Patent ID: 7156902
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating particles from a gas stream comprising: a separation chamber having a cylindrical wall bound at opposing ends; an inlet passage for admitting a gas stream having particulates entrained therein into said separation chamber comprising a thin elongated slit opening tangentially to said cylindrical wall of said separation chamber and providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along said wall; a sprayer within said inlet passage operatively introducing liquid droplets into said inlet gas stream; an outlet drain for expelling from said separation chamber a liquid containing dissolved gases and particles disentrained from said gas stream; at least one vortex finder suspended centrally within the separation vessel between the ends thereof and establishing an end-to-end outgoing clean flow path through the separation vessel and out from at least one end thereof; an elongated discharge electrode suspended centrally within said separation vessel between said ends thereof; and a power supply connected between said cylindrical wall of said separation chamber and said discharge electrode for establishing an electric potential therebetween which serves to charge and electrostatically force said entrained particles in said separation vessel toward said cylindrical wall of said separation chamber, wherein a gas stream flowing into said inlet passage, through said separation chamber, and out said outgoing clean flow path creates a vortex in said separation chamber which imparts a centrifugal force on said entrained particles toward the wall of said separation chamber, and said centrifugal force is augmented by said electrostatic force to propel said particles away from said at least one vortex finder.