Claims
- 1. An electrostatic precipitator having a first electrode and a substantially planar oppositely charged electrode substrate onto which particulate matter from a substantially parallel flowing fluid stream is precipitated during operation, the precipitator comprising:(a) an electrically conductive membrane electrode; and (b) a variable tensile loader connected to the membrane, said loader applying a tensile bias continuously to the membrane during operation, and periodically applying an impulse tensile force of increased magnitude to the membrane to remove particulate matter from the membrane.
- 2. A precipitator in accordance with claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a solid sheet.
- 3. A precipitator in accordance with claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a plurality of intertwined fibers.
- 4. A precipitator in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a coating on said fibers.
- 5. A precipitator in accordance with claim 3, wherein said fibers are randomly oriented.
- 6. A precipitator in accordance with claim 3, wherein said fibers are woven.
- 7. A precipitator in accordance with claim 6, wherein said fibers are ceramic.
- 8. A precipitator in accordance with claim 6, wherein said fibers are metal.
- 9. A precipitator in accordance with claim 6, wherein said fibers are metal alloy.
- 10. A precipitator in accordance with claim 6, wherein said fibers are polymer.
- 11. A precipitator in accordance with claim 6, wherein said fibers are carbon.
- 12. A precipitator in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a silicone matrix.
- 13. A precipitator in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a first frame member grippingly mounted to a first edge of the membrane, and a second frame member grippingly mounted to a second edge of the membrane, and wherein said variable tensile loader is connected to one of said frame members.
- 14. A precipitator in accordance with claim 13, wherein the membrane further comprises a screen made of a plurality of woven wires.
- 15. In an electrostatic precipitator having first and second oppositely charged electrodes, a method for precipitating particulate matter from a fluid stream onto an electrode substrate, the method comprising:(a) mounting an electrically conductive substantially planar membrane electrode in a fluid stream substantially parallel to the fluid flow; (b) applying a tensile bias to the membrane; (c) applying a greater magnitude impulse tensile force to the membrane for removing particulate matter from the membrane; and then (d) ceasing said impulse tensile force while maintaining said bias.
- 16. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising applying the impulse force for a predetermined time.
- 17. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising repeating steps (c) and (d) at a predetermined frequency.
- 18. An electrostatic precipitator having a first electrode and a substantially planar, oppositely electrically charged electrode substrate onto which particulate matter from a substantially parallel flowing fluid stream is precipitated during operation, the precipitator comprising:(a) a fabric membrane electrode of intertwined fibers having wetting properties sufficient to permit absorption of water into the membrane and capillary flow of water through the membrane; (b) an applicator near a top edge of the membrane for applying water to the membrane, wherein water absorbs into, and flows through, substantially all regions of the membrane; and (c) a collector near a bottom of the membrane for collecting water that flows through the membrane; wherein substantially all of the particulate matter that is precipitated from the fluid stream is precipitated onto the membrane and is caused, by mixing with the flow of water through the membrane, to be collected with the water in the collector.
- 19. A precipitator in accordance with claim 18, wherein said fibers are randomly oriented.
- 20. A precipitator in accordance with claim 18, further comprising a coating on said fibers.
- 21. A precipitator in accordance with claim 18, wherein said fibers are woven.
- 22. A precipitator in accordance with claim 21, wherein said fibers are ceramic.
- 23. A precipitator in accordance with claim 21, wherein said fibers are metal.
- 24. A precipitator in accordance with claim 21, wherein said fibers are metal alloy.
- 25. A precipitator in accordance with claim 21, wherein said fibers are polymer.
- 26. A precipitator in accordance with claim 21, wherein said fibers are carbon.
- 27. A precipitator in accordance with claim 26, further comprising a silicone matrix.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US99/12978 filed Jun. 9, 1999, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/089,640 filed Jun. 17, 1998.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
102e Date |
371c Date |
PCT/US99/12978 |
|
WO |
00 |
5/19/2000 |
5/19/2000 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO99/65609 |
12/23/1999 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (13)
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/089640 |
Jun 1998 |
US |