Introduction

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.
ESPs in the Industry
 Power/Electric
 Cement
 Chemicals
 Metals
 Paper

*Precipitators typically collect 99.9% or more of the dust

from the gas stream
Electrostatic Precipitator
ESP Main Components
How do they function?
Precipitators function by:
 The dust particles in the gas stream are
electrostatically charged
 The charged particles are then attracted to and
deposited on plates or other collection devices
 When enough dust has accumulated, the
collectors are shaken to dislodge the dust, causing
it to fall with the force of gravity to hoppers
below.
 The dust is then removed by a conveyor system
for disposal or recycling.
Basic Idea of ESP

Particle charging

Particle collection

Particle removal
Particle charging
Particle Charging
Particle Charging
Particle Collection
Particle Removal
Dust that has accumulated to a certain thickness on
the collection electrode is removed by one of two
processes depending on the type of collection
electrode:
 TUBES
- water sprays
 PLATES
- either by water sprays or Rapping.
Particle Removal
Rapper
-deposited, dry particles
are dislodged from the
collection plates by
sending mechanical
impulses, or vibrations, to
the plates
Particle Removal
Liquid Sprays
-the sludge collects in a
holding basin at the
bottom of the vessel
-The sludge is then sent to
settling ponds or lined
landfills for proper
ultimate disposal
Types of ESP
Plate ESP
Tubular ESP
BAGHOUSE VS. ESP
A. COST

Cost of baghouse is higher than Electrostatic Precipitator

BAGHOUSE VS. ESP

B. Baghouses are more sensitive to humidity and temperature

variations. ESP on the other hand is not.

C. Baghouses have been known to blind, crust over, melt, or burn

under conditions which would not have affected an electrostatic
precipitator.
BAGHOUSE VS. ESP

D. Baghouse performance deteriorates over a span of 15 months

after new bag installation. However, the performance of an
electrostatic precipitation stays uniform for years after the
precipitator has been started up without any deterioration

E. Baghouse maintenance can be a threat to plant staff health.

Major components of an ESP:
❑ Electrodes
❑ Hammer Rapper
❑ Nozzle
❑ Hopper
 Collector
Electrodes electrodes

Discharge electrode Discharge

electrode
Electrodes wire which carries negatively charged high voltage
act as discharge or emitting electrodes.

Collector electrode

Electrode plate / wire which carries positively charged high

voltage act as Collecting electrodes.
 Hammer rapper
In a Dry ESP, it dislodges the accumulated dusts into the hopper.

Nozzle
In a Wet ESP, it sprays water and flushes the accumulated dusts into the hopper.

Hopper
Used to store dust particles and ash content coming out from the Electrostatic
precipitator.
Calculations.. ^^
Game na ba?
Drift Speed
The particle drift speed (we) results from a balance between the electrostatic
force due to the charge (Fe) and the resisting drag force (Fd) exerted by the
air due the relative motion between air and particle.
Charge q
The charge q acquired by a particle is a certain number times
the charge of the electron, which is 1.6 x 10-19 C, or by using the
formula:
Efficiency
The efficiency is defined as the percentage of removal

Since the flow speed U is the volumetric flow Q of air divided by the
cross-sectional area Wd, we can also write the efficiency as:
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
 ADVANTAGES
✓ This is more effective to remove very small particles
like smoke, mist and fly ash. Its range of dust removal
is sufficiently large (0.01 micron to 1.00 micron).
✓ This is also most effective for high dust loaded gas (as
high as 100 grams per cu. meter)
✓ Provides easy operation
✓ The dust is collected in dry form and can be removed
either dry or wet.
✓ The dust is collected in dry form and can be removed
either dry or wet.
 DISADVANTAGES
✓ The direct current is not available with the modern plants,
therefore considerable electrical equipment is necessary to
convert low voltage (400 V) A.C to high voltage (60000 V)
D.C.
✓ The running charges are also considerably high as the amount
of power required for charging is considerably large.
✓ The efficiency of the collector is not maintained if the gas
velocity exceeds that for which the plant is designed.
✓ Because of closeness of the charged plates and high potential
used, it is necessary to protect the entire collector from
sparking by providing a fine mesh before the ionizing
chamber.
 References
❖ http://www.hamonusa.com/hamonresearchcottrell/products/esp_fundamentals
❖ http://www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/27/engineer/eguides/electro.pdf
❖ https://engineering.dartmouth.edu/~d30345d/courses/engs37/ESPs.pdf
❖ https://noppa.aalto.fi/noppa/kurssi/puu-0.4400/luennot/Puu-
0_4400_types_of_electrostatic_precipitators.pdf
❖ http://www.epa.gov/ttn/caaa/t1/reports/sect5-2.pdf
❖ http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/140937-Working-of-electrostatic-
precipitators-with-its-advantages-and-disadvantages.aspx
❖ http://www.environmentalengineering.net/environmental/baghouses.php
❖ http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/plant-facility-equipment/electrostatic-precipitators
❖ http://www.mhims.co.jp/en/products/environmental/atmosphere/precipitator/ep/feature
s.html
❖ http://www.neundorfer.com/knowledge_base/electrostatic_precipitators.aspx#itp
❖ http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/AirQuality/HowAirPollutionIsControlled/Electrostatic
Precipitators.aspx
❖ Cooper, C.D and F.C. Alley. Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach. 2nd ed. Waveland Press,
Prospect Heights, Illinois. 1994.