Computer aided dimensioning of the electrostatic precipitators for energy blocks

The problem of performances reconsideration of the electrostatic precipitators appeared as a consequence of new stipulations in Romanian legislation. The moral and physical wearing-out of the installations imposes certain technical measures to be taken for the purpose of reduction of the smokestock-emissions, so that they would be below the level of concentrations required by the environmental regulations of the European Community and to insurance a high-exploitation rate. Thus the solution of the electrostatic precipitators´ modernization through the positioning of the electrodes at a bigger distance of 400 mm instead of 300 mm, in order to obtain an exiting dust-concentration of 0.050 g/ m³_N, has been imposed. In this paper we propose the analysis of an existing electrostatic precipitator, in order to improve its performance. Both obtaining an improved dedusting efficiency, in accordance with the existing environmental standards, and reducing the amount of energy consumed by this system were pursued. The analysis is focused on the pre-dimensioning calculation of the electrostatic precipitator, implicitly on the electric field distribution analysis inside it. For this purpose a comparative analysis of the existing filter and an improved filter was made, both in terms of emissive electrodes shape and their positioning relative to the collecting electrodes. The electric field values allowed us the correct estimation of particles migration speed, an important parameter in the subsequent sizing of the electrostatic precipitator.