Working Principle of Electrostatic Precipitator

Working Principle of Electrostatic Precipitator Air pollution is a major concern for industries across the world. As a result, companies have now resorted to eco-friendly methods that help to reduce their carbon footprints. An electrostatic precipitator is used in the furnace system to remove dust particles from flue gases.

The combustion of solid pulverized fuel in the furnace forms a lot of dust. If the chimney is allowed to release the flue gas into the air without filtering dust particles, it can become a major cause of pollution. The electrostatic precipitator is an extremely useful device, installed to get rid of harmful dust particles from flue gas.

How Does the Electrostatic Precipitator Work?

The working principle of an electrostatic precipitator is not very complex. It comprises of two sets of electrodes, a positive and a negative set. While the positive electrodes are found in the form of plates, negative electrodes are installed in the form of a wire mesh or rods. These are vertically placed, one after the other, alternatively arranging a positive and negative electrode in sequence.

The positive and negative electrodes help to ionise the medium between the plates and rods or wire mesh. Air is the medium in this instance and as the flue gas passes through the precipitator, the air molecules are ionized. This leads to the formation of free electrons and ions.

Thereafter, as the flue gas enters the electrostatic precipitator, dust particles collide with free electrons and attach themselves to these electrons. Due to this process, the dust particles become negatively charged and are attracted by positive plates. When the dust particles gather over the positive plates, the extra electron is automatically removed from the dust particle. Therefore, by the time, the flue gases are released in the atmosphere, they are almost free from dust and ash.

Types of Electrostatic Precipitators Generally, there are two types of electrostatic precipitators – dry and wet. In a dry electrostatic precipitator, dust bearing gases pass through an electrical field where positive dust particles accumulate at the base of the precipitator. In the case of a wet precipitator, the flue gas is treated with water spray before entering the electrical field. The dust here is collected in the form of muddy water.

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