Ion Yield Tip Electrostatic Separator for Nanoparticle Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification systems face inefficiencies in separating particles of nanometer to dozen nanometer diameter due to limitations in air flow speed and particle charging, leading to reduced separation efficiency and re-entrainment of particles during cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a collection chamber with ion yield tips on a fastening column, generating high tension ion beams and opposite voltage on a conductive collection surface, increasing electric field and current density to enhance particle separation efficiency, allowing higher air flow velocities without reducing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration systems are used to mechanically extract particles from air, then particle separation is achieved, but air flow speed must be limited to slow flow stream and filter requires periodic cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an electrostatic separation system. Instead of using physical filters that mechanically block particles, the invention uses ion yield tips to charge particles and collection plates to collect them through electrostatic attraction. This substitution eliminates the need for slow air flow and periodic mechanical cleaning, allowing high air flow speeds while maintaining separation efficiency.
2Reliability
If cyclones are used to separate heavy particles from gas flow, then heavy particle separation is achieved, but the method is not effective for nanometer to dozen nanometer particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from gravitational (cyclone) to electrostatic. By using ion yield tips to charge particles and collection plates with opposite polarity to attract them, the system becomes effective for nanometer to dozen nanometer particles that are too light for cyclone separation. The electrostatic force overcomes the mass limitation, expanding the applicable particle size range.
3Reliability
If electric filters are used to separate particles from gas flow, then particle separation is achieved, but gas flow speed must be kept under 1.0 m/second to prevent particle re-entrainment during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning system with a continuous electrostatic separation system. Instead of periodically stopping airflow to mechanically clean collection plates, the invention maintains continuous high-velocity airflow while particles are continuously charged and collected. The electrostatic mechanism allows operation at gas flow speeds above 1.0 m/second without particle re-entrainment.
4Reliability
If ion blow method is used to extract charged particles from airflow, then particle extraction efficiency is improved, but particles in nanometric category are difficult to charge electrically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ion yield tips as an intermediary to charge nanometric particles. These tips generate intense electric fields that ionize the air and charge particles through corona discharge, even for particles as small as nanometers. This intermediary charging mechanism overcomes the difficulty of directly charging nanometric particles, enabling subsequent electrostatic separation.
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 improved reduction efficiency up to 80% for particles and drops across a wide size range, including those smaller than 10 nanometers, by increasing electric field strength and current density within the collection chamber, while maintaining high air flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
high tension is directed to the ion yield tips arranged in the collection chamber, thus providing an ion flow from the ion yield tips towards the collection surface
Implementation Method 2
high tension with the opposite sign of direct voltage as the high tension directed to the ion yield tips is directed to the collection surface
Implementation Method 3
The charged particles would respond to the electric field and be pulled towards the ion blow onto a collection surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device (1) for separating materials in the form of particles and/or drops from a gas flow, especially particles and/or drops the diameter of which varies from one nanometer to a few dozen nanometers, the device comprising an inlet (2) for incoming air (3) to be purified, a collection chamber (4), an outlet (6) for the purified air (7), a voltage source (8) with actuators, an fastening column (9) to which ion yield tips (10) have been coupled, the device (1) is configured to direct high tension to the ion yield tips (10) providing ion beams (11) from the ion yield tips (10) to the collection surface (12), the collection surface (12) conducting electricity is electrically insulated from the outer wall (5) of the collection chamber (4) by an electrical insulation, and the device (1) is configured to direct voltage of opposite sign to the ion yield tips (10) than the voltage directed to the collection surface (12), wherein ion yield tips (10) are arranged directly on a surface (13) of the fastening column (9) having a length (Lcol), wherein the ion yield tips (10) protrude from the surface (13) of the fastening column (9) into a cavity (14) of the collection chamber (4).