Development and testing of plate type wet ESP for removal of particulate matter and tar from producer gas. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parihar, Amit Kumar Singh; Hammer, Thomas; Sridhar, G.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 77(2015)
• Page Start: 473
• Page End: 481
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Biomass gasification -- Producer gas cleaning -- Plate type electrostatic precipitator; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.12.052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: This paper discusses the development and testing of small scale plate type wet electro-static precipitator (ESP) for cleaning of producer gas generated through the process of biomass gasification. This work is a sequel of the previous work carried out by the same authors on tube type wet ESP. As there were limitations in the design of tube type wet ESP, in terms of continuous operation, a plate type wet ESP having a short residence time charging stage followed by a long residence time precipitation stage was designed from first principles and simulations were carried out to establish its performance. Based on the results of this design study, a full-fledged wet ESP system comprising a two-stage reactor was built and integrated with an existing open top downdraft biomass gasification system. The system was subjected to rigorous testing in order to establish its performance. The outcome of testing was positive to the extent that the gas quality in terms of permissible level of particulate matter and tar was much superior to the prescribed norms for naturally aspirated engines. For turbo charged engines, the particulate matter was well within the prescribed level, and tar was marginally higher than the prescribed value. Highlights: A plate type wet ESP was developed and rigorously tested for the removal of particulate matters and tar. Design parameters for 2-stage wet ESP determined using semi-analytical approach. Maximum removal efficiencies of particulate and tar were 94% and 80%, respectively. Cleaned producer gas purity meets Indian standard for use with turbo-charged gas engines.