Submicron particles removal by charged sprays. Fundamentals

New regulations regarding the PM1 emission by power plants and transport vehicles require novel technical solutions for the abatement of particulate matter emission in submicron size range. Particles of this size are difficult to remove by conventional methods, and therefore various variants of wet electrostatic scrubbers have been developed. In such devices, the electrostatic forces between charged particles and collectors (water droplets) are used to permanently remove them from the gas. The paper focuses on the state-of-the-art of wet electrostatic scrubbing technique used for the removal of submicron particulate matter from exhaust gases with particular emphasis upon marine Diesel engines.