Atmospheric Protection

Technology
Particulate matter control technologies in
power plants
1
Electrostatic Precipitators
Diagrammatic sketch of a simplified ESP.
Corona Discharge
Ionization of gas molecules
Particle Charging
Particle Collection
Particle Removal
Working Principles
Corona Discharge
A corona discharge is an electrical discharge
brought on by the ionization of a fluid
surrounding a conductor at high voltage.
60,000 Volt Tessler Coil Corona Discharge
Electric corona discharge ionizes the gas around
the electrodes.
Ionization of Gas Molecules
Particle Charging
Negative ions flow to the plates and charge the
gas-flow particles
Particle collection
Particle Removal:
By rapping or vibrating the collector to dislodge
the particles.
Precipitator performance is very sensitive to
two particulate properties:
i. Electrical resistivity; and
ii. Particle size
Collection Efficiency
Voltage-distance relation between plate and wire for a low-, a
medium-, and a high-resistivity dust.
Collection Efficiency
Particle Size
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Q
A
E E d
c
g
p c p
t
q
4
exp 1
For a given ESP at given working conditions:
( )
p
kd = exp 1 q
Q
A
E E
k
c
g
p c
t 4
=
where:
For example,
The efficiency-diameter relation for a typical ESP
with k = 10
6
m
-1
is:
Particle diameter, m (%)
0.1
0.5
1.0
2.5
5.0
10.0
9.5
39.3
63.2
91.8
99.3
99.9
Comparison of removal efficiencies: (A)settling chamber; (B) simple
and (C) high-efficiency cyclone; (D) electrostatic precipitator; (E)
spray tower; (F) Venturi scrubber; and (G) bag filter.
Advantages and disadvantages of electrostatic precipitator
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
i. Economical and simple to
operate
i. Relatively high initial cost
and large space requirement
ii. 99+ percent efficiency
obtainable
ii. Sensitive to variable
particulate loading or flow
rates
iii. Can handle both gases and
mists for high volume flow
iii. Safeguard of operating
personnel from high voltage
is necessary
iv. Few moving parts
v. Can be operated at high
temperature and pressures
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