Uop Lcc

William A Quigley

Paul H Sorenson

Jerome G Lynch

In order to reduce the electrical resistance of entrained fine particles of fly ash resulting from the burning of low sulfur coal and to enhance the efficiency of their collection by an electrical precipitator means, there is a conditioning of the particles carried in the flue gas stream by having a vapor of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 condensed and adsorbed on the particles themselves. Sulfuric acid at ambient temperature is mixed with air in an acoustic nozzle to form a mist having an average particle size of about 10 microns which is injected uniformly into a cyclonically flowing stream of hot gas in a chamber located adjacent an upstream inlet duct portion of the precipitator unit. The hot gas in the chamber vaporizes the acid which is then injected into the precipitator inlet duct so that the acid can condense on the particles. The hot gas is preferably obtained from the combustion air preheater.

Sonic spray of H.sub.2 SD.sub.4 in a swirling heated air stream

Discharge electrodes in electrostatic precipitators are protected from erosion caused by power arcs in the area along their length which is closest to the ground electrode plates by a shroud of high temperature insulating plastic such as Teflon. The shroud is formed in two longitudinally slidable interlocking sections which completely surround and insulate the electrode wire but can be assembled to the wire without disturbing its ends.

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Greenwich, CT, United States of America

William A Quigley