Identifying the Lowest-Cost Performance Enhancements for the Forgotten ESP

摘要

The majority of the present and future need for electrical power will continue to be supplied by coal-fired generation. Even with the rapid appearance of multi-pollutant control requirements it is almost being forgotten that most coal fired generators are fitted with electrostatic precipitators whose efficiency can be compromised by the firing of indigenous low sulphur, high ash content coals of Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim or high moisture low sulphur Western US PRB coals. Many older and smaller precipitators are not meeting newer emission requirements. Many ESPs are becoming part of the multi-pollutant system whose overall operation can be severely affected by the precipitator's performance, especially if it is not optimally collecting particulate emissions. Being embedded in a multi-pollutant system makes it difficult to determine whether the precipitator is even performing correctly. Poorly performing precipitators will pass a higher proportion of fine material including any solid mercury compounds, which may not be removed by a downstream scrubber.