5. Electric separators. Electrostatic precipitators

5.1 Definitions and operating principles

The operating principle of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is based on the force applied by an electric field to a charged particle. A particle is charged, often naturally, but its charge is too weak to give rise to an attractive force sufficient to be exploitable. On the other hand, it is sufficient to create a variety of inconveniences, from simple adhesion to a surface to safety problems. The particle must therefore be externally charged.

• Particle or droplet load

  Charge is imparted by ionization of the carrier gas, usually by means of a wire at high potential, giving the "corona effect". In principle, a wire stretched between two plates or located in the middle of...