US3912467A

US3912467A - Moving electrode electrostatic particle precipitator

Info

Publication number: US3912467A
Application number: US348743A
Authority: US
Inventors: John G Trump; Helmut I Milde
Original assignee: High Voltage Engineering Corp
Current assignee: Sanwa Business Credit Corp
Priority date: 1973-04-06
Filing date: 1973-04-06
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14

Abstract

An electrostatic particle precipitator includes a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in a stream of gas containing particles, the arrays of wire forming one electrode of a corona discharge device. A pair of endless roller chains supported by a plurality of sprocket wheels pass between the wire arrays. A plurality of grounded metallic plates that are generally rectangular in shape are detachably mounted on the roller chains such that the longer dimension is parallel to the gas stream and the shorter dimension is parallel to the direction of the motion of the chains. The plurality of plates form a moving collecting electrode. The moving electrode passes out of the gas stream and through a region wherein the individual plates are cleaned. The surface of the plates may include a plurality of depressed and raised areas to assist in collecting the particles.

Description

United States Patent [191 Trump et a1.

[ MOVING ELECTRODE ELECTROSTATIC PARTICLE PRECIPITATOR [75] Inventors: John G. Trump, Winchester;

Helmut I. Milde, Andover, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: High Voltage Engineering Corporation, Burlington, Mass.

[22] Filed: I Apr. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 348,743

[52] US. Cl. 55/149; 55/112; 55/114; 55/154 [51] Int. Cl. B03C 3/10 [58] Field of Search 55/113, 114, 115, 116, 55/149,l2l,14,l3,1l2,117,118,119, 120, 154

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,212,885 8/1940 Pound et a1 55/116 2,383,111 8/1945 Dahlman 55/138 X 2,625,238 1/1953 Roper 55/114 X 2,786,575 3/1957 Roberts 209/127 2,946,400 7/1960 Gustafsson .1 55/ 156 3,008,541 11/1961 Wachter 55/149 X 3,028,714 4/1962 Mayer 55/114 3,362,135 1/1968 Steuernagel 55/154 3,375,638 4/1968 Dungler 55/131 X 3,581,468 6/1971 Gourdine et al.. 55/129 X 3,701,236 10/1971 Rotsky et al. 55/121 X [4 1 Oct. 14, 1975 3,740,925 6/1973 Gothard 55/113 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 513,836 11/1920 France 55/149 377,788 7/1964 Switzerland 55/149 OTHER PUBLICATIONS German Printed Application No. 1,001,973, printed 2-7-57, 1 sheet drawing, 2 pages specification.

Primary Examiner-Bernard Nozick Attorney, Agent, or FirmRussell & Nields [5 7] ABSTRACT An electrostatic particle precipitator includes a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in a stream of gas containing particles, the arrays of wire forming one electrode of a corona discharge device. A pair of endless roller chains supported by a plurality of sprocket wheels pass between the wire arrays. A plurality of grounded metallic plates that are generally rectangular in shape are detachably mounted on the roller chains such that the longer dimension is parallel to the gas stream and the shorter dimension is parallel to the direction ofthe motion of the chains. The plurality of plates form a moving collecting electrode. The moving electrode passes out of the gas stream and through a region wherein the individual plates are cleaned. The surface of the plates may include a plurality of depressed and raised areas to assist in collecting the particles.

7 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures U.S.' Patent VOLFAGE SOURCE Oct. 14, 1975 U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of 4 Sheet 4 of 4 3,912,467

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 MOVING ELECTRODE ELECTROSTATIC PARTICLE PRECIPITATOR BACKGRO UND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrostatic particle precipitators and more particularly, to a precipitator having a moving collecting electrode.

Electrostatic precipitators have long been used for removing particles from a gas. Basically, a corona discharge between a corona and a collecting electrode creates ions that adhere to the particles, thereby charging them. The forces resulting from the presence of charged particles in an electric field propel the particles to the collecting electrode.

Those skilled in the art of electrostatic particle precipitators have long struggled with the problem of removing and collecting the solid materials accumulated on the collecting electrode without causing the material to be re -entrained in the gas. Stationary collecting electrodes that are mechanically vibrated have been tried, but they have a serious re-entrainment limitation because not all the material falls due to gravity into a collecting vessel. Since the electrode is in the region of the gas, a significant quantity of the material becomes entrained in the gas, thereby seriously degrading precipitator efficiency.

Concern over re-entrainment has led to efforts to have a moving collecting electrode that is cleaned in a region outside the gas stream. Particle re-entrainment is thus reduced because the materials removed from the electrodes may not be swept into the gas stream.

One conventional moving electrode precipitator includes an endless metallic band that passes over vertically disposed sprockets to permit the band to have approximately sinuous motion. The corona electrodes are disposed adjacent the band. The band moves through a region outside the gas stream that applies a cleaning fluid to the band, brushes the band, dries the band and finally applies an adhesive to the band.

While this moving electrode precipitator was generally successful in reducing the re-entrainment problem, several problems arose clue to the nature of the moving electrode. Because of the presence of moving parts, there was greater chance of mechanical breakdown. Since the band was a single entity, the entire precipitator had to be shut down if any part of the band required maintenance. Furthermore, the flexibility of the band can cause the particles to become loose where the band passes over the sprockets. The smoothness of the band also necessitates the application of an adhesive to assist in securing the particle to the electrode.

Thus, a particle precipitator that would reduce reentrainment, while at the same time would eliminate the disadvantages of known moving electrode precipitators, would be a valuable contribution to the art of precipitators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided in accordance with the present invention an electrostatic particle precipitator that overcomes the problems previously mentioned. More par ticularly, the precipitator of the type with which the invention is concerned includes a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in a stream of a fluid containing particles, a plurality of plates positioned adjacent one another and adapted to be positioned between the arrays of wire, the plates forming the collecting electrode, a device for producing a corona discharge and a device for moving the electrode around an endless path. Preferably, an apparatus is provided for cleaning the plates in a region outside the gas stream. The plates may then be separately and successionally cleaned.

There are several advantages to the collecting electrode being formed of a plurality of plates following an endless path. The collecting electrode may be cleaned more efficiently because each plate is separately and successionally cleaned. The plates are preferably separated by a small space in the direction of movement to avoid contact of the plates with each other. Thus, the plates do not cause particles to become loose when the belt passes around the sprocket wheels. The plates are detachably mounted on a roller chain to allow rapid repair of the collecting electrode.

The plates may have depressed and raised areas on the collecting surface to enhance the collecting of the particles. The combined effect of the areas is to create in the depressed areas a zone that is protected from the forces of the moving gas stream and that has a low electric field. Charged particles tend to steer into low field regions. The plates may be formed with rows and columns of alternately raised and lowered areas, the areas being circular, generally rectangular or square. Additionally, plates may have a plurality of flanges mounted thereon. The collecting plate may also have vectored or undulating sides or be formed as a solid material or as a hollow tube, the solid or hollow configuration being formed with holes through the thickness of the plate.

The cleaning device may include brushes, a heater, a vibrator, air jets or liquid jets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrostatic particle precipitator arranged according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of a collecting electrode plate having raised and depressed areas of square shape;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of a collecting electrode plate having raised and depressed areas of circular shape;

FIG. 4a is an elevational view of another form of a collecting electrode plate having raised and depressed areas of generally rectangular shape;

FIG. 4b is an alternative form of the collecting electrode plate shown in FIG. 4a,-

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of a collecting electrode plate having end flanges;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of a collecting electrode plate having a plurality of flanges;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the connection of the wire electrodes to a voltage source;

FIG. 8a is a diagram of a brush for cleaning the plates;

FIG. 8b is a diagram of a heating device for cleaning the plates;

FIG. 8c is a diagram of a vibrator for cleaning the plates;

FIG. 8d is a diagram of air jets for cleaning the plates;

FIG. Se is a diagram of liquid jets for cleaning the plates;

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate form of collecting plate having vectored sides;

FIG. is a view of another alternate form of collecting plate having undulating side portions;

FIG. 11 is a view of another form of collecting plate having holes formed therethrough;

FIG. 12 is a view of a collecting plate formed into a hollow tube with holes formed therein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an exemplary embodiment of an electrostatic particle precipitator arranged accordingly to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a precipitator, represented generally by the reference numeral 10, is disposed in the path of a stream of gas flowing in the direction of an arrow 12. The precipitator 10 is suited for removing particles from waste gases from coal and fuel power generating stations but it may also be used for many other applications where it is necessary to remove minute particles from a gas.

The precipitator 10 comprises generally a pair of

electrodes

14 and 16 disposed in the stream of the gas, the electrodes being connected to a suitable high potential source 39 as shown in FIG. 7. The high potential between the electrodes creates a corona discharge that places an electrical charge on the particles passing between the electrodes. Due to the electric field established by electrodes, forces are exerted on the particles that accelerate them to one of the electrodes, usually termed the collecting electrode. Once in contact with the collecting electrode, which is usually grounded, the particles discharge and remain on the surface of the electrode.

While in FIG. 1 the precipitator 10 is the Cottrell or single stage type, the present invention is equally applicable to the two stage precipitator. In the single stage precipitator the same electrodes create the corona discharge and the electric field that accelerates the particles to the electrode. On the otherhand, in a two stage precipitator, separate electrodes create the corona discharge and the electric field.

The precipitator 10 includes a plurality of corona electrodes 14 and a plurality of collecting electrodes 16. The corona electrodes 14 are arranged in groups of planar arrays 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 14e. Preferably, planar arrays 14a, 14c and Me are disposed horizontally in the stream of the gas, while planar arrays 14b and 14d are disposed vertically. Each of the wires 14 is connected to a high potential source shown in FIG. 7. A conductive strip 15 provides a common electrical connection to the wires of the array 14b and like strips (not shown) are similarly used for the other arrays. Also the arrays are held rigid in their positions by supports (not shown). The wires 14 are preferably of small diameter so that each wire has a relatively small surface area.

A plurality of collecting plates 16 pass through the midplane between adjacent arrays of wire. The plates 16 are mounted at their ends to a pair of

roller chains

18 and 19. The roller chains in turn mesh with teeth 20 of a plurality of sprocket wheels. Roller chain 18 is supported by upper sprocket wheels 22a, 24a and 26a, middle sprocket wheels 28a and 30a and lower sprocket wheels 32a and 34a. In similar manner, roller chain 19 is supported by

upper sprocket wheels

22b, 24b and 26b, a pair of middle sprocket wheels (not shown in FIG. 1) and a pair of lower sprocket wheels (not shown in FIG. 1). The sprocket wheels are in turn mounted on a support rod, such as a rod 36. A drive mechanism, such as a motor 37, imparts motion to the plates 16 around and between the arrays of wire 14 by imparting rotary motion to the sprocket wheels.

The plates 16 are preferably rectangular in shape. The longest dimension 38 extends parallel to the direction of gas flow and the shorter dimension 40 is parallel to the direction of movement of the plates 16. The surface area of the plates 16 is preferably substantially larger than the surface area of the wires 14. The plates 16 are metallic and preferably grounded as shown functionally at 42. Each of the plates 16 is separated from adjacent plates by a spacing 44. Additionally, the plates 16 are preferably rigid, and therefore, when the plates pass around the sprocket wheels, as at 46, the plates maintain their flat surface unlike the known unitary metallic sheet electrodes. Both sides of the collecting plates 16 collect the particles.

Preferably, the plates 16 are fastened to the

roller chains

18 and 19 at a point approximately midway between the dimension 40 of the plates 16 to permit the ends of the plates 16 to spread out a distance from the roller chain during rotation about the sprockets as at 46. One suitable fastener is the assembly shown in FIG. 3 at 47. The fastener should permit the plates to be readily assembled and removed.

The optimum size of the plates 16 and the spacing therebetween is a function of several factors. First, it is desirable to make the overall surface area on one hand as close as possible to that of a continuous metallic belt to provide maximum surface area for collecting particles. Thus, the dimension 38 is relatively large to accommodate this feature. The spacing 44 need be no larger than is necessary to prevent the plates 16 from contacting each other, especially as the sprockets pass over the sprocket wheels. The size of the dimension 40 is related somewhat to the diameter of the sprocket wheels; the dimension should not be so small as to deviate too far from the feature of maximizing surface area and yet should not be so large as to cause the plate to undergo extreme, erratic motion as the plate passes around the sprocket wheel. Preferably, the dimension is approximately the size of the radius of the sprocket wheel.

In keeping with one of the desirable features of a moving collecting electrode, the electrode passes out of the gas stream and into a region, represented generally by a housing 48, where the electrode is cleaned. Thus, this arrangement permits the particles that are removed from the electrode from becoming re-entrained in the gas. In the present invention, each plate 16 is individually cleaned by any of several cleaning arrangements, shown in FIGS. 8a to 8e. The plates 16 enter the housing 48 through a slot (not shown in FIG. 1) and leave through a slotted opening 50 for a belt movement shown by an arrow 52.

Several cleaning arrangements may be used either alone or in combination. Referring now to FIG. 8a, the plates 16 may be individually cleaned by a pair of rotating brushes 53a and 53b that come into contact with the plates as they pass through the housing 48. In FIG. 8b a heating device 55 heats the plates 16 to assist in removing the particles from the plates. In FIG. a mechanical vibrator 57 imparts vibratory motion to the plates. Referring to FIG. 8d, a plurality of jets 59 direct air under pressure to the surface of the plates. Preferably, the jets 59 are in combination with the brushes 53a and 53b. Lastly, FIG. 8e shows a plurality of devices 61 that direct liquid in turbulent, active or sonic motion against the plate surfaces.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the ease of repair or replacement of the plates 16. A maintenance section, represented in FIG. 1 by a housing 54, permits access to any of the plates 16. The housing 54 has a removable cover (not shown) whereby access may be permitted to the plates within the housing. Thus, the precipitator need be shut down only while the defective plate is removed and replaced by another. With precipitators having a unitarybelt, the precipitator must be shut down until the belt is repaired.

Preferable, the surfaces of the collecting plates are provided with raised and depressed areas as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and FIGS. 9 to 12. These areas assist the particle collection process in several ways. The depressed areas form shields or shadow zones where the particles may collect without being re-entrained by the scouring action of the gas stream. In addition, the raised and depressed areas produce a region in the depressed areas where the electric field for particle collection is low. Charged particles tend to steer into low field regions.

In FIG. 2, rows and columns of alternate, square raised and

depressed areas

60 and 62, respectively, are formed on the surface of the plate 16. The comers of the areas are preferably rounded, as at 64, to facilitate cleaning the plates.

Similarly, in FIG. 3 the surface of the plate 16 has circular depressed areas 66 and circular raised areas 68.

In FIG. 4a raised and

depressed areas

70 and 72, respectively, are rectangular shaped with rounded corners. The longer dimension is parallel to the longer side 38 of the plate 16. The rectangular shaped areas may however be formed with the longer dimension parallel to the shorter side 40 of the plate 16 as shown in FIG. 41;.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the plate 16 comprises a web 74 with a pair of

end flanges

76 and 78 formed generally perpendicular to the web 74. Preferably, the plate 16 is affixed to the

roller chains

18 and 19 at the midpoint of the web 74 by a suitable fastener.

Similarly, FIG. 6 has a web 80 with

flanges

82, 84, 86 and 88 disposed at a right angle to the web 80.

The collecting plate in FIG. 9 includes a plate 90 and a series of

side members

92 and 94. The

side members

92 and 94 extend from the plate 90 at an acute angle to form a region 96 and a region 98 that is protected form the moving gas stream represented by an arrow 100. These

regions

96 and 98 also have a low electric field, and thus, the charged particles are attracted to them. I

In FIG. the collecting plate includes a flange 102, a flange 104 and an undulated web 106. The undulated web 106 increases the anode area for collecting particles in addition to creating collecting regions removed from high gas flow and from high collecting electric fields.

In FIG. 1 1 a collecting plate 108 is formed with a series of holes 1 10 extending through the thickness of the plate. Preferably, the diameter of the holes ranges from 1 to 3 times the plate thickness shown at 112.

Lastly, the collecting plate of FIG. 12 is formed as a hollow tube 1 14 with a plurality of holes 1 16. The holes 116 pass through the thickness of the sides of the tube 114. As shown in FIG. 12 the holes 110 are present on each active side of the tube. The total hole area ranges from 25% to of the plate area on that side and preferably is 50% of the plate area on that side. Also, in FIG. 12, the holes on opposite sides of the tube 114 do not line up.

The advantages of the present invention are realized in all of the embodiments herein described. The primary advantage resides in the reduction of reentrainment of the particles in the gas flow once they are accumulated on the collecting electrode. One feature which permits this advantage is that the collecting electrode moves to a separate electrode cleaning area and is fonned as a series of separate plates that are individually cleaned. Furthermore, the collecting plates have surface geometries that have areas that are removed from the gas flow, thereby further reducing reentrainment. In addition, these areas have generally weak electrostatic fields which cause the particles to migrate toward them.

The embodiments of the present invention are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to them without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

We claim:

I. An electrostatic precipitator including a housing having fluid inlet and outlet means, electrode inlet and outlet means, a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in the stream of fluid containing particles within said housing, a plurality of metallic plates of generally rectangular shape, the shorter dimension of which being disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the plates, the longer dimension of which being disposed perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plates, positioned adjacent to one another and adapted to be positioned between the arrays of wire, the plates forming a collecting electrode having multiple raised and depressed portions on the surface of the plates forming alternately open topped, open bottom enclosed areas for creating regions of dimension smaller than those of the plate which have reduced electric fields to enhance particle collection therein and which are shielded from the fluid stream to reduce re-entrainment of the collected particles, means for producing a corona discharge between the arrays of the wire and the collecting electrode, and means connected successively to the shorter dimension of each of the plates of the collecting electrode for moving the plates around an endless path formed by said electrode between successive arrays of wire and extending outside said housing through said electrode inlet and said electrode outlet means provided therein.

2. The precipitator according to claim 1 wherein the plates are separated from adjacent plates so that they do not touch.

3. The precipitator according to claim 1 including means associated directly with said plates and said means for moving said plates connecting said plates to said moving means such that said plates may be replaced individually.

4. In an electrostatic particle precipitator of the type having a housing containing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a plurality of metallic planar electrodes of relatively large surface area at ground potential positioned parallel to each other and parallel to the fluid flow within said housing, a plurality of planar arrays of wire of relatively small surface area positioned in the respective midplanes between adjacent planar electrodes, and means connected to the arrays for subjecting the same to high corona-producing potentials, whereby particles entrained in the gasses flowing between the arrays of the electrodes are electro-mechanically deposited upon said planar electrodes, an improvement wherein the planar electrodes are formed into an articulated endless belt, the belt including a plurality of separates metal strips of extended length in the direction of gas flow and of short width in the direction of belt travel, each strip having multiple raised and depressed portions of dimension smaller than those of the surface of the strip on the surface of the strip forming alternately open topped, open bottom enclosed areas for creating regions which have reduced electric field to enhance particle collection therein and which are shielded from the gas flow, each strip being mechanically connected at each short end thereof to an endless, linked roller chain to form an almost closed surface, said chains being engaged by an arrangement of supported lower sprockets, means for moving the strips successively between at least three planar wire arrays at high potential and thence to a region separated from said corona and said flowing gasses, and means in said region for removing successively from each strip the particles adherent to its surface, whereby re-entrainment in the gas flow of particle accumulations from the grounded electrodes is reduced.

5. The precipitator according to claim 1 wherein each strip has a fixed alignment with respect to the portion of the chain to which it is attached.

6. An electrostatic particle precipitator including a housing having fluid inlet and outlet means, electrode inlet and outlet means, a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in the stream of fluid containing particles within said housing, a plurality of metallic plates of generally rectangular shape, the shorter dimension of which being disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the plates, the longer dimension of which being disposed perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plates, positioned adjacent to one another and adapted to be positioned between the arrays of wire, the plates forming a collecting electrode and having multiple raised and depressed areas of alternately open top, open bottom rectangular box shape on the surface of the plates for creating regions of dimensions smaller than those of the plates which have reduced electric fields to enhance particle collection therein and which are shielded from the fluid stream to reduce reentrainment of the collected particles, means for producing a corona discharge between the arrays of wire and the collecting electrode, and means connected successively to the shorter dimension each of the plates of the collecting electrode for moving the plates around an endless path formed by said electrode between successive arrays of wire and extending outside said housing through said electrode inlet and electrode outlet means provided therein.

7. The precipitator according to claim 6 wherein said multiple raised and depressed areas are of alternately open top, open bottom cylindrical shape.

Claims

1. AN ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR INCLUDING A HOUSING HAVING FLUID INLET AND OUTLET MEANS, ELECTRODE INLET AND OUTLET MEANS, A PLURALITY OF PLANAR ARRAYS OF WIRE POSITIONED IN THE STREAM OF FLUID CONTAINING PARTICLES WITHIN SAID HOUSING, A PLURALITY OF METALLIC PLATES OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE, THE SHORTER DIMENSION OF WHICH BEING DISPOSED PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE PLATES, THE LONGER DIMENSION OF WHICH BEING DISPOSED PERPENDICULAR TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE PLATES, POSITIONED ADJACENT TO ONE ANOTHER AND ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE ARRAYS OF WIRE, THE PLATES FORMING A COLLECTING ELECTRODE HAVING MULTIPLE RAISED AND DEPRESSED PORTIONS ON THE SURFACE OF THE PLATES FORMING ALTERNATELY OPEN TOPPED, OPEN BOTTOM ENCLOSED AREAS FOR CREATING REGIONS OF

6. An electrostatic particle precipitator including a housing having fluid inlet and outlet means, electrode inlet and outlet means, a plurality of planar arrays of wire positioned in the stream of fluid containing particles within said housing, a plurality of metallic plates of generally rectangular shape, the shorter dimension of which being disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the plates, the longer dimension of which being disposed perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plates, positioned adjacent to one another and adapted to be positioned between the arrays of wire, the plates forming a collecting electrode and having multiple raised and depressed areas of alternately open top, open bottom rectangular box shape on the surface of the plates for creating regions of dimensions smaller than those of the plates which have reduced electric fields to enhance particle collection therein and which are shielded from the fluid stream to reduce re-entrainment of the collected particles, means for producing a corona discharge between the arrays of wire and the collecting electrode, and means connected successively to the shorter dimension each of the plates of the collecting electrode for moving the plates around an endless path formed by said electrode between successive arrays of wire and extending outside said housing through said electrode inlet and electrode outlet means provided therein.