Effect of electrode configuration on particle collection in a high-temperature electrostatic precipitator

This study investigated the influence of electrode configuration on corona discharge and particle collection from 300 K to 900 K. Electrodes of different shapes (rod, saw, and screw), diameters (3, 5, and 8 mm), and intervals (55, 110, and 165 mm) were tested in an experimental-scale electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Results showed that a high current was generated with a saw electrode and increased the particle collection efficiency, particularly for fine particles (diameter smaller than 0.1 mu m), with the best particle collection efficiency being 99.8% at 300 K. However, with an increase in temperature, the rod electrode obtained an applied voltage higher than those of other electrode types and, as a result, generated relatively high particle collection efficiencies at 700 K and 900 K. Increasing the electrode diameter from 3 mm to 5 mm improved the applied voltage, whereas increasing this diameter from 5 mm to 8 mm reduced the discharge current. Among electrodes with different diameters, the electrode with a diameter of 5 mm achieved the best particle collection efficiency (87.4%) at 900 K. The applied voltages of the electrodes with different intervals were almost similar, but the discharge currents varied significantly. The best particle collection efficiencies were achieved by the electrode with an interval of 55 mm at 300 K and 500 K, but at 700 K and 900 K, the electrode with an interval of 110 mm obtained the best result. The interval between electrodes should be expanded with an increase in temperature to avoid the offsetting of electric field between neighboring electrodes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.