Two-stage electrostatic precipitators for the reduction of PM2.5 particle emission

Electrostatic precipitator is the most efficient device used for the removal of fly ash particles from the flue gases produced by coal-fired boilers in power plants. However, the fractional collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitators steeply decreases for particles smaller than 1 μm, and particles in the size range of 200-500 nm are removed with lower collection efficiency than those outside this range. These particles are dangerous to humans and have detrimental environmental effects, so there is a need for novel more efficient technologies for their control. One of the answers to this challenge is the two-stage electrostatic precipitator, in which the electrostatic charging and precipitation processes have been separated. The PM2.5 particles (of a size < 2.5 μm) are electrically charged in a separate device (precharger) to a maximal possible electric charge, and then precipitated in a parallel plate collector, free of corona discharge. The electric field in the collection stage can be higher than in an electrostatic precipitator due to the lack of sharp discharge points. A higher electric field allows an increase of the collection efficiency for PM2.5 particles. Another solution is the agglomeration of submicron particles to form larger particles before their precipitation by a parallel-plate collector, conventional electrostatic precipitator or any other gas cleaning device. In some of the reviewed devices, both of these processes were combined in a single device that allowed further increases in the collection efficiency for submicron particles. Devices of this type have been tested in a lab- or semi-industrial scale for the removal of PM2.5 particles from flue gases or diesel engine exhausts. In this paper, various constructions of two-stage electrostatic precipitators, comprising a precharger and/or agglomerator in the first stage, and an electrostatic collector in the second stage, have been reviewed. Some of these devices were able to increase the mass collection efficiency above 95% for PM2.5 particles.