Electrostatic precipitator upgrading meeting the challenge

The approach of the year 2001 heralds the introduction of new low emission standards that are required to be met by the Power Generation Utilities under legislation from the UK Environmental Agency and the EU. In the UK the principal particulate removal device for coal fired utility boilers is the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The majority of existing UK large boilers were built in the 1960s and 1970s. The associated ESPs were required to meet emissions that were 3 to 4 times that which will be required for 2001. As well as the environmental considerations, the utilities are having to consider new sources of fuel in order to maintain their economic viability. This represents a considerable challenge to the utilities and the original equipment manufacturers. This paper describes the methods that can be used to upgrade ESPs, but in particular three specific upgrade methods that have been successfully carried out in the UK by Lodge Sturtevant, are described