WO1997023294A1 - Air filtration apparatus - Google Patents
Air filtration apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997023294A1 WO1997023294A1 PCT/GB1996/003074 GB9603074W WO9723294A1 WO 1997023294 A1 WO1997023294 A1 WO 1997023294A1 GB 9603074 W GB9603074 W GB 9603074W WO 9723294 A1 WO9723294 A1 WO 9723294A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- high voltage
- corona discharge
- electret
- air
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C3/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapour, e.g. air, by electrostatic effect
- B03C3/34—Constructional details or accessories or operation thereof
- B03C3/66—Applications of electricity supply techniques
- B03C3/68—Control systems therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C3/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapour, e.g. air, by electrostatic effect
- B03C3/02—Plant or installations having external electricity supply
- B03C3/04—Plant or installations having external electricity supply dry type
- B03C3/14—Plant or installations having external electricity supply dry type characterised by the additional use of mechanical effects, e.g. gravity
- B03C3/155—Filtration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03C3/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapour, e.g. air, by electrostatic effect
- B03C3/28—Plant or installations without electricity supply, e.g. using electrets
Definitions
- TITLE Air filtration apparatus.
- This invention concerns air filtration apparatus.
- the first method is to use a mechanical filter of fine fibres, typically glass fibres. By this method filtration efficiencies of up to 99.97% may be achieved but with the drawback of very high pressure drop across the filter.
- the second main filtration method uses a filter composed of electret fibres which have electrical charges embedded therein. These electrical charges exert an attractive force on airborne particles, causing them to be trapped in the filter more efficiently than an equivalent non-electret filter. These filters have a lower pressure drop but can only practically achieve filtration efficiencies of up to about 95%.
- An object of this invention is to provide an improved air filtration apparatus.
- air filtration apparatus comprising corona discharge means connected to a high voltage source for electrically charging pollutant particles passing through the apparatus and an electret filter member for collecting charged pollutant particles.
- the apparatus of the invention preferably further comprises means for drawing air through the apparatus to pass through the filter.
- means for drawing air through the apparatus to pass through the filter Typically an electrically operated fan will be provided for that purpose.
- the fan may be upstream or downstream of the filter member.
- the air stream is passed through a tube having a corona discharge electrode within it with a high voltage between the tube and
- the tube is preferably circular in section and the electrode is preferably on its central longitudinal axis.
- the tube preferably has its inner surface of or coated with conducting material, such as of copper, and the conducting surface is preferably held at a different voltage from the discharge electrode by ⁇ 3,000 volts to ⁇ 20,000 volts.
- the inner surface of the tube is preferably connected to the low voltage side of the high voltage source.
- the apparatus of the invention may comprise a plurality of cells each having its own associated electret filter or common electret filter.
- the cells may be in a parallel or in series. In the latter case an electret filter member is preferably provided after each cell.
- a single point source of charge in each cell of the apparatus of the invention surrounded by a discharging electrode has the advantage of producing a flow of charging air ions emanating from the point and flowing orthogonally across the path of the pollutant particles through the apparatus.
- the flow of such ions is substantially even, radially of the point to provide symmetry of air ion flux with respect to the particle flow. In that way there is very little chance of a pollutant particle passing through the apparatus without receiving a charge and hence not being collected by the electret filter.
- the electret filter member is preferably composed of electret fibres, which are typically of plastics material, such as polypropylene.
- the electret filter member may comprise a woven or non-woven web of electret fibres. Electret fibres have electrical charges embedded therein or thereon.
- an air filter apparatus comprises a casing having an inlet and an outlet for air to pass through the apparatus and in sequence a fan, a corona discharge cell and an electret filter member.
- filter members preferably composed of electret fibres each preceded by a corona discharge cell for electrically charging air pollutant particles.
- a first filter member be relatively thick compared to the or each subsequent filter member although filter members of similar thickness may be used.
- the thicker filter member is aimed to give practical filter life, whereas the second and subsequent thinner filters improve efficiency without undue increase in pressure drop across the filter apparatus. With arrangements of this type it is envisaged that filter efficiencies between 99.98 and 100% may be achievable.
- the preferred corona discharge system comprising a cylindrical tube with a central electrode, the inner surface of the tube being conductive, that has the advantage that virtually all light air ion flux is collected by the conducting surface, typically connected to the low voltage side of the high voltage source, so that virtually no flux escapes from the apparatus that would otherwise cause dirt deposition on the surroundings.
- the only charge escaping the charging cell and subsequently impinging on the filter is the charge carried by the pollutant particles. These are substantially totally captured by the filter, so that the charge collected can be measured.
- a path for return of charge collected on the filter to the high voltage generator is preferably provided, whereby the amount of pollutant particles collected by the apparatus may be measured. It is, therefore, preferred that the filter apparatus of the invention include means for measuring current returning from the filter to the high voltage generator.
- the current measured in that way may be used as a signal to aid operation of the filter apparatus.
- the return current indicates the amount of pollution present and so the signal may be used to control fan speed to increase or reduce air throughput accordingly.
- operation of the filter apparatus may be cycled to target a preset level of pollution.
- the signal may be used to provide an instantaneous rate of collection of pollution particles in order to ascertain whether or not the apparatus is working. Thirdly, the signal may be used to provide an aggregate of charge collected so as to indicate exhaustion of the filter for timely replacement.
- FIG 1 shows schematically an air filter according to the invention
- Figure 2 shows schematically a corona discharge system
- FIG. 3 shows schematically another air filter according to the invention.
- Figure 4 is another schematic drawing of air filter apparatus of the invention.
- an air filter 10 has a casing 12 with an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. In sequence from the inlet 14 are a fan 18, a charging zone or cell 20 and a filter element 22.
- the fan 18 is simply an electrically driven fan to draw air through the air filter inlet 14 and out through the outlet 16.
- the charging zone 20 is provided to impart a charge to pollutant particles in the air passing through the air filter.
- Various means may be used for charging the pollutant particles.
- the charging zone may comprise wires and/or plates with a high voltage between them, typically of the order of ⁇ 3,000 to ⁇ 20,000 volts, to produce a corona discharge.
- An alternative particle charging system 20 (see Figure 2) comprises a corona discharge electrode 24 in a tube 26, the inner surface of which is of conducting material.
- the inner surface of the tube is held at a different voltage to the corona discharge electrode by ⁇ 3,000 to ⁇ 20,000 volts and is typically connected to earth.
- the tube 26 is cylindrical and the electrode 24 is on its longitudinal central axis.
- the filter element 22 is preferably composed of so-called electret fibres. These fibres have embedded therein isolated positive and negative charges. Typically the fibres are made of polypropylene.
- Air is drawn into the filter by the fan 18 and is charged in the charging zone including dirt particles therein.
- the corona electrode produces light aero-ions with a high mobility in the electric field. These aero-ions pass across the charging zone colliding with pollutant particles to impart electrical charge thereto. Substantially all of the aero-ions are retained within the charging zone by virtue of their high mobility and the influence on them of the electric field within the charging zone.
- the charged pollutant particles by virtue of their greater mass will have a lower mobility in the electric field and will pass completely out of the charging zone and be attracted to the electret fibres of the filter 22, where they experience greater attraction than if uncharged, whereby filtration is enhanced.
- the pressure drop across the filter may also be relatively low.
- the charge on the trapped particles can be caused to flow back to the high voltage generator via the filter 22 and an electrical measuring circuit and indicator to give an indication of the degree of air cleaning and the pollution level in the air.
- an electrical measuring circuit and indicator to give an indication of the degree of air cleaning and the pollution level in the air.
- FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings instead of a single corona discharge zone/filter combination, two such combinations 40, 42 and 44, 46 are provided along with a fan 44.
- the first filter 42 is thicker than the second filter 46 to provide a practical filter lifetime and the second relatively thin filter 46 does not unduly increase the pressure drop across the air filter itself whilst enhancing filtration by removing the relatively low concentration of pollutant particles which have penetrated the first filter.
- the corona discharge zones 40 and 44 and the filters 42 and 46 are of the types described in relation to the embodiment of
- Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings has been included to demonstrate return of charge from a filter element whereby the return current can be usefully measured.
- Figure 4 shows filter apparatus 50 having a corona cell 52 and an electret filter element 54, whereby pollutant particles 56 entering the apparatus and travelling in the direction of arrow A, drawn or propelled by a fan (not shown), are charged by collision with air ions produced by corona discharge needle 58 in the cell 52.
- the corona discharge is generated by high voltage generator 60 connected to the needle 58.
- the cell 52 has a conductive lining connected to the low voltage side of the generator, whereby air ions are drawn thereto and discharged, so that they do not escape from the cell.
- the resultant charged particles 62 are collected on the electret filter element 54, typically of the type described for the other illustrated embodiments and their charge given up (64).
- the filter element is connected to the high voltage generator 60 so that the charge on the filter can return as a measurable current to the generator.
- the current measured can be used for a number of purposes.
- the amount of charge collected on the filter element indicates the level of pollutant particles present. Therefore, the current measured can be used to control the fan speed in variance with the level of pollution.
- Current measurement may be used to indicate instantaneous rate of capture of pollutant particles, thus signalling whether the apparatus is working.
- the current could be used, for example, to power a visual display, such as an L.E.D., to show that the apparatus is working.
- the current measurement can also be continuously aggregated, in order to indicate the total amount of pollutant particles collected and hence when the filter element is likely to be exhausted. Again this measurement may be used to power a visual display, such as an L.E.D. to show when the filter element needs replacing.
- the apparatus of the invention has a number of advantages that deserve mention. By charging pollutant particles from a single corona discharge point in a cell, virtually no particles can pass through the cell without being charged. Hence the apparatus of the invention can operate at very high efficiency levels even up to 99.999% efficiency.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Electrostatic Separation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP96941786A EP0868214A1 (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-12-13 | Air filtration apparatus |
AU11060/97A AU1106097A (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-12-13 | Air filtration apparatus |
JP9523381A JP2000502597A (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-12-13 | Air filtration equipment |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9526489.1 | 1995-12-22 | ||
GBGB9526489.1A GB9526489D0 (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1995-12-22 | Air filtration apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997023294A1 true WO1997023294A1 (en) | 1997-07-03 |
Family
ID=10786045
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1996/003074 WO1997023294A1 (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-12-13 | Air filtration apparatus |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0868214A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000502597A (en) |
AU (1) | AU1106097A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2240848A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9526489D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997023294A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008127483A1 (en) | 2006-12-27 | 2008-10-23 | Strionair, Inc. | Ionization detector for electrically enhanced air filtration systems |
US20140102295A1 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2014-04-17 | Carrier Corporation | Current monitoring in electrically enhanced air filtration system |
CN106573250A (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2017-04-19 | 爱菲电子净化股份公司 | Air filter arrangement |
CN109028430A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2018-12-18 | 庞凯戈 | A kind of automatic ventilation system of intelligent recognition air pollution degree |
US10286405B2 (en) | 2015-10-22 | 2019-05-14 | Darwin Technology International Limited | Air cleaning device and apparatus |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6524488B1 (en) | 1998-06-18 | 2003-02-25 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Method of filtering certain particles from a fluid using a depth loading filtration media |
US6280824B1 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2001-08-28 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Contoured layer channel flow filtration media |
GB9908099D0 (en) * | 1999-04-12 | 1999-06-02 | Gay Geoffrey N W | Air cleaning collection device |
US6454839B1 (en) * | 1999-10-19 | 2002-09-24 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Electrofiltration apparatus |
KR100503030B1 (en) | 2000-06-22 | 2005-07-21 | 마쯔시다덴기산교 가부시키가이샤 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell, method for manufacturing electrode thereof, and manufacturing apparatus |
FI20045420A (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-05 | Valtion Teknillinen | High resolution particle filter |
FR2889463B1 (en) | 2005-08-03 | 2008-04-04 | Valeo Systemes Thermiques | DEVICE FOR IONIZING PARTICLES VEHICLED IN AN AIR FLOW, FOR A VENTILATION, HEATING AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION IN PARTICULAR. |
BE1018620A5 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2011-05-03 | Genano Benelux N V | AIR PURIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS. |
CN101887003B (en) | 2010-06-29 | 2016-06-08 | 上海杰远环保科技有限公司 | A kind of microparticle measuring device and measuring method thereof |
WO2012161995A1 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2012-11-29 | Carrier Corporation | Detection of electrostatic filter for air filtration system |
JP5820071B2 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2015-11-24 | エンパイア テクノロジー ディベロップメント エルエルシー | Self-cleaning electret filter |
CN105805032B (en) * | 2016-03-06 | 2019-05-03 | 淄博环能海臣环保技术服务有限公司 | A kind of biparting head air cleaning electric fan |
WO2017222457A1 (en) * | 2016-06-22 | 2017-12-28 | Blueair Ab | Air treatment device |
KR102670722B1 (en) * | 2023-12-14 | 2024-05-30 | 케이씨코트렐 주식회사 | Electric Dust Collection System for Installing Ventilation Equipment in Subway Tunnels with a Discharge Part and a Dust Collection Part Installed Separately |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5268009A (en) * | 1992-12-22 | 1993-12-07 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Portable air filter system |
US5456741A (en) * | 1992-06-04 | 1995-10-10 | Nippondenso Co., Ltd. | Air purifier |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5035728A (en) * | 1990-07-16 | 1991-07-30 | Tatung Company Of America, Inc. | Air cleaner assembly |
-
1995
- 1995-12-22 GB GBGB9526489.1A patent/GB9526489D0/en active Pending
-
1996
- 1996-12-13 EP EP96941786A patent/EP0868214A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-12-13 GB GB9626010A patent/GB2308320A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-12-13 WO PCT/GB1996/003074 patent/WO1997023294A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-12-13 CA CA 2240848 patent/CA2240848A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-12-13 AU AU11060/97A patent/AU1106097A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-12-13 JP JP9523381A patent/JP2000502597A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5456741A (en) * | 1992-06-04 | 1995-10-10 | Nippondenso Co., Ltd. | Air purifier |
US5268009A (en) * | 1992-12-22 | 1993-12-07 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Portable air filter system |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008127483A1 (en) | 2006-12-27 | 2008-10-23 | Strionair, Inc. | Ionization detector for electrically enhanced air filtration systems |
EP2142303A1 (en) * | 2006-12-27 | 2010-01-13 | Strionair, Inc. | Ionization detector for electrically enhanced air filtration systems |
EP2142303A4 (en) * | 2006-12-27 | 2010-09-01 | Strionair Inc | Ionization detector for electrically enhanced air filtration systems |
US20140102295A1 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2014-04-17 | Carrier Corporation | Current monitoring in electrically enhanced air filtration system |
US9797864B2 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2017-10-24 | Carrier Corporation | Current monitoring in electrically enhanced air filtration system |
CN106573250A (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2017-04-19 | 爱菲电子净化股份公司 | Air filter arrangement |
US10245593B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2019-04-02 | Elfi Elektrofilter Aktiebolag | Air-filter arrangement |
US10286405B2 (en) | 2015-10-22 | 2019-05-14 | Darwin Technology International Limited | Air cleaning device and apparatus |
CN109028430A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2018-12-18 | 庞凯戈 | A kind of automatic ventilation system of intelligent recognition air pollution degree |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2000502597A (en) | 2000-03-07 |
GB9626010D0 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
AU1106097A (en) | 1997-07-17 |
GB9526489D0 (en) | 1996-02-21 |
CA2240848A1 (en) | 1997-07-03 |
EP0868214A1 (en) | 1998-10-07 |
GB2308320A (en) | 1997-06-25 |
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