Research on the application of a wet electrostatic precipitator in coal-fired power plant for gypsum rain prevention and treatment

Haze pollution involving PM2.5 is currently a serious problem in China, and the implementation of tougher measures to further reduce emissions from key air pollution sources such as coal-fired power plants has become an inevitable trend. Wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) technology is being adopted by an increasing number of power plants because of its ability to remove PM2.5 and other fine particulate matter. In this study, key indicators such as filterable particulate matter (FPM), condensable particulate matter (CPM), SO3, and droplets in the flue gas of Shanghai Changxing Island No.2 Power Plant were measured and analysed. The results indicate that the emission concentrations of total particulate matter (TPM) were 30.31 mg/m3 and 15.74 mg/m3, FPM were 20.31 mg/m3 and 6.09 mg/m3, PM2.5 were 4.06 mg/m3 and 2.50 mg/m3, SO3 were 4.51 mg/m3 and 3.06 mg/m3, and droplets were 114 mg/m3 and 102 mg/m3 at the stack when the WESP was off and on, respectively. Similarly, CPM accounted for 33% and 61% of TPM, respectively. This study demonstrates that the use of WESP technology has a significant effect on the removal of particulate matter and droplets.