An experimental study of ionizing air terminal performance

An experimental study of the performance of ionizing air terminals versus nonionizing air terminals is reported. Radioactive sources were used to obtain ionization of the air surrounding the tip of the air terminals. Outdoor tests were made during both rain/fog and clear weather with the natural bias produced by the clouds above the testing area, and also under artificial bias. This arrangement permitted the study of the high relative humidity effects conducive to the successful operation of the ionizing air terminals. Some tests were conducted at low humidity in sunny weather for the sake of comparison. In all tests, a radioactive air terminal was compared directly with a nonradioactive air terminal. Both air terminals had exactly the same geometrical configuration in each test conducted. The test results indicate a substantial superiority for the ionizing terminal when tested under realistic conditions