MICRON-SIZE PARTICLE FILTRATION WITH DUAL WIRE ARTIFICIAL ELECTRET FIBERS

The authors present the construction, operation, and test results of a new type of electrostatic filter of very low pressure drop at usual h ow-through velocities while providing excellent filtration for micron- size particles. The filter is constructed in the form of a thick mesh of dual wire fibers, electrically energized at approximately 200 de V, and reversing the polarity at a very low frequency in the order of 5 mHz. While,.in general, mechanical filters trap the particles on the a ir incoming surface, with subsequent rapid ''blinding,'' the new filte r collects the particles inside the mesh volume thus offering a consid erably longer life.(1)