Removal Efficiency of a Wire-to-plate Electrostatic Precipitator for Abatement of Particulate Matter Emission from Poultry Houses

摘要

Fan emissions from animal houses may contribute to elevated ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations and pose a public health hazard. In this study, we investigated whether a commercial prototype Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) could effectively remove PM from the exhaust air flow of poultry houses. The ESP consisted of (inlet to outlet) a mesh filter with automatic scraper, a fan (max. 27,000 m~3 h~(-1)) and one ionization unit (3.0 x 0.8 x 0.8; length x width x height), consisting of two horizontal electrode wires (+30 kV DC) and a grounded mesh conveyor belt running above the bottom of the ESP. The ESP was tested at two non-cage laying hen houses. In total, 16 pairs of upstream and downstream 24-hour measurements of PM10 and PM2.5 were made, spread over the calendar year. Mean removal efficiencies were 57% for PM10 and 45% for PM2.5 at mean PM loadings of 2.78 mg m~3 PM10 and 0.179 mg m~3 PM2.5. Removal efficiencies were generally higher in winter than summer. From this study, we concludethat the ESP is an effective measure for PM abatement at poultry house ventilation exhausts.