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The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shaughnessy, EJ; Davidson, JH; Hay, JC
Published in: Aerosol Science and Technology
January 1, 1985

The role of the electric body force in the generation of secondary flows and turbulence in precipitators is poorly understood at present, despite the fact that these disturbances are thought to be detrimental to precipitator performance. This paper undertakes a fundamental analysis of the problem using the Navier-Stokes and reduced Maxwell equations. It is shown that the rotational component of the current density causes vorticity production in the gas, and is therefore the source of secondary flows and turbulence. When the current density is irrotational, the electric body force causes a change in the pressure distribution but has no effect on the velocity field. Since the current density distribution is determined by the electrode geometry alone, the electrodes should be designed to minimize the rotational component of the current density and thus reduce gas flow disturbances. © 1985 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Aerosol Science and Technology

DOI

EISSN

1521-7388

ISSN

0278-6826

Publication Date

January 1, 1985

Volume

4

Issue

4

Start / End Page

471 / 476

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 09 Engineering
  • 04 Earth Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences
 

Citation

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Shaughnessy, E. J., Davidson, J. H., & Hay, J. C. (1985). The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators. Aerosol Science and Technology, 4(4), 471–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/02786828508959072
Shaughnessy, E. J., J. H. Davidson, and J. C. Hay. “The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators.” Aerosol Science and Technology 4, no. 4 (January 1, 1985): 471–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/02786828508959072.
Shaughnessy EJ, Davidson JH, Hay JC. The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators. Aerosol Science and Technology. 1985 Jan 1;4(4):471–6.
Shaughnessy, E. J., et al. “The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators.” Aerosol Science and Technology, vol. 4, no. 4, Jan. 1985, pp. 471–76. Scopus, doi:10.1080/02786828508959072.
Shaughnessy EJ, Davidson JH, Hay JC. The fluid mechanics of electrostatic precipitators. Aerosol Science and Technology. 1985 Jan 1;4(4):471–476.

Published In

Aerosol Science and Technology

DOI

EISSN

1521-7388

ISSN

0278-6826

Publication Date

January 1, 1985

Volume

4

Issue

4

Start / End Page

471 / 476

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 09 Engineering
  • 04 Earth Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences