Optimization of Sawtooth Electrode for Improving Collection Efficiency of Electrostatic Precipitator

Abstract

This research used an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with multiple sawtooth discharge electrode plates and one hollow cylindrical collecting electrode. The discharge electrode was a circular plate with sawtooth spikes. The collection efficiency was analyzed via simulations using three geometric parameters: the outermost diameter of the discharge electrode, the distance between the electrode plates, and the number of spikes. Among the cases considered for the discharge electrode geometry optimization using the Taguchi orthogonal array, the parameter combination with the highest collection efficiency was selected. The simulation result was verified by building electrostatic precipitator geometry before and after its optimization and subsequently measuring its collection efficiencies. The collection efficiency of an ESP with the discharge electrode of the optimal geometry was higher by 15% than that of its reference geometry. It is expected that the collection efficiency of other types of ESP can be maximized using a similar discharge electrode geometry optimization.