| 摘要 |
The invention provides ionization apparatus for providing ion concentrations in air several orders of magnitude greater than prior art ionizers. Ion concentrations produced may be of the order 10<9> ions per cubic centimetre or more, in comparison to previously used maximum concentrations of 5000 - 6000 ions per cubic centimetre. The apparatus preferably includes a large number of discharge points formed by providing a large area, preferably of the order of square metres, of material having a large number of discharge points per unit area (typically 1000 discharge points per square centimetre). Arcing is preferably prevented by using a pulsed electrical current. Very high ion concentrations have various applications such as rapid and effective removal of smoke caused by fire, inhibition of corrosion and air scrubbing: methods and apparatus for these applications are provided. Particle precipitation may be enhanced by providing a strategically placed good earth or a high voltage anode onto which charged particles precipitate. This increases the speed of particle or smoke precipitation and allows the precipitated matter to be easily collected. |
