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2001 Progress Report: Development of a Membrane-Based Electrostatic Precipitator

EPA Grant Number: R828171
Title: Development of a Membrane-Based Electrostatic Precipitator
Investigators: Pasic, Hajrudin , Alam, Khairul , Bayless, David
Current Investigators: Pasic, Hajrudin , Alam, Khairul , Ingram, David
Institution: Ohio University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Shapiro, Paul
Project Period: August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Engineering (1999)
Research Category: Engineering and Environmental Chemistry

Description:

Objective:

The overall objective of this research project is to develop membrane-based electrostatic precipitators (ESP) that are meant to replace traditional plate-based ESPs. The specific objectives are to: (1) study flow-induced vibrations of membranes and their overall influence on dust rapping mechanisms; and (2) coat membranes to change/improve their properties (electro conductivity, corrosion, mechanical resistance, etc).

Progress Summary:

The initial results confirm our hypotheses and indicate that, contrary to plates, membranes may be excited to enhance dust removal by flow-induced vibration and sonic horns. However, results from the coating of silica yarns and fabrics demonstrate that coating non-conducting fibers or fabrics by a conducting (metal) for high-temperature applications can be extremely complex. Therefore, a novel approach is advocated. It consists in coating a carbon-fiber-based fabric with a thin layer of Teflon, such that the conductivity is not affected significantly, but the body of the fabric is held together so that frayed carbon filaments remain bound to the fabric. The initial results on rapping and vibration indicated that the scaling effects are important; therefore, a larger experimental facility has been designed and mostly completed.

Research conducted up to this point mostly confirms our expectations. However, some of the experiments need to be performed on the larger scale setup. For these experiments, a new experimental ESP facility has been built.

Future Activities:

More experiments will be done on the large-scale ESP experimental facility. Coated 6-by-1 foot membranes also will hopefully be tested in the pilot-scale ESP facility at Southern Environmental Inc., Pensacola, FL.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

electrostatic precipitator, ESP, membrane, rapping, vibration, coating. , Air, Scientific Discipline, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Chemistry, heavy metals, ambient emissions, particle chamber, chemical composition, membrane-based, particulates, gaseous organic compound, atmospheric particles, gas flow rates, heavy particles, air quality standards, air modeling

Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
Final Report

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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.

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