Electrostatic Filter for Computers

[ianp]

I'm a senior student in high school requesting assistance and/or evaluation of a small-scale electrostatic filter for computer usage as a dust remover to prevent or mitigate build up of dust inside a computer.

Isometric pictures of the main parts are available.

It is basically an electrostatic filter for a computer that attatches to the outside intake vent of a computer which positively charges the incoming air into order for it to be collected by a negatively charged collection plate. I did some research on how an electrostatic precipitator works, and I think I've got it down.

Not only that, I have also implimented a easy cleaning method to the collection plate, by allowing the collection plates to turn by a basic pulley system. It is intented to work almost like window blinds.

So far there are 3 parts: The base (where the positive charger housing and the collection plate housing set go), the positive charger housing, and the collection plate housing.

My major concern is if this is a viable way to deal with the dust/computer problem.

 

[dstwofer]

Hey ianp,
Interesting project.

It comes to mind that the mass a certain particle will have will greatly determine the static force required to "pull" that particle out of the air, also, how infiltrated are the surroundings with particulate?

So I would speculate that the environment in which the computer is located would greatly determine the feasibility of your dust removal system. I would build a prototype and just try it out!

The dust filter on my pc just uses a 180mm fan to suck air through a small-holed screen. It seems to work, but it does plug up fairly quickly.

Regards,
Dave

 

[DrZoidberg]

You could also use water cooling and don't suck any air into the computer at all.