New Trends in Electrostatic Precipitation: Wide Duct Spacing, Precharging, Pulse Energization

Increased research in electrostatic precipitation has resulted in the emergence of promising new technologies. In a new design concept already widely used in Japan, the precipitator duct spacing is increased from the traditional 200-300 mm up to 400-600 mm, and the precipitator voltage is raised correspondingly, with precipitator performance remaining almost unchanged for the same precipitator volume and the same gas flow. For suitable applications, this design results in reduced installation costs and easier maintenance. Various devices for precharging of high resistivity dust now under development improve particle charging and thereby enhance precipitator performance. Pulse energization improves the performance of precipitators collecting high resistivity dust by improving particle charging and current distribution and allowing regulation of the precipitator current independent of precipitator voltage.