EHD flow visualization in the wire-plate and barbed plate electrostatic precipitator

A barbed-plate discharge electrode has been designed to reduce the size of current inhomogeneities within a precipitator flow channel. Consequently, the scale of the corona-induced eddies and thus the particle mixing are decreased. It is shown that visualization of the interelectrode flow gives physical insight into the structure of the electrohydrodynamic flow. Still photographs of the flow are interpreted in the light of measured current-voltage relationships, turbulence intensities, integral length scales, and eddy diffusivities. Results confirm that the scale of the electrically induced flow is reduced by the barbed-plate discharge electrode. However, turbulence levels increase, so that gas diffusivities are slightly diminished.<>