Modeling Particle Charging and Deposition Behavior in Single-stage Wire-plate Electrostatic Precipitators

AUSTIN ANDREWS, Christopher J. Hogan, University of Minnesota

     Abstract Number: 102
     Working Group: Control and Mitigation Technology

Abstract
Accurate modeling of particle deposition in electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) requires coupled modeling of fluid flow, electrostatic potential, particle charging and migration. Often, ESP performance predictions are difficult to extrapolate to other ESP geometries or operating conditions, because of the coupled physical processes governing particle behavior in ESPs. In this presentation, we introduce a theoretical framework using cumulative deposition distribution functions (CDDFs), derived from stochastic particle trajectories, to calculate mass transfer coefficients, improve ESP performance predictions, and provide clearer insight into the behavior of particles in ESPs. Using a recently developed electrohydrodynamic flow solver coupled with particle trajectory simulations, we analyze particle penetration and charging behavior in a single-stage wire-plate ESP, achieving strong agreement with experimental results. We also compare these results to analytical CDDF models representing two limiting cases commonly used in ESP modeling, i.e., the well-mixed (exponential distribution) and ballistic (Heaviside distribution) limits. Our findings demonstrate that computed CDDFs are strongly dependent on initial particle position and size and are not adequately described by these simplified models. However, once obtained, CDDFs allow for efficient exploration of effects such as variations in inlet concentration profiles and ESP length without requiring further simulations.