The liquid barrier filter--a new concept to eliminate particulate contaminants from gases.

We have explored the possibility of using a continuous liquid phase of high gas permeability as a filter to remove particulate contaminants from a gas stream. The liquid, a non-toxic perfluorocarbon, severs upstream and downstream gas phases completely. It can dissolve great quantities of gases and pass them, by diffusion, along even a slight partial pressure gradient. The liquid phase remains intact in the process: there is no convective transfer of gas. Particulate contaminants will, on impact with the continuous liquid phase, lose their momentum and be stopped; our results promise near ideal efficacy of capture. We suggest that filters based on this principle be developed to protect against highly toxic particulate contaminants in an atmosphere.