Physical and microbial collection efficiencies of an electrostatic precipitator for abating airborne particulates in postharvest agricultural processing

We constructed a single-stage, laboratory-scale electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and evaluated its physical and microbial collection efficacies. Ground rice husk was examined as a representative model of airborne particles carrying microorganisms (bacteria, molds and yeasts). Physical and microbial collection efficacies were evaluated at different voltages applied to the negative discharge electrode without ozone generation. The best collection efficiencies were observed at an applied voltage of ?6.0 kV, resulting in collection efficiencies of over 90% for the physical sample and 99.95% for bacteria. No molds or yeasts in the ground rice husk passed through the ESP operating at ?6.0 kV applied voltage.     

Investigation of the performance of bipolar transverse plate ESP in the sintering flue control

In order to improve the particle collection efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP), a transverse plate ESP with bipolar discharge electrodes is proposed. The simulations of the velocity distribution have shown that when the inlet velocity is 1 m/s, within the range of 40 mm from electrode plate, the average velocities of windward side and leeward side are less than 0.7 m/s and 0.3 m/s respectively. It is clear that the velocity near the collection electrode plate of this bipolar ESP is much lower than that of the ordinary ESP at the same inlet velocity. This low velocity can lead to higher efficiency for fine dust collection due to the less dust re-entrainment in ESP. It is also found that the average velocities are getting lower when the distance between plates electrodes are greater than 150 mm in accordance with the simulations. The voltage current characteristics of the bipolar ESP are superior to the ordinary ESP. The pressure drop of the bipolar ESP is about 30% higher than that of the ordinary one. The dust penetration of the bipolar ESP is about 54% less than that of the ordinary ESP when the sintering dust with 25.405 μm mass median diameter is used as the test particulate under the condition of the electric field from 2.1 kV/cm to 3.2 kV/cm and the velocity from 1.0 m/s to 1.5 m/s.     

Electrohydrodynamic flow and particle collection efficiency of a spike-plate type electrostatic precipitator

In this work, the results of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) secondary flow and particle collection efficiency measurements in a spike-plate type electrostatic precipitator (ESP) are presented. The EHD secondary flow was measured using 2- and 3-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) method under the negative DC voltage. The PIV measurements were carried out in several cross-sectional planes along and across the ESP duct. The results show a complex and turbulent flow structure in the ESP. The EHD secondary flow significantly depends on applied voltage and measuring cross-sectional plane position in respect to the spike tip. The partial collection efficiency of the ESP was measured for negative and positive DC voltage. The particle concentration with and without discharge was measured at the ESP exit using an optical aerosol spectrometer.     

Development of high efficiency nanofilters made of nanofibers

Electrospinning is a fabrication process that uses an electric field to control the deposition of polymer fibers onto a target substrate. This electrostatic processing strategy can be used to fabricate fibrous polymer mats composed of fiber diameters ranging from several microns down to 100 nm or less. In this study, optimized conditions to produce nanofibers using Nylon 6 are investigated and the Nylon 6 nanofilters using nanofibers of 80–200 nm in diameter are designed and evaluated the filtration efficiency and pressure drop across the filter. When the Nylon 6 concentration is 15 wt.%, electrospun fibers have an average diameter of 80 nm, but there are many beads, and the concentration increases to 24 wt.%, the fiber diameter gradually thickens to 200 nm, but there are not any beads. When the spinning distance is small, the thinner nanofibers are produced and the more fibers are collected on the grounded electrode. The filtration efficiency of Nylon 6 nanofilters is 99.993% superior to the commercialized HEPA filter at the face velocity of 5 cm/s using 0.3 μm test particles. Even though the high pressure drops across the nanofilter, they show the potential to have the application of HEPA and ULPA grade high efficiency filter.     

Novel electrodes of an electrostatic precipitator for air filtration

Using electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) in filtration systems results in higher system energy efficiency than fiber-based filters, but particle re-entrainment could lower the collection efficiency of ESPs. This paper demonstrates a novel ESP that utilizes foam-covered collecting electrodes to reduce particle re-entrainment and enhance collection efficiency. Particles that settle down within the pores of the foam are less likely to re-enter the airflow. Results show that foam-covered ESPs have 99 percent collection efficiency. Parametric plots demonstrate the effects of the key design variables, such as corona voltage, repelling voltage, and free airflow velocity on collection efficiency.     

Recyclable aligned carbon nanotube-sheet-based particulate air filter with high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop

There is an increasing demand for particulate matter filters to primarily block viruses and fine particulate matter floating in the air from entering the human body. The most commonly used microfiber-based filter has a technical flaw in which the filtration efficiency cannot be maximized as there is a trade-off in terms of performance; the pressure drop increases when the filtration efficiency increases. Here, we report the development of a recyclable macroscopic carbon nanotube (CNT)-based filter consisting of unidirectionally arranged multi-walled carbon nanotube sheets. Owing to the uniform arrangement of the 10–20 nm carbon nanotubes, uniform nanopores are formed. As a result, the CNT-sheet-based particulate matter filter exhibited low pressure drop characteristics, even at a high filtration efficiency. In addition, it was confirmed that the collected particulate matter could rapidly be removed through heat generated by applying a voltage to the conductive CNT sheet.     

壁流式柴油机颗粒过滤体捕集性能的实验研究

过滤压降和过滤效率是评价过滤体性能的重要指标.实验室搭建了捕集柴油机颗粒的发动机台架.通过台架实验,研究了过滤体结构参数对过滤体性能的影响.研究结果表明;随过滤体长度的增加,过滤压降逐渐减小,初始过滤效率先缓慢增加,后急剧下降;增加过滤体的孔隙率有利于降低过滤体初始压降和压降增长率;孔隙率较低的过滤体具有较高的初始过滤效率,但在颗粒层过滤阶段,孔隙率对过滤效率的影响不明显;颗粒层的沉积结构特性受过滤速度的影响,颗粒层比阻与颗粒层堆积厚度乘积的变化率随过滤速度的变化呈非线性关系变化.     

Electrohydrodynamic flow patterns in a narrow electrostatic precipitator with longitudinal or transverse wire electrode

Results of 2- and 3-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the flow velocity fields in narrow electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) with either a longitudinal or transverse wire electrode are presented in this work. The obtained results confirmed that the particle flow in the ESP have a strongly 3D character mainly due to applied voltage and narrow cross section of the ESP duct. It was found that several vortices were formed along and across the ESP duct. The complex character of the flow in both ESP may considerably affect the particle collection efficiency of the ESP. This issue is under investigation.     

液氦净化系统的过滤及反吹特性研究

作为一种优良的超导与冷却介质,超高纯液氦在工业以及航空航天等领域中的应用相当广泛。金属丝网过滤器具有理想均匀的孔径分布和优异的流体渗透性能,可适用于高洁净度、高安全性的低温液体净化系统。通过搭建液氦过滤与净化系统实验台,研究了过滤精度为0.5μm的不锈钢丝网过滤器对液氦中固体氮颗粒的过滤特性,探讨了压降及过滤效率的变化规律,以及反吹过程中的升温趋势。结果表明,该过滤器能有效实现液氦的净化。     

Effects of geometric parameters and electric indexes on performance of a vertical wet electrostatic precipitator

A single-stage, single-wire vertical wet electrostatic precipitator was designed and operated in air–water droplets flow to investigate its performance. The efficiency was compared with a glass micro fiber filter and proposed semi-empirical efficiency model, which was in good accuracy while considering the vapor content. Effects of geometric parameters on efficiency under different charge conditions were discussed. Due to evaporation mechanism, the corona current decreases for high flow rates at the same applied voltage. Findings indicated while developing flow is created inside the ESP, there exists an optimum wire-to-flow inlet spacing that provides maximum droplet collection efficiency.     

Numerical analysis of charged particle collection in wire-plate ESP

In this paper, the structure of single wire-plate unit in electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was optimized and dust removal process in an entire ESP was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Collection efficiency is higher in the center of the ESP, but becomes lower near the edges. High applied voltage, low inlet velocity and large particle diameter are beneficial for dust collecting. As particle concentration increases, collection efficiency increases at the beginning, then decreases. When particle diameter is smaller, inlet velocity and particle concentration is higher, particle trajectories become less stable as turbulence is more severe.     

Experimental Studies of Electrically Active Fibrous Filter Loading

Electrically active fibrous filters, that is fibrous filters whose fibres carry a permanent electric charge, are an increasingly popular alternative to conventional fibrous filters in applications where low pressure drop and high collection efficiencies are critical. The advantage of these materials is the additional collection efficiency, due to electrostatic mechanisms, that can be achieved without pressure drop increase. The efficiency of these materials can fall as they are loaded with aerosol particles, so it is necessary that proper account be taken of this process during use. A complete understanding of the mechanisms responsible for this reduction in efficiency has not yet been reached. An experimental study has been undertaken at Loughborough University of Technology investigating the loading behaviour of a mixed fibre type electrically active material. The experimental techniques used in this work and experimental findings with a range of aerosol particle sizes are reported here.     

Enhancement of submicron particle electrostatic precipitation using dielectric barrier discharge in wire-to-square tube configuration

The aim of the present parametric study is to enhance the performances of a wire-to-square tube electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for the collection of submicrometer particles using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The input parameters under study are: the high voltage waveform, the wire electrode diameter, the collection electrode dimensions (width, discretization and number of collection sides) and the tube cross-section. The electrical measurements show that the discharge mode of the ESP is rather homogeneous. The particle collection efficiency as determined from aerosol spectroscopy measurements is higher at high applied voltage and within a certain frequency range. The parametric study of the ESP points out that using thicker wire electrodes as well as collection electrodes with different number of sides does not deteriorate the ESP performance. However, the penetration decreases with larger or discretized collection electrodes and larger tube cross-sections.     

Voltage–current characteristics of needle-plate system with different media on the collection plate

The hybrid electrostatic precipitator and media filtration system are significantly more promising than traditional filtration methods. This paper investigated the electrostatic characteristics of different filter media types used in the hybrid filtration system. The voltage–current (V–I) characteristics of needle-plate system, the collection plate of which is covered by filter media, were measured. Seven types of filter media and collection plate including iron plate, iron grid and activated carbon layer were considered. The glass fiber and polyethylene media reduce approximately 20% of the current value. The bag filter increases the current value because of the back corona effect. Polyester and polyethylene terephthalate materials with activated carbon attached can increase the current value significantly. In addition, this paper studied the effects of cake thickness on V–I characteristics. The results show that the cake layer has little influence on the V–I character when its thickness is not very big.     

电除尘器的脉冲电源研究北大核心CSCD

为解决电除尘器脉冲电源存在的负载上脉冲拖尾、电容剩余电压积累、负载上电压振荡问题,在充电二极管两端反向并联了一个辅助开关。详细分析了电路的工作原理,给出了选取影响负载上脉冲波形的关键元器件参数的理论依据,仿真分析和低压试验验证了解决方案的正确性。脉冲电源的改进,有利于进一步提高除尘效率和能量利用率。     

Electrohydrodynamic flow patterns and collection efficiency in narrow wire-cylinder type electrostatic precipitator

Recently, narrow electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have become a subject of interest because of their possible application for the cleaning of the exhaust gases emitted by diesel engines. Diesel engines emit fine particles, which are harmful to human and animal health. There are several methods for decrease particulate emission from a diesel engines, but up to now, these methods are not enough effective or very expensive. Therefore, an electrostatic precipitation was proposed as an alternative method for control of a diesel particulate emission.In this work, results of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) secondary flow and particle collection efficiency measurements in a narrow wire-cylinder type ESP are presented. The ESP was a glass cylinder (300 mm × 29 mm) equipped with a wire discharge electrode and two collecting cylinder-electrodes. A 0.23 mm in diameter and 100 mm long stainless-steel discharge wire electrode was mounted in the center of the cylinder, parallel to the main flow direction. The collecting electrodes were made of stainless steel cylinders, each with a length of 100 mm and inner diameter of 25.5 mm. An air flow seeded with a cigarette smoke was blown along the ESP duct with an average velocity of 0.9 m/s.The EHD secondary flow was measured using 2-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) method. The PIV measurements were carried out in the wire electrode mid-plane, perpendicularly to the wire and the collecting electrodes. The results show similarities and differences of the particle flow in the wire-cylinder type ESP for a negative and a positive DC voltage polarity.The collection efficiency was calculated from the fractional particle concentration. The fractional particle concentration was measured using the optical aerosol spectrometer. The results of the fractional collection efficiency confirmed the common view that the collection efficiency of fine particles in the ESP increases with increasing voltage and it is higher for negative voltage polarity and decreases when decreasing particle diameter.     

EHD flow in a wide electrode spacing spike–plate electrostatic precipitator under positive polarity

In this work, results of two- and three-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the flow velocity fields in a wide spacing spike–plate electrostatic precipitator (ESP) under positive polarity are presented. A DC voltage of positive polarity (up to 28 kV) was applied to the spike electrode. The average gas flow velocity was 0.6 m/s. The PIV measurements were carried out in four planes perpendicular to the plate electrodes. Three parallel planes passed along the ESP while one plane passed across the ESP duct. The results show that electrohydrodynamic (EHD) secondary flow with relatively strong vortices exist in the ESP. The EHD secondary flow pattern depends on applied voltage and measuring plane position in respect to the spike tip. The strongest vortices occur in the plane passing through the tip of the upstream-directed spike. These relatively strong EHD vortices may hinder collection of the particles in the diameter range of 0.1–1 μm in the wide electrode spacing spike–plate ESPs.     

Experimental investigation on charging characteristics and penetration efficiency of PM2.5 emitted from coal combustion enhanced by positive corona pulsed ESP

The electrostatic precipitator (ESP) has been extensively used for collecting aerosol particles emitted from coal combustion, but its collection efficiency of PM2.5 (Particulate matter whose aerodynamic diameter is less than 2.5 μm) is relatively low due to insufficient particle charging. The positive pulsed ESP is considered to enhance particle charging and improve collection efficiency. A laboratory-scale pulsed ESP with wire-plate electrode configuration was established to investigate the particle charging and penetration efficiency under controlled operating conditions of different applied impulse peak voltages, impulse frequencies, dust loadings and residence times. The results show that most particles larger than 0.2 μm are negatively charged, while most particles smaller than 0.2 μm are positively charged. For a given operating condition, the particle penetration efficiency curve has the highest penetration efficiency for particles with a diameter near 0.2 μm, and there is always a negative correlation between the particle penetration efficiency and the average number of charges per particle. Under the same operating conditions, the particle penetration efficiency decreases with increasing impulse peak voltage and impulse frequency, but increases as the dust loading increases. The results imply that residence time of 4 s is optimum for particle charging and collection. PM2.5 number reduction exceeding 90% was achieved in our pulsed ESP.     

Filtration efficiency of a fibrous filter for nanoparticles

The filtration efficiency for nanoparticles down to 1 nm in size through glass fibrous filters was measured using an improved PSM-CNC system. In addition, the effects of relative humidity and particle charge were investigated for various nanoparticle diameters. The results show that the filtration efficiencies were independent of humidity and affected by particle charge in the case of particles below 100 nm in size. For particles smaller than 2 nm, the particle penetrations increased with decreasing particle size. These results suggest that the thermal rebound phenomena would be operative for nanoparticles with diameters below 2 nm, even though it would depend on the states of both the particles and the filter media. These results are particularly important for experimental investigations of the behavior of nanoparticles on a filter.     

The aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter

The aim of this paper is to present a theoretical study of the aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter, using a numerical approach. The aerosol sizes considered in this study were in the submicron range, and in the numerical model, the conventional mechanical mechanisms (impaction, interception, diffusion and gravitationally settling) were taken into consideration along with the electrostatic mechanisms, including the Coulombic and dielectrophoretic effects. The aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter is heavily dependent on the aerosol penetration of a single fibre. The aerosol penetration through a single electret fibre under various filtration conditions was calculated. The effects of aerosol diameter, aerosol and fibre charge state, face velocity, packing density and aerosol dielectric constant on the aerosol penetration were investigated.