PIV Analysis of Particle Behavior in Electrostatic Precipitator

Abstract

SUMMARYAn electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a means to collect particulate matter (PM). They are characterized by a high total particle collection efficiency with a low pressure drop. The particle behavior in ESP depends on the particle characteristic, electric field, space charge, and flow pattern. It is important to understand the particle behavior in ESP. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to grasp the particle behavior in ESP. In this paper, results of PIV of the particle flow velocity fields in a wire‐to‐plate type ESP model are presented. The ESP was an acrylic parallelepiped with a wire electrode and plate collecting electrode. The positive and negative dc voltages were applied to the wire electrode, placed at right angles to the main gas flow. The obtained results show that the particle flow velocity was increased with increasing discharge current. This is attributed to increase in ionic wind. The particle velocity right under of the wire electrode was the fastest.