Automatic control of electrical precipitation rectifiers

The primary objectives of an automatic rectifier control in electrical precipitation are to increase long-term collection efficiency, eliminate need for operating personnel, and insure maximum utilization of equipment under the widely variable process and operating conditions found in most applications. A review of the literature1¿3 indicates that a number of automatic control schemes have been devised for precipitator control. Most of these systems never received widespread usage because of inherent limitations. Some required expensive, complicated mechanisms which were difficult to maintain or adjust. Others were unable to provide the correct control range, response or reaction to meet the variety of operating conditions encountered. More recently, improved equipment based on electronic techniques has been developed and is now in successful commercial use.4