Electrostatic precipitator

Electrodes inside electrostatic precipitator
Collection electrode of an electrostatic precipitator in a waste incineration plant
Insulator assembly with housing and high voltage bus removed for maintenance and inspection. Insulators are typically used to hold up the electrode fields between the grounded collection plates.
Insulator assembly with housing and high voltage bus removed for maintenance and inspection. Insulators are typically used to hold up the electrode fields between the grounded collection plates.  

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a filterless device that removes fine particles, such as dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using the force of an induced electrostatic charge minimally impeding the flow of gases through the unit.[1]

In contrast to wet scrubbers, which apply energy directly to the flowing fluid medium, an ESP applies energy only to the particulate matter being collected and therefore is very efficient in its consumption of energy (in the form of electricity).[citation needed]

  1. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "electrostatic precipitator". doi:10.1351/goldbook.E02028