Three-dimensional electrohydrodynamics in electrostatic precipitator

The flow interaction between the primary flow and the secondary flow (often called as an electric wind or ionic wind) for the tufts on the corona wire or the point coronas on the discharge wire requires three-dimensional analysis. Three-dimensional electric field and space-charge density distributions, and the flow interaction, i.e., electrohydrodynamics between the primary flow and secondary flow were solved numerically. The computational results show that the secondary flow distribution consists of donuts-shape ring from each tuft or corona. point. When the primary flow exists, a pair of spiral rings, like Goertler vortices, is formed in the direction of the primary flow. The flow interaction was described using a dimensionless number, N_EHD, and the effects of particle motion in the electrohydrodynamic field in the tuft/point corona ESPs are discussed.