Device for electrostatic collection of particles suspended in a gaseous medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic precipitators face challenges in maintaining reliable electrical insulation between discharge and collection electrodes, especially in compact, portable devices operating in humid environments, where high voltages and liquid exposure can lead to short circuits and difficulty in cleaning, affecting device durability and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A device design featuring a discharge electrode in the form of a wire, held by insulating means at both ends, with a transverse wall deflecting liquid flow to prevent wetting and electrical breakdown, ensuring durable insulation and compactness, allowing operation in any orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wire discharge electrode is used to create corona discharge over its entire length, then collection efficiency is improved, but maintaining electrical insulation becomes difficult due to exposure to humid atmosphere and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The wire discharge electrode is segmented into multiple sections, each held and insulated by separate insulating means at different positions along its length. This segmentation allows each insulating element to manage a specific portion of the electrode, making the insulation system more manageable and effective in humid environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating means are introduced as intermediary elements between the wire discharge electrode and the surrounding humid atmosphere/liquid. These intermediaries (insulating holders or supports) protect the electrode from direct contact with moisture while maintaining its functional exposure for corona discharge.
2Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact for portability, then transportability is improved, but electrical insulation between electrodes becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating means are positioned in multiple spatial dimensions along the wire electrode, not just at single endpoints. This multi-dimensional arrangement of insulating elements allows compact spacing while maintaining adequate insulation pathways in different directions, preventing short circuits even in reduced-size configurations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the discharge electrode is held at both ends for stability, then structural support is improved, but the risk of liquid contact and dielectric breakdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
Insulating means are positioned at both ends of the wire discharge electrode to provide structural support while simultaneously acting as protective intermediaries. These insulating holders prevent direct contact between the electrode and liquid, eliminating dielectric breakdown risks while maintaining the electrode's structural stability through dual-end support.
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
The solution provides reliable electrical insulation and prevents dielectric breakdown, enabling durable operation in humid conditions without compromising device compactness or ease of cleaning, effectively collecting particles in suspension.
Implementation Method 1
this high electric field (several tens of thousands of volts per centimeter in the vicinity of the discharge electrode) is induced by two electrodes arranged close to each other: a first polarized electrode or discharge electrode, generally in the form of a wire or a point, being arranged facing a second electrode, the latter being in the form of a counter-electrode, generally of cylindrical geometry. The electric field existing between the two electrodes ionizes the volume of gas located in the inter-electrode space, and in particular a crown of gas located around the discharge electrode. This phenomenon is called corona discharge or corona effect.
Implementation Method 2
The charges created, by migrating towards the counter electrode, ionize the particles to be captured. The charged particles thus created then migrate towards the counter-electrode, on which they can be collected.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device (1) has a collecting wall (3) extending to periphery of a discharge electrode (4) i.e. wire. Two holders (6, 7) are made of electrically insulating hydrophobic material to hold respective wires in a collecting chamber (2). A transversal wall (9) protrudes with respect to the collecting wall. One of the holders is arranged downstream to the transversal wall. The transversal wall is formed in shape to deflect a path of liquid present in gas and flowing on the collecting wall toward the transversal wall such that the liquid does not come into contact with the corresponding holder.