Electrostatic Separator Perforated Plates Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic separators face inefficiencies in particle capture due to ribbed or zigzag collector electrodes, which impede gas flow and reduce capture efficiency, while also limiting the electric field strength, leading to reduced particle retention and increased risk of arcing.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a filter cassette with perforated collector plates that force the gas flow to move at an angle, allowing particles to come closer to the collector plates, thereby optimizing the trapping region and maintaining a stable field strength, allowing for a more compact design with reduced length and width without compromising efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ribbed or zigzag collector electrodes are used to increase particle capture, then particle retention is improved, but gas flow is impeded and flashover voltage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle capture efficiencyVSAvoidflashover voltage limit
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The collector electrodes are designed with rounded edges and curved surfaces instead of sharp ribs or zigzag configurations. This curvature eliminates abrupt geometric transitions that cause field concentration and arcing, while still providing flow guidance to enhance particle capture efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode geometry is optimized locally with rounded features at critical areas where field concentration would occur, while maintaining overall electrode effectiveness for particle collection. This localized geometric modification resolves the contradiction between flow guidance and arcing prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If higher electric field strength is applied to increase particle charging and attraction, then capture efficiency is improved, but arcing risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture efficiencyVSAvoidarcing risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Rounded electrode edges and curved surfaces distribute the electric field more uniformly, eliminating sharp peaks that would cause premature breakdown. This allows higher operating voltages to be applied safely, increasing particle charging and attraction forces without proportionally increasing arcing risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is implemented to reduce separator size, then space utilization is improved, but flow channel geometry becomes constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator sizeVSAvoidflow channel geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Curved electrode surfaces and rounded geometries allow for more efficient space utilization within compact dimensions, maintaining adequate flow channels while reducing overall separator footprint compared to traditional ribbed designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution enhances particle capture efficiency and maintains stable electric field strength, enabling a more compact electrostatic separator design that can replace older systems in constrained spaces while maintaining or improving separation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the particles contained in the gas flow are charged by an electric field of high field strength generated by means of wire electrodes, so that they can be attracted and held by plate-shaped collector electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The high voltage applied between the wire electrodes and the collector electrodes creates an electric field which has a relatively low but nevertheless considerable field strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

in the central flow region between adjacent collection electrodes, where the velocity is relatively high, the electrostatic force is small compared to the aerodynamic forces that entrain the particles with the gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic forces: Entrainment

Data Source

PatentEP4406656A1Electrostatic separator and method of operating an electrostatic separator
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTR PROJECTS AIRTECH AB
  • EP4406656A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4406656A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4406656A1 patent drawing

AI summary

This invention relates to an electrostatic separator, in particular for the separation of particles in a gas flow, comprising a plurality of parallelly arranged collector plates (70) forming a filter cassette (7), wherein between two neighbouring collector plates (70) there is formed a channel (74), wherein a plurality of said collector plates (70) are arranged with a plurality of perforations (73). It also relates to a corresponding method.