Electrostatic Precipitator Brush Cleaning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic precipitators face reduced filtration efficiency due to pollution particles accumulating on components like the collecting electrode, discharge electrode, and high-voltage insulator, which interfere with the corona discharge.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movable mechanism featuring a brush and cleaning ring that systematically removes accumulated particles from the collecting electrode, discharge electrode, and high-voltage insulator, utilizing linear traverses and stop rods to ensure continuous cleaning, thereby maintaining the integrity of the corona discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the discharge electrode and collecting electrode are used for electrostatic precipitation, then pollution particles are removed from the gas stream, but pollution particles accumulate on the electrodes and insulator, reducing filtration efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidcorona discharge integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brush cleaning mechanism is automatically driven by the corona discharge itself. The corona discharge creates ions that generate a force on the brush, causing it to move along the electrodes and insulator to clean accumulated particles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external motors or complex mechanical drive systems while maintaining continuous cleaning operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A brush is introduced as an intermediary element between the corona discharge and the electrode surfaces. The brush mediates the cleaning function by physically contacting and removing accumulated pollution particles from the discharge electrode, collecting electrode, and insulator surfaces, preventing direct interference of particles with the corona discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rotating discharge electrode is used to clean accumulated particles, then the electrodes are cleaned, but the device design becomes complicated and difficult to apply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode cleaningVSAvoidrotating mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical rotating system is replaced with a simpler brush-based cleaning mechanism driven by ionic force from the corona discharge. Instead of requiring motors, gears, and rotational joints, the system uses the natural ionic flow to move a brush along linear paths, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating the discharge electrode to achieve cleaning, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the electrode stationary and using a movable brush to clean the electrode surface. This inversion simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need to rotate heavy, high-voltage components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If cleaning elements are attached to angle bars and lower edges, then particle accumulation is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle accumulation preventionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush cleaning mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cleans the discharge electrode, cleans the collecting electrode, and cleans the insulator surface. This single multi-functional element replaces the need for separate cleaning components attached to various structural elements, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents the negative impact of accumulated pollution particles, ensuring high efficiency and prolonged operation by regularly cleaning critical components, thus maintaining optimal filtration performance.

Implementation Method 1

A high DC voltage is applied to the discharge electrode, thereby generating a corona discharge on the surface of the discharge electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The corona discharge causes the ionization of the gas, and the generated ions are accelerated in the electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

the generated ions are accelerated in the electric field between the discharge and collecting electrode, which next collide with the pollution particles suspended in the gas, resulting in the electrostatic charging of those particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 4

Due to the electrostatic force, the electrostatically charged particles migrate towards the collecting electrode and accumulate on its surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP4321252A1Device and method for electrostatic precipitation of gases
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 ELFIPROJEKT SP ZOO
  • EP4321252A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4321252A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4321252A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is a device and method for electrostatic precipitation of gases, i.e. the removal of solid and liquid particles from the flowing gas stream. In particular, this device can be used for the precipitation of flue gases generated by the low power solid fuel boilers.