Multi-Stage Electrostatic Precipitator Ozone Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrostatic precipitation room air cleaners produce ozone and experience arcing issues due to high ionization potential and debris accumulation, leading to increased costs and reduced airflow.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage electrostatic precipitation filter system with a non-uni-planar collector plate design, an air permeable intermediate element, and ozone remediation capabilities, which reduces ozone production and arcing by using structural bends in collector plates and an intermediate element to filter large particles before they reach the collector plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wire ion emitters are used in electrostatic precipitation systems, then ionization and particle precipitation are achieved, but ozone is produced as a harmful byproduct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the ion emitter by using a biased collector plate configuration instead of conventional high-voltage wire emitters. This parameter change reduces the ionization potential required, thereby reducing ozone production while maintaining particle precipitation effectiveness through the electric field between the biased collector plate and grounded collector plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical wire emitter system with an electric field-based system using biased collector plates. This substitution eliminates the need for high-voltage corona discharge from wires, reducing ozone generation while achieving the same particle removal function through controlled electric fields.
2Productivity
If multiple wire ion emitters are employed to increase clean air delivery rate, then CADR is improved, but ozone production and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collection process into multiple stages using multiple sets of collector plates with alternating biases (positive and negative). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high CADR through increased collection surface area and multi-stage filtration, while each stage operates at lower voltage, reducing ozone production compared to using multiple high-voltage wire emitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The biased collector plates serve multiple functions: they act as both ion collection surfaces and electric field generators for particle precipitation. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high CADR without requiring separate high-voltage wire emitters, thereby reducing ozone production while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If additional filters are added before ion emitters to prevent large debris, then arcing is reduced, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the first stage of biased collector plates to capture and remove large particles and debris before the air stream reaches subsequent stages. This preliminary filtration prevents debris from causing arcing in later stages, eliminating the need for additional separate filters and reducing device complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If spacers are added between collector plates to maintain spacing, then arcing is prevented, but air flow is inhibited and debris accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved or bent collector plate designs instead of flat plates with spacers. The curvature provides inherent structural spacing between plates while maintaining smooth surfaces that prevent debris accumulation. This eliminates the need for spacers that would obstruct air flow, maintaining high productivity while preventing arcing through proper plate geometry.
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 effectively reduces ozone production, minimizes arcing, and maintains a clean air delivery rate while reducing material and manufacturing costs, making it more efficient and cost-effective for room air purification.
Implementation Method 1
The conventional emitter electrode stage may include an ion source such as, for example, a wire ion emitters
Implementation Method 2
an ion emitter and a collector electrode stage cooperative to provide ions and to precipitate ionized particulates out of the air stream
Implementation Method 3
The conventional ozone remediation element is operable to convert controlled amounts of ozone into oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic precipitation air cleaner to reduce ozone output is provided. The electrostatic precipitation air cleaner includes a housing with an air inlet and outlet. Located in the housing are an air mover for moving a stream of air along an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet, an ion emitter electrode positioned in the airflow path downstream of the inlet for ionizing particulates entrained in the stream of air, a collector electrode having an inlet downstream of the ion emitter electrode, and an intermediate element intermediate the ion emitter electrode and the collector electrode. The collector electrode is comprised of a plurality of collector plates spaced apart in a direction transverse to the airflow path. The plates are electrically biased to create and maintain an electric field in the space therebetween to precipitate ionized particulates entrained in the stream of air onto a confronting surfaces of the plates.