Abstract
The electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is an effective device for removing particulate matter (PM) in the air, especially for larger particles. However, the collection efficiency of sub-micron particles is significantly reduced. This could be a problem when PM becomes a virus carrier, as happened in 2019 when the spread of Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus can survive in aerosols for an hour and be transmitted via particulate matter attached to a surface for several days. One possible solution is to add particle agglomerators before the charging section of the ESP to coagulate particles together into a larger one to improve the particle collection efficiency. This study examined the flow characteristics of eight different turbulence agglomerator configurations using Particle image velocimetry (PIV). The effectiveness of agglomeration and collection efficiency were also compared. The impacts of the ribs' profiles, slits, and inclination angle conditions were investigated. The results of the flow visualization indicate that Z-type turbulators produce a greater and larger region of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) than quadrilateral-type turbulators. The 135° inclined angle minimizes the turbulent kinetic energy. However, the slit in the center of the ribs can increase it. Particle sizer measurements imply that the turbulence agglomerator successfully coagulates the ultrafine particles into bigger particles, and the efficiency is correlated with the turbulent kinetic energy. Particle agglomeration increases the ESP's ability to collect ultrafine particles, but because of the weak cohesive force, coagulated particles could disintegrate back into ultrafine particles when they collide on the collecting plate.