DOI 10.

1007/s10556-016-0174-9
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Vol. 52, Nos. 34, July, 2016 (Russian Original Nos. 34, MarchApril, 2016)

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

ANALYSIS OF OPERATION OF ELECTROSTATIC

PRECIPITATORS AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS
OF FINE DISPERSED PHASE

L.V. Chekalov

Analysis of operation of electrostatic precipitators at high concentrations of the fine dispersed phase is
given here. Changes in the parameters of the electrostatic precipitator in the presence of the dispersed
phase are considered. Theoretical analysis of the process of corona discharge locking is given. Calculation
results of electric field voltage distribution in the presence of a charged dispersed phase and the distribution
of aerosol concentration over the cross section of the electrode gap are given. The expediency of using
discharge electrodes with a low corona discharge ignition voltage is demonstrated.
Keywords: electrostatic precipitator, corona discharge, dispersed phase, corona discharge locking, electric
field voltage distribution, corona discharge voltage reduction.

One of the features of corona discharge conditions in the presence of the dispersed phase in the electrode gap is that
the dispersed phase particles become charged, so the total space charge is comprised of the ion charges and particle charges.
The total space charge is maintained at approximately the same level, since its value (as in the absence of the dispersed phase)
is determined by the condition that the voltage E around the corona electrode and the initial voltage E0 are equal. Some change
in the value of E is due to the changing nature of the distribution of the total space charge density over the gap.
Consider the statement of the immutability of the total space charge in the gap. As a result of the electric field gen-
erated by the total space charge, field strength around the corona electrode decreases from a high electrostatic value to the
initial voltage E0. If the total space charge increases, then its limiting effect will also increase, and the voltage of the corona
electrode will be lower than the initial. In this case, the intensity of the ionization process decreases thereby reducing the total
space charge in the gap. Consequently, space charge stability is ensured by the action of a strong feedback interaction.
At high concentrations of the fine dispersed phase, space charge density of the particles becomes comparable with
the space charge density of the ions (often surpassing it) while maintaining the total space charge density at the same level.
Equations describing a corona discharge in the presence of the dispersed phase have the form

(1)

where i and p are space charge densities of ions and particles, respectively; Ii = kiE is ion current density; k is the mobility
of ions; Ip = NqBE is particle current density; N is particle concentration; q is the charge of the particles; and B is mechanical
particle mobility.

Kondor-Eko Company, Semibratovo, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia; e-mail: info@kondor-eco.ru. Translated from Khimicheskoe i Neftegazovoe
Mashinostroenie, No. 3, pp. 2730, March, 2016.

0009-2355/16/0304-0191 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York 191

 Fig. 1. Graphs of changes in relative values of the current I/Id, the
concentration N/Ninit, and particle charge q/qbr along the length L of
the ESP: Id corona discharge current in the presence of the dispersed
phase; Up, Uavg, Ubr peak voltage, average voltage, and breakdown
voltage in an electrostatic precipitator (Up Ubr).

Mobility of ions is much greater than the mobility of charged particles (k > qB) so the current is determined by
the ionic component. Thus, a decrease in space charge of ions in the presence of the dispersed phase results in a decrease of
the total density of the corona discharge current. This phenomenon is called corona discharge locking.
Consider corona discharge locking in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) tube (Fig. 1). Assume that due to high con-
centration of particles space charge of the particles becomes so large that the ionic current component can be ignored. The
corresponding space charge density of the particles is denoted lock. These conditions correspond to the complete locking of
the corona charge.
If the concentration of particles N is so large that the current of the corona is virtually locked when the charge of
particles q = qlock, which is below the limiting charge, then it is possible to distinguish three zones along the length of the ESP
(Fig. 1). In zone I, a relatively fast charging of particles up to qlock occurs: corona current is reduced to almost zero, the con-
centration of particles N in the area almost does not change. In zone II, particle concentration decreases as a result of their
precipitation, which leads to partial unlocking of the corona current and a slow charging of particles (so that the space charge
density of the particles remains close to the locking value). The beginning of zone III corresponds to the conditions under
which the charge of the particles is close to the limiting value qbr. Calculations show that the beginning of corona discharge
unlocking occurs slightly ahead of the charge going past the limit. This means that in this region ion current may exist, even
though the charge has not yet reached the limiting value. The reason is uneven distribution of ion current density in the gap, and
particle charge fluctuations. Some increase of the charge occurs after partial unlocking of the corona discharge up to the current
approaching Imax (in the absence of the influence of the dispersed phase). This phenomenon is also associated with a change in
the space charge distribution in the process of unlocking the corona. This fact was not considered in the previous studies.
With further precipitation of particles in the ESP their concentration decreases, there is a full unlocking of the corona
discharge, the current and charge of the particles tend to limiting values.
An approximate theoretical analysis of corona discharge locking is described in [1] where Eqs. (1) were solved on
the basis of Deutschs assumptions about the immutability of the corona discharge field and the electric field lines of force.
System of equations (1) is an open one there are no conditions that determine the concentration distribution of charged
particles in the electrode gap. The authors of previous studies, for example [1], usually chose one of the two approximate con-
ditions: space charge density of the particles is distributed in proportion to the total field strength E, or space charge density
of the particles is distributed evenly over the channel cross section of the ESP (p = const).
The first assumption corresponds to the slow movement of large particles (the particle at each point becomes a charge
proportional to the field strength). However, even in these conditions due to the fact that in the transition from a point in space
with intensity E1 to the point with intensity E2 when E1 > E2 the particle retains the charge qr. Thus, the condition p E is
rather approximate.

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 On the other hand, the assumption of a uniform charge density distribution of the particles (p = const) complies with
the conditions of intensive turbulent mixing, which usually takes place in ESPs, in particular, due to the influence of electric
wind. Small particles (~1 m or less) are completely swept away by pulsations and are evenly distributed over the cross sec-
tion of the electrostatic precipitator. The charged particle concentration distribution in the channel of the ESP is determined
by the ratio between the movement velocity under the action of the field and the rate of diffusion transfer, which is reflected
by the parameter [2]
0 = BEqph/Dp, (2)

where Dp is the turbulent diffusion coefficient of the particle taking into account the influence of electric wind, and h is the
electrode gap.
If 0 1, the charged particle concentration distribution in the channel cross section is close to uniform. For particles
up to 1 m in size in ESPs, the condition 0 1 is satisfied.
Given the DeutschPopkov assumptions, i.e., assuming immutability of the configuration of electric field lines in a
corona discharge under the locking conditions compared with the electrostatic field, we get the following expression for the
field taking into consideration the space charge density of the particles [3]:

(3)

where E1 is the intensity of the electrostatic field; C is the ratio of the particle charge density to the ion space charge density
around the corona electrode, C = kE10p /ji0 = p /p0; E10 is the intensity of the electrostatic field around the corona electrode;
and ji0 is the ion current density near the corona electrode in the presence of the charged dispersed phase.
Deutschs assumption is satisfied for electrode systems with cylindrical corona wires, but there are fewer reasons for
validity of this assumption under corona discharge locking conditions as the charge of the particles is distributed as a result of
mixing, and not under the influence of the field. This fact must be taken into account when analyzing the results of calculations
by Eq. (3).
Under the conditions of locking Ii = 0, C , and then from Eq. (3) it follows that

(4)

From the condition

(5)

taking into account (4), we obtain the expression for the locking value of charge density of the particles:

L l
dl dl,
p.lock = 0 (U U 0 ) 1 E
E (6)
l0 l0 1

where L is the total length of the electric field line, and U0 is the ignition voltage of the corona discharge.
From Eq. (6), we draw an important conclusion that p.lock is linearly dependent on the overvoltage (U U0).

193
 Often, the influence of the fine dispersed phase on the characteristics of the corona discharge is determined by a
generalized parameter
D = kSh, (7)

where S is the total surface area of particles per unit volume; h is the electrode gap; and = q/qlim.sh is the degree of under-
charge of the particles (qlim.sh is the limiting charge of the particles according to the Potenie theory of shock charging).
However, for small particles (about 1 m in size) both the shocking and diffusion charging mechanisms should be
considered, which further enhances the locking effect of the fine dispersed phase. Then the locking parameter D is more ac-
curately determined by

(8)

and the degree of undercharge by

= q(t)/(qlim.sh + qlim.dif). (9)

The locking value of the parameter D is determined by substituting the locking value of the particle charge density
into expression (8) according to expression (6):
L l
U * 1 dl dl,
Dlock = h2 1 E
E (10)
U* l0 l0 1
where U* = U/U0 is relative overvoltage.
For specific systems of electrode wires (coaxial cylinders and a number of wires between the planes) by using
the known distribution of the electrostatic field it can be determined how the voltage and current of the corona discharge
change. We use the formulas in [2].
Coaxial cylinders system of electrodes. Current attenuation:

Ic.p /Ic = (1 D*)(1 0.75D*), (11)

where D* = D/Dlock.
Equation (11) was obtained as a result of numerical calculations.
Dlock value is determined from expressions (5)(10) by substituting E = E100/:

Dlock = 3.8(U* 1)/U. (12)

The system of electrodes a number of wires between parallel planes. The equation for the attenuation of the
current density corresponding to different electric field lines is

Ic.p /Ic = (1 D*)(1 0.2D*), (13)

where Ic.p and Ic are the densities of the ion current in the presence and in the absence of the dispersed phase (for the given
electric field line).
Formula (13) was obtained by numerical approximation within the Deutsch theory.
As a result of numerical calculations in [1], the expression for Dlock was obtained for any electric field line with a
charged dispersed phase, in particular, for the central field line:

(14)

194
 Fig. 2. Graphs of electric field distribution in the presence of the charged dispersed
phase (p = const) in the coaxial cylinders electrode system, the ratio of the corona
electrode radius to the inner radius of the cylinder is r0 /R = 0.01, relative overvoltage
U* = 3: 1) D = 0; 2) D = 0.4; 3) D = 1.2; 4) D = 1.8; 5) D = 3.

Fig. 3. Graphs of intensity distribution in the a number of wires between parallel

planes electrode system, U* = 3, h/d = 4, r0 /d = 0.02, p = const (h the distance
between precipitating electrodes; d the distance between the discharge electrodes in
the row): 1) D = 0; 2) D = 0.4; 3) D = 1.2.

Calculated dependences for current attenuation and current density [2] were confirmed experimentally using models
of tubular and plate ESPs, the conclusion was made about the possibility of equivalenting (when determining current attenu-
ation) a system with belt needle electrodes to a system with cylindrical wires.
In addition to current attenuation and particle charge limiting, the dispersed phase affects the distribution of the field
strength, which can be calculated by expression (3); the distribution graphs for the systems coaxial cylinders and a number
of wires between the planes are shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In a corona discharge due to the influence of the dispersed phase
there is a substantial intensification of the field at the plane, which has a positive effect on particle precipitation (with D = 1.3
field enhancement is about 50%).
The formulas presented generally reflect the changes in characteristics of the corona discharge due to space charge
effects of the particles. The results of comparisons of experimental and calculated characteristics (mainly according to the co-
axial filter model) are shown in [1, 2], which testify to their satisfactory similarity. Given the approximate nature of the theory,
we consider again the possible sources of error in the calculation results (especially in conditions different from the experi-
mental conditions).
To clarify the physical meaning of the locking parameter D, we refer to the formula (8). The combination of values
h/0 corresponds to the field strength component of the space charge of the particles, and then the parameter D can be con-
sidered as the ratio between the field strength of the space charge of the particles and the average field strength. The basic
assumption in the analysis of the impact of the dispersed phase is uniform charge distribution of particles over the gap. We
perform a numerical estimate of the parameter 0 (2), the magnitude of which determines the nature of space charge density
distribution of the particles in the electrode gap of the ESP.

195
 Fig. 4. Graphs of particle concentration distribution over the cross section of the gap for different values of 0:
a) 0.4; b) 5; c) 100.

Determined using Eq. (2), the turbulent diffusion coefficient in plate ESPs is 0 1.0 when the voltage is 5060
kV, the electrode gap is ~130 mm, and gas flow rate is 1.01.2 m/sec considering electric wind Dt 80100 cm2/sec. In this
estimate, we chose the speed of particle drift Wdr = BqpE = 8.012.0 cm/sec for particles with a size of 1.01.5 m.
Figure 4 shows graphs of the concentration distribution of particles in a rectangular channel for different values of
0 at different distances X from the entrance to the channel (the parameter t = X/vflow, where vflow is flow rate) [1, 4]. Close to
a uniform distribution of particle concentration is established when 0 0.5.
So, in ESPs for particles with a size of 1.5 m the condition of charge distribution uniformity of the particles over
the gap is satisfied only approximately. It can be used with confidence only for particles 1 m or smaller in size.
Another possible source of error is associated with the use of Deutsch assumptions of immutability of electric field
line configurations under conditions of corona discharge locking compared to the electrostatic field. The validity of this as-
sumption is proven in the calculation of the field of a unipolar corona discharge in cylindrical discharge electrode systems:
the space charge is introduced from the ionization zone uniformly in all the electric field lines, and distortion of the field lines
is minimal [3]. With a uniform space charge distribution of the particles in all the field lines, the distortion of their shape may
be more significant.
Thus, the written equations are approximate, so it is necessary to introduce correction factors in case of discrepancies
between calculation results and experimental data. In particular, in [4] it was proposed to calculate Dlock using the formula
modified compared with (14): for the system a number of wires between planes we get

(15)

Similar amendments are introduced in the calculation of the field strength [4].
From comparing the values of the locking parameter Dlock for the coaxial cylinders (12) and a number of wires
between planes (15) systems it is obvious that for the same value of U* the magnitude of the locking parameter for the co-
axial cylinders system is significantly greater than for the system a number of wires between planes, i.e., corona discharge
locking in plate ESPs is stronger than in tubular ESPs. Corona discharge locking occurs sooner in plate ESPs, undercharge of
particles is more prominent. The physical explanation of this fact is that the space charge of the particles in a coaxial system
is shifted toward the outer cylinder and has a less restrictive effect on ionization processes under the corona discharge cover.
In plate ESPs, the space charge center of the particles coincides with the geometric center of the gap (assuming a uniform
distribution of charge density of the particles), therefore corona discharge locking is more significant.
A stronger locking of corona discharge in plate ESPs limits their use in capturing fine dispersed dust with a de-
veloped surface area. When U0 decreases (when needle electrodes are used instead of round wires), locking of the corona
discharge is significantly reduced and the area of effective application of plate precipitators expands; the effect of increasing
voltage at the precipitation electrode (in the laminar sublayer), where precipitation of particles occurs, increases the effec-
tiveness of plate ESPs [5].

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REFERENCES

1. G. Z. Mirzabekyan, Collective Processes in Electrostatic Filters: Auth. Abstr. Dissert. Doct. Techn. Sci., MEI, Moscow
(1977).
2. I. P. Vereshchagin, V. I. Levitov, G. Z. Mirzabekyan, et al., Fundamentals of Electro-Gas Dynamics of Disperse
Systems, Energiya, Moscow (1974).
3. I. P. Vereshchagin, Methods for Calculating the Electric Field and Particle Behavior in Unipolar Corona Discharge:
Auth. Abstr. Dissert. Doct. Techn. Sci., MEI, Moscow (1974).
4. V. I. Levitov (ed.), Electrostatic Smoke Filters, Energiya, Moscow (1980).
5. L. V. Chekalov, Scientific Basis for a New Generation of Electric Filters: Auth. Abstr. Dissert. Doct. Techn. Sci.,
MEI, Moscow (2007).

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