Electrostatic Precipitators
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Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators are machines designed to reduce pollution in industrial applications. Typically fitted to the stacks of factories and power stations, electrostatic precipitators are designed to filter out dust particles from exhaust gases produced by industrial work. 99.9% of the dust particulates is captured by the precipitator, reducing the amount of dirty air passing into the atmosphere. (“Introduction to Precipitators”, 2oo7) Air pollution is a major problem in Hong Kong and across the globe. Power stations generate tonnes of pollution every year, deteriorating the air quality of the city. The waste they create is filled with dust and particulates, which can be detrimental to the population’s health. In this case, electrostatic precipitators are fitted to filter out much of the dust and particulates. In Hong Kong, electrostatic precipitators were introduced to the Castle Peak Power Station in 1990.(“Sustainability Report”, 2009) While in 2008 power consumption increased 80% over 1990-levels, emissions of particulates from the Castle Peak facility actually decreased by 79%, which shows the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators in reducing harmful emissions created by power generation. Much effort has been also made in adapting electrostatic precipitators to remove particulate matter from emissions from diesel engines, such as those found on buses.
(Peregin, 2009)
In Malta, engineers have developed a prototype of such a device that will help clean exhaust gases coming from buses. Their aim is to reduce the amount of pollution so they can reduce the amount of sicknesses and ailments that can be attributed to particulates. Dr Cremona believes that there could be “a huge market for [the invention], especially in
developing countries like China where there are some 10 million vehicles that could use it.” (Peregin, 2009) If the invention works, it could help improve the air quality in Malta,
where
Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators are machines designed to reduce pollution in industrial applications. Typically fitted to the stacks of factories and power stations, electrostatic precipitators are designed to filter out dust particles from exhaust gases produced by industrial work. 99.9% of the dust particulates is captured by the precipitator, reducing the amount of dirty air passing into the atmosphere. (“Introduction to Precipitators”, 2oo7) Air pollution is a major problem in Hong Kong and across the globe. Power stations generate tonnes of pollution every year, deteriorating the air quality of the city. The waste they create is filled with dust and particulates, which can be detrimental to the population’s health. In this case, electrostatic precipitators are fitted to filter out much of the dust and particulates. In Hong Kong, electrostatic precipitators were introduced to the Castle Peak Power Station in 1990.(“Sustainability Report”, 2009) While in 2008 power consumption increased 80% over 1990-levels, emissions of particulates from the Castle Peak facility actually decreased by 79%, which shows the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators in reducing harmful emissions created by power generation. Much effort has been also made in adapting electrostatic precipitators to remove particulate matter from emissions from diesel engines, such as those found on buses.
(Peregin, 2009)
In Malta, engineers have developed a prototype of such a device that will help clean exhaust gases coming from buses. Their aim is to reduce the amount of pollution so they can reduce the amount of sicknesses and ailments that can be attributed to particulates. Dr Cremona believes that there could be “a huge market for [the invention], especially in
developing countries like China where there are some 10 million vehicles that could use it.” (Peregin, 2009) If the invention works, it could help improve the air quality in Malta,
where
Bibliography: (2007). Introduction to precipitators. Retrieved September 5, 2009, from Electrostatic Precipitator Knowledge Base Web site: http://www.neundorfer.com/knowledge_base/electrostatic_precipitators.aspx Peregin, C. (2009, August). Inventor hopes to rid world of black exhaust fumes. The Times of Malta, Retrieved September 5, 2009, from http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090821/local/inventor-hopes-to-rid-world-ofblack-exhaust-fumes Pople, S. (2007). Complete physics for IGCSE. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (n.d) Static electricity. Retrieved September 5, 2009, from BBC - GCSE Bitesize Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/electricity/ staticelectrev2.shtml (2009). Sustainability report. Retrieved September 5, 2009, from CLP Group - Air Quality Performance Web site: https://www.clpgroup.com/SocNEnv/SER/aboutRpt/Pages/ our_sustainability_report.aspx (2009, March). Transport statistics 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2009, from National Statistics Office, Malta Web site: http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=2432 (2005). How does Particulate Matter affect human health? Retrieved September 6, 2009, from GreenFacts Web site: http://www.greenfacts.org/en/particulate-matter-pm/level-3/02-healtheffects.htm#1p1 Wan, H. (2006, May). Bad air leaves firms gasping. The Standard. Retrieved September 5, 2009, from The Standard Web site: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp? pp_cat=13&art_id=19199&sid=8075973&con_type=1 Word count: 1205