GB1082591A - Improvements in and relating to electrostatic separators - Google Patents

Abstract

1,082,591. Electrostatic separators. AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS CO. Ltd. May 5, 1964 [Feb. 5, 1963], No. 4667/63. Heading B2J. An electrostatic separator comprises one or more driven endless bands enclosed in a casing, means for producing an electrostatic charge in the casing, an inlet in the casing for the introduction of air or gas to be cleaned and an outlet in the casing for the discharge of cleaned air or gas. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a single band 1 of conductive material is maintained at earth potential and supported on horizontal rollers, one of the rollers 6 being driven through gearing by a motor. A power pack is arranged to charge a row of vertical metal ionising rods 15 as well as static metal plates 16 disposed between the runs of the band. Gas to be cleaned is drawn by one or more fans through a wire mesh screen 10 at the inlet and then directed along the passages formed between the vertical runs of band and the plates 16. Dust collected by the band is deposited into a removable sump 14 by a spring-urged felt wiper 11. If desired, the band may be made of woven wire and cleaning effected by air or water spray instead of a wiper. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a single band 17 of non-conductive material, such as fabric coated with plastic, passes round vertical rollers 17a and has an electrostatic charge induced thereon by brushes 29 made of lambs wool. The charge on the band induces a charge of opposite sense on both a metal baffle-plate 25 and a row of ionising wires 31. Gas to be cleaned is drawn through a screen 20 by fans 21 and delivered along the passage formed between the band 24 and plate 25 towards the outlet 28. Separated dust is deposited in a sump. Any charge remaining on the band is removed by earthing points 33 and the charging-brushes 29 remove any remaining dust. In other arrangements, a number of bands may be disposed edge to edge, or alternatively side by side so that runs of adjacent bands face one another. If desired the charge may be applied at the lower end of the runs instead of the upper and suction applied at the upper to remove the dust. Instead of vertical runs, the runs may be horizontal or at an incline. Furthermore, the bands may be made of open mesh or grid formation to allow the flow of gas to pass through. Suction may be applied to the sump for emptying purposes.