Contributions to the development of electrostatic precipitators for flue gas treatment from biomass combustion

Abstract

This project thesis belongs to some research activities which are carried out by the Energetic Technology Group-GTE from the University of Vigo, whose main focus is on domestic systems for biomass combustion. The problems related to pollution and human health linked to the particle matter emissions from biomass combustion trigger the need to remove them from the flue gas, not only in industrial facilities, but also in small scale devices. In this regard, the investment required to acquire such a product is a constraining factor, as it is the ease for maintenance of the system. In addition to these two conditions, the highest collection efficiency possible is desirable. Considering that some of the current technology that is available in the market faces obstacles to be adapted to smaller scale, the electrostatic filter will be analysed to reduce the particle matter emissions produced by small scale biomass combustion systems. The research group previously mentioned has some facilities available, such as a small scale pellet boiler and some biomass burners, and a prototype of an electrostatic filter, which is the beginning of the research project. Furthermore, there are different devices to measure emissions, such as gaseous emission analysers and particle matter characterisers. All in all, the methodology is an experimentally analysis of the retention efficiency over operating time of the system and how it is reduced by different parameters intrinsic to the working conditions, for example, the deposition of particle matter on the electrodes, the starts and stops of the system, and the instability of the gas temperature and the electricity supply. Moreover, the key parameters of the proper working conditions will be studied in order to make a review of the possible improvements of the system. The results of this thesis are expected to contribute to both the development and improvement of the current electrostatic filter prototype, and the design of a future commercial product that fulfils the earlier constraints.