ESP Performance Enhancement Analysis by Advanced Modeling Techniques

Electrostatic precipitator (ESP) modeling development has reached the point in which internal algorithms completely simulate the operation and particulate collection physics of full-scale units. The modern ESPVI 4.0 series of models by using advanced techniques are able to evaluate changes in a precipitator’s configuration and operation to optimize its performance. The author’s applied these techniques to ESPs’ at the Kashira Power Plant near Moscow, having relatively small specific collector area’s (SCA), whose performance will have to be enhanced to meet emerging standards. Advanced modeling techniques include determining electrode and particle properties, operation below back corona onset, and effects of improved electrodes and electrical conditions. The precipitators with collection efficiencies of 88.4 (without natural gas co-firing) up to 93% (with partial co-firing) are shown to be capable of efficiencies of up to 99% by application of modest changes in configuration and operation. The advanced modeling techniques described in this paper are not only important for Kashira, they are also applicable to other power stations requiring performance optimization.