Method and apparatus for removing contaminants from gas streams

• US 6,824,587 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Moustafa Abdel Kader Mohamed
• Original Assignee: Moustafa Abdel Kader Mohamed
• Inventors: Mohamed, Moustafa Abdel Kader
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US10/368,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20040159232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 95/7, 95/28, 95/67, 95/73, 95/76, 95/77, 96/3, 96/20--24, 96/51, 96/80
• US Class Current: 95/7
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/32 by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 3/14 characterised by the additional use of mechanical effects, e.g. gravity B03C3/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 3/455 specially adapted for heat exchange with the gas stream B03C3/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0892 Electric or magnetic treatment, e.g. dissociation of noxious components electric filters F01N3/01; regeneration of exhaust filters F01N3/023; heating catalytic converters F01N3/2006

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from gas streams. A first step involves selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream. A second step involves applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant. A third step involves capturing the selected contaminant after ionization.

Claims

1. A method for removing contaminants from gas streams, comprising the steps of:

selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream;

applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant; and

capturing the selected contaminant after ionization by applying a magnetic field which directs the selected contaminant to a collector assembly, the collector assembly including a charged metal substrate cooled below a characteristic liquefying temperature for the selected contaminant, thereby liquefying the selected contaminant.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, the collector assembly being charged with an electric charge having a different polarity to that of the selected contaminant after ionization, whereby the selected contaminant is attracted to the collector assembly.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, the magnetic field being applied at an angle to the motion of the selected contaminant to deflect the selected contaminant along an arcuate path to the collector assembly which can be predetermined based upon known data regarding mass and average drift velocity of the selected contaminant.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, the charged metal substrate being positioned at an angle, with a collection vessel being positioned beneath the charged metal substrate such that after liquefaction the selected contaminant flows down the charged metal substrate into the collection vessel.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, the selected contaminant being sulphur compounds.

6. A method for removing contaminants from gas streams, comprising the steps of:

selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream;

applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant; and

capturing the selected contaminant after ionization by applying a magnetic field at an angle to the motion of the selected contaminant to deflect the selected contaminant along an arcuate path which can be predetermined based upon known data regarding mass and average drift velocity of the selected contaminant to a collector assembly, the collector assembly including a charged metalsubstrate with an electric charge having a different polarity to that of the selected contaminant after ionization, whereby the selected contaminant is attracted to the collector assembly, the charged metal substrate being cooled below a characteristic liquefying temperature for the contaminant, thereby liquefying the selected contaminant, the charged metal substrate being positioned at an angle, with a collection vessel being positioned beneath the charged metal substrate, such that after liquefaction the selected contaminant flows down the charged metal substrate into the collection vessel.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, the selected contaminant being sulphur compounds.