| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for coagulating suspended particles in a flowing fluid is described that uses a device 110 which presents a surface of a dielectric material having negative charge affinity, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to a flowing fluid (such as water) that results in charge being created at a boundary layer of the dielectric where it contacts the fluid. The charge is created by virtue of the triboelectric effect. The device is provided in pipework 104, wherein the pipework has first and second electrical connections to ground 133, 126 at a first and second location respectively. The dielectric material in contact with the fluid flowing through the device is located between the first location and the second location. The dielectric material with negative charge affinity causes a resulting charge to be impressed on suspended particles in the fluid. At least one control impedance, such as a variable resistor 128, is used to control the impressed current in the fluid, wherein the charge of the suspended particles is neutralised at the second electrical connection causing coagulation of the particles as suspended insoluble particles. |
