Condensing Boiler Electrostatic Separator Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current condensing boilers for solid fuel struggle to achieve low particle emissions without compromising operational reliability due to the risk of voltage flashovers caused by condensate in electrostatic precipitators.

Innovation Solution

The design includes an electrostatic precipitator with a spray electrode positioned before the condensation heat exchanger and a collector electrode in the first flue gas passes, where the discharge electrode is arranged above the condensation heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger forming parallel flue gas passes above the combustion chamber to intercept coarse smoke particles and protect the discharge electrode, along with a deflection space and collection space to control the dew point and flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If an electrostatic precipitator is installed in a condensing boiler to reduce particle emissions, then particle emissions are reduced, but the risk of voltage flashovers increases due to condensate formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle emissionsVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic precipitator is extracted from the conventional position within the condensing heat exchanger and relocated to the flue gas duct upstream of the condensing heat exchanger. This separation removes the precipitator from the condensate-prone environment while maintaining its particle reduction function, thus resolving the contradiction between particle emission reduction and operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A baffle element is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrostatic precipitator and the condensing heat exchanger. This baffle prevents condensate from reaching the precipitator while allowing flue gas to pass through, thereby protecting the precipitator from condensate-induced flashovers and maintaining both particle reduction efficiency and operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration reduces particle emissions and minimizes the risk of electrical flashovers, ensuring high operational reliability and ease of maintenance while maintaining the dew point for efficient heat exchange.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic precipitator with a spray electrode positioned before the condensation heat exchanger and a collector electrode in the first flue gas passes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the condensing boiler is configured to cool the flue gas to the dew point in the condensing heat exchanger, thereby releasing condensation heat of water vapor contained in the flue gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

the electrostatic precipitator has at least one spray electrode in the flue gas path upstream of the condensing heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic spray discharge: Corona Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3495045B1Condensing boiler
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 FROELING HEIZKESSEL UND BEHAELTERBAU GESELLSCHAFT MBH
  • EP3495045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495045B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A condensing boiler (1) for solid fuel (3) is provided with a combustion chamber (4), with a flue gas guide (6) having at least one flue gas path (8) which is connected to the combustion chamber (4), and with a condensing heat exchanger (9) which is directed downwards in the flue gas path (8) and forms several parallel first flue gas passes (9.1, 9.2), wherein the dew point of the flue gas in the flue gas path (8) is located in the first flue gas pass (9.1, 9.2) of the condensing heat exchanger (9). In order to reduce particle emissions without compromising the operational reliability of the condensing boiler, it is proposed that the condensing boiler (1) shall have an electrostatic separator (11) which shall have at least one spray electrode (11.1) in the flue gas path (8) upstream of the condensing heat exchanger (9) and at least one collector electrode (11.2) in the first flue gas passage (9.1, 9.2) of the condensing heat exchanger (9).