Fiber bed separator

Claim 2

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of staple fibers having a diameter from about 5 microns to about 30 microns, and means producing at least one discontinuity to produce a vertical passage for drainage of collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from a downstream surface of the bed.

Claim 3

The fiber bed separator of claim 1 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises: a layer of staple fibers having a diameter greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of staple fibers.

Claim 4

The fiber bed separator of claim 2 wherein said diameter of said staple fibers of said layer of staple fibers is at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of staple fibers.

Claim 5

The fiber bed separator of claim 1 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises: a fiber having a diameter at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of fibers, said fiber being helically wrapped within said bed of fibers.

Claim 6

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and means producing at least one discontinuity between said layers at at least one selected location within said bed of fibers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed.

Claim 7

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and means producing at least one discontinuity between said layers at at least one selected location within said bed of fibers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed.

Claim 8

The fiber bed separator of claim 5 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises a mat of randomly oriented staple fibers, said mat having a thickness of from about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.4 millimeters.

Claim 9

The fiber bed separator of claim 5 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises a mat of randomly oriented staple fibers, said mat having a thickness of from about 0.25 to about 0.6 centimeters.

Claim 10

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns and having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers and at least one sliver of staple fibers within said layers having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said predominantly parallel slivers, said at least one sliver producing a discontinuity within said bed of fibers and providing a passageway for the downward flow of said collected aerosols.

Claim 11

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns and having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers and at least one sliver of staple fibers within said layers having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said predominantly parallel slivers, said at least one sliver producing a discontinuity within said bed of fibers and providing a passageway for the downward flow of said collected aerosols.

Claim 12

The fiber bed separator of claim 8 wherein said at least one sliver of staple fibers has a diameter at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said predominantly parallel slivers.

Claim 13

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50.0 grams per meter and generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and at least one mat of randomly oriented staple fibers within said bed of fibers at at least one selected location to produce at least one discontinuity between said layers of predominantly parallel slivers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of said collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed, said at least one mat having a thickeness of from about 0.25 centimeters to about 0.6 centimeters.

Claim 14

A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50.0 grams per meter and generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and at least one mat of randomly oriented staple fibers within said bed of fibers at at least one selected location to produce at least one discontinuity between said layers of predominantly parallel slivers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of said collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed, said at least one mat having a thickeness of from about 0.25 centimeters to about 0.6 centimeters.