Vapor purification with self-cleaning filter

摘要

A vapor filtration device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a filter between the first and second electrodes is disclosed. The filter is formed of dielectric material and the device is operated by applying a first electric potential between the electrodes to polarize the dielectric material such that upon passing a vapor stream through the filter, particles from the vapor stream are deposited onto the filter. After depositing the particles a second higher voltage is applied between the electrodes to form a nonthermal plasma around the filter to vaporizing the collected particles thereby cleaning the filter. The filter is disclosed as either a packed bed or serpentine filter mat, and optionally an upstream corona wire is utilized to charge airborne particles prior to their deposition on the filter.