Electrostatic precipitators with their countless areas of application remain the most economical system for the removal of dust from industrial gases. Operating costs are reduced due to low energy consumption, and the cost of maintenance and spare parts is very low. In addition, the life expectancy of an electrostatic precipitator usually exceeds that of the upstream production units, such as kilns, mills, driers and coolers.

The typical applications for electrostatic precipitators are:

• Production plants for cement, limestone and gypsum (kilns, mills, dryers and coolers)
• Coal- and biomass-fired steam boilers
• Refuse and sludge incinerators
• Iron and steel production (ore processing, blast furnaces, converters)
• Production plants in the non-ferrous metal industry
• Production plants in the pulp and paper industry

Functional description of an electrostatic precipitator:

Electrons are emitted from discharge electrodes which have been charged with
a rectified negative high voltage. These electrons migrate to the collecting electrodes. As the electrons accumulate on the dust particles, the latter become negatively charged. The electric field transports them to the earthed collecting electrodes where they are deposited.