Electrostatic smoke precipitators work by forcing dirty flue gas (the gas escaping from a smokestack) past two electrodes (electrical terminals), which take the form of metal wires, bars, or plates inside a pipe or smokestack. ... As the dirt particles move past it, they pick up a negative charge.

How does a electrostatic precipitator works?

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) removes particles from a gas stream by using electrical energy to charge particles either positively or negatively. The charged particles are then attracted to collector plates carrying the opposite charge.

How does ESP work in power plant?

A dry electrostatic precipitator (ESP) electrically charges the ash particles and imparts a strong electric field in the flue gas to collect and remove them. An ESP is comprised of a series of parallel, vertical metallic plates (collecting electrodes) forming lanes through which the flue gas passes.