Electrostatic Precipitator Grid for Ultrafine Particle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic precipitator systems for wood combustion stoves face inefficiencies in removing ultrafine particles due to re-entrainment and pressure drop issues, with current cleaning methods being either ineffective or requiring frequent manual maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a secondary collection electrode in the form of a grid within the primary collection electrode, which enhances particle collection efficiency by reducing re-entrainment and allowing for self-cleaning through the ignition of particles by sparks, thereby maintaining system efficiency over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If particles are collected on the collection electrode, then particle removal efficiency increases, but re-entrainment of particles occurs and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection electrode is segmented into multiple parallel plates creating multiple collection channels. This segmentation reduces the thickness of the particle layer on each individual plate, preventing re-entrainment and reducing pressure drop while maintaining high overall particle removal efficiency through the combined surface area of all plates
Solution Approach 2:
The collection electrode uses a porous structure that allows flue gas to pass through while collecting particles. This porous design reduces pressure drop by providing multiple flow paths and prevents re-entrainment by securing particles within the porous matrix rather than on a smooth surface where they can be easily disturbed
2Reliability
If cleaning systems are added to remove particles from collection electrode, then particle build-up is prevented, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ESP system performs self-cleaning by utilizing the existing discharge electrode to generate sparks that ignite and burn off accumulated particles on the collection electrode. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external cleaning systems, maintaining reliability by preventing particle build-up while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism utilizes phase transition by igniting particles through sparks and burning them off during combustion cycles. This phase change from solid particle accumulation to combustion and removal provides automatic cleaning without mechanical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective particle build-up prevention
3Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed frequently, then particle build-up is removed, but loss of time and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans itself during normal operation by using sparks from the discharge electrode to ignite and burn off particles on the collection electrode. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning operations, preventing loss of time and operational disruption while maintaining system efficiency through continuous self-maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The self-cleaning mechanism operates continuously during combustion cycles, integrating the cleaning function into the normal operation of the wood combustion stove. This continuous action maintains system efficiency without requiring separate cleaning operations, eliminating time loss and operational disruption associated with manual cleaning
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
The grid structure increases the collection surface area and stability of particles, enabling more efficient removal of ultrafine particles and reducing the need for frequent manual cleaning, as the system can self-clean by burning off collected particles during each combustion cycle.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field causes the aerosol or flue gas around the discharge electrode to become ionized. Hereby either free electrons or charged gas molecules become trapped on the particles and thereby charge the particles
Implementation Method 2
The charged particles are repulsed from the discharge electrode towards a grounded collection electrode on which they settle and build up
Implementation Method 3
a secondary collection electrode in the form of a grid being arranged within the collection plate, the grid comprising a mesh-like structure... the grid being dimensioned, shaped and arranged such that it extends along and at a distance from the collection plate
Implementation Method 4
enabling them to be precipitated... the system can self-clean by burning off collected particles during each combustion cycle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) system (1) for removal of particles from a flue gas flowing in a flow passage (4) being delimited by a primary collection in the form of a collection plate (5). The system comprises a discharge electrode (11) arranged in the flow passage and connected to a high voltage generator (12) providing for an electric field around the discharge electrode. The system further has a secondary collection electrode in the form of a grid (101) arranged within the collection plate and made of an electrically conductive material. The presence of such a grid improves the efficiency of the precipitator. In some embodiments, the ESP system comprises an actuator (112) for moving the grid upwards and letting it drop onto an internal bottom structure (109). The movement between the collection plate and the grid as well as the impact force imparted to the dropping grid both result in a removal of collected particles.