Air Pollution Control Equipment Selection Guide, 3rd Edition

20

Wet Electrostatic Precipitators*

Wayne T. Hartshorn

Hart Environmental, Inc., Lehighton, Pennsylvania

20.1 Device Type

The wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) is a mechanical device that uses primarily electrostatic forces to separate particulate from gas streams. The collecting surfaces are periodically cleaned using water or other suitable conductive flushing liquid, thus the name wet electrostatic precipitator.

The basic components of a WESP are shown in Figure 20.1. They consist of either a low-level (shown) or high-level gas inlet, collecting tubes, mast-type electrodes mounted on a grid or frame, a high-voltage insulator section, an air-purged insulator compartment to prevent particulate from coating the high-voltage insulator ...