In-Situ Performance of an Electrostatic Precipitator in a Swine Facility and Its Comparison to Fibrous Filters

HASAN AL TARIFY, Qingqing Fu, My Yang, Bernard Olson, Christopher J. Hogan, Montserrat Torremorell, University of Minnesota

     Abstract Number: 104
     Working Group: Reducing Aerosol Exposure with Control Technologies and Interventions

Abstract
Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are devices that can remove aerosol particles with minimal pressure drops, resulting in lower power consumption for air handling systems. While they may also exhibit improved collection performance in laboratory settings, their behavior in real-world environments has rarely been investigated, especially in comparison to fibrous filters, to determine their suitability for practical use. This research aims to evaluate the performance of two-stage wire plate ESPs alongside high-efficiency filters in a swine facility, focusing on their ability to remove particulate matter and viruses throughout different seasons. Our findings indicate that ESPs exhibit higher collection efficiency from 0.5 μm to 10 μm compared to MERV 15 filters. Additionally, under the same flow rate conditions, the pressure drop of the ESP is only half that of the fibrous filter. Trials with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus also reveal that the ESP can eliminate viruses with an efficacy of up to 99.9%, highlighting its effectiveness in agricultural environments.