Particulate Science and Technology

An International Journal

ISSN: 0272-6351 (Print) 1548-0046 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/upst20

Novel electrostatic induction measurement

method for monitoring particle flows in an
electrostatic precipitator

Djillali Aouimeur, Farid Miloua, Malika Bengrit, Fatiha Tounsi & Amar
Tilmatine

To cite this article: Djillali Aouimeur, Farid Miloua, Malika Bengrit, Fatiha Tounsi &
Amar Tilmatine (2018): Novel electrostatic induction measurement method for monitoring
particle flows in an electrostatic precipitator, Particulate Science and Technology, DOI:
10.1080/02726351.2018.1498959

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/02726351.2018.1498959

Published online: 17 Oct 2018.

Submit your article to this journal

View Crossmark data

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=upst20
PARTICULATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
https://doi.org/10.1080/02726351.2018.1498959

Novel electrostatic induction measurement method for monitoring particle flows

in an electrostatic precipitator
Djillali Aouimeur, Farid Miloua, Malika Bengrit, Fatiha Tounsi, and Amar Tilmatine
APELEC Laboratory, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi Bel-Abbes, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
The operation monitoring of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) in the industry is primarily performed Electrostatic precipitator;
by measuring the filtration outcome by using opacimetric sensors. In this study, the feasibility of monitoring; electrostatic
ESP monitoring is estimated using an electrostatic induction probe based on the electrical charge sensor; electrostatic
measurement
dissipated through the ground electrode measured through a Faraday cage connected to a sensi-
tive electrometer. The results obtained using a “wire-to-cylinder” ESP displayed that the measured
charge is highly affected by the flow rate of particles passing through the precipitator. Moreover,
any change in the corona discharge regime to breakdown spark or any sudden variation of the
pollutant flow rate is instantly detected by variation in the electric charge. Moreover, the probe
was used as a contactless corona current measurement device. This method was successfully com-
pared with the conventional ammeter method.

1. Introduction
Electrostatic precipitation is widely used to remove pollution
causing solid particles (such as dust and ashes) and liquids
(e.g., oil mist) contained in the gases emitted by industries
into the atmosphere (White 1963; Mizuno 2000; Remaoun
et al. 2014). Due to the low power consumption and high
filtration efficiency, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are
employed in power plants, cement factories, machinery
rooms such as in wood or in metal industries, offices and
residential buildings, hospital, etc. (Miloua et al. 2013).
However, a continuous monitoring system and reliable
filtration efficiency measurement during the operation of
ESPs is required due to the frequent fluctuations in their fil-
tration efficiency (Falaguasta, Coury, and N
obrega 2006;
Intra, Limueadphai, and Tippayawong 2010). Thus, optical
sensors such as particle counters and opacimeters are usually
employed (B
emer, R
egnier, and Call
e 1998; Popa and
Dascalescu 2014). In general, dust or smoke particle coun-
ters have a higher sensitivity than other detection systems
and provide more or less significant information pertaining
to the filtration efficiency. An optical counter provides the
number and the size distribution of particles in real time by
measuring the intensity of the emitted light (Canadas et al.
1997; Navarrete et al. 1997; Canadas et al. 2004; Lapuerta,
Martos, and C
ardenas 2005; Dramane et al. 2009; Pati~ no
et al. 2016). However, the measurement accuracy is related
to the relative position of the laser beam and of the air
stream (Navarrete et al. 2004). The major drawback of such
an optical meter is that the particle concentration is under-
estimated. This underestimation can be attributed to particle
alignment; thus, the particles are not detected by the laser
beam. Moreover, on the basis of the application and the
location of the measuring instrument, the sensitivity of the
sensor should vary when the particles density varies from
very low (high efficiency) to very high concentration (bad
efficiency) (Zhuang et al. 2000; Bottner 2003).
In this study, a novel online monitoring technique based
on the measurement of electrical charge dissipated by the
ground electrode was proposed using an electrostatic induc-
tion probe (EIP). An electric wire connects the collection
electrode to the ground through a series resistance R of 100
kX. The resistance is placed downstream the sensor that
passes through a Faraday cage connected to a sensitive elec-
trometer to measure the electric charge.
2. Material and methods
The experimental setup in this study comprises three dis-
tinct functional entities—the ESP, an auxiliary corona
reactor, and the measurement section (Figure 1).
The filtration device is a classic “wire-to-cylinder” ESP
that is placed horizontally. The device comprises a 900-mm-
long aluminum tube with an inner diameter of 100 mm and
a stainless corona wire with a diameter of 0.28 mm con-
nected to a negative DC high-voltage (DC HV)
power supply.
The auxiliary corona reactor used in this study has an
inner diameter of 100 mm and is located at the end of the
filtration device. Moreover, the length of the reactor is
100 mm, which is shorter when compared with the length of

CONTACT Amar Tilmatine atilmatine@gmail.com APELEC Laboratory, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi Bel-Abbes, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria.
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/upst.
ß 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2 D. AOUIMEUR ET AL.

Vibratory feeder
Filtred gas

PVC Corona PVC

Cyclone tube ESP
reactor tube

Electrostatic
Interface sensor

DC-HV
supply
PC R

Figure 1. Schematic of the experimental setup.

(a)

Al-Tube (C1)

Al-Tube (C2) PTFE-Tube

(b)

8
40 56
12
14

Figure 2. Electrostatic induction sensor: (a) Descriptive schematic; (b) dimensions of the sensor (in mm).

the ESP. The applied voltage of the ESP (VESP) and the cor-
ona reactor (VCR) were provided by two negative DC HV
supplies (Vmax ¼ 40 kV, Imax ¼ 7.5 mA, Spellman SL 300).
A vibrating feeder introduces PVC particles of an average
diameter of 100 mm by using plastic wastes as a pollutant
product with a constant flow rate of 60 g/min into a funnel
placed at the inlet of the ESP. The mass m of each granular
sample used for all experiments was 10 g.
The flow speed of the product inside the ESP was con-
trolled by a cyclone separator located downstream the pre-
cipitator by using a frequency converter, which recovers the
unfiltered powder to estimate the filtration outcome by
using the following equation:
min mout
gð%Þ ¼  100 (1)
min
where min is the total mass introduced in the ESP, mout is
the unfiltered recovered mass in the cyclone, and the max-
imal air flow rate of the cyclone Qmax is 150 m3/h for a fre-
quency f of 50 Hz. The cyclone filter was used mainly to
collect the unfiltered particles. However, since the cyclone
was provided with a variable frequency converter, it serves
also to control the airflow rate.
Figure 2 displays the schematic diagram of the EIP. The fig-
ure also displays a Faraday cage that consists of two coaxial
aluminum cylinders C1 and C2 that are separated by an 8-
mm-thick insulating PTFE (Teflon) tube. Cylinder C1 has an
outer diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 14 mm and is
placed at a floating potential, whereas cylinder C2 has an inner
diameter of 60 mm and a thickness of 2 mm and is grounded.
An electric wire connects the collection electrode to the
ground through a series resistance R of 100 kX that is placed
downstream a sensor that passes through the inner cylinder C1
without contacting the cylinder. A Faraday cage and a sensitive
electrometer (PASCO-2132) were connected to a PC for meas-
uring the electric charge Qi induced on a cylinder C1.
In a first series of experiments, the EIP was placed at the
ground electrode of the ESP. Moreover, in the second series,
the EIP was placed at the ground electrode of the cor-
ona reactor.
3. Results and discussion
The measurement protocol plotted the variation in the elec-
tric charge measured by the electrostatic probe versus time
 PARTICULATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 3

Charge (nC)

't1 't2 't3 Figure 5. Schematic representation of the ESP.

Q0
flow on the basis of the Poisson equation:
q
DV ¼  (2)
Qmax e0
where q is the ionic space charge density, e0 is the dielectric
Time (s) permittivity, and V is the electric potential related to the
Figure 3. Representation of the evolution of the electric charge (VESP ¼ 16 kV,
electric field through
Q ¼ 54 m3/h). ~
E ¼ grad V: (3)
The space charge is not induced by the applied voltage
Al-tube C1
but is produced by air ionization due to corona discharge. If
- - we assume that, the distribution of the electric potential is
-
- - symmetric along the cylinder axis (Figure 5), Poisson equa-
Wire connected to the + +
collection electrode - + + - tion becomes:
+ + - @2V q
- + +
-
R ¼ (4)
- @r 2 e0
- - -
then
Figure 4. Electrostatic induction produced in the inner tube (C1) of the EIP.
q 2
V¼ r þ Ar þ B (5)
for different values of the applied voltage V (kV) and the air 2e0
flow rate Q (m3/h). A typical diagram was plotted for VESP so
and Q values of 16 kV and 54 m3/h, respectively, as shown  
@V @ q 2 q
in Figure 3. E¼ ¼  r þ Ar þ B ¼ rA: (6)
@r @r 2e0 e0
When only clean air flows inside the ESP without any
particles, the diagram displays a constant plateau Q0 of 0.65 As shown by Equation (4), although that the electric field is
nC that corresponds to a charge induced by the ionic cur- mainly produced by the applied voltage, it is however influ-
rent generated by the corona discharge (time interval Dt1). enced at a lesser degree by the space charge density.
This plateau remains almost constant until the particles are In the following section, the results are represented on
not introduced by the vibratory feeder. However, once the the basis of the charge variation rate DQ (nC):
particles are introduced in the ESP, the plotted curve shape
DQðnCÞ ¼ Qmax  Q0 (7)
changes instantly and displays a linear and constant increase
in the negative electric charge to a peak value Qmax of 0.85 where Qmax and Q0 are the maximal and initial charges,
nC that corresponds to a charge induced by the charged respectively (Figure 3).
particle flow (time interval Dt2). Moreover, once all particles Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the simultaneous variation in
corresponding to a clean air flow are collected by the the electric charge DQ and the filtration outcome g as func-
ground electrode, the diagram once again displays an initial tions of the air flow rate Q and the applied voltage V,
plateau (time interval Dt3). respectively.
Figure 4 reveals that a charge is produced by electrostatic As the charge DQ is induced by the corona current pass-
induction in the inner tube C1 and is measured by the EIP. ing through the Faraday cage, we observed a simultaneous
The charge is induced by the potential difference: V ¼ R  i, increase in DQ and the filtration outcome g, as displayed in
where i is the corona current flowing to ground and V the Figure 6. Moreover, as expected the filtration outcome g
potential difference between the ionizing wire and the decreases with the air flow rate; however, the charge DQ
ground electrode. Therefore, after the current increase dur- remains almost constant (Figure 7). Consequently, the
ing the particle flow, an electric charge induced by the par- charge measured by the EIP corresponds to the variation in
ticles during the period Dt2 is displayed. the corona current produced by the total number of par-
The current flowing to ground depends on the voltage ticles passing through the ESP and not only those collected
inside the ESP that increases during the charged particle by the electrode.
4 D. AOUIMEUR ET AL.

1.0 100
Charge ΔQ
0.9 Outcome 90

0.8 80

0.7 70
Charge ΔQ (nC)

Outcome (%)
0.6 60

0.5 50

0.4 40

0.3 30

0.2 20

0.1 10

0.0 0
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
3 Figure 9. Charge evolution at two particle flow rate Qp values at periods: Dt1:
Air flow rate (m /h) Qp ¼ 60 g/min and Dt2: Qp ¼ 240 g/min (VESP ¼ 20 kV; Q ¼ 54 m3/h).
Figure 6. Simultaneous variation in charge DQ (nC) and outcome g (%) as
functions of the air flow rate (VESP ¼ 20 kV).
greater the particle density, the higher is the electric
charge DQ.
1.0 Moreover, any change in the particle density inside the
Charge ΔQ 100
0.9 Outcome
ESP is instantly indicated by the charge diagram evolution,
90
0.8 as displayed in Figure 9. The figure displays curves for two
80
0.7
particle flow rate values Qp:
70
Charge ΔQ (nC)

–Period Dt1 (between t ¼ 38.2 sec and t ¼ 48.9 sec) corre-

Outcome (%)

0.6
60
0.5 50 sponds to Qp ¼ 60 g/min;
0.4 40
–Period Dt2 (between t ¼ 48.9 sec and t ¼ 59.3 sec) corre-
0.3 30
sponds to Qp ¼ 240 g/min.
0.2 20
0.1 10 3.1. ESP monitoring
0.0 0
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 The measurement system could be used for monitoring the
Voltage (kV)
particles flowing in the ESP and thus for monitoring the fil-
Figure 7. Simultaneous variation in charge DQ and outcome g (%) as a tration outcome by using a corona reactor with the same
function of voltage V (Q ¼ 54 m3/h).
diameter as that of the collecting electrode but of a much
smaller length. The reactor is placed at the exit of the ESP
1.8 (Figure 1). The following specifies the utilization of the EIP
placed at the corona reactor for monitoring the ESP filtra-
1.6
tion outcome.
1.4 The plotted diagrams that represent the evolution of the
1.2 charge DQ measured at a corona reactor voltage VCR of
10 kV and two different values of voltage VESP applied to the
Charge (nC)

1.0
ESP are displayed in Figure 10. The figure reveals that when
0.8 the filtration outcome is approximately 100% for a VESP value
0.6 of 28 kV, the charge Q recorded by estimating V multiplied
by I at the corona reactor was almost constant and very stable
0.4
(Q ¼ 1.33 nC), thus corresponding to pure corona current.
0.2 However, as the outcome decreases after the abrupt decrease
0.0 of the voltage VESP from 28 to 12 kV, the electric charge, as
10 20 40
Masse of particles (g) displayed by the diagram, increases from 1.31 to 1.38 nC
Figure 8. Variation in charge DQ for varying particle mass values that are
(DQ ¼ 0.07 nC), thus indicating that a determined amount of
introduced into the ESP.(Q ¼ 54 m3/h, VESP ¼ 26 kV). unfiltered particles was flowing through the corona reactor.
The advantage of the proposed measurement system is
the high stability of the measured charge when no particles
Furthermore, Figure 8 displays the variation in DQ for are flowing through the corona reactor; the displayed charge
three values of the particle mass m introduced by the vibra- remains quasi constant (Figure 10(b)). The passing of unfil-
tory feeder into the ESP for a constant voltage. The vari- tered particles is detected by the increase in the correspond-
ation in the electric charge only depends on the pollutant ing electric charge Q, as displayed by the variation results of
product amount that flows within the ESP. Therefore, the the rate DQ reported in Table 1 that is obtained for varying
 PARTICULATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 5

(a)
0.0

-0.2

-0.4
Corona
-0.6 reactor
Charge (nC)

-0.8 ESP
-1.0

-1.2

-1.4

-1.6
5 50 45 20 25 35 45 50

Time (s)
(b) Figure 11. Plot for VESP equal to 0 kV.
-0.0
0.0
0.0

-0.5 Corona
reactor
-1.0

-1.5
Charge (nC)

-2.0

-2.5
ESP
-3.0

-3.5

-4.0

10 20
Time (s)
Figure 10. Plotted diagrams obtained for two different values of voltage VESP.
(a) VESP ¼ 12 kV and (b) VESP ¼ 28 kV.
Table 1. Variation in the charge rate DQ measured
by the EIP for varying voltage VESP values.
Voltage (kV)
12
14
16
18
20
22
values of the applied voltage VESP. The filtration outcome of
the ESP is maximal when the applied voltage is greater, i.e.
for VESP¼22 kV. Therefore, since almost the total amount of
the PVC particles is collected by the collection electrode at
22 kV, then no particles will pass through the EIP indicating
thus a zero charge. On the contrary, when the filtration out-
come decreases at lower values of voltage VESP, a significant
amount of unfiltered particles pass through the probe indi-
cating thus a higher value of the electric charge.
Moreover, even if the particles are not charged when no
voltage is applied to the ESP, the EIP indicates a charge DQ,
as displayed in Figure 11 (VESP ¼ 0).
Furthermore, the electric charge measurement by using
the electrostatic sensor can be used to record the breakdown
sparks in the ESP, as displayed in Figure 12. The figure rep-
resents the charge variation for constant values of material
flow Qp of 60 g/min, VESP of 28 kV, and Q of 54 m3/h. The
50
Figure 12. Evolution of the electric charge after breakdown sparks in the ESP.
electric charge measurement indicates and records any
breakdown spark; thus, the measurement is an useful tool
for monitoring the ESP during its operation.
DQ (pC)
70
58
3.2. Using the EIP as an ammeter
46
34 Moreover, the value of the corona current I flowing through
11 the wire can be deduced by measuring the induced voltage
0 in the Faraday cage, as specified by Equation (8).
Vi ðmVÞ
I ðlAÞ ¼ k (8)
RðkXÞ
where k is the factor that depends on the radial dimensions
of the Faraday cage, Vi (mV) is the induced potential meas-
ured by the electrostatic probe, and I (mA) is the cor-
ona current.
A comparison between the “current–voltage” characteris-
tics obtained by using the EIP and by using a series micro-
ammeter is represented in Figure 13. Both measurement
methods are in agreement. The constant k for the Faraday
cage used in this study was found to be equal to 0.9. The
voltage measured by the EIP is the voltage induced in the
inner tube whose value depends on the distance between
this tube and the high voltage ionizing wire. Moreover, the
constant k ¼ 0.9 was deduced experimentally by analogy, cal-
culated as the ratio between the values of the current meas-
ured by the ammeter and the EIP.
6 D. AOUIMEUR ET AL.

4.0 Canadas, L., B. Navarrete, M. Lupi
on, and L. Salvador. 2004.

Improvement of fine particles collection efficiency in large pulver-
3.5 Micro ammeter ized coal power plants ESPs retrofitting to hybrid collectors. In the
Electrostatic sensor 9th International Conference on Electrostatic Precipitation, South
3.0
Africa, May 18–19.
Current (mA)

2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Voltage (kV)
Figure 13. Current–voltage characteristics plotted by using the EIS and by
using a series micro-ammeter.
A specific feature of the proposed method is that current
measurement using the sensor is conducted without contact
with the wire, which is a significant advantage when com-
pared with the conventional galvanometric method.
4. Conclusion
An experimental analysis was conducted in this study to val-
idate a novel electrostatic induction measuring technique for
monitoring the operation of an ESP and measuring the cor-
ona current without contacting the wire. The electrostatic
sensor accuracy was based on the electric charge measure-
ment induced in a Faraday cage by using a sensitive elec-
trometer. While the ESP is considered as the main device
used for filtration of the polluted gas, the corona reactor was
employed only to detect any unfiltered particles exiting from
the ESP and passing through the corona reactor to estimate
the filtration performance. The obtained results displayed that
the electrostatic sensor could be used for monitoring the fil-
tration process when factors such as the pollutant flow rate,
applied voltage, material flow rate, and breakdown sparks fre-
quency vary during the sensor operation.
References
Bottner, C. U. 2003. The role of space charge density in particulate
processes in the example of the electrostatic precipitator. Powder
Technology 135–136:285–94. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2003.08.020.
B
emer, D., R. R
egnier, and S. Call
e. 1998. Measurement of the frac-
tional efficiency of an industrial dust separator using a fluorescent
aerosol. Journal of Aerosol Science 29:S1077–S8. doi:10.1016/S0021-
8502(98)90721-2.
Canadas, L., B. Navarrete, P. Ollero, and L. Salvador. 1997. Parametric
testing of coal electrostatic precipitator performance. Environmental
Progress & Sustainable Energy 16 (2):98–105. doi:10.1002/
ep.3300160215.
Dramane, B., N. Zouzou, E. Moreau, and G. Touchard. 2009.
Electrostatic precipitation in wire-to-cylinder configuration: Effect of
the high voltage power supply waveform. Journal of Electrostatics
67:117–122. doi:10.1016/j.elstat.2009.01.022.
Falaguasta, M. C. R., J. R. Coury, and S. W. N
obrega. 2006. Scaleup
investigation of a wire-plate geometry electrostatic precipitator.
28 30 Particulate Science and Technology 24 (4):453–65. doi:10.1080/
02726350600934747.
Intra, P., P. Limueadphai, and N. Tippayawong. 2010. Particulate emis-
sion reduction from biomass burning in small combustion systems
with a multiple tubular electrostatic precipitator. Particulate Science
and Technology 28 (6):547–65. doi:10.1080/02726351003758444.
Lapuerta, M., F. J. Martos, and M. D. C
ardenas. 2005. Determination of
light extinction efficiency of diesel soot from smoke opacity measure-
ments. Measurement Science and Technology 16 (10):2048–55.
doi:10.1088/0957-0233/16/10/021.
Mizuno, A. 2000. Electrostatic precipitation. IEEE Transactions on
Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation 7 (5):615–24. doi:10.1109/94.879357.
Miloua, F., A. Tilmatine, S. M. Remaoun, D. Berrached, and M.
Bengrit. 2013. Application of electrostatic precipitator in collection
of smoke particles from hospital wastes combustion. International
Journal of Environmental Studies 70 (4):527–35. doi:10.1080/
00207233.2013.813715.
Navarrete, B., L. Canadas, V. Cortes, L. Salvador, and J. Galindo.
1997. Influence of plate spacing and ash resistivity on the
efficiency of electrostatic precipitators. Journal of Electrostatics 39
(1):65–81. doi:10.1016/S0304-3886(96)00041-1.
Navarrete, B., L. F. Vilches, L. Ca~ nadas, and L. Salvador. 2004.
Influence of start-ups with fuel-oil on the operation of electrostatic
precipitators in pulverised coal boilers. Environmental Progress &
Sustainable Energy 23 (1):29–38. doi:10.1002/ep.10002.
Popa, G. N., and L. Dascalescu. 2014. Variable cross-section cylinder-
type corona and combined corona–dielectric barrier discharge pre-
cipitators for fly-ash particles. Particulate Science and Technology 32
(5):445–50. doi:10.1080/02726351.2013.878773.
Pati~no, D., B. Crespo, J. Porteiro, E. Villaravid, and E. Granada. 2016.
Experimental study of a tubular-type ESP for small-scale biomass
boilers. Preliminary results in a diesel engine. Powder Technology
288:164–75. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2015.11.006.
Remaoun, S. M., F. Miloua, A. Tilmatine, N. Hammadi, N. Zouzou,
and L. Dascalescu. 2014. Optimization of a cost-effective wire-plate-
type ESP for installation in a medical waste incinerator. IEEE
Transactions on Industry Applications 50 (2):1391–6. doi:10.1109/
TIA.2013.2272607.
White, H. J. 1963. Industrial electrostatic precipitation. Reading, MA:
Addition-Wesley.
Zhuang, Y., Y. J. Kim, T. G. Lee, and P. Biswas. 2000. Experimental
and theoretical studies of ultra-fine particle behavior in electrostatic
precipitators. Journal of Electrostatics 48:245–60. doi:10.1016/S0304-
3886(99)00072-8.