large negative potential, at the exit plane 52.
  • the charged aerosol particle By supersaturated vapor, there is herein meant a vapor in that condition in which it is capable of condensing upon an electrically neutral aerosol droplet.
  • a superheated vapor is one in which an electrically neutral droplet will evaporate.
  • the chafo region and the conversion region may be operated in the supercooled vapor state to increase the electric breakdown strength of the charged aerosol gas.
  • Superheated vapor may then be subsequently introduced into the stream after passing the collector region to evaporate the neutralized liquid droplets.
  • the potential at the charging electrode 17 is maintained by a potential source 51 which is connected between the grounded chafo electrode 30 and the electrode 17.
  • the current required to maintain the charging voltage at the charging electrode is negligible compared to the current emitted by the chafo electrode 30 and collected by the collector electrode 34. This is because the electrons or negative ions emitted from the chafo electrode, for the most part, never reach the charging electrode 17 Instead, these ions or electrons are captured by the condensing vapor and form charged aerosol droplets of very small mobility and which are, therefore, carried by the gas stream into the conversion region 41.
  • the charged aerosol particles react with their own space charge field, and the field provided by the charging electrodes, and power is extracted from the charged aerosol-gas by a decrease in velocity or temperature or both. Thereafter the charged aerosol particles are discharged at the end plane 52 of the conversion space 41, for example, as shown at 47, by positive ions of large mobility such as 48 emitted from the point source 34.
  • the corona electrode 29 may be a hollow needle, not shown, or one or more thin tubes 30 having a series of minute holes 22 therein. The very small holes required may be drilled by an electron beam technique.
  • a superheated vapor 23 Within the tube 30 there is maintained a superheated vapor 23. The superheat is at a suitable temperature above that of the gas stream 15.
  • the tube 30 provides a jet of vapor indicated by the arrow 48 whose kinetic power is added to the gas stream 15. In certain devices, according to this invention, the kinetic power of the jet equals the friction power loss plus the converted electric power. Ions from the corona field form about the tube 30'. These ions form nuclei on which to condense vapor in the jet 48 forming the required charged aerosol droplets 44.
  • the gas stream 15 is preferably operated at subsonic velocity. A large expansion of the carrier gas stream 15 is not required to produce the condensation. Instead, vapor condensation onto charged ions or droplets is produced by a temperature drop caused by the conversion of the thermal power of the superheated vapor 23 into the kinetic power of the jet streams 48, which provides additional kinetic power to the gas stream 15. Only a small proportion of the gas mass, of the order of 10 parts, is required to provide sufiicient liquid for the charged aerosol droplets. Hence a large temperature drop may occur in the vapor jets 48, which constitutes only a small proportion of the flow, with little change in the temperature and pressure of the main flow and little effect on the overall thermodynamic efliciency.
  • the charged aerosol jet pump constitutes a novel jet pump which efliciently transfers its kinetic power to the gas stream without the inefiiciencies normally due to turbulence. No ordinary jet pump does this. In the ordinary jet pump, the mixing of a jet with a slower gas stream is accompanied by boundary turbulence, and the transfer of kinetic power from the jet to the gas is accompanied by excessive frictional power loss.
  • the supersaturated vapor in the jet condenses upon ions forming charged particles of small mobility, intermixing with, and entrapping the gas.
  • the kinetic power of the charged aerosol jet is efficiently transferred to the gas stream without the usual turbulence. Therefore, the charged aerosol jet pump has a greater efficiency than obtainable with an ordinary jet pump.
  • the charged aerosol jet pump may be used to advantage to provide additional power to the gas stream.
  • the jet aerosol transducer The operation of the device shown in FIGURE 3 is as follows: The superheated vapor is introduced at a temperature and pressure such that, on passing through the holes, high velocity jets of electrically supersaturated vapor are formed whose temperature and pressure is about the same as the temperautre of the flowing gas 15. Very small liquid drops 21 are first formed around the ions produced by the corona field about the pipe electrode 30. These charged drops initially have a radius smaller than that required for their operation as an efficient power transducer. However, as the vapor jets mix with the charged droplets, additional vapor is condensed thereon in the liquid state, thereby increasing the radius of these charged drops.
  • FIGURES 3 and 4 show charged drops 21 having a small radius when first formed close to the openings 22.
  • the charged droplets increase in radius until just prior to entering the conversion space. With the increase in radius, and with no additional charges added, the larger droplets 44 perform as efiicient power transducers in the conversion space 41 and are discharged at the eXit plane 52 by the electrode 34. External means (not shown) are provided for causing a flow of gas 15 through the conduit 10.
  • the gas 15 preferably has a low molecular weight and a high electrical breakdown.
  • the velocities of the gas 15 in the duct 10 is preferably subsonic. Suitable velocities range between 300 to 500 m./sec. This corresponds to 0.3 to 0.6 Mach for a low molecular gas such as hydrogen or helium.
  • a low molecular weight gas composition having large electric breakdown characteristic we may employ the following range of compositions:
  • the scavenger gas should be non-reactive with the condensable vapor employed or may be identical therewith.
  • the scavenger gas may also be a condensable vapor such as water or alcohol.
  • diphenyl chloride having appreciable vapor pressure at the operating temperature may be employed to form a charged aerosol droplet, and the vapor will also act as a scavenger gas. Water vapor is similarly useful. In other cases the scavenger gas is different from the condensable vapor, for example water vapor and chlorine gas.
  • the charged aerosol droplets produced by the electro' jet process may have too large a mobility because for a given charge the radius of the charged particles was too small.
  • This invention provides a soltuion to this problem by providing a supersaturated vapor in the vicinity of a charged aerosol particle which may be initially formed by the electrojet.
  • the supersaturated vapor condenses onto the charged aerosol particle and increases its radius until a charged particle having the optimum mobility is attained.
  • the gas entering the converter contained unsaturated superheated vapor or a carrier gas with vapor.
  • the vapor was strongly cooled and became supersaturated and condensed upon ions present to form charged aerosol droplets.
  • condensation With steam normally considered to be in the condition of superheat, condensation will nevertheless occur upon charged ions or charged aerosol droplets.
  • the condensation upon ions or charged droplets is more rapid as the degree of superheat is decreased from say +60 C. towards saturation or 0 C. superheat.
  • the improved condensation techniques described herein differ from the condensation technique above described in that the required supersaturated vapor is provided by the vapor jet issuing from orifices in the immediate vicinity of the ions produced by the corona, while the main gas stream may contain the vapor under slightly undersaturated conditions.
  • the gas which is moving at subsonic velocity undergoes only change in velocity and/ or temperature in the airfoil section 16 corresponding to the power converted. No temperature drop is employed without a corresponding extraction of electric power.
  • FIGURE 4 shows a detail view of a power converter according to this invention, for a combined electrojetcondensation process.
  • the tube 11 is preferably made of 'micro tubing, of the order of 0.1 mm. ID. and 0.2 mm. O.D., having orifices 12 of the oder of 0.02. mm. in the tube wall in a line parallel to the tube axis.
  • the tube 11 is connected to a source of liquid (not shown) under pressure, which is emitted in jets of liquid through the holes 12. These liquid jets form a spray of charged liquid particles 13 under the influence of the electric field and the gas flow.
  • the vapor is expelled through a plurality of holes 22 in tube 14.
  • the diameters of the tube 14 and the holes 22 which emit the vapor may be larger than the corresponding diameters of tube 11 and holes 12.
  • the vapor jets 21 issuing from openings 22 in the tube 14 have a velocity somewhat greater than the velocity of the gas stream 15.
  • Electrodes 17, 17' positioned downstream from tubes 11 are mounted on the airfoils 16, 16'.
  • the charged aerosol particles are entrained in the gas flow between the airfoils 16, 16.
  • One or more collector electrodes 33 are mounted downstream from the exit plane 52 and connected to a load 20.
  • Tube 14 which contains a superheated vapor, emits a jet 21 of supersaturated vapor into the gas stream 15 at a velocity somewhat greater than the gas velocity.
  • the superheated vapor jet 21 from tube 14 decreases in temperature and in enthalpy which is efficiently converted into kinetic power, and transfered to the total gas-vaporaerosol flow in the duct 10.
  • the jet 21 is in a supersaturated state, and deposits liquid on charged ions or droplets in the chafo region 40, further downstream.
  • tube 11 discharges a liquid jet of small diameter which breaks up immediately into small charged aerosol particles 13.
  • the electrojet process As the electric field intensity is increased, the charge increases and the radius of the charged particles decreases. When these charged particles are first formed, their radius is too small in relation to their charge. However, according to this invention, the supersaturated vapor jet 21 deposits additional liquid on each charged particle, increasing the radius.
  • the final radius of the charged particles at the entrance plane 51 of the conversion space 41 may be controlled by a number and diameter of orifices 16 per unit length of the tube 14, and the temperature and pressure of the superheated vapor 23 in the tube 14, as well as the temperature, pressure and velocity of the flowing gas 15, as Well as other factors known to control the charged aerosol produced by the electrojet process at 13.
  • a suitable choice of these control factors enables an optimum ratio of radius to electric charge to be attained.
  • the charging electrodes Referring to the charging electrode 17, 17' shown in FIGURE 3, it is neccesary to maintain a uniform ion emission from the corona field created about electrode 30. Variations in the distance of electrode 30 from the electrode 17 induce a greater current discharge from portions of the electrode 30 closest to the electrode 17. To produce a balanced or uniform emission from the entire length of the corona electrode 30, it is preferred to utilize a plurality of spaced resistive strips 18, 18 attached to central electrode 19 within the insulating airfoil section 16.
  • the corona electrode emits 30 microamperes/ mm. of length
  • the leakage current to electrode 17 is 0.1 microampere/mm.
  • the resistors 18, 18 have a resistance of 10 ohms/mm. length of the airfoil section
  • the potential difference between the charging electrode 17 and the electrode 30 is 2 kv.
  • the potential difference across the resistors 18, 18' is 1 kv.
  • the total potential difference from the electrode 30 to the common lead 19 is 3 'kv. Any increase in current through resistors 18, 18 over any portion of the length of the airfoil, produces a greater potential difference locally across one of the resistors.
  • the resistors 18, 18 may comprise a continuous strip placed between the outer conducting strips 17 and the lead conductor 19.
  • the resistors 18 may have a resistance per unit length. This simplifies the construction.
  • Alternative to a fixed resistance we may employ a non-linear ballast resistor.
  • the resistance of the ballast resistor 18 is a function of the current. A voltage drop is thereby produced which is a non-linear function of the current. Ballast resistors are known in the art in which the resistance drop is for example in proportion to the fifth power of the current. This tends to produce a more sharply limited maximum current through the resistor and produces better regulation.
  • the discharge current emitted from the collector points 34 is also self-regulating. If the charged aerosol which passes the exit plane were not neutralized by the local positive ion point source, then the charge density would increase with a buildup of space potential at the exit plane, and cause "an increase in the potential difference between the exit plane and the collector points, and an increase in the ion emission from the nearest collector point. This eifect tends to insure the uniform and complete discharge of the charged aerosol passing across the exit plane by the collector points.
  • FIGURE shows another form of aerosol formation and charging device which, for example, may be employed in lieu of the tube type 30 charging electrode 17, 17' in FIGURE 3 or in lieu of the tube 12 and charging electrodes 17, 17 in FIGURE 4.
  • an insulating cylindrical tube 60 or airfoil (not shown) has an axis XX', along which is placed a thin wire, such as a tungsten wire 61.
  • the wire may be coaxially supported within the tube 60 by, for example, spiders 62.
  • the interior of the tube 60 contains a superheated vapor 65. Upon issuing from the holes 63 the vapor is supercooled.
  • the vapor 65 along with charged ions issues from the intern-a1 corona produced by the wire 61, through the holes 63, 63a, etc. forming a wedge shaped beam 66 of charged liquid particles 67.
  • the operation of the device will be understood from previous descriptions in connection with the operation of the corresponding structures shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.
  • the advantage of the device shown in FIGURE 5 is that the charging electrode and the wire 61 which provides ions by corona discharge, are all contained within a single simple structure and the ions are thus intermingled within the shortest distance and most concentrated manner possible within the emerging superheated jets.
  • the holes 63, 63a can vary in diameter from 1-100 A. microns and may be spaced from each other in any suitable manner, to provide the required mass flow of charged liquid particles relative to the mass flow of the carrier gas 15.
  • the charged aerosol particles 67, 68 quickly disperse by mutual repulsion and intermix intimately with the carrier gas 15.
  • the conducting charging strips 64 may be a metal strip deposited in the form of a plating upon the outer surface of the insulating tube 60. The connection to the conducting strip 64 is to the potential source 51 (see FIGURES 3 and 4) and the wire 61 is grounded.
  • FIGURE 5 An advantage of this device shown in FIGURE 5 is that the airfoils 16 downstream of the chafo device no longer require conducting strips and may be constructed entirely of insulating material. This greatly simplifies the construction and is a particular advantage when the entire assembly must be miniaturized.
  • the curve A is for the electrojet process only; not the combined electrojet-condensation technique described herein in connection with FIGURE 4.
  • the curves A and B are calculated for ambient conditions.
  • curve A shows mobility versus particle radius calculated for the electrojet process.
  • Curve A was calculated for larger diameter liquid jets by equating the surface tension forces tending to hold the drop together to the electric forces tending to tear the drop apart. This limiting condition is called the Raleigh limit.
  • the corresponding mobility was calculated from the Stokes Cunningham or Millikan equation. These calculations show 12 a minimum mobility of about 10 m. /volt-sec. This mobility is too large for efficient power transduction.
  • Curve B in FIGURE 6 refers to singly charged particles commonly produced using the condensation method. Under certain conditions of operation, as previously practiced, for example with single charges in superheated steam, the radius of the charged particle which is formed may be smaller than that shown on the graph and the mobility is decreased to less than 10- m. /volt-sec.
  • the radius of the charged particle is increased and the mobility is decreased to less than 10 m. /vo1t-sec.
  • the principles may be applied to design charged aerosol generators having multiple stages in which power is extracted successively from a gas stream.
  • the power conversion concentration is 50 megawatts/m
  • Similar results may be obtained with the combined electrojet-condensation process shown in FIGURE 4. However, in this case the number of charges and the radius of the particle are each greater, but their ratio is the same as in the previous case.
  • liquid jets having a diameter of the order of microns were utilized, and it was primarily the electrical forces which caused the disruption of the jet into charged particles having radii of the order of 1 micron, averaging about 12,600 charges per particle.
  • the particle radius and charge is determined by the well known Raleigh limit, which requires an electric potential difference between the jet orifice and the charging electrode of the order of 2,000 volts.
  • Curve A in FIGURE 6 shows that the mobility of the charged particles produced solely by electrical disruption, greatly exceeds the optimum due to the presence of too many charges upon the particle.
  • the advantage of this technique is that no vapor need be employed.
  • the particles are instantaneously charged and formed and have the optimum mobility without the requirement for further accretion of condensed vapor.
  • the ultrathin electrojet method may be used with other power conversion devices such as that shown in FIGURE 3.
  • a liquid is substituted for the superheated vapor within the tube 30.
  • any of the devices disclosed herein may be used for producing charged aerosol particles for other applications.
  • the collector electrodes may be omitted.
  • positive and negative aerosol forming devices may be arranged to mutually discharge each other.
  • the ground may be used as the collector electrode and the other electrode potentials arranged accordingly.
  • Positive charged aerosols may be used instead of negative charged aerosols without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • b Relative breakdown electric intensity for any gas relative to hydrogen under standard conditions.
  • c Sonic velocity for hydrogen at standard conditions (meters/sec).
  • E Electric breakdown field intensity (volts/meter).
  • K Relative electric breakdown field intensity for any moving aerosol. This value is normalized with respect to breakdown field intensity for the gas component of the aerosol taken at static standard conditions.
  • the mobility k of a charged particle moved with a velocity v through a gas by an electric field of intensity E is, by definition:
  • the gas velocity u may be expressed in terms of M the Mach No. of the gas; the sonic velocity 0 of hydrogen gas H at standard conditions, the absolute temperature T and m the atomic or molecular weight of the gas:
  • the mobility k may be expressed in terms of the operating conditions, by substituting (4) and (5) into (3):
  • the viscosity ,u may be expressed in terms of ,u the viscosity of H under standard conditions:
  • the mean free path may be expressed in terms of X 0 1 f a.) 1 f a) In (2) let:
  • Equation 2 Equation 2
  • FIGURE 6 A plot of 0 versus S is shown graphically in FIGURE 6.
  • the value of r is computed using the data of Table From (37) the values of X may be computed for cor- IV in (16).
  • the radius of the singly charged particle may be expressed in terms of angstroms:
  • Case I Formula 31
  • Case II Formula 33
  • the dashed line p on FIGURE 8 is for a power density of 10 watts/m. utilizing a hydrogen water aerosol.
  • a hydrogen water aerosol a hydrogen water aerosol
  • b the molecular weight relative to air is 0.07
  • the electrical breakdown field intensity relative to hydrogen is 1.0
  • K the electrical breakdown strength of the charged aerosol relative to the carrier gas is taken as 1.0.
  • composition No. 2 which is composition No. 1 inhibited with a scavenger gas corresponding values are 0.07, 2.0 and 1.0.
  • Composition No. 3 which is the same as Composition N0 2 but supercooled, the corresponding values are 0.07, 2.0 and 3.0.
  • Case 1 above shows the particle radius is independent of cross section for small values of relative density 6
  • Case II shows that for larger values of relative density 6,, the relative molecular cross section is an important factor in computing the radius of the charged particle.
  • Equation 44 and 45'r is expressed in microns.
  • the number of charges on a multiply charged particle having a radius of 1,0. -for the charged particle to have the optimum mobility may be computed from FIGURE 7:
  • r/N 350 A. per electron charge or 28 electron charges per drop of 1 4 radius.
  • FIGURE 7 shows that to achieve optimum mobility it is required that: rNs350.
  • An important feature of this invention is the establishment of a useful operating range by control of the parameter X.
  • X 10, or a particle radius of about 350 A. is required for a power density of 10 watts/m1
  • charged particles having much smaller radii may be used if the parameter X is decreased to 5, 3 or 2.
  • Certain liquids such as water, alcohol, etc. are known to be molecular electric dipoles; that is, have an electric dipole moment. The ion first attaches to one of these molecular dipoles, and then other molecular dipoles quickly attach.
  • the molecular dipoles When the charged liquid droplets are brought into an electrical field, the molecular dipoles are oriented; the charged liquid drop increases in free energy, decreases in entropy, and decreases in temperature.
  • the orientation of the molecular dipoles in a charged water drop decreases its absolute temperature about 36%; whereupon the oriented dipole molecules lose their ability to re-evaporate. Vapor molecules striking the charged aerosol droplets are captured, become oriented in the electrical field. The charged aerosol droplets thus continue to grow.
  • the electric field intensity increases from the charging space to the conversion space.
  • the repelling electric field intensity decreases.
  • the radius of the charged droplet stops growing and reaches equilibrium at optimum mobility.
  • the particles have an optimum mobility during their traverse of the conversion space.
  • the electric field intensity decreases further until it is zero at the collector plane, the molecular dipoles in the liquid drop disorient, the temperature of the charged drop increases, and the drop becomes smaller in radius as it evaporates.
  • ions from the collector preferably discharge the charged aerosol particles just before they start to evaporate.
  • the molecular dipoles are disoriented, the neutral droplets suddenly increase in temperature and rapid evaporation of the droplet occurs.
  • the droplet liquid returns to the vapor phase within the carrier stream.
  • the power from the electrical circuit is transduced, producing an increase in pressure and temperature of the moving gas.
  • an accelerating electric field is applied to the charged droplet in an electrical converter section similar to that previously described.
  • the electric field intensity increases from a minimum at the entrance to the conversion space, to a maximum at the collector electrodes, and the charged aerosol particles continue to grow until discharged at the collector plane, after which they may evaporate as described above.
  • Staging may also be used to increase the buildup of pressure and temperature differentials.
  • the parameters of operation may be chosen in accordance with the operational requirements; the methods of charging and forming the aerosol may be chosen from amongst the various methods disclosed herein; and the device may be constructed according to any of the various devices illustrated and described herein, all without departing from the scope of this invention.
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power output comprising a conduit, a moving gas under presure in said conduit, means comprising a tube having a plurality of nozzle-like holes therein within the conduit to emit supercooled vapor jets into the gas at a temperature pressure and velocity somewhat greater than that of the gas, ionizer means within the conduit to form ions in an electric field in the region of the supercooled vapor, whereby the vapor will condense upon said ions to form minute charged droplets, and whereby the vapor will further condense upon the said minute charged droplets to form a charged aerosol having larger droplets, a conversion space having a repelling electric field to convert the heat kinetic power of the charged aerosol gas to electric power, a collector electrode at the exit of the conversion space to discharge the charged droplets, and an electrical load to receive the output electric power connected between the collector electrode and the ionizer.
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power comprising a conduit, a moving gas in said conduit said gas containing a condensable vapor having a low mean molecular weight, high electrical breakdown, a velocity of the order of 300 to 1000 m./sec., and a pressure exceeding one atmosphere, means within the conduit comprising a tube having a plurality of nozzle-like holes therein to emit jets of supercooled vapor into the gas at a temperature pressure and velocity somewhat greater than that of the gas, ionizer means within the conduit to form ions in an electric field in the region of the supercooled vapor, whereby minute charged droplets will condense upon said ions, and whereby the vapor will further condense upon the charged droplets to form a charged aerosol having larger droplets, a conversion space having a repelling electric field to convert the heat kinetic power of the charged aerosol gas to electric power, a collector electrode at the exit of the conversion space to discharge the charged droplets, and an electrical load to receive the output electric
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power comprising a conduit, a moving gas under pressure in said conduit, a condensable vapor in the gas, means comprising a first tube within the conduit connected to a source of conductive liquid under pressure and having a plurality of spaced openings therein to eject liquid jets, means to apply an electric field to said jets, whereby said jets form minute charged droplets, a second tube carried within the conduit upstream of the first tube, said second tube being connected to a source of superheated vapor under pressure and having a plurality of spaced openings therein whereby supercooled vapor issues from the said second tube at a velocity approximating the velocity of the gas, whereby the supercooled vapor will condense upon the minute charged droplets to form a charged aerosol having larger droplets, a conversion space having a repelling electric field to convert the heat kinetic power of the charged aerosol gas to electric power, a collector electrode at the exit of the conversion space to discharge the charged droplets
  • a device according to claim 3 in which th tube openings are of the order of 1 to microns in diameter.
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of the moving gas'to electric power comprising a conduit, a moving gas under pressure in said conduit, a condensable vapor in the gas, means comprising first tube electrodes within the conduit having a plurality of spaced openings to emit a supercooled vapor jet into the gas stream at a temperature, pressure and velocity somewhat greater than that of the gas, means within the conduit comprising a plurality of spaced insulating airfoil members having conductive strips thereon and disposed downstream of the tube electrode, a source of electrical potential connected between said strips and said tube electrodes to form ions in an electric field in the region of the vapor, whereby the vapor will condense upon ions to form minute charged droplets, second tubes within the conduit upstream of the first tubes, said second tubes being connected to a source of superheated vapor and having a plurality of spaced openings therein whereby supercooled vapor issues from the said second tubes at a velocity approximating the velocity of the gas, whereby the supercooled vapor will
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power comprising a conduit, :1 moving gas under pressure in said conduit, a vapor in the gas, pipe electrodes within the conduit having a plurality of spaced openings to emit a supercooled vapor into the gas stream at a temperature, pressure and velocity somewhat greater than that of the gas, a plurality of spaced insulating airfoil members within the conduit and disposed downstream of the pipe electrodes, conductive strips on said airfoil members, a central electrode within the airfoil members, a resistive strip between each of the conductive strips and the central electrode, and a source of electrical potential connected between said strips and said pipe electrodes, whereby ions are formed in an electric field in the region of the vapor which condenses upon said ions to form minute charged droplets, second tubes within the conduit upstream of the first tube, said second tubes having a plurality of spaced openings and connected to a source of superheated vapor, whereby supercooled vapor issues from the said second tubes at
  • a device according to claim 6 in which the resistance comprises non-linear ballast resistors.
  • a device to convert the heat kinetic power of a moving gas to electric power comprising a conduit, a moving source of gas under pressure in said conduit, a vapor in the gas, means comprising dielectric tube disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the conduit, said tub connected to a source of superheated vapor, said tube having a plurality of spaced openings to emit supercooled vapor jets, an axial conducting wire electrode within the tubes, a charging strip on the outer surface of the tube adjacent the openings therein, a source of electrical potential difference connected between the axial wire electrode and the strip whereby ions are produced within the vapor jets from the openings, said vapor condensing upon the ions to form minute charged droplets, a second tube upstream of the first tube, said second tube being connected to a source of superheated vapor and having a plurality of spaced openings therein whereby supercooled vapor is issued from the said second tube at approximately the velocity of the gas and condenses upon the minute charged droplets to form a charged aerosol having
  • the method of converting the heat-kinetic power of a moving gas into electrical power comprising the steps of passing a non-conducting gas at subsonic velocity through a conduit, introducing a supercooled vapor into the gas, maintaining a conducting liquid under pressure in a tube placed within the conduit, forming a small diameter charged jet from said liquid in an electric field within said moving gas, whereby said jet breaks up into minute charged droplets and whereby the vapor condenses upon the minute charged droplets to form a charged aerosol gas having charged droplets of larger radius, and of approximately optimum mobility, directing said charged aerosol gas of optimum mobility against a repelling electric field and thereafter neutralizing the charge on the aerosol by collector means downstream from the repelling electric field, and supplying the output electric power to an electrical load connected between the collector means and the conducting liquid.
  • a device for producing and charging an aerosol comprising a dielectric tube, a source of superheated vapor at a temperature and pressure substantially above that of the gas on the exterior of the tube, a plurality of openings along the tube to emit supercooled jets, an axial conducting wire electrode within the tube, a charging strip on the outer surface thereof adjacent the openings therein, a source of electrical potential difference connected between the axial wire and the strips, whereby ions are produced within the vapor jets from the openings said vapor condensing upon the ions to form minute charged droplets in the gas constituting a charged aerosol gas.
  • a device for producing and charging a charged aerosol gas comprising a dielectric tube, a source of superheated vapor at a temperature and pressure substantially above that of the gas on the exterior of the tube, a plurality of openings along the tube to emit supercooled jets, an axial conducting wire electrode within the tube, a charging strip on the outer surface thereof adjacent the openings therein, a source of electric potential difference connected between the axial wire and the strips, whereby ions are produced within the vapor jets from the openings, said vapor condensing upon the ions to form minute charged droplets in the gas, a second tube upstream of the jets of said first tube, said second tube being connected to a source of superheated vapor having a temperature and pressure substantially greater than that of the gas, and having a plurality of spaced openings thereon whereby supercooled vapor issues from the said second tube and condenses upon the minute charged droplets to form a charged aerosol having larger droplets, constituting a charged aerosol gas.
  • the method of converting the heat kinetic power of a moving gas into electrical power comprising the steps of passing a non-conducting gas through a conduit, introducing a supercooled vapor produced from jets issuing at a somewhat greater pressure temperature and velocity than the gas from the orifices in an upstream pipe, said upstream pipe being supplied with superheated vapor under substantially greater temperature and pressure than that of the moving gas into said gas, introducing ions into the supercooled vapor from a corona within the supercooled vapor to form minute charged droplets, increasing the radius of the minute charged droplets by condensationof the vapor thereon to form larger charged droplets of approximately optimum mobility, passing said larger charged droplets through a repelling electric field, discharging the larger charged droplets by collector means, and supplying electrical power to a load connected between the collector means and the ionizer means.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
US438930A 1965-03-11 1965-03-11 Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols Expired - Lifetime US3411025A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US438930A US3411025A (en) 1965-03-11 1965-03-11 Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols
IL25282A IL25282A (en) 1965-03-11 1966-03-01 Electrothermodynamic generator
DE19661539301 DE1539301A1 (de) 1965-03-11 1966-03-10 Vorrichtung zum Umwandeln thermischer und/oder kinetischer Energie eines sich bewegenden geladenen Aerosolgases in elektrische Energie und umgekehrt
GB10825/66A GB1098989A (en) 1965-03-11 1966-03-11 Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols
NL6603181A NL6603181A (enrdf_load_html_response) 1965-03-11 1966-03-11

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US438930A US3411025A (en) 1965-03-11 1965-03-11 Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3411025A true US3411025A (en) 1968-11-12

Family

ID=23742622

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US438930A Expired - Lifetime US3411025A (en) 1965-03-11 1965-03-11 Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3411025A (enrdf_load_html_response)
DE (1) DE1539301A1 (enrdf_load_html_response)
GB (1) GB1098989A (enrdf_load_html_response)
IL (1) IL25282A (enrdf_load_html_response)
NL (1) NL6603181A (enrdf_load_html_response)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3508085A (en) * 1967-09-22 1970-04-21 Gen Dynamics Corp Electrogasdynamic generator method and apparatus
US3518462A (en) * 1967-08-21 1970-06-30 Guidance Technology Inc Fluid flow control system
US3577022A (en) * 1970-01-06 1971-05-04 Us Air Force Thermoballistic generator
US3792293A (en) * 1971-11-22 1974-02-12 A Marks Electrostatic generator with charging and collecting arrays
US3807137A (en) * 1969-09-30 1974-04-30 D Romell Electrostatic gas-scrubber and method
US3839094A (en) * 1972-06-30 1974-10-01 Us Army Fluidic thermoelectric generator
US3853580A (en) * 1965-12-07 1974-12-10 Nat State Bank Methods for electrogasdynamic coating
US4072477A (en) * 1972-05-11 1978-02-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Electrostatic precipitation process
US4146800A (en) * 1975-10-08 1979-03-27 Gregory Stephen E Apparatus and method of generating electricity from wind energy
US4349359A (en) * 1978-03-30 1982-09-14 Maxwell Laboratories, Inc. Electrostatic precipitator apparatus having an improved ion generating means
US4433248A (en) * 1982-04-07 1984-02-21 Marks Alvin M Charged aerosol wind/electric power generator with solar and/or gravitational regeneration
US5407469A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-04-18 Sunova Company Improved air ionizing apparatus
US6492784B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2002-12-10 Gravitec, Inc. Propulsion device and method employing electric fields for producing thrust
US20060219602A1 (en) * 2002-05-15 2006-10-05 Stencel John M Particle separation/purification system, diffuser and related methods
US20070158578A1 (en) * 2005-10-13 2007-07-12 Mks Instruments, Inc. Air Assist for AC Ionizers
US20070180996A1 (en) * 2006-02-09 2007-08-09 Oreck Holdings, Llc Tower air cleaner with improved airflow
US20090218910A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-09-03 David Carmein Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US20090293718A1 (en) * 2008-06-03 2009-12-03 Raytheon Company Methods and apparatus for an ionizer
US20100242726A1 (en) * 2007-04-03 2010-09-30 Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus Supply air device and method for purification of air in a supply air device
US20130008315A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Dawn White System and method for energy and particle extraction from an exhaust system
US8502507B1 (en) 2012-03-29 2013-08-06 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic system
US8796655B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2014-08-05 Accio Energy, Inc. System and method for controlling electric fields in electro-hydrodynamic applications
US8878150B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2014-11-04 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US9038920B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2015-05-26 General Electric Company Systems and methods for electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion
US11081980B2 (en) * 2017-03-09 2021-08-03 Ionech Limited Energy storage and conversion
WO2024103116A1 (en) * 2022-11-15 2024-05-23 Richard James Hunwick Direct carbon capture

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3225225A (en) * 1963-07-18 1965-12-21 Frank L Wattendorf High voltage electrostatic generator

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3225225A (en) * 1963-07-18 1965-12-21 Frank L Wattendorf High voltage electrostatic generator

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3853580A (en) * 1965-12-07 1974-12-10 Nat State Bank Methods for electrogasdynamic coating
US3518462A (en) * 1967-08-21 1970-06-30 Guidance Technology Inc Fluid flow control system
US3508085A (en) * 1967-09-22 1970-04-21 Gen Dynamics Corp Electrogasdynamic generator method and apparatus
US3807137A (en) * 1969-09-30 1974-04-30 D Romell Electrostatic gas-scrubber and method
US3577022A (en) * 1970-01-06 1971-05-04 Us Air Force Thermoballistic generator
US3792293A (en) * 1971-11-22 1974-02-12 A Marks Electrostatic generator with charging and collecting arrays
US4072477A (en) * 1972-05-11 1978-02-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Electrostatic precipitation process
US3839094A (en) * 1972-06-30 1974-10-01 Us Army Fluidic thermoelectric generator
US4146800A (en) * 1975-10-08 1979-03-27 Gregory Stephen E Apparatus and method of generating electricity from wind energy
US4349359A (en) * 1978-03-30 1982-09-14 Maxwell Laboratories, Inc. Electrostatic precipitator apparatus having an improved ion generating means
US4433248A (en) * 1982-04-07 1984-02-21 Marks Alvin M Charged aerosol wind/electric power generator with solar and/or gravitational regeneration
US5407469A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-04-18 Sunova Company Improved air ionizing apparatus
US6492784B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2002-12-10 Gravitec, Inc. Propulsion device and method employing electric fields for producing thrust
US20060219602A1 (en) * 2002-05-15 2006-10-05 Stencel John M Particle separation/purification system, diffuser and related methods
US7741574B2 (en) * 2002-05-15 2010-06-22 University Of Kentucky Research Foundation Particle separation/purification system, diffuser and related methods
US20070158578A1 (en) * 2005-10-13 2007-07-12 Mks Instruments, Inc. Air Assist for AC Ionizers
US7697258B2 (en) * 2005-10-13 2010-04-13 Mks Instruments, Inc. Air assist for AC ionizers
US20070180996A1 (en) * 2006-02-09 2007-08-09 Oreck Holdings, Llc Tower air cleaner with improved airflow
US8491703B2 (en) * 2007-04-03 2013-07-23 Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus Supply air device and method for purification of air in a supply air device
US20100242726A1 (en) * 2007-04-03 2010-09-30 Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus Supply air device and method for purification of air in a supply air device
US8779404B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2014-07-15 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US8878150B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2014-11-04 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US9698706B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2017-07-04 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic system
US8421047B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2013-04-16 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US20090218910A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-09-03 David Carmein Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US8502181B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2013-08-06 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system
US20090293718A1 (en) * 2008-06-03 2009-12-03 Raytheon Company Methods and apparatus for an ionizer
US8080085B2 (en) * 2008-06-03 2011-12-20 Raytheon Company Methods and apparatus for an ionizer
US9194368B2 (en) 2009-01-22 2015-11-24 Accio Energy, Inc. System and method for controlling electric fields in electro-hydrodynamic applications
US8796655B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2014-08-05 Accio Energy, Inc. System and method for controlling electric fields in electro-hydrodynamic applications
US20130008315A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Dawn White System and method for energy and particle extraction from an exhaust system
US9038920B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2015-05-26 General Electric Company Systems and methods for electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion
US8502507B1 (en) 2012-03-29 2013-08-06 Accio Energy, Inc. Electro-hydrodynamic system
US11081980B2 (en) * 2017-03-09 2021-08-03 Ionech Limited Energy storage and conversion
WO2024103116A1 (en) * 2022-11-15 2024-05-23 Richard James Hunwick Direct carbon capture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL25282A (en) 1970-09-17
DE1539301A1 (de) 1969-12-04
NL6603181A (enrdf_load_html_response) 1966-09-12
GB1098989A (en) 1968-01-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3411025A (en) Method and apparatus for producing charged aerosols
US4206396A (en) Charged aerosol generator with uni-electrode source
US2763125A (en) Means for controlling the direction of a stream of ionized fluid
US3309873A (en) Plasma accelerator using hall currents
US3279176A (en) Ion rocket engine
US4210847A (en) Electric wind generator
US4821508A (en) Pulsed electrothermal thruster
US3792293A (en) Electrostatic generator with charging and collecting arrays
US3191077A (en) Power conversion device
US3518461A (en) Charged aerosol power conversion device and method
DE3920890A1 (de) Lichtbogen-strahl-schuberzeuger mit verbesserter lichtbogenanhaftung zur verbesserung der leistungsfaehigkeit
Hogan et al. Investigation of the charge-to-mass ratio of electrically sprayed liquid particles
Stine et al. The theoretical enthalpy distribution of air in steady flow along the axis of a direct-current electric arc
US3225225A (en) High voltage electrostatic generator
US4395648A (en) Electrothermodynamic (ETD) power converter
US3417267A (en) Heat-electrical power interconversion devices
US3343022A (en) Transpiration cooled induction plasma generator
US2850662A (en) Electric arc powered jet
US2638555A (en) Heat-electrical power conversion through the medium of a charged aerosol
US2983332A (en) Process and apparatus for the purification of gases
US3140421A (en) Multiphase thermal arc jet
Marks et al. Charged aerosol energy converter
US4523112A (en) Electrothermodynamic (ETD) power converter with conical jet
US3201622A (en) Generation of electricity
US3456135A (en) Gas flywheel power converter