Mist removal, electric precipitators

The electrical precipitator is a dry dust or liquid mist removal unit which utilizes the ionization of the process gas (usually air) to impart electrical charges on the suspended entrained particles and effect particle collection by attraction to an oppositely charged plate or pipe. This type of unit is in use in services which are difficult for other types of entrainment removal equipment. Figures 4-79, 4-80, and 4-81 illustrate the usual fundamental action of these units. 

Electrostatic Precipitators The principles and operation of electrical precipitators are discussed in Sec. 17 under Gas-Sohds Separations. Precipitators are admirably suited to the collection of fine mists and mixtures of mists and solid particulates. Tube-type precipitators have been used for many years for the collection of acid mists and the removal of tar from coke-oven gas. The first practical installation of a precipitator by Cottrell was made on sulfuric acid mist in 1907. Most older installations of precipitators were tube-type rather than plate-type. However, recently two plate-type wet precipitators employing water sprays or overflowing weirs have been introduced by Mikropul Corporation [Bakke,/. Air Pollut. Control Assoc., 25, 163 (1975)] and by Fluid Ionics. Such precipitators operate on the principle of making all particles conductive wnen possible, which increases the particle migration velocity and collection efficiency. Under these conditions, particle dielectric strength becomes a much more impor-... 

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