Effect of face velocity and the nature of aerosol on the collection of submicrometer particles by electrostatic precipitator

This paper presents results obtained on the evaluation of collection efficiency of a two-stage pilot-scale ESP with a focus on environmental tobacco smoke, one of the most common combustion product.The data presented can be used in compilation of a comprehensive experimental database that could be used in developing and/or evaluating the precipitator models and on which precipitator designers/manufacturers can base the design of new installations. Abstract.Despite the electrostatic collection of aerosol particles is one of the most widely used air cleaning methods, there have not been sufficient amount of effort devoted to investigate its performance in the full range of operating conditions.This paper reports results of the tests of a two-stage electrostatic precipitator (ESP) conducted in the particle size range of 0.018 -1.2μm over a range of flow rates using NaCl and Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) test aerosols.The total collection efficiency of the precipitator was found to increase with an increase in the count median diameter (CMD) of the particles, to have polynomial dependence on flow rate and no significant dependence on the type of test aerosol.The fractional efficiency of the precipitator was found to be dependent on flow rate.However, the "critical" particle size of about 1.2 μm was found to exist when the fractional collection efficiency becomes independent of flow rate.For submicrometer particles, the collection efficiency was found to be independent of particle size at flow rates below 560 L.s -1 .A minimum in the efficiency was observed in the 0.1 to 0.45 μm particle size range and for particles smaller than about 0.02 μm.