Enhancement of particle collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitator using staggered needle-plate electrode configuration

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) utilizes corona discharge to effectively separate particles from polluted air. The type and arrangement of electrodes are crucial roles in achieving higher efficiency in the ESP, and needle discharge electrodes can generate concentrated and intense corona discharge even at low applied voltages. In this study, a staggered needle-plate electrode configuration was presented to expand the domain for particle charging thereby improving collection efficiency. A three-dimensional numerical model was established to describe the multi-physics phenomenon in the ESP, including corona discharge, airflow, particle charging, and particle transport. The ion charge distribution, electric field, and particle collection efficiency were investigated under various conditions. The staggered model showed an average ion charge density that was 20 % higher than that of the conventional electrode arrangement. Particles introduced into the ESP through the staggered model acquired higher levels of charge, and the particle collection efficiency of the staggered model was higher across different inflow velocities and particle diameters. Higher applied voltage enhanced the particle collection, along with an increase in the proportion of particles deposited in the first stage. In the staggered model, particles predominantly escaped near the sidewall of the ESP.