Corona Ion Source Segmentation for Flue Gas Particle Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting fine particles from flue gases, such as traditional electric filters, face inefficiencies and maintenance challenges, particularly in collecting small particles and maintaining the cleanliness of corona discharge electrodes, while chamber charging methods offer limited cleaning effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a corona discharge to generate gas ions within a separate body, which are then mixed with flue gases to charge fine particles, creating a powerful electric field for efficient collection on collector surfaces without a separate collection area, using the chamber walls as the collection surface, and employing a shielding gas to prevent electrode dirtying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional electric filters are used to collect fine particles, then particle collection is achieved through electrical charging, but the corona discharge electrodes become dirty and require maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle collection efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode cleanliness maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the ionization function (corona discharge electrode in clean air) from the collection function (collector surfaces in flue gas). The corona electrode is housed in a separate chamber filled with clean air, while collector surfaces are exposed to flue gas. This segmentation prevents the corona electrode from contacting and becoming contaminated by flue gas particles, eliminating the maintenance problem while preserving collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Clean air acts as an intermediary medium between the corona electrode and the flue gas. The corona electrode ionizes the clean air, and these ions then transfer to the flue gas to charge the particles. This intermediary prevents direct contact between the electrode and contaminated flue gas, solving the electrode dirtying problem while maintaining the electrical charging mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If chamber charging filtering is used to collect particles without external electric fields, then electrode maintenance is simplified, but cleaning effectiveness is limited to about 40%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical parameters by introducing externally generated corona discharge ions into the chamber. Instead of relying solely on the weak electric field from particle charging (chamber charging), the system adds a strong external ionization source that creates a powerful electric field, increasing collection efficiency from 40% to over 90% while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If corona electrodes are placed directly in flue gas for particle charging, then particle collection is effective, but the electrodes and insulators require continuous cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle collection efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the system into two distinct environments: a clean air chamber housing the corona electrode, and a flue gas chamber containing the collector surfaces. This physical segmentation isolates the corona electrode from flue gas contamination while maintaining effective particle collection through the transfer of ions to the flue gas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Clean air serves as an intermediary environment for the corona electrode. The electrode ionizes this clean air, and the resulting ions are transferred to the flue gas. This intermediary arrangement prevents harmful flue gas components from contacting the electrode, eliminating contamination while preserving collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves collection efficiencies exceeding 90% of fine particles, including those smaller than 1 micrometer, while maintaining the cleanliness of the ion source and reducing the risk of particle detachment, thus improving the overall efficiency and longevity of the filtration process.

Implementation Method 1

gas ions are formed in a separate body relative to the chamber, the ion source being inside the body, the gas ions formed are led to the selected chamber delimited by walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

mixed with the flue gases in order to charge the fine particles contained in the flue gas with the aid of gas ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

the charged fine particles are collected on collector surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2892653B1Method for collecting fine particles from flue gases, and a corresponding device and arrangement
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 TASSU ESP
  • EP2892653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2892653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2892653B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for collecting fine particles from flue gases onto selected collector surfaces, in which method flue gases (PK) containing fine particles (H) exiting the combustion chamber are led to a selected chamber (20) delimited by walls (200), which is part of the flow channel of the flue gas, with the aid of a corona discharge of a high-voltage corona electrode (303) of an ion source (100), gas ions (IK) are created in a separate body (110), the gas ions (IK) formed are led to the chamber (20) and mixed with the flue gases (PK), in order to charge- the fine particles (H) with the- aid of the gasions (IK), and the charged fine particles (VH) are collected on the collector surfaces (KP), the said separate body (110) is an electrically passive part of- the ion source (100), a counter potential to the corona electrode (303) is formed as is a collector surface (KP) for the charged particles (VH) from the walls (200), of the said selected chamber (20). The invention also relates to. a corresponding device and arrangement for collecting fine particles from flue gas.