A SEMIEMPIRICAL APPROACH TO PREDICT THE TOTAL COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS

Using empirical data for the effective migration velocity, the Deutsch -Anderson equation has been widely used for calculation of the total c ollection efficiency and design of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). Based on a normal particle size distribution, the present paper devel ops a semi-empirical equation for the total collection efficiency of E SPs. The equation is then simplified and extended to other particle si ze distributions. The simplified equation shows that the total collect ion efficiency increases with increasing mass median diameter of parti cles and with increasing electrical field strengths. The effective mig ration velocity is found to be directly proportional to the mass media n diameter and to the electrical field strengths for particle charging and collection. Moreover, an example is given to illustrate how to us e the present simplified model in the design of ESPs.