Patent attributes
An improved system for removing particles and contaminants from an air flow attract particles and contaminants to a plurality of charged spray droplets. The system has a first channel with an inlet and an outlet into which a first air flow is directed, an air flow containing a plurality of contaminants, a solvent reservoir containing a volume of solvent, one or more charged droplet sources for producing a plurality of charged liquid droplets, a second channel with an inlet and an outlet into which a second air flow is directed, one or more voltage reduction electrodes positioned about at least one of said electrospray sources, a grounded counter electrode, and at least one grid positioned between the plane of the charged droplet source and the grounded counter electrode. The voltage between the grid electrode and the charged droplet source is sufficient to sustain an electrospray process. The electrostatic force at the one or more charged droplet sources is sufficient to overcome the surface tension of the solvent. The charged liquid droplets are dispersed into the first channel allowing the plurality of contaminants in the first air flow to become charged.