Numerical Study of the Collection Characteristic and Efficiency According to Width of the Inlet Region of an Electrostatic Precipitator

: This study numerically analyzed the collection characteristics and efficiency of a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator with respect to width of the inlet region. The numerical studies were conducted for 15 cases based on the volumetric flow rate and width of the inlet region under the same applied voltage. The change in width of the inlet region had little effect on the electric field under the same applied voltage. When the width of the collecting plate is less than that of the inlet region (contract type), the contraction in the flow channel causes gas flow to shift away from the collecting plates. When the width of the collecting plate is more than that of the inlet region (expand type), the expansion in the flow channel creates a vortex. As a result, the gas flow moves toward the collecting plates. In the expand type, the particle trajectory predominantly occurs in front of the collecting plate, particularly noticeable at the volumetric flow rate Q = 0.05 m(3)/s. The collection efficiency increases by up to 6.2% compared to the flat type.