Patent ID: 6666905
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: B01D,G01N

Abstract:
A thermal particle precipitator for removing and collecting particles from a fluid stream, said precipitator comprising:a thermoelectric module having first and second surfaces and operable upon application of a direct current to provide cooling of said first surface and heating of said second surface; a thermal mass comprising a heat sink having a surface spaced apart in a facing relationship to said second surface of said thermoelectric module by a preselected distance of separation, said surface of the heat sink having a lower temperature than the facing second surface of the thermoelectric module to form a temperature differential between said surface of the heat sink and said second surface of said thermoelectric module when said thermoelectric module is operated to provide cooling of said first surface and heating of said second surface; and a fluid flow passage formed in the spacing between said surface of the heat sink and the second surface of said thermoelectric module and having an inlet through which a fluid stream containing suspended particles is introduced into said fluid flow passage for travel along and between said surface of the heat sink and the second surface of said thermoelectric module and an outlet through which said fluid stream is removed from said fluid flow passage, wherein said preselected distance of separation between said surface of the heat sink and the second surface of said thermoelectric module is effective, when said temperature differential is formed, to permit the particles in the fluid stream to undergo thermophoretic movement and collect on said surface of the heat sink and be removed from suspension in the fluid stream.