Grantee Research Project Results
Development of a Membrane-Based Electrostatic Precipitator
EPA Grant Number: R828171Title: Development of a Membrane-Based Electrostatic Precipitator
Investigators: Pasic, Hajrudin , Bayless, David , Ingram, David , Alam, Khairul
Current Investigators: Pasic, Hajrudin , Alam, Khairul , Ingram, David
Institution: Ohio University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2002
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Exploratory Research - Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics) (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Safer Chemicals , Water , Land and Waste Management , Air
Description:
The proposed research is to address the EPA new air quality standards by developing a new generation of more efficient and low cost electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) for which a permanent U.S. patent is pending. This is a novel concept based on the replacement of the particle collection plates in all ESPs by membranes made from inexpensive advanced materials. Instead of conventional rapping, in which heavy plates are pushed (buckled) to dislodge collected dust, the membranes will be either pulled to induce shear for dislodging the collected particles or cleaned by other novel means. This should result in decreased re-entrainment of particles and reduced complexity of the ESP.
Approach:
The preliminary experiments conducted at Ohio University with different membrane materials in a small-scale ESP show that membranes woven from carbon fibers can be used to collect dust particles as efficiently as conventional steel plates. However, ESPs operating in more severe thermal environment would require the use of a ceramic fabric, which must be coated to provide the electrical conductivity. The success of this concept depends on two key issues that will be studied in detail. The first is the induced vibration in the membranes. Relationship between the dust collection/removal efficiencies and vibration parameters such as gas flow speed, membrane tension, etc., need to be better understood. There are strong indications that the membrane vibration can be controlled by a proper design and by adjusting its tension. Another key factor is development of a coated membrane by integration of the required properties such as corrosion and fatigue resistance, electrical conductivity, fabric weave density etc.
Expected Results:
A significant advantage of this design is the drastic reduction in weight of collector plates, about one order of magnitude. The resulting reduction in cost of production, installation, transportation and repair of the collection surfaces should also have a significant economic effect. Another advantage of the new ESPs is that they can be fabricated from corrosion- resistant materials. Such fabrics will be suitable for implementation of new technologies for controlling gaseous, providing the next generation of ESPs with vast new capabilities to control pollution. It is also anticipated that the membrane can be coated with catalytic materials to promote removal of gaseous pollutants and heavy metals. The proposed research has elements of risk since the substitution of plates by membranes is a new concept that has not been fully tested yet.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
particulate, chemicals, pollution prevention, innovative technology, modeling, Scientific Discipline, Air, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, air quality standards, particulates, atmospheric particles, particle chamber, air modeling, membrane-based, gas flow rates, ambient emissions, chemical composition, gaseous organic compound, electrostatic precipitator, heavy particlesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.