Boiler Exhaust Electrostatic Precipitator With Self-Cleaning Flow Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating boilers with electrostatic precipitators in exhaust gas flow ducts face difficulties in cleaning the collector and spray electrodes, leading to low separation efficiency and shorter service life due to complex maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of flow plates within the exhaust gas duct, angled and loosely attached to the duct walls, which form scraper edges and are connected to an actuator, increasing turbulence and effective electrode area, and a cleaning mechanism that includes a dust-repellent insulator and mechanical vibrating unit for the spray electrode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrostatic precipitator is arranged inside the boiler with electrodes in the exhaust gas flow channel, then the separation function is provided, but the cleaning of channel walls and electrodes becomes difficult and maintenance effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The channel walls are segmented into active collector electrode areas and inactive areas, allowing selective cleaning of only the active portions while maintaining the overall precipitator structure intact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the exhaust gas flow itself to drive the cleaning mechanism through turbulence-induced movement of flow plates, enabling self-cleaning without external power sources or complex mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If simple electrode arrangement is used in the exhaust gas flow duct, then the device complexity is reduced, but the degree of separation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode arrangement simplicityVSAvoiddegree of separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Flow plates with specific geometric properties (angle, spacing, dimensions) are strategically positioned at specific locations in the exhaust gas flow to create localized turbulence zones that enhance separation without requiring complete redesign of the entire electrode system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Flow plates serve as intermediary elements between the exhaust gas flow and the collector electrode, mediating the interaction by creating turbulence that increases gas residence time and particle collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If flow plates are tightly fixed to the duct walls, then structural stability is improved, but the cleaning function and turbulence generation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow plates are designed with controlled mobility, allowing them to move dynamically in response to exhaust gas flow turbulence while maintaining structural stability through their attachment mechanism and geometric constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances separation efficiency, allows for longer maintenance intervals without complex measures, and facilitates effective cleaning of both the collector and spray electrodes, extending the service life of the electrostatic precipitator.

Implementation Method 1

the flow plates provided distributed over the length of the duct cause turbulence in the exhaust gas flow, which increases the relative residence time of the exhaust gases in the electrostatic precipitator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

an electrostatic precipitator provided in an exhaust gas flow duct, which comprises a discharge electrode arranged in the exhaust gas flow duct and a collector electrode formed by duct walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic separation: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

the flow plates opposite the exhaust gas flow duct are loosely attached to the Form duct walls adjacent wiping edges and are connected to a running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the exhaust gas flow duct actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical abrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 4

a mechanical vibrating unit can be provided for the spray electrode. This vibrating unit can comprise, for example, an actuating arm provided in the area of the cleaning device for the insulator and, for example, an electromagnetic control for this actuating arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3064276B1Boiler
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 GERLINGER RAIMUND
  • EP3064276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3064276B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A heating boiler with an electrostatic precipitator provided in an exhaust gas flow channel is described, which comprises a discharge electrode arranged in the exhaust gas flow channel and a collector electrode formed by the channel walls. In order to improve the degree of cleaning of the electrostatic precipitator, it is proposed that flow plates are provided within the exhaust gas flow duct distributed over the duct length, which extend inclined to the duct axis over the duct cross section and have flow openings for the exhaust gases accommodating the spray electrodes.