Experiment and numerical simulation on the fine particle migration behaviors for the collection efficiency enhancement of a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator in pig house

Abstract

In this paper, an integrated numerical model is presented and validated to investigate the particle charging and migration behaviors in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for the collection efficiency (η) enhancement of the ESP in the piggery. Calculations of the RNG k-ε model, corona model, and particle tracking model are coupled in our model by utilizing MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics. This model is used to investigate the influence of various factors, such as the particle diameter (dp), flow velocity (u), and applied voltage (V), on the performance of ESP. Simultaneously, a visual experimental platform for PM2.5 migration is established for verification. The calculated results show that the predicted values of potential distribution, u distribution, and η are in good agreement with the previously reported experimental data. Moreover, the calculated results indicate that two elliptical shapes are produced by a relatively high electric potential and space charge density in the surrounding of the discharge corona wires. Furthermore, η first decreases with the increase of dp, remains unchanged in the range of 0.1–1.0 μm, and then increases until became constant in the range of 1.0–10 μm, revealing the interaction between diffusion charging, electric field charge, and fluid drag. In addition, the experimental and calculation results indicate that the η of PM2.5 increases with the decrease of u and increase of V. Notably, η of 2.0 μm is 100% at u = 1 m/s, V = 50 kV. Therefore, both the migration behavior solution method and the rules of η dependence on PM2.5 provide a scientific parameter control method for improving the air quality in pig house.