Fine particles with aerodynamic diameters of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) are significant pollution sources. Dust emission is restricted to less than 10 mg·m-3 under 6% oxygen in eastern China and wet electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are encouraged for efficient removal of various fine particles in aerosol
especially in coal-fired power plant where strict air pollutant emission standards drive wide use of wet ESP as terminal control equipment. Previous studies showed wetting properties of a hydrophilically modified rigid collector and this study focused on fine particle collection performance of the modified collector at pilot scale. The characteristics of PM2.5 collection
mechanism of uniform water film and effect of main operation parameters on enhancement of particle collection efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the surface fiber layer of the modified rigid collectors reduced flue gas recoiling and particle electro-transportation resistance. A uniform and stable water film was maintained on surfaces of the modified rigid collectors at low washing water flowrate
which inhibited back corona occurrence and a secondary entrainment of dust as well as increased discharge current and flue gas humidity by evaporation of water film. The increase of particle charge number and electro-transportation speed enhanced the particle collection efficiency. With the increase of flue gas temperature
both discharge current and thermophoresis force gradually increased which could improve the particle collection efficiency. However
the increase of gas viscosity reduced the particles collection efficiency. The extension of residence time and the increase of applied voltage improved particle collection
whereas the inlet concentration of particles and the flushing water flowrate had little influence on particle collection. The wet ESPs of modified rigid collectors exhibited reduction of circulating water consumption per square meter by 86 percent and significant increase of particle collection efficiency for ultrafine particles with size of 0.04-0.48 μm as well as overall collection efficiency of all particles at low electric voltage. Hence
the modified rigid collectors had good potentials for application.