Particle tracking and particle-wall collision in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator

Collisions between charged particles and the collecting plate are investigated in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) turbulent flow in the ESP is simulated with the SIMPLE method. The trajectory of the particle is calculated in a Lagrangian frame, which includes the stochastic effect of turbulence. When the charged particle collides with the collecting plate, a criterion for the particle adhesion to the collecting plate is proposed. Based on the comparison of the surface energy and the kinetic energy of the charged particle, it is determined whether the charged particle adheres to or rebounds off the collecting plate. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.