Condensing vapor
An aerosol condensing system is provided. The aerosol condensing system includes a source electrode electrically connected to an electrical source that applies an electrical voltage to the source electrode, a condenser including a sink electrode to collect aerosol contained in an air stream to the sink electrode, and a duct configured to direct the aerosol to the condenser. The source electrode and the sink electrode creates an electrical field within the duct.
1. A system comprising:
a source electrode electrically connected to an electrical source that applies an electrical voltage to the source electrode;
a condenser including a sink electrode to collect aerosol contained in an air stream; and
a duct configured to direct the aerosol to the condenser,
wherein the source electrode and the sink electrode are configured to create an electrical field within the duct having a strength below a corona discharge threshold of 3 kV/mm.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the source electrode includes a source mesh, the source mesh including a first network of wires.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the source mesh includes a wire diameter of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein a characteristic dimension of an opening of the source mesh is between 1 mm and 15 mm.
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the source mesh includes stainless steel, nickel, conductive polymer, or conductive silicone.
6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the source mesh comprises a plurality of layers each of which including a network of wires.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sink electrode includes a condensing mesh, the condensing mesh including a second network of wires.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sink electrode is configured to condense the aerosol on the condensing mesh to form droplets, which precipitate by at least gravity.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the condenser comprises:
an inlet configured to receive an air stream having a first relative humidity;
an outlet configured to discharge an air stream having a second relative humidity which is lower than the first relative humidity; and
a reservoir configured to collect the droplets.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the condensing mesh includes a wire diameter of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein a characteristic dimension of an opening of the condensing mesh is between 1 mm and 15 mm.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the condensing mesh includes stainless steel, nickel, conductive polymer, or conductive silicone.
13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the condensing mesh comprises a plurality of layers each of which includes a network of wires.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical source includes a direct current (DC) power supply.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical source includes a direct current (DC) power supply that generates a voltage between 20 V and 10 kV.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sink electrode is electrically grounded.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sink electrode is connected to an opposite electrical source that imparts an opposite electrical charge to the sink electrode.
18. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a blower configured to drive the air stream that contains the aerosol through the source electrode and to the condenser along the duct.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the duct increases along a flow direction of the air stream.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the sink electrode includes a convex shape that protrudes toward the flow direction of the air stream.