Enhanced white plume removal using a novel electrostatic precipitator with hydrophilic collection plates

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of a novel electrostatic precipitator (ESP) integrated with hydrophilic collection plates and a trumpet-shaped duct for effective white plume mitigation. The ESP was evaluated at airflow velocities of 5 and 8 m s−1 using various collection plate configurations, including untreated aluminum, sandblasted aluminum, and membrane-coated plates. At 5 m s−1, all configurations demonstrated a stable white plume reduction efficiency exceeding 95% with minimal spark occurrences. However, at 8 m s−1, the untreated aluminum plate exhibited a high average spark frequency of 80 per minute, compromising the measurement reliability. Hydrophilic treatments significantly improved the performance; sandblasted aluminum plates achieved a reduction efficiency exceeding 80%, albeit with some instability. The membrane-coated plate showed superior performance, with a stable reduction efficiency of 90% and an average spark frequency of just 3.1 per minute. The trumpet-shaped duct effectively minimized droplet-induced sparks by facilitating liquid drainage, further enhancing stability. These findings highlight the importance of surface modifications and structural enhancements in optimizing ESP performance under high-velocity conditions.