IEACCC/73

Developments in Particulate Control

AUTHOR: Qian Zhu
DATE: September 2003
PAGES: 50

ABSTRACT:
There is little question that standards for the control of particulate emissions will be more and more stringent in the future, especially for fine particles in the micron and submicron size range. Particulate matter is generated from coal and oil combustion, waste incineration, and various manufacturing processes such as the automobile, steel and cement industries. In pulverised coal-fired power plants, particulate emissions are controlled mainly by the use of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) or fabric filters. ESPs and fabric filters have been proven to be effective and reliable particulate control devices. However, control requirements are becoming more demanding, especially for fine particulate matter and mercury. The driving forces for the anticipated tightening of fine particulate emission standards are the proposed PM2.5 (particles <2.5 µm in size) regulations, stack opacity requirements, and the need for air toxics control. As a result, there is a pressure to further increase the efficiency and overall performance of these systems to achieve the new requirements at minimum costs. This report examines new developments in particulate emissions control technologies for pulverised-coal combustion since 1995. The emphasis of the report is on advances in improving the performance of electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters to meet more stringent emission standards, and/or reducing costs to compete in the market. The developments of other particulate control technologies are also reviewed in this report.