US1343285A - Means for separating suspended matter from gases - Google Patents

Description

y w. A. SCHMIDT. MEANS FOR SEPARATING SUSPENDED MATTER FROM GASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 5, 19|3.y

1,343,285. Patented June 15, 1920,

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`wnNEssEs INVNTR v///' Y Wal/5^ 0- SM BY Y l @jt/WW ATTORNEY To all whom it may 'and 4State of California,

UNITED STATES PATENT orf-riolen;

WALTEE. A'. sCHMInT, or Los ANGELES, CALIEoENIA, 'AssIGNoE To INTERNATIONAL PRECIPITATION COMPANY, -E Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,

CALIEoENIA.

MEANS EoE. SEEAEATING concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER A. SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, inthe county ofv Los Angeles have invented a new and useful 'Means for Separating Sus-y pended Matter from Gases, of which the folgases carrying A trodes or tinctly diiierent kinds.

lowing is a specification.-

This invention'relates to improvements in the art of separating suspended particlefs from gaseous bodies by electric means and is applicable, for example, to the separation from the gaseous bodies ofl such suspended matter as dust, smoke, acid, mist, chemical7 It is `well known that such suspended particles can be separated from the gaseous bodies to the action o ahigh potential electrical discharge. This operation usually consists in passing the gases through an apparatus in which are contained elecseries of electrodes of two dis- The electrodes of one lkind are of such a nature--as will facilitate electric discharge from the-electrodev .into the gases,while the electrodes` of the other kind are of such formas not to cause a discharge to take place from their sur- These two kinds of electrodes are placed opposite'to each other, so that high potential stress an electric disfrom one electrode to the v faces.

usually under a charge passes other, the direction of flow of the ions, comi ing on this operation contains posing this discharge, ,being from ythe electrod facilitating discharge from its surface tothe non-discharging electrode. When a gaseous body containing suspended particlcs is passed through this discharge, the suspended particles are first given an electrostatc charge. from the impact of the ions upon the particles. These charged particles then heinginan 'electric field are caused to migrate in -the directionof the electric field and can be made. to precipitate upon the electrode.

The-apparatus heretofore used for carryv electrodes of the'two kinds above described juxtaposition to each other, so that the electric fieldin whichthe discharge takes place` the suspended' he v gases undertreatcharged pa r'- carried by Speeication of Letters .Patent and placed in'y SUSPENDED MATTEE EEoM GAsEs.-

Patented/lune 15,1320.

Applieautn mea March 5, 1913. serial Nq. 751,995.

A CoEroEATIoN- 0E l I v 'v ticlesto migrate to the electrodes', there'- to be precipitated. f

This invention relates to improvements bo/th in the means of obtaining the discharge for charglng thesu-spended particles and in providing separate means for removing these chargedparticles from the gases under treatment.

One object of improved means for charging the suspended particles.

Another object vof the present invention is to provide distinct or separate means or systems for effecting the charging of the suspended particles" andfor removing the charged particles from the gases under treatment, so that each of such operations `may be performed under the most tions.

The electrodes heretofore used to facilitate electric discharge have been given sharp points, such as .metallic'points, or a large number of extremely fine points as in pubescent electrodes, or else a series of very thin edges as in scaly electrodes, such as elec-` scaly electrodes, such as have heretoforebeen the electric field intensity at thev employed,

points is readily raised tothe critical in- `tensity above which ionization of the gas adjacent to the point, takes place. I have found-that by using a plain wire or/other coducting filament of sufficiently small diameter and by'maintaining suiicientelectric stress between the electrodes that the electric field intensity at the surface of the wire can be raised above the critical intensity and that it is, therefore, possible to obtain a satisfactory' discharge from the electrodes under the operating conditions of the apparatus whenfthe or scaly electrodes are replaced by fine wire or fila-mentary electrodes. By utilizing an electrode of this character a very uniform y discharge, overthe entire'length of the wire, can be obtained.` As t e entlre surface ofl 'the wire is discharging it is also possible to obtain a much great'ercurrent. flow olf of the electrode than could beobtained with isolated points asin an ordinary pointed electrode. Electrodes of this character also have eicient condipointed, pubescent through strong electrostatic fields set up by cipitate upon `the electrodes.

v by flames,

.and 'so forth.

l 3.5 'In the'ordinary procedurefor separatingI4 electrodes.

the decided advantage of being cheaper in I have lfound that in some cases it is a rather easy matter to electrically charge the suspended particles, but thatit 1s more-difii cult to cause these charged particles to pre- Under these conditionsv the particles may. pass entirely through the apparatus, as electrically charged particles, passing through a succession of electrlc fields, such as above described, without lbeing forced on to the electrodes., In such cases -I have found" that an electrostatic field formed by extended surfaces Ais'of great value. By usin two extended surfaces, neither of which' acilitates electric discharge, a, very intense electhe electrodes, If now the charged particles -be passed through this electrostatic field they will be subjectedto a sufficiently strong electric field .for a sufficient length of time to cause them to be forced over tothe electrodes.

Electrodes of this. latter Acharacter are also of great valuefor removing ,charged particles from gases, whether they .be charged-in the same or-different apparatus, or whether .they be charged as above described or by any other means. .They might even be charged through ionization caused suspended particles from gaseous bodies, with the aid o`f my invention, the action. is

as follows: The. gases are passedthrough an i apparatus centaming two distinct series of electrodes, which for conveniencemay 3 be termed char ing electrodes and precipitating he ases first pass through the ele'ctric field pro uced'by the charging electrodesl'- These may consist of ionizing electrodes and non-discharging electrodes. I n passing between .these charging electrodes,

the gases are subjected to the influence of .the electricdischarge taking place between --of the charged 4particles ma the electrodes, and the particles suspended in the gases become electrically charged. These charged particles then migrate in the electric lfield between the electrodes. Some be 'caused to 4preci itate upon the-electro es, while -some :may e carried tout of the influence .of the electric field by 'the advancin gases. before they reachl the electrodes. hese particles Jare then '1 `carried 1 along by fthe, gases 'ascharged particles, and the gases .containing these charged particles are then passed the @precipitatingelectrodes and here the fcharged particles are all forced' on to the by incandescentA so'l ids, X-rays,l

l tween the electrodes 2 and 3.is received be- `tween theelectrodes 4 and 3 and the embodimentsof my invention and referring thereto:

Figure 1 is a plan the invention.

Fi 2 is a vertical section thereof, onlineview of one form of Figs. .3 to 8 are diagrams showing other arrangements of the electrodes.

Figs.- 9 to-11 are horizontal 'sections of the charging electrodes showing modifications of the ionizing electrode.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a suitable which the gas to be treated is forced or conducted. Supported in .thisgconduit are one or more electrodes 2 adapted, when charged to suitable electric potential,-`to produce chamber or conduit 1 is provided through i ionization in the gas adjacent -thereto and to electrically charge the suspended particles in such gas., Oppositethe charging' electrodes, 2, are electrodes 3,Whi'ch aid in maintaining the electrostatic tension andv'the re y sultant ionization' adjacent to electrodes 2.

Electrodes 2 and 3 are positioned s that the gas to Abe treated passes between them, as indicated by the arrows. electrodes 3 are shown-as extended, precipitating portions 3 between which are In 1 the ,orming .arranged electrodes 4 which are charged oppositely to electrodes 3v so as to .maintalm a strong electrostatic field between said electrodes, these electrodes bein so positioned 'that the gas to be treateda er passing bei 1 'charged particles in such gas are, by reason v of the electrostatic field between said 'electrodes, 4 and 3,causied to -migrate-or move toward electrode portions 3. Electrodes 3 maybe grounded, the electrostatic field being maintained between the rounded and.

charged . electrodes 2 and 4. uitable connections, for example, by means yof'wires 16 and T17, are madev to the electrodes 2 and l fner 19 connected to receive current fromV l any alternating current supply' circuit, and

.trodes and the electrodes 3 and 3', the eleca rectifier 20 1n theconnections from lthe f with groundconnelctions to complete the cir- `cuit through electrodes v3.

E1ectrode2 is of such a nature or form as'H 'l2-l vdischarge of` electricitytherefrom into' the 'to facilitate or promoteionization, and the adjacent gasand lto the suspended particles inthe/gas, -A form o f electrode which "I vhave found especially suitable for this pur-7 p'ose is shown in Fig. 2, consi-stingof a finel strip, presentin filament can then consist l .wire, lessm'diameter,

to the gas surrounding the same.

' opposing electrodes which is suspended, froml said wire being.

suitable supporting means,

exposed directly plain or bare so as to be In place of a fine wire, it is also ossible to use any conducting filament', s cientlyv fine. This filamentmay be'round or-of any other cross'section presentingv a continuous sharp or narrow edge-adapted to facilitate discharge; for example, it maybe a Hat filament, as shown at-12 in Fig.` 9, having its, edges' presented toward the otherelectrodes 3; or as shown at 13 in Fig. 10 the ionizing electrode may be a flat strip having sharp edges 13 presented toward the opposite electrodes Two or more of the fine wires or filaments may be placed near together in a plane extending transversely to the opposite' electrodes 3, as shown at 14 n Fig. 1I, the effect being lthen similar to that of a fiat more. intense discharging f orl portions facing they 3. Wheneverthelmaterial under treatment is, in itself,jcond\1ct ing, as for instance when the treatment consists ofprecipitating sulfuric acid mist, the

of'a non-conducting material, as the precipitated material will form a conducting film' over the surface of thefelectrode.

Electrodes of this character can be supported in any convenient manner and can be it most convenient held in 'any' convenient or advantageous position. TheyA can be held. taut either by the use of' a tensioning weight or tensioning spring or any similar method. 'I`have:found to place theelectrode in a `vertical position, the electrode being supported "at the top, ypassedthrough an insulatedspacer 6 at vthe bottom zand held taut by a weight, 7,'fa`steneiiA at the lower end of the electrode; I have, however, fused springs for tensioningl theelectrodes and.:v have' held and fastened the electrodes in numerous different ways,

withinthe scope of this'invention. Theiim ,'sulated spacer Gcons'titutes retaining means'. for preventing lateral movement of theelecf trede wires 2.

The electrodes 3, the portions 3 thereof which are used as tbe/ dust collecting means, are preferably 'such extended surfaces, consisting,

for'example, of-metal plates, andthe elec` IQd'eS are .alsofpr'eferably extended surfaces such las' parallelto -thei metal plates approximately electrode portions 3', sofas to. produce a uniformly distributed .field of eatintensity without discharging action. cans'. such as hopperI 18, may e providedv for. receiving vthe, precipitate from the precipitating' electrodes." p.'

Theopera Y 'Ilfiegasfto' be treated is conducted through i for example, one-twentieth inch or 1 electrodes 2' being charged to suiiicient 4poand more particulaiy 'i 1 electrodes may be positioned the space between the electrodes 2 and3, the

tential to produceionization the surroundf `ing gas, 'so as to charge the particles suspended in the gas. The' gas then passes into the electrodes 4' and 3 and lthe space between is thereA subjected to a strong electrostatic -field forcing the 'the electrodes 3 separated from the electrodes'3.

Should th charged particles toward and.A causing them to be gas and precipitated on v first series o f charging electrodes not be sufiicient to charge all of the suspended particles, or should all of the suspended particles not be removed by the lfirst series of charging electrodes and precipitating electrodes, several series of either" kind may be used, another, or any number may l and so arranged pended 4parti les are alternate be employed subjected that the gasesand the lsus-4 the series following one l 'to the influence of the charging field and theprecipitating'. field, all of which arrangements fall, within the scope of this invention.

of electrodes suitable for producing such re cated action in the gas is shown in Fig. lwherein ionizingl electrodes 2 and in-discharging precipitating electrodes Llfare'arranged alternately in the path of the gas; with opposing electrodes 3 of opposite polarity.

Any desired number of 2 iiiay be provided for each lset electrodes,

Apu arrangement ionizing electrodes of charging provided acting successively on the gas'before it passes to the precipitating electrodes 4. Similarly the precipitating electrodes 4 ma be divided as shown in Fig. 4. s

. he electrode portions 3 and'iV may, if convenient, be made ofseparate pFlates or ex- Htendednconductors, as shown in Fig. 3 illustrating an arrange-` mentwherein two ionizing electrodes 2 are ig. -5, said' plates4 being connected toreceive electric po ltential similar in sign. The charges `onthe .plates3 and 3 are ,in this case not necesv sarily. of the same potential. -As' shown in Fig. -6 the stream of gas after passing a single set of charging elec-I trodes, may. e divided so as to pass rthrough aplurality of-xelectrostatic fields arranged in., parallel; and in -that case, thev electrode or electrodes 9, which are in the line of flow `from the ionizing electrodes 2, `may be charged opposit ly trodes.: l y

Anyofthe 'aboye 'arrangements of. the

a. succession of similar` 'indiiro to'said ionizing elecfor a horizontal i251 each 'h'arging electrode' what may betermed 'i y isc i 'vidual discharge zoneseixtendin parallel to' `suspended lparticles from gases by electric means, an electrode for discharging elec,- tricity into the gases, to chargesaid particles, said electrode being a rectilinearly ex n tended bare conductor whose discharging pprtion is substantially straight'in the direc-v tion of linear extension of said member and which has a sufficiently 7`sharp curvature 'transverse to such linear extension, to pro-- duce ionization in the adjacent gas, under fso operati-ng conditions of the apparatus. p v

.2. In an apparatus for the separation'of suspended matter Yfrom gases by electric means, charging electrodes comprislng a discharging' electrode and -a non-discharging electrode, 'said discharging electrode being a linearly extended; member. having a aischarging surface continuous in the direction of linear extension ofsaid member, and pre'- senting sharp curvature transverse to such direction and a non-dischargilig electrode presenting an extended surface vparallelI to the direction of extension of said discharg-l ing-electrode.A Y -4 y In an apparatus for the separation/bf suspended particles from gasesA by electric means, a charging electrode consisting of a conducting filament sufficiently fine to maintain, under operating conditions' of said apparatus, an electric 'field intensityat its sur face, sufiicient to cause ionization ofthe gas adjacent to lsuch electrode, thereby causing a discharge of electricity from the lelectrode into fthe surrounding gas. v

4. In 'an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles-from gases'by electric4 means, 'a charging electrode consisting of a conducting wire ofa sufliciently small i1 a'm-l eter to maintain, under operating condltlons of said apparatus, an electricfield intenslty at theY surface of said wire, sufficient to cause ionization, of the-gas adjacent to such elecv trode, therebycausing a discharge of elec-- tricit/y from 'the electrode into the surround'- .lng gas.

5. In an suspended particles from gases by electric means, a charging electrode consisting of, a conducting filament sufficientlyfinefto mamtain,under operatin conditions of said laplparatus, an electric eld intensity at itssurface, sufficient tocause ionization ofthe gas g adjacent` to such electrode, thereby causing a discharge of electricity from the electrode into thesurrounding gas, andmeans for tensioning said filame'ntto',holdit'taut.r

6. In an apparatus forthe separation of suspended particles from gasesiby eleftric `sisting of a filament extending apparatus for'the separation of'V means, a charging electrode consisting of a* smooth surfaced conducting filament" sufiif4 ciently fine `to maintain, 1 under operating conditions f said a intensity. at its sur sufficientl to cause ionization of the gas adjacent'to such elecs .trode, thereby causing a'discharge of`electricity from the lelectrode into the .surroundfparatus, an electric field", cace,

ing gas,- and means for passing the gases carrying. the suspended particles past said charglng elect ode to utilize saidsdischarge to electrically e to' be separated.

arge the suspended particles Y* 7. In an apparatus for electrical separa- 'l tion of. suspendedyparticles.from gases, a

collecting electrode having a substantially plane surface and a. discharge velectrode consaid plane surface of said electrode.

8. In an apparatus fo-relec'tric'al separation ofl suspended particles from gases, a

parallel to collecting electrode having a substantially i plane surface and a discharge electrode coul sistingof a fine metallic Wire, lextending parallel t'o said plane' surface of said electrode. l, l.. f

9. Inan apparatus for Jelectrical separa? tion of suspended particles from' gases, -a collecting electrode having a substantially vertical surface, a support, a discharge electrode consisting cfa fine Wire hung. from -said support so as -to-eXtend parallel to said surface, and 'a' Weight on sald wire toten-f.

sion ,the same -andwain member engaging said wire tohold'the same from lateral displacement.

insulated retaining p 1 0.' `In an apparatus for electrical Aseparation of suspendedl particles from gases,

a -collecting electrode Vhaving a substantially plane vertical surface, asupport, a discharge electrode consisting of a fine Wire yhung'from said support so as to extend parallelto said I surface, and a Weight onsaid Wireto'tenl -1 sion the same. 4

1l. 'In an apparatus for electrical separation ofsuspended particles from gases, a

vertically extending collecting. electrode, a

'support insulated" therefrom, an ionizing electrode formed as a filament suspendedf `from said support, a Weight on the lower end of said filament, and retaining means engaging said filament lto lprevent lateral movement. 1 j

12. An apparatus for 'electrical 'separation of suspended `particles lfrom gases, comprising va set ofV charging electrodes, .a set`of f precipitating electrodes, means for applying unldirectlonal potential difference to the electrodes of'each set, and means forpass-l 'i 'ing the gases to be treated, first through the set of charging electrodes and then through the set of-precipitating electrodes;'ft'he.set of kchf'trging electrodes: comprising a dischargeclectrode adapted to facilitatel d is- .charge and an opposing electrode'adapt'ed ucharging electrodes formed With-substan-l trodes formed with to minimize discharge, so as tol char e the particles of the gas with charges simllar to 'that of thedischarge electrode; and the set of precipitatin electrodes comprising opposing electro es, all adapted to minimize discharge so as to produce `a non-discharging electrostatic field for precipitation of the charged particles passing thereto from the charging electrodes. l

` 13. An'apparatus for the separation of suspended particles from. gases, comprising a set of charging electrodes, a set of precipitating electrodes, means for applying unidirectional potential difference to the electrodes of each set, and means for passing the-gases to be treated, first through the setv of charging electrodes and then through the set of precipitating, electrodes, said .set of charging electrodes comprisingl discharging electrodes formed as finegwires and non-distially plane surfaces; and said set of'precipitating electrodes-comprising opposing elec.

4 substantially plane surfaces.

14. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended `particles from gases by electric means, a set of`opposing non-discharging electrodes andrmeans for applying high potential difference tothe Yopposing non-discharging electrodes, for producing an electrostatic field between "suchppposin'g nondischarging electrodes. and meansfor con-y ducting the gases. carrying electrically charged suspended particles through suchelectrostatic field.l

15. In an apparatus for the separation of l suspended particles from gases by electric means, electrodes-having extended surfaces,

placed approximately parallel to each other, means for applying .highwpotential difference to such opposing electrodes forproducing .an electrostatic field and means for conducting the gas carrying 'electrically chargedl suspended particles through suoi electrostatic field.

' means, vthe combination lof a charging elec' 16. In .an apparatus for .the separationof suspended particles from gases by electric largely extended surfaces as compared withthe charging electrode, means for applying high potential difference to .the opposing electrodes of said set for producing an electrostatic field, and means for conducting the gases carrying the suspended particles past the charging electrode 'and then through the said'electrostatic field.

18. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles froml gases by electric means, the combination of a charging elec-- trode, aset of opposing, non-discharging electrodes and means for applying high (po- 4tential ldifference to such opposing, noncharging electrodes for producing an elecl trostatic field independent of the charging electrode, andmeans for conducting the gases carrying the suspended particles past the charging electrode to electrically' charge the suspended particles, --and then through the said electrostatic lfield to remove the'.

charged particlesfrom the gases.

19. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles from gases by jelectric means, the combination of a number of charging electrodes and a set ofopposing, non-discharging electrodes and means for applying high potential difference to such,

opposlng, nondischarging electrodes for producmg electrostatic fields vindependent of the charging electrodes, and means for conducting the gases carrying the suspended -particles past the charglng electrodes and through thesaid electrostatic fields, the electrodesbeing so arranged that the gases along with the suspended particles are alternately subjected to the influence 'of the charging electrodes and the electrostatic fields.

20.`An' apparatus -for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a' charging electrode ,having a flexible ionizing part, means for tensioning said ionizing part, and surface member. c

21.,In an apparatus foi' electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a charging electrode, .the ionizing part of which consists of a Wire, and neans for maintaining said Wire under tension 'in its longitudinal direction.

22. The method of separating suspended particles from gases which consists in su jecting the gas to an ionizing discharge of electricity while in a relatively weak electrostatic field, to' charge the' suspended para collecting field.

ticles, and then 'passing the gas 'through a relatively strong electrostatic field.

23. The method of separating suspended particles from gases which consists in subjecting the gas to an ionizingdis'charge of electricity -While in a relatively .weak electrostatic field, t charge the suspended particles, to remove the larger and coarserv particles, and then passing the gas throughi a relatively stronger electrostatic field, to remove the smaller and finer particles.

24. The method of separating suspendedl A matter from gases, Awhich consists in subjecting thegas to the actionof a relativelyparticles f While .saidfie Y gecting the gas tothe action of. `a relatively Weak electrostatic field, discharging electric#V ityinto said gas to charge the suspended 25. Animprovementin means for remov- I ing suspended particles from gaseous andfluid bodies comprising "spaced apart grounded electrodes, and an active electrode v i placed between the grounded. electrodes and' providedwith a pluralit, of spaced .apart stream.

26. That improvement inthe art of-proattenuated electrode mem rs so grouped as to direct the.; electromagnetic 'waves toward the oncoming particle ladenv ga'seous or fluid cal discharge zones extending parallel to each 'other in directions intersecting the flow path of the stream, each zone havingfsub- .Y stantially similar `discharge characteristics v throu hout"its. len f the art o producing electrical precipitation of particles from fluid or gaseous streams, the combination of opposing electrode systems including collecting and dis- V"charge electrodes, said' discharge electrode having-a longitudinally extending discharge producin Ve ge, across-section of'saiddis- `charge ve ectrode having said edge corre- 'sponding to the apex ofan angle.

28. In the art 'of producing electrical pre- .cipitation of particles from fluid or gaseous streams, means for producing an ionizing field, said means including lan element havlng a in a single vplane, a vcross section of the elen estbhshmg an lomzmg field between OP` dischargeproducing edge extending ment having-said edge corresponding to the apex of an angle. Y 29. In the -art of` roducin electrical pre.-

cipitation of partie 1 sfrom uid or gaseous f-cstr'eams, means `for producing an ionizingv 50 a single plane, a cross section of the element from fluid Yor gaseous--streams-wh1ch conoffan angle not greater than a rlght angle. i

field, said means includingan element having a discharge-producing edge extending in havingsaid edge' corresponding to the apex 30. That improvement in the art o roducing electrical precipitation of partlcles sists in esta-b lis a plurality of individual ionizin -zones-in t e'fiow pathof -a stream with' t e lzone lengthfintersectin the flow patli`,"'eachzone substantial continur Y k 31.V That improvement in the art of'pro-` electrical precipitation of particlesI dyand then Sub.-

`trode systen zones t Vionized into and through said ionization-f' "if- Q p separating and removing the-partinad,

1,343,2sa i in establishing-an ionization field within the flow path of a stream, with the field formed A of a succession of individual ionization zones extending angularto the direction of flow of the stream, each zone liavin substantially similar characteristics throug out its length?M 32. That improvement in lthe art of producing electrical lprecipitation of from fiuid or aseous streamswhich consists Vin establishing' a'n ionization field within the flow path of a, stream, .with the field -forme'd of a succession4 of` individual articles g electrical discharge zones extending parallel to .each other in directions intersecting the fiow path of the stream, each zonehaving substantially similar 'discharge characteristics'throughout its length.

33. That impro'vement'in the art of pro-` ducing electrical precipitation of particles from Huid or gaseous streams which consistsl in establishing an ionization fieldwithin the flow path of a stream, with the ieldi formed of a succession of individual electrical dis-v M 'charge zones of high electrical potential ex-- tending parallel to each other. in directions intersecting the flow path of thefstream, each zone having substantially similar discharge characteristics throughout itsv length. Y 34. That improvement in the art of producing electrical. precipitationof partlcles from fluid or gaseous streams'which consists in establishing an ionization field withintheflow path of a stream, with'the field formed of a successionV of individual electrical disf charge' zones extending, parallelto each v other-.in directions intersecting the flow ath of the stream, each zone having Substantlally similar. and constant dischargecharacteris` I tics throughout its length.

' 35.4 That improvement ,in the art of proL l ducing electrical precipitation/ of partlcles from fluid or gaseousstreams which consists posing electrodesystems, the discharge elecplrcducin'g individual ionizing p e eldwith the zones of definite] lengt and of similar characteristics thoughput their length, {andpassing a i the stream while'still ionized through an other Aionization field, in collecting' and separating the particles from the stream.

37;. The method l of removing rparticles from-fluid streams which consistsmdom'z ing the particles tobe removed with a charge sign similar to the sign of the discharging electrode of an ionization f ield," and then-I introducing the stream contents while still cles from the stream.

duc" I y n frollduid orlstreams which consistsY 38. .That improvement `in the art of pro'- italo stream with the` zone length extending angular to the. flow path, each zone being substantiallycontinuous in its length and having a constant distance betweenl its electrodes. s

sists in establishing a succession of individual ionizing zones of similar characteristics in the fiow path` of a stream-With the zone length extending angular to the flo'W path, each zone being substantially continuous in- .,its length and having a constantdistance Aloe'tween its electrodes.

40'. That improvement inthe' art of producing electrical precipitation of particles from fluid or gaseous streams which con- I sists in establishing an ionization field Withpath of a stream.

in thefiow path of a stream, with the field formed of a succession of similar individual ionization zones extending angular tothe direction of fiow of the stream, each zone having' substantially similar characteristics throuohout its length:

41. qI'hat 'improvement in the. art of producing electrical precipitation i of particlesfrom fluid or gaseous streams which consists inestablishing a succession of individual ionizing dischargezones Within the flow 42. That improvement in the art-of producing' electrical precipitation of partlcles from hud or gaseous streams which consists in 'establishing a succession of individual ionizing discharge zones withinthe flow path of a stream, the zones extendingin paral-H" lelism.' 's

43. That improvement'in theA art of producing electrical precipitation of. partlcles Y from fluid or .gaseous streams'wlnch consists in establishing 'a succession of individ' precipitation of particles Jfrom fluid or gascous streams,` opposing electrode systems e adapted to produce an ionization field l39.. That improvement in the art of prof A'ducing electrical precipitation of particles from fiuid or gaseous streams which coneous streams, opposing electrode 'systens adapted to lproduce. an ionization fieldthere between, one of said systems comprising disl. charge-producing Aele1nents,.`said discharge .system comprising a plurality of parallel ldischarge-producing elements opposingan electrode face of the opposing system.

46. In the art oi' electrically producing precipitation of particles from fluidpr gaseous streams, opposing electrode systems adapted to produce an ionization field therebetween, on of said systems comprising dis# charge-pro uclng elements, said dlscharge system comprising a plurality of parallel discharge-producing elements located on a common plane and opposing an electrode face of the opposing system.

47. An apparatus for electric separation l i of suspended matter jrom gaseous fluids, comprising a longitudinal ionizing part, a charging electrode and a collecting field-.surface member havinga field-surface substantially parallel to said longitudinal ionizing part.

27th day of February, 1913.' WALTER A. SCHMIDT.

' A. P. KNIGHT.

l V iss t In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setl myhand at Los Angeles, California, this

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