U.S. patent number 3,654,534 [Application Number 05/113,929] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-04 for air neutralization.
Invention is credited to Ronald S. Fischer.
United States Patent |
3,654,534 |
Fischer |
April 4, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
AIR NEUTRALIZATION
Abstract
A gas such as common air may be treated so as to be electrically
"neutralized" by passing the gas through the space between charged
electrodes. These electrodes are changed by an AC current having a
sinusiodal wave form which creates a field having an intensity in
the space of at least 8 microamps per square inch. The gas being
treated is passed through this space at a rate such that the gas is
between the electrodes during a complete cycle of the AC current or
during an even multiple of such a complete cycle. As the gas passes
through the electrodes, various charges carried by or within the
gas are removed from it.
Inventors: |
Fischer; Ronald S. (El Monte,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22352354 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/113,929 |
Filed: |
February 9, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/215; 55/467;
422/4; 119/419; 361/231; 422/22; 96/57; 95/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L
9/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61L
9/22 (20060101); A61l 001/00 (); A61l 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;317/262AE ;128/404,421
;204/164,312 ;119/15 ;21/54R,12R,53 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hix; L. T.
Claims
I CLAIM:
1. An apparatus for treating a gas so as to neutralize electric
charges, which apparatus comprises:
treatment means including electrodes separated by a dielectric and
an air space,
means for applying an AC current at a power level sufficient to
create a field between said electrodes in said air space having an
intensity of at least 8 microamps per square inch, and
means for moving a gas through said air space at a rate such that
the gas is moved between said electrodes so as to be subjected to
said field for a complete cycle of said AC current or an even
multiple thereof.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said air space is from one thirty-second to three-sixteenths inch
thick,
said AC current has a sinusiodal wave form of less than 5 percent
total harmonic,
the frequency of said AC current is from about 30 to 90 cycles per
second,
the intensity of said field is from about 8 to about 12 microamps
per square inch,
the dielectric constant of said dielectric is at least 5,
said dielectric being an isotropic material, and
said current creates a voltage gradient across said air space of
from 80 to 100 volts per mil.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said air space is about one-sixteenth inch thick,
said AC current has a sinusiodal wave form of less than 5 percent
total harmonic content,
said AC current is a 60 cycles per second current,
the intensity of said field is about 10 microamps per square
inch,
the dielectric constant of said dielectric is at least 5,
said dielectric is an isotropic material, and
said current creates a voltage gradient across said air space of
about 95 volts per mil.
4. A process for treating a gas so as to neutralize electric
charges which comprises:
passing a gas to be treated through an air space between two
electrodes separated by a dielectric and said air space while
applying an AC current to said electrodes so as to create a field
within said air space having an intensity of at least 8 microamps
per square inch, said gas being passed through said space at a rate
such that said gas is between said electrodes within said field
during a complete cycle of said current or an even multiple
thereof.
5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
said air space is from one-thirty-second to three-sixteenths inch
thick,
said AC current has the sinusiodal wave form of less than 5 percent
total harmonic,
the frequency of said AC current is from about 30 to 90 cycles per
second,
the intensity of said field is from about 8 to 12 microamps per
square inch,
said dielectric is an isotropic material,
said current creates a voltage gradient across said air space of
from 80 to 100 volts per mil.
6. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
said air space is about one-sixteenth inch thick,
said AC current has a sinusiodal wave form of less than 5 percent
total harmonic content,
said AC current is a 60 cycles per second current,
the intensity of said field is about 10 microamps per square
inch,
the dielectric constant of said dielectric is at least 5,
said dielectric is an isotropic material, and
said current creates a voltage gradient across said air space of
about 95 volts per mil.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the treatment of a gas such as
common air so as to "neutralize" the gas being treated. Such
neutralization involves a number of comparatively complex
considerations and is closely related to many different prior
procedures for treating gases such as air. An understanding of the
present invention requires an elementary understanding of these
considerations and an elementary understanding of certain prior
types of apparatus previously utilized for treating gases such as
air with an electric field.
Normally air will contain both positive and negative electrical
charges as the result of a number of natural and artificial
phenomena. Such charges may be in the form of ions and/or free
electrons in the air. They may also be present in the form of
charged particulate matter such as dust particles, bacteria, fungus
spores, and the like. Frequently such particulate matter will be
held in the air so that it does not readily settle out because of
mechanisms such as Brownian movement, convection currents and the
like. It is believed that the charges on such particles frequently
prevent these particles settling out.
The positive and negative electrical charges in a gas may be equal
so that the gas as a whole will be electrically neutral or
uncharged, but still the gas will tend to behave as positively or
negatively charged. This may happen under a number of different
circumstances. It may be the result of the way charges are held on
gas molecules, particularly large molecules, or the way charges are
disposed on a particulate item of particulate matter or the like.
Many different particles which may be electrically neutral in an
absolute sense behave as and are referred to as charged particles
because of the unbalanced way electrical charges are located in or
on such particles.
A recognition of these factors has led to the development of a
number of different treatment procedures for electrically treating
gases such as air so as to purify such gases. Probably most
frequently such prior procedures have involved merely passing a gas
such as air between oppositely charged electrodes. Such electrodes
are normally used with a sufficient current to set up fields which
attract electrical charges or charged particles to the individual
electrodes where there may be some tendency towards neutralization.
Apparatus of this general type frequently involves the use of an
electrical discharge for use in removing particulate material.
Procedures as are briefly indicated in the preceding paragraph are
widely considered to be reasonably effective in "purifying" gases
such as air by removing certain types of charges and charged
particles from such gases. Procedures such as are indicated are
also effective in "purifying" air by virtue of the fact that such
procedures cause or promote certain chemical reactions having what
can be a beneficial effect. Thus, procedures such as are indicated
can be and frequently have been carried out under such conditions
as to promote the production of ozone from oxygen within the space
between the electrodes.
The highly reactive characteristics of ozone makes this gas highly
desirable in oxidizing many common impurities such as may be
present in air. However, the production of ozone can also be
extremely disadvantageous inasmuch as such ozone emanating from an
air treatment apparatus as described may cause many undesired
reactions such as dye fading and the like. Also to many the smell
of oxone is somewhat objectionable. It is understood that the
effects of significant quantities of oxone on the human body are
not completely understood.
The various different procedures indicated in the preceding
discussion for electrically treating gases such as air so as to
purify such gases have been sufficiently successful to indicate
that electrical treatment of gases such as air so as to neutralize
various charges in such gases is beneficial. It is also recognized
that any such procedure to be acceptable in inhabited areas must be
of such a character as to minimize ozone production. Although these
things have been recognized it is considered that no one has
adequately developed satisfactory procedures for electrically
neutralizing a gas by passing such a gas in a field between charged
electrodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved method and a new and improved apparatus for air
neutralization. From this it will be apparent that a broad
objective of the present invention is to provide for air
neutralization of a type which overcomes defects and limitations of
the prior art in this field. More specifically objectives of the
invention are to provide for effective air neutralization,
efficient air neutralization and economic air neutralization.
These objectives standing by themselves in a sense do and in a
sense do not indicate the purposes of the present invention. Simply
stated one of the major purposes or objectives of the present
invention is to economically "clean-up" gases such as air so as to
make such air much more desirable and so as to tend to remove from
such air particulate matter which is either charged or which
behaves substantially as if it is charged. In accomplishing this
the invention does not only operate upon the inanimate content of
air, but also operates upon living particles such as bacteria,
fungus spores and the like found within air and other gases.
These objectives of the present invention are achieved by treating
a gas such as air by passing the gas through the space between
spaced electrodes to which an AC current is applied so as to create
a field intensity in the space of at least 8 microamps per square
inch. In accordance with this invention the gas is passed through
this space at a rate such that the gas is between the electrodes an
amount of time corresponding to a complete cycle of the AC current
or during an even multiple of such a cycle. In other words, when
the gas being treated is within the space between the electrodes it
is not subjected to a partial AC cycle. It is considered necessary
to use a structure as hereinafter indicated in order to accomplish
this mode of operation over a prolonged period on an economic
basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The nature of the present invention is best explained in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a presently preferred embodiment or
form of an air neutralizer of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 4--4 of FIG.
2; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic view indicating the connection of various
components or parts within the air neutralizer shown.
It will be recognized that the accompanying drawing is primarily
intended for explanatory purposes in order to show the construction
of an air neutralizer in accordance with this invention. Those
skilled in the art of the construction and use of apparatuses for
electrically treating air and other gases will realize that various
changes may be made in the precise structure shown through the use
or exercise of routine skill in this field without departing from
the essential principles of the invention as defined or summarized
in the claims forming a part of this specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawing there is shown an air neutralizer 10 of the present
invention. This neutralizer 10 includes a generally rectilinear
housing 12 having a hinged lid 14 adapted to be opened in order to
provide access to the interior of the housing 12. At one end 16 of
the housing 12 there is located a three sided frame 18 adapted to
be closed by means of a small hinged lid 20 so as to retain in the
end 16 a conventional air inlet filter pad 22 in such a manner that
this pad 22 may conveniently be replaced from time to time without
opening the lid 14.
The interior of the frame 18 in back of the filter pad 22 is
separated from the interior of the housing 12 by means of another
frame 24 which holds across its center a conventional protective
screen 26. A duct 38 leads from the frame 24 to one end of an
electrode assembly 30. The construction of this electrode assembly
30 is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawing. This assembly 30
includes a frame 32 of a conventional dielectric material such as
an acrylic polymer, a polyvinyl chloride or the like. This frame 32
is directly connected to the duct 28.
It supports an aligned stack of a plurality of separate, parallel,
identical glass plates 34 so that the adjacent side edges of these
plates 34 are spaced from one another by small spacers 36 and 37.
The spacers 36 are preferably of a conventional dielectric material
such as a phenolic polymer; the spacers 37 are of a conductive
metal such as brass for a purpose as hereinafter indicated. The
spacers 36 and 37, the plates 34 and the frame 32 are preferably
secured together with a known resilient dielectric material
adhesive (not shown separately) such as known silicone rubber
polymer used on all of the abutting faces or surfaces of these
parts. Such an adhesive is considered preferable since it
accommodates limited movement and shifting of the parts joined by
it so as to increase the effective life of the neutralizer 10.
The construction and spacing of the plates 34 is considered to be
quite important in obtaining effective results with the invention
and in providing for long, effective utilization of the neutralizer
10. These factors will be more fully explained hereinafter. The
plates 34 carry on their surfaces inert, thin metal electrodes 38
which are in electrical contact with the spacers 37. At the sides
of the assembly 30 these spacers 37 are connected together by
conventional buss bars 40 so that alternate electrodes at the sides
of the assembly 30 are connected.
The electrodes 38 should preferably be closely adhered to the
plates 34 so that no air is trapped between these electrodes 38 and
the plates 34 in order to increase the length of time the
neutralizer 10 may be used without breakdown. Preferably the
electrodes 38 are secured or adhered to the plates 34 by the use of
a very thin layer of a bonding or cementing agent having a
dielectric coefficient which is the same or within 10 percent of
the dielectric coefficient of the plates 34. This is also
considered so as to increase the length of time the neutralizer 10
may be used without breakdown. It is considered that a suitable
bonding and cementing agent is an equal part by weight mixture of
bees wax and refined rosin.
During the operation of the neutralizer 10 a gas such as air being
treated within this neutralizer 10 will be drawn into the housing
12 through the filter pad 22, the duct 28 and the electrode
assembly 30 through the operation of a conventional blower 42. This
blower 42 is mounted within the housing 12 so that it will pull gas
through the parts indicated and then force or convey such gas
outwardly through a small outlet 44. The performance of the blower
42 is considered quite important to the invention as hereinafter
indicated.
The power necessary to operate the neutralizer 10 is obtained
through a conventional lead-in cord 46. It will be seen from an
examination of FIG. 5 of the drawing that the power is supplied
through a conventional fuse 48, a conventional on-off switch 50 and
a conventional interlock switch 52 operated by the lid 14 so as to
automatically shut off the neutralizer 10 in the event that this
lid 14 is opened. This power is supplied across the primary
terminals of a transformer 54 mounted within the housing 12. The
secondaries from this transformer 54 are connected to the buss bars
40 through wires 52 so as to supply power to the electrodes 38.
Preferably, the motor 56 of the blower 42 is connected in parallel
across the primary of the transformer 54. Also a conventional neon
lamp assembly consisting of a resistor 58 and a lamp envelope 60
are also preferably connected in parallel across the primaries of
the transformer 54 in order to indicate when the complete
neutralizer 10 is being operated.
During such operation of the neutralizer 10 the individual
electrodes 38 are supplied with AC power through the transformer
54. As these electrodes 38 are charged through the applied AC
current, air or any other gas being treated in the neutralizer 10
is drawn past the electrodes 38 through the operation of the blower
42. As the air or other gas is moved in this manner it will, of
course, be subjected to the AC field between the electrodes 38
resulting from the applied power. With the present invention
effective results coupled with prolonged, reliable performance of
the neutralizer 10 require rather precise, careful control of the
operation of the neutralizer 10 and rather precise control of the
construction of this device. This can be illustrated by referring
to any of a plurality of closely related factors which are critical
in one sense or another as far as the invention is concerned.
Effective air neutralization in accordance with the invention
requires that the gas being treated is moved between parallel
leading and trailing edges 62 and 64, respectively, of the
electrodes 38 a period of time such that any increment of such gas
is subjected to a complete cycle of an AC field or an even multiple
of such a cycle, but not more or less than such a cycle or multiple
thereof. Any significant deviation from such a complete cycle is
considered to be undesirably ineffective inasmuch as any such
deviation does not subject a gas to equal positive and negative
fields. An unbalance between the positive and negative fields as
applied to the gas passing between the electrodes 38 is considered
to cause some residual charge to remain on or in the gas being
treated.
The necessity with the invention of passing the gas being treated
through the space between the electrodes 38 at a rate such that the
gas is between the electrodes 38 during a complete cycle of the
applied AC current or during an even multiple of such a cycle in
effect dictates or governs several design parameters within the
neutralizer 10. The capacity of the blower 42 used must be such as
to move the gas being treated at the rate indicated under normal
conditions of operation. Inasmuch as little if any significant
advantage is considered to be achieved by using multiples of
complete AC cycles in treatment in accordance with this invention
preferably the blower capacity is such that the gas treated is
present between the electrodes 38 during only a complete cycle of
the applied AC current.
The time of such presence is related to the frequency of the
applied current which should be used. If the frequency of the
applied current is relatively high for gas to be between the
electrodes 38 for a period as indicated either (1) the gas velocity
created by the blower 42 has to be so high as to cause mechanical
problems in the operation of the neutralizer 10 such as problems of
noise production or (2) the path length between the electrodes 38
has to be comparatively short. It is relatively difficult to
accurately make such a short length in a device such as the
neutralizer 10 correspond to a complete AC treatment cycle with a
conventional blower. In short, at high frequencies either the air
neutralizer 10 becomes something of a wind tunnel or the electrodes
38 become relatively short.
The undesirable consequences of using high frequencies are avoided
in accordance with the invention by utilizing frequencies of about
90 cycles per second or less. However, the frequency used should
preferably be no less than about 30 cycles per second. In general
if a lower frequency than this is employed either (1) the length of
the path taken by a gas in passing between the electrodes 38 has to
be undesirably long or (2) the blower 42 used has to operate
extremely slowly so that the gas will traverse the electrodes at a
very slow rate. If the electrodes are comparatively long the
neutralizer 10 is considered to take up more space than reasonably
necessary. If the blower 42 employed only moves the gas very
slowly, such a blower will tend to be inefficient in its operating
characteristics and will normally not cause adequate circulation of
the gas being treated on the outside of the neutralizer 10.
Particularly suitable results can be achieved using a frequency of
60 cps.
The wave form of the AC voltage applied to the electrodes 38 is
considered to be important in achieving desired results in
accordance with this invention. It is considered that the applied
AC used in connection with the electrodes 38 should have as
reasonably close to a pure sinusiodal wave form as it is possible
to obtain. Although a pure sinusiodal wave form is desired, it is
considered that a close approximation of such a pure wave form will
produce the desired results with this invention. It is considered
that an acceptable wave form will not depart by more than 5 percent
of the total harmonic shape of an AC sinusiodal wave. Such a wave
shape is considered preferable since it enables a gas being treated
with the neutralizer 10 to be subjected to an electrostatic field
that changes at a uniform linear or constant rate. This is
considered to minimize any tendency towards the creation of
electrically unbalanced conditions in any gas treated in the
neutralizer 10.
These factors are also related to the intensity of the
electrostatic field created in the spaces in the assembly 30
traversed by a gas being treated. It is considered that if this
electrostatic field is below about 8 microamps per square inch in
intensity that the neutralizer will not adequately neutralize
charges in or charged particles in any gas being treated within it.
The precise reasons for this are not known, but it is believed that
such reasons pertain to the amount of energy necessary to radiate
the gas treated so that charges may be readily removed from such
gas. In other words, unless the field intensity is at least 8
microamps per square inch the degree of neutralization achieved
with the invention is undesirably low.
On the other hand, if the field intensity is above about 12
microamps per square inch, a different type of problem is
encountered with the invention. In general, materials such are used
in the construction of the assembly 30 and various parts of it will
not withstand the comparatively great dielectric stresses caused by
field intensities of this level and above for prolonged periods.
Since commercial and related economic reasons make it necessary
that the neutralizer 10 operate for prolonged periods without
breakdown, it is apparent that a field intensity above about 12
should not be used with the invention. Although, field intensities
of from 8 to 12 microamps per square inch may be used, it is
presently considered preferable to utilize a field intensity of 10
microamps per square inch since this intensity works effectively
without significantly or noticeably causing deterioration within
the assembly 30.
It will be recognized that such field intensities are related to
other factors by known mathematical relationships. One item which
is related to the field intensities which can be used in the
neutralizer 10 concerns the dielectric materials between the
electrodes 38 in the assembly 30. It will be recognized that there
are two types of dielectric materials between the electrodes 38:
(1) the material within the plates 34 and (2) the material within
the gas being treated. Normally the latter will be air.
The dielectric material in the plates 34 is preferably a
conventional isotropic dielectric material. Particularly,
satisfactory results can be achieved using conventional soda glass.
Anisotropic materials are not desired for use with the plates 34
since such materials are apt to breakdown after use for extended
periods in the neutralizer 10, whereas isotropic materials will
withstand prolonged use without significant breakdown. The plates
34 should of course be of uniform physical characteristics and
thickness. They should have no surface imperfections and their
edges should be polished so as to avoid edge effects. It is
considered that the plates 34 should have a dielectric constant or
coefficient of at least five since with materials having a lower
dielectric constant than within this range, the voltage gradient
which will appear across the plates 34 is sufficient to cause
electrical stresses which will detrimentally effect the period of
use of the dielectric without physical breakdown.
With the invention even the thickness of the plates 34 is
considered to be important. If these plates 34 are less than about
0.040 inches thick, it is considered that these plates are too
fragile for practical utilization. If on the other hand, these
plates are thicker than about 0.125 inches thick it is considered
more material is used than is reasonably needed. The plates 34
should contain only enough dielectric material in order to support
the electrodes 38 used adequately without there being danger of
physical breakdown.
A factor which enters into the intensity of the electrostatic field
obtained is of course the spacing between the plates 34 and the
electrodes 38--i.e. the air gap through which a gas flows in the
neutralizer 10. It is considered that if this dimension is less
than about one-thirty-second inch that the friction resulting from
gas flow at the velocities necessary to obtain treatment as
described is unnecessarily high. This, of course, raises the the
performance requirements for the blower 42. When there is such
friction it is considered that power will be waisted as the result
of physically moving a gas as described to obtain neutralization as
herein indicated.
On the other hand, it is considered that if the spacing herein
discussed is greater than about three-sixteenths inch, the voltage
requirements at the electrodes 38 necessary to achieve
electrostatic fields of the intensity indicated become
impractically large. As used in this preceding sentence the term
"impractically" relates to economic considerations as well as to
factors such as size and weight. It is considered that preferred
results are achieved using an electrode spacing of one-sixteenth
inch. Gas will flow readily within a space this thick and with such
spacing the voltage requirement in the neutralizer 10 does not
become impractical.
The voltage gradients across both the plates 34 and the spaces
between the plates and the electrodes 38 are considered important
in connection with the preceding parameters of the invention and in
connection with achieving satisfactory operation. If the voltage
gradient in the space traversed by the gas being treated is less
than about 80 volts per mil, it is considered that the neutralizer
10 will not operate satisfactorily. This is because with lesser
voltage gradients it is considered that the gas being passed
through the assembly 30 will not be adequately affected so as to
cause a desired degree of charged neutralization at the air flow
rates used. On the other hand, it is considered that if a voltage
gradient in the space traversed by the gas is greater than 100
volts per mil that there is an unnecessary utilization of power. It
is presently preferred to utilize a voltage gradient in the space
traversed by the gas being treated of 95 volts per mil since within
this range adequate neutralization can be achieved without the
unnecessary or uneconomic expenditure of power.
The voltage gradient across the plates 34 used is critical in
another regard. If the voltage gradient across these plates 34 is
in excess of 20 volts per mil, the electrical stresses set up in
the plates 34 will tend to cause them to break down earlier than
desired. In other words, a voltage gradient across the dielectric
of over 20 volts per mil will tend to effect the duration of time
the neutralizer 10 may be used without break down. From this it
will be apparent that the lower the voltage gradient across the
dielectric paltes 34, the lower the useful like of the neutralizer
10 in service.
However, there is a practical lower limit as to the voltage
gradient across the plates 34 which can be employed. This
limitation concerns the field intensity in the space traversed by
gas treated in the neutralizer 10. There must be adequate power
present within this space so as to obtain the desired
neutralization. It is considered that normally the voltage gradient
across the plates 34 should not be less than 12 volts per mil.
Effective results without danger of premature break down cannot be
achieved with the voltage gradient across the plates 34 being more
than about 15 volts per mil.
From a careful consideration of the preceding it will be apparent
that all of the factors or parameters discussed relate to the total
power consumption in a neutralizer as described. Such power will
also be determined or governed by other factors than are
specifically discussed in the preceding such as the number of the
plates 34 in the assembly 30, the dimensions of this assembly 30
and of the individual parts of it and the like. Through routine
calculations the power to be consumed in a neutralizer such as the
neutralizer 10 designed in accordance with the preceding discussion
can be readily determined. To facilitate an understanding of the
invention it can be indicated that a neutralizer corresponding to
the neutralizer 10 has been operated satisfactorily utilizing a 60
cps. 5,000 rms. voltage output off of the secondary of a
transformer as indicated at a total power level of about 175
watts.
To a large extent the manner in which the neutralizer 10 serves to
treat a gas such as air and particles of various types carried by a
gas will be obvious from a careful consideration of the preceding
portions of this specification. The neutralizer 10 is constructed
so that any given increment or quantity of gas being treated is
subjected to neither more or less than a complete AC current cycle.
Effectively any charges or particles within the gas treated which
tend to behave as cahrged will be treated in the neutralizer 10 so
that there is an adequate opportunity for charges or unbalanced
charges to be discharged in the field created.
The field intensity used is adequate to accomplish this effect
without significant or normally noticeable production of ozone.
This is considered to be quite significant since ozone is
relatively undesirable in many locations. One aspect of the present
invention which is considered quite significant relates to the
effectiveness of air neutralization as described in reducing the
bacteria content of the air within an enclosed or relatively
enclosed area without the use of ozone to kill such bacteria.
It is known that after prolonged use of air neutralization as
described over a period of days in an area of a hospital, in a
chicken house or the like that the bacteria content in the area of
such use is significantly decreased. The effectiveness of air
neutralization of the present invention in controlling bacteria
content within a room is considered to evidence the unique
character of the results achieved with the present invention.
From studies of the morphology of typical bacteria it has been
learned that in general such bacterias are electrically complex
structures which are electrically unbalanced in that positive and
negative charges in such bacteria are grouped in certain areas or
regions. Because of this it is considered that the air
neutralization treatment described involving subjecting bacteria to
a complete AC cycle in a field of the intensity described tends to
neutralize the unbalanced charges--that is the groupings of
segregated positive and negative charges--on bacteria in such a way
that after air neutralization as described such bacteria are either
inactivated or killed as a result of an electrically disrupted or
altered internal structure. However, the operation of the invention
in the control of bacteria and related micro-organisms does not
appear to recognize that such micro-organsims go through an
apparatus as described. Air within a closed room which is
circulated through an apparatus as indicated is neutralized so that
it, the air, appears to remove or discharge charges or ions on
bacteria or other related organisms not going through the
apparatus, which charges or ions are necessary for their
survival.
* * * * *