Particulates - Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs)

Control of particulates pollutants from stationary source

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a particle control device that uses electrical forces to move the particles out of the flowing gas stream and onto collector plates. The ESP places electrical charges on the particles, causing them to be attracted to oppositely charged metal plates located in the precipitator.

Figure: Electrostatic precipitator components.

The particles are removed from the plates by "rapping" and collected in a hopper located below the unit. The removal efficiencies for ESPs are highly variable; however, for very small particles alone, the removal efficiency is about 99 percent.