What Is An Electrostatic Precipitator?

By Author: cleaning enthusiastic
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The Electrostatic Precipitator is a device used to purify polluted air. It is mostly used in thermal power plants, cement plants, incinerators, restaurant kitchen etc. to remove odor and control the atmospheric pollution. A basic overview of the functioning of the Electrostatic Precipitator is given below.

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) or electrostatic air cleaner is a device for collecting particulates using the force of induced electrostatic charges. The Electrostatic Precipitator is an important aid in reducing the pollution in the atmosphere by removing dust and smoke from the air.

In a precipitator, the gas is passed through a high voltage electric field to ionize it. When the ions pass through the electric filed, the charged particles are attracted to the electrodes that form an electric field. The electrostatic precipitator easily collects 99.9% of the dust from the polluted air.

The working principle of an electrostatic precipitator is same as that of an ionic air purifier. This filter does a great job of removing dust particles and smoke from the air and is used in thermal power plants, cement ...
... plants, incinerators and restaurants and hotels. The device clears the air of grease and odor quite effectively. This system works on dual-stage electronic air cleaning technique to remove smoke, grease, mist and dust particles present in your restaurant. Before making use of this device in your restaurant, let's learn more about ESP technology.

The main components of an ESP are:

Collecting Plates – They are made from rolled steel. Each collecting plate contains positively charged electrodes. When the gas enters the electrostatic precipitator, they get in contact with negatively charged electrode. The positively charged electrodes then act as a magnet to attract the particulate gas. All plates are placed parallel to the incoming gas to form a series of gas passages. There are between 30 and 35 passages inside a single electrostatic precipitator shell.

Discharge Electrodes - Discharge electrodes negatively charge the particulate gas when it enters the ESP. They are high in voltage unit. There are many types of discharge electrodes, but the two most common types are: the two spiked and multiple spiked electrodes. They are arranged in between the collecting plates.

Rappers - There are many varieties of rappers in an ESP. They are used to dislodge the particulate from the collecting plates. Some basic types of rappers are mechanical, pneumatic and the MIGI rapper.
Mechanical rappers work like a hammer and chisel.

Pneumatic rappers use compressed air to operate.

The MIGI (magnetic impulse gravity impact rapper) uses magnetic coils to drive the hammer up and down.

Hoppers - Hoppers look like upside down triangular prisms and are made from steel. Their only purpose is to store particulate. Most hoppers are heated to minimize the presence of moisture.

Features of an Electrostatic Precipitator:

1. The cells can be cleaned by compressed air or rapping or shaking in an ESP.
2. The spring tension can enhance the rapping characteristics of the electrode.
3. The design of electrode ensures that no bending takes place.
4. The rapping system is the tumbling hammer type.
5. Access doors are provided at inlet and outlet of each field.
6. Separate rapping is provided for each field.
7. Approach to any level is possible for inspection and maintenance.

Advantages of an Electrostatic Precipitator:

1. Fine dust particles are collected efficiently.
2. The device can function at high temperature.
3. It provides ease of operation.
4. Difficult materials like acid and tar can be collected.
5. They withstand extremely corrosive material.
6. Low power requirement for cleaning.
7. Large flow rates are possible.

The Electrostatic Precipitator is a great device for reducing atmospheric pollution, and is being used actively in the industry.

The writer is associated with Nelbud Services Group, Inc. They provide duct cleaning services and have become the leading choice of New Jersey businesses looking to hire a grease trap cleaner.