Electrohydrodynamic secondary flow and particle collection efficiency in a one-sided spike-plate type electrostatic precipitator

In this work, results of electrohydrodynamic secondary flow and particle collection efficiency measurements in an electrostatic precipitator under positive and negative voltage polarity are presented. The electrostatic precipitator had two plate collecting electrodes and a single spike discharge electrode. The spike tips were only on one side of the discharge electrode, therefore called a one-sided spike electrode. The electrohydrodynamic secondary flow pattern and collection efficiency measurements were carried out for two one-sided spike electrode positions: with the spike tips directed either upstream or downstream the primary flow. The results of the flow pattern measurement showed different flow patterns for different spike tips positions in respect to the primary flow direction. The electrostatic precipitator collection efficiency measurements clearly showed difference in the particle collection for both spike tips positions. Since the other electrostatic precipitator working parameters were the same, it can be concluded that the observed change of the electrohydrodynamic secondary flow was the main reason of the difference in the electrostatic precipitator collection efficiency.