Particulate matter in polluted air is removed by the application of electrostatic precipitator. Explain the working principle of electrostatic precipitator.

Question

Accepted Answer

>

> [!TLDR]
> Inside an electrostatic precipitator, a high-voltage electrode gives particulate matter an electric charge, and the charged particles are then pulled out of the air stream onto a collecting plate of opposite charge.
>
> An **electrostatic precipitator** is a device used, for instance in the chimneys/stacks of thermal power plants, to remove particulate matter (dust, soot, fly ash) from polluted exhaust air before it is released. It works as follows:
>
> 1. The polluted air stream is passed through a chamber that contains a **discharge (thin) electrode wire maintained at a very high negative voltage**, which sets up a corona discharge around it.
> 2. This corona discharge ionises the surrounding air and imparts a **negative electric charge to the dust/particulate matter** suspended in the air passing through the chamber.
> 3. A large **grounded (or oppositely, positively charged) collecting plate** lines the chamber. Because the particulates are now negatively charged, they are electrostatically attracted to this collecting plate and get deposited on it. …

Q.Particulate matter in polluted air is removed by the application of electrostatic precipitator. Explain the working principle of electrostatic precipitator.

Concept understanding — Air Pollution and Control

Q.Particulate matter in polluted air is removed by the application of electrostatic precipitator. Explain the working principle of electrostatic precipitator.

🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days

Unlock everything free for 14 days