Electrode geometry optimization in wire-plate electrostatic precipitator and its impact on collection efficiency

•Evolution of electrohydrodynamic flow pattern (measured by PIV method) with high-voltage grow stated.•Dust collection efficiency (measured by ELPI) presented and compared for different electrodes geometries.•Linkage of flow pattern and dust collection efficiency diagnosed.•Economic analysis of different geometries on both primary investment and running costs performed.

Wide Electrostatic Precipitator (having plate-to-plate spacing 400 mm or more) is one of a promising ways to improve existing ESPs, yet its large-scale application has been limited because of potential collection efficiency reduction. This article focus on study the electrohydrodynamic flow inside the ESP and the particle collection efficiency by using Particle Image Velocimetry and Electrical Low Pressure Impactor respectively when several different electrode geometries were applied, in order to increase wide ESP efficiency. Results showed that geometry with juxtaposed high voltage wires provided best performance of the wide ESP (both in collection efficiency and running cost) among our tests.