Nested-Plate ESP for Self-Cleaning Electro-Cyclone Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) face issues with dust accumulation on collector plates and corona discharge electrodes, leading to malfunction, and cyclone separators struggle with maintaining efficiency in dirty and wet environments.

Innovation Solution

An electro-cyclone separator combining a cyclone and an electrostatic precipitator with nested cylindrical collector plates, where one plate is connected to high voltage and the others to ground, and a corona discharger unit protected by clean air flow, along with acoustic resonators for cleaning, enhances particle removal efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrostatic precipitators are used, then particle removal function is provided, but dust accumulates on collector plates and corona discharge electrodes leading to malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveESP operation reliabilityVSAvoiddust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes accumulated dust from the collector plates and corona discharge electrodes using a reverse airflow mechanism. The system draws clean air from the outlet and directs it backward through the ESP channels to blow dust off the collector plates and electrodes, preventing dust accumulation that would cause malfunction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors and uses the cleaned air from the outlet to clean the ESP components. The reverse airflow system creates a self-cleaning loop where cleaned air is recirculated to prevent dust accumulation, ensuring continuous reliable operation without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If ESP operates continuously, then particle removal efficiency is maintained, but dust accumulates on collector plates reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle removal efficiencyVSAvoiddust on collector plates
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention ensures continuous useful action by implementing an automatic self-cleaning system that operates continuously alongside the particle removal function. The reverse airflow mechanism runs concurrently with the ESP operation, continuously removing dust from collector plates without interrupting the particle removal process, thereby maintaining constant productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The ESP system performs self-service through its own cleaned air output. The system uses its produced cleaned air to clean its own collector plates and electrodes via the reverse airflow mechanism, eliminating the need for external cleaning systems or manual intervention, thus maintaining continuous operation without performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If corona discharge electrode is exposed to aerosol, then charging function is provided, but dust accumulates on electrode leading to malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorona discharge functionVSAvoiddust on corona discharge electrode
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces clean air as an intermediary substance to protect the corona discharge electrode. The clean air from the outlet is directed through the channels to create a protective flow that prevents aerosol and dust from depositing on the electrode, allowing the corona discharge function to operate reliably without dust accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and removes dust from the corona discharge electrode using the reverse airflow of clean air. This clean air flow draws dust particles away from the electrode surface, preventing accumulation that would interfere with the corona discharge charging function and maintain reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If cyclone separator is used for large particles, then separation is provided, but efficiency decreases in dirty and wet environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle separation efficiencyVSAvoiddirty and wet environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cyclone separator with an electrostatic precipitator to create a hybrid system. The cyclone handles large particle separation while the ESP handles smaller particles and operates effectively in dirty and wet conditions. This combination allows the system to maintain high separation efficiency across various environmental conditions by leveraging the complementary strengths of both technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system achieves high particle removal efficiency in a wide size range with low maintenance, ensuring long-term operation and effective separation of both large and small particles in dirty and wet aerosols.

Implementation Method 1

The ESP produces an electric corona discharge, which produces electrical charges that adhere to the aerosol particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The charged particles are then collected from the aerosol by an electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

the cleaning means is an acoustic resonator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 4

a cyclone for removing large particles of inlet aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4596108A1An electrostatic precipitator and an electro-cyclone separator comprising an electrostatic precipitator
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 AEROFF OY
  • EP4596108A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4596108A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4596108A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for an electro-cyclone separator comprising at least three uniform and nested collector plates having a uniform form, wherein at least one of the uniform and nested collector plates is a HV collector plate that is connected to high voltage and which HV collector plate is configured to be arranged between two grounded GND collector plates. The invention further relates to the aerosol purification method and an electro-cyclone separator.