The Electrohydrodynamic Origin of Turbulence in Electrostatic Precipitators

The functioning of an electrostatic precipitator in the light of previous studies on various regimes of electroconvection in both parallel and divergent electric fields is examined. Coupling between velocity and charge density fluctuations for both ions and charged particles is discussed. It is shown that for a certain diameter range of the particles, their nondimensional mobility parameter takes values similar to those characterizing ions in liquids. An experimental simulation using insulating liquids is proposed.