DIRECT SIMULATION OF TURBULENT PARTICLE-TRANSPORT IN ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS

The dispersion of particles in turbulent duct flow under the influence of electrostatic fields is studied using direct numerical simulation. In this new approach, particles are moved in the temporally and spati ally varying turbulent flow field under the influence of electrostatic and gravitational body forces, as well as fluid dynamic drag. The sim ulations agree well with previously performed experiments (done in geo metries typical of wire-plate and plate-plate electrostatic precipitat ors) not only in the overall collection efficiency of particles, but i n particle concentration profiles at various axial locations in the fl ow direction. This gives confidence in the technique that may be used to study different precipitator geometries and flow field configuratio ns, supplementing costly and difficult experiments. Furthermore, infor mation is obtained at a much more detailed level than is possible via experiments, allowing insights into the mechanisms dominating particle collection.