THEORETICAL MODELING OF ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS PERFORMANCE (PRELEC CODE)

This paper presents a model designed to characterize the performance of plate-type electrostatic precipitators (ESP). PRELEC is a rigorously Deutschian model, completely theoretically derived, that avoids the use of empirical estimations in its calculations. In the present version, those estimations related with non-ideal effects are not considered. PRELEC calculates electric fields, based on the applied voltage wave, including the effects of ionic and particulate space charge. It is able to simulate two possible types of ESP energization: full-wave rectified current and pulse generation. It also allows the transient evolution of electrical conditions inside the ESP during the rapping intervals to be analysed, taking into account the dust build-up influence. The model predictions show good agreement with experimental measurements taken at two ESPs of Spanish Power Plants under several operational conditions, including different dust characteristics, very high resistivity ashes, operation before and after the installation of a flue gas conditioning plant, and the use of rectified current and pulse energization. PRELEC predictions are also compared with those obtained from Version 3 of EPA/SRI model.