What happens to dust after it collects on the plates of an electrostatic precipitator?

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In an electrostatic precipitator, dust and other particulates that accumulate on the collection plates are removed through a mechanical process known as "rapping."12

During this process, the plates are periodically shaken or vibrated by impulse or vibrating-type rappers to dislodge the layer of trapped particles. Once separated from the plates, the dislodged dust falls into a collection hopper located at the bottom of the unit. From the hopper, a conveyor system typically transports the collected material away for final disposal—often in a landfill—or for industrial recycling.123