Electrostatic Precipitator

Introduction to Precipitators:
An electrostatic precipitator is a large, industrial emission-control unit. It is designed to trap and
remove dust particles from the exhaust gas stream of an industrial process. Precipitators are used
in these industries:
Power/Electric
Cement
Chemicals
Metals
Paper

In many industrial plants, particulate matter created in the industrial process is carried as dust in
the hot exhaust gases. These dust-laden gases pass through an electrostatic precipitator that
collects most of the dust. Cleaned gas then passes out of the precipitator and through a stack to
the atmosphere. Precipitators typically collect 99.9% or more of the dust from the gas stream.
Basic Principles:
Electrostatic precipitation removes particles from the exhaust gas stream of an industrial process.
Often the process involves combustion, but it can be any industrial process that would otherwise
emit particles to the atmosphere. Six activities typically take place:
Ionization - Charging of particles
Migration - Transporting the charged particles to the collecting surfaces
Collection - Precipitation of the charged particles onto the collecting surfaces
Charge Dissipation - Neutralizing the charged particles on the collecting surfaces
Particle Dislodging - Removing the particles from the collecting surface to the hopper
Particle Removal - Conveying the particles from the hopper to a disposal point
Theory:
Corona discharge:
In electricity, a corona discharge is an electrical discharge brought on by the ionization
of a fluid surrounding a conductor that is electrically energized. The discharge will occur
when the strength (potential gradient) of the electric field around the conductor is high
enough to form a conductive region, but not high enough to cause electrical breakdown
or arcing to nearby objects. It is often seen as a bluish (or other color) glow in the air
adjacent to pointed metal conductors carrying high voltages. Spontaneous corona
discharges are undesirable where they waste power in high-voltage systems or where the
high chemical activity in a corona discharge creates objectionable or hazardous
compounds, such as ozone.
In Blast furnace gas cleaning system the fine particles are removed in electrostatic
precipitator. The gas containing fine particles are introduced from gas hole. A very high
potential difference is applied between solid plate and thin wire. The wire is negatively
charged while plate is positively charged. The gas particles acquire negative charge and
are attracted toward positive plate where they stick to it. The water is flown on these
plates so particles are removed in slurry form. Clean gas is send to stoves. Now gas has
less than 0.1 g/m3 of particles. It is 99 % pure now.

figure 2