electrostatic precipitator

pollution-control device

Also known as: electrostatic air cleaner

Written by

David Hosansky

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

electrostatic precipitator, a device that uses an electric charge to remove certain impurities—either solid particles or liquid droplets—from air or other gases in smokestacks and other flues. The precipitator functions by applying energy only to the particulate matter being collected, without significantly impeding the flow of gases. Originally designed for recovery of valuable industrial-process materials, electrostatic precipitators are used for air pollution control, particularly for removing harmful particulate matter from waste gases at industrial facilities...