Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have demonstrated promise in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, but their potential for simultaneously reducing NOx in small-scale combustion systems remains largely unexplored. This study examines the potential of ESP with DC corona discharge of negative...

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Main Authors: Oleksandr Molchanov, Kamil Krpec, Jiří Horák, Lenka Kubonová, František Hopan, Jiří Ryšavý
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024015093
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author Oleksandr Molchanov
Kamil Krpec
Jiří Horák
Lenka Kubonová
František Hopan
Jiří Ryšavý
author_facet Oleksandr Molchanov
Kamil Krpec
Jiří Horák
Lenka Kubonová
František Hopan
Jiří Ryšavý
author_sort Oleksandr Molchanov
collection DOAJ
description Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have demonstrated promise in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, but their potential for simultaneously reducing NOx in small-scale combustion systems remains largely unexplored. This study examines the potential of ESP with DC corona discharge of negative polarity to reduce both PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustion. A chemical kinetic model is first developed to predict NOx removal in the ESP. The model accounts for the non-uniform electric field distribution and inhomogeneity of non-thermal plasma in chemical kinetic while remaining simple enough for practical engineering applications. This allows for the optimisation of ESP parameters during the initial design phase. Using this model, the ESP was developed and applied with different energisation regimes to control emissions from a 15 kW pellet combustion heating unit. The initial concentrations for PM and NOx were 48 mg/m3 and 305 mg/m3, respectively (0 °C, 101.3 kPa; at reference O2 = 10 %vol.). The efficiency of the ESP was both theoretically and experimentally determined for various operational regimes at voltages ranging from 6.8 to 11 kV. At 11 kV, the ESP demonstrated a PM removal efficiency of 99.99 % and a NOx removal efficiency of 38 %, achieving compliance with Ecodesign Directive limits. The model's predictions showed reasonable agreement with experimental data, with a slight miscalculation for both particle precipitation and NOx removal. These findings have significant implications for the design and operation of ESPs in small-scale biomass combustion systems, offering a foundation for optimising these devices for combined NOx and particulate matter control.
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spelling doaj-art-db2e61968a5c4429b78b602b5b9d810e2024-12-19T10:58:47ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302024-12-0124103255Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitationOleksandr Molchanov0Kamil Krpec1Jiří Horák2Lenka Kubonová3František Hopan4Jiří Ryšavý5Corresponding author.; Energy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicEnergy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicEnergy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicEnergy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicEnergy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicEnergy Research Center, Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava Poruba, Czech RepublicElectrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have demonstrated promise in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, but their potential for simultaneously reducing NOx in small-scale combustion systems remains largely unexplored. This study examines the potential of ESP with DC corona discharge of negative polarity to reduce both PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustion. A chemical kinetic model is first developed to predict NOx removal in the ESP. The model accounts for the non-uniform electric field distribution and inhomogeneity of non-thermal plasma in chemical kinetic while remaining simple enough for practical engineering applications. This allows for the optimisation of ESP parameters during the initial design phase. Using this model, the ESP was developed and applied with different energisation regimes to control emissions from a 15 kW pellet combustion heating unit. The initial concentrations for PM and NOx were 48 mg/m3 and 305 mg/m3, respectively (0 °C, 101.3 kPa; at reference O2 = 10 %vol.). The efficiency of the ESP was both theoretically and experimentally determined for various operational regimes at voltages ranging from 6.8 to 11 kV. At 11 kV, the ESP demonstrated a PM removal efficiency of 99.99 % and a NOx removal efficiency of 38 %, achieving compliance with Ecodesign Directive limits. The model's predictions showed reasonable agreement with experimental data, with a slight miscalculation for both particle precipitation and NOx removal. These findings have significant implications for the design and operation of ESPs in small-scale biomass combustion systems, offering a foundation for optimising these devices for combined NOx and particulate matter control.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024015093Electrostatic precipitatorSmall-scale boilerPollution controlNitrogen oxidesParticulate matterNon-thermal plasma
spellingShingle Oleksandr Molchanov
Kamil Krpec
Jiří Horák
Lenka Kubonová
František Hopan
Jiří Ryšavý
Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
Results in Engineering
Electrostatic precipitator
Small-scale boiler
Pollution control
Nitrogen oxides
Particulate matter
Non-thermal plasma
title Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
title_full Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
title_fullStr Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
title_full_unstemmed Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
title_short Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
title_sort combined control of pm and nox emissions from small scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation
topic Electrostatic precipitator
Small-scale boiler
Pollution control
Nitrogen oxides
Particulate matter
Non-thermal plasma
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024015093
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