Write a brief account of electrostatic precipitator with a neat labelled diagram.

Explanation

`*` The electrode wires that are maintained at several thousand volt produce a corona that releases electrons
`*` These electrons attach to dust particles giving them a net negative charge.
`*` The collecting plates are grounded and attract the charged dust particles. But the velocity of air between the plates is kept low to allow the dust to fall.

• It is the most widely used method for removal of particulate matter, about 99% of particulate pollutants are removed from the exhaust of thermal power plant.
• It has electrode wires and a stage of collecting plates.
• The electrode wires are maintained at several thousand volts, which produce a corona that releases electrons.
• These electrons get attached to the (dust) particles and give them a net negative charge within a very small fraction of a second. The collecting plates are grounded and hence attract the charged particles.
• The velocity of air between the plates must be low enough to allow the particles to fall on them. Diagram-as above