filters--electrostatic precipitator

Some factors that could affect the efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator are as follows:

Factors That Affect Efficiency

Design Considerations

Single stage plate precipitators consist of a number of grounded plates (collecting plates), suspended parallel to one another with equal spacing between them (4-6 inch) and high voltage discharge (4000-6000 volts) electrodes that are suspended vertically between the plates from an insulated mounting frame. The discharge voltage causes the air stream to ionize and dust particles are negatively charged. As the negatively charged dust particles pass along the positively charged collection plates, they adhere to them. The collecting electrode is cleaned, and dust particles are collected in a hopper.

Plate Precipitators

Single stage precipitators are of two types (i) Plate precipitators or (ii) Tubular precipitators.

Single Stage Precipitator

Electrostatic precipitators are either single stage precipitators (high voltage) or two stage precipitators (low voltage).

Variation in Electrostatic Dust Collection Technology

The efficiency of electrostatic precipitators can be increased by:
(i) larger collection surface areas and lower air flow rates give more time and area for dust particles to collect
(ii) increased speed of dust particles towards collection electrodes

ESP Disadvantages

Electrostatic precipitators have the following advantages:

ESP Advantages

The basic components of an electrostatic precipitator are (i) power supply unit (to impart high voltage, uni- directional current) (ii) an ionizing section where charge is imparted to dust filled air stream (iii) cleaning system to remove dust particles and (iv) housing for the precipitator.

DUST COLLECTOR EXPERT TIP:  Most common filtration is best used for ambient capture of light atmospheric dust.  Unless you are using a self cleaning electrostatic precipitator, source capture or direct ducting from a heavy dust producing machine will quickly fill up the collection plates.  Heavy dust collection requires storage for a large volume of dust.  Surface area of pleated media filters, fabric bags or pleated cartridge media is much greater than surface area of electrostatic collection plates and work better for source capture and direct machine ducted than ESP would.

For more thorough cleaning, the collection cell can be removed and washed by hand or in a parts washer with an aluminum safe detergent.  Some ESP air cleaners have automatic self washing mechanisms.

Electrostatic dust collectors use electrostatic charges to separate dust from the dusty air stream. A number of high voltage, direct current electrodes (carrying negative charge) are placed between grounded electrodes (carrying positive charge). The dust borne air stream is passed through the passage between the discharging (negative) electrodes and collecting (positive) electrodes. Dust particles receive a negative charge from the discharging electrodes (ionizing section) and are attracted to the positively charged grounded electrode (collection plates) and fasten on to it. Cleaning is done by rapping or vibrating the collecting electrode wherein dust particles fall away. Cleaning can be done without interrupting the flow.

How Electrostatic Filtration Works

Electrostatic dust collectors use electrostatic charges to separate dust from the dusty air stream. A number of high voltage, di