Enhanced fabric filtration through controlled electrostatically augmented dust deposition

Claim 1

An electrostatically enhanced fabric filtration system utilizing a high voltage source for separating particulate matter from a gas stream, comprising: a substantially cylindrical fabric filter element having a first end and a second end and comprised at least in part of a grounded electrically conductive material; a substantially rigid and substantially cylindrical open-ended metal sleeve member so attached to the first end of said filter element as to maintain said first end in open condition for communication therewith, said sleeve having a gas inlet aperture open to the interior of said sleeve and said filter element such that a particulate laden gas stream may flow through said aperture and said sleeve to the interior of the filter element; a closure means at the second end of said filter element maintaining said second end in closed condition; a linear corona electrode connected to said high voltage source to receive a high voltage therefrom relative to ground, coaxially disposed within said filter element and having one end attached to the closure means at the second end of the filter element and having its other end extended through said gas inlet aperture, said sleeve and said first end of said filter element; an electrical insulating means interposed between said corona electrode and said closure means, whereby said electrode is electrically insulated from said filter element at said second end thereof; an electrical insulating means surrounding said corona electrode for insulating said corona electrode from said sleeve at the region where the electrode extends through the gas inlet aperture and the sleeve; whereby a corona discharge is generated along said corona electrode when a high voltage is applied to said corona electrode, said corona discharge providing an electrical charge to the particulate matter entering the filter element and simultaneously generating an electrostatic field between the corona electrode and said grounded electrically conductive material that is a part of said fabric filter element, whereby the charged particles are attracted toward an inside surface of the filter element under the influence of the electrostatic field.