Abstract
An electrostatic apparatus was constructed to capture tobacco sidestream smoke. This apparatus consisted of a perforated polypropylene plate with metal spikes and a grounded metal net arrayed in parallel at a defined interval. Spikes were negatively charged to positively polarize the net and an electric field was formed between the opposite charges of the spike tips and the grounded net. Discharge from the spike tips occurred, which depended on the pole distance and the voltage applied to the spikes. At lower voltages (<12.1 kV) that do not cause arc discharge from the tips, a corona discharge occurred with the generation of an ionic wind from the spiked plate to the net. This discharge increased in direct proportion to the applied voltage and relative humidity, while a larger corona discharge generated a stronger ionic wind. The ionic wind involved negative ions and the number of negative ions in the wind increased with increasing applied voltage. The optimal voltage (10 kV) generated sufficient negative ions to ionize smoke particles in the electric field, before the ionized smoke particles were successfully captured by the oppositely charged metal net. Thus, this study provides an experimental basis for the practical application of an electrostatic-based method to prevent the production of tobacco sidestream smoke that leads to passive smoking by non-smokers.
Highlights
Passive smoking is the inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke
There are diverse ways in which electrostatic principles have been applied, which include the following: capturing spores and insects by exploiting the attractive forces generated in a static electric field [5,6,7,8,9,10]; repelling insects according to their aversion to the electric field [5,6,11,12]; disinfecting bacterial and fungal pathogens using ozone produced through streamer discharge [13]; and instantaneously dislodging fungal pathogens from plants through exposure to a plasma stream produced via a corona discharge in the electric field [14]. Based on these successful applications, we propose an electrostatic apparatus to ionize fine smoke particles with negative ions produced within an electric field
We developed an electric field between insulated conductor wires (ICWs) and a grounded non-insulated metal net, or between ICW(−) and ICW(+), to trap insect pests
Summary
Passive smoking is the inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke (i.e., of second-hand smoke by persons that do not intend to smoke). Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke can cause disease, disability and death [1]. Second-hand smoke is the most significant indoor pollutant for humans These risks have served as a major motivation for smoke-free laws in workplaces and indoor public places. In this present study, we aimed to physically eliminate tobacco smoke in order to keep indoor air as clean as possible. We aimed to physically eliminate tobacco smoke in order to keep indoor air as clean as possible We achieved this by developing an electrostatic air purification device that prevents tobacco sidestream smoke from entering public spaces and affecting non-smokers
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