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How do dry electrostatic precipitators differ from wet electrostatic precipitators?
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air pollution control
Even something as simple as breathing can get complicated.
In the context of air pollution control, the primary difference between dry and wet electrostatic precipitators lies in the moisture content and temperature of the gas stream they are designed to treat.1
- Dry Electrostatic Precipitators: These units operate at temperatures above the dew point of the gas stream. They are primarily used to remove dry impurities such as smoke and dust from gas exhaust. In these systems, collected particles are typically removed from the collection plates through a mechanical process known as rapping.12
- Wet Electrostatic Precipitators: These operate with saturated airstreams that have 100 percent relative humidity. They are specifically utilized for gas streams that are laden with moisture, contain combustible particulates, or feature particles that are sticky. Wet precipitators are effective at removing liquid droplets, including oil, resin, tar, and sulfuric acid mist.1