Rapping an electrostatic precipitator

Abstract

For the sake of improving dust removal from an electrostatic precipitator by rapping, the present disclosure proposes an electrostatic precipitator, comprising a flue gas chamber, a collecting electrode, a first rapping arrangement that raps the collecting electrode, a dust hopper, and a second rapping arrangement that raps at least one of the dust hopper and an element located within the dust hopper, wherein the second rapping arrangement is located within an inner chamber defined by the flue gas chamber and the dust hopper. The rapping by means of the second rapping arrangement may comprise rapping at least one of an inner wall of the dust hopper, a structural element located within the dust hopper and connected to at least one inner wall of the dust hopper, a rapping plate located within the dust hopper proximate to an inner wall of the dust hopper, and a baffle located within the dust hopper.

Claims

1. An electrostatic precipitator comprising: a flue gas chamber; a collecting electrode; a first rapping arrangement that raps said collecting electrode, the first rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar; a dust hopper; and a second rapping arrangement that raps at least one of said dust hopper and an element located within said dust hopper, the second rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar, wherein said second rapping arrangement is located within both said flue gas chamber and said dust hopper, together defining an inner chamber.

2. The electrostatic precipitator of claim 1, wherein the second rapping arrangement raps at least one of: an inner wall of said dust hopper; a structural element located within said dust hopper and connected to at least one inner wall of said dust hopper; a rapping plate located within said dust hopper proximate to an inner wall of said dust hopper; and a baffle located within said dust hopper.

3. The electrostatic precipitator of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical connection interconnecting said first rapping arrangement and said second rapping arrangement such that a driving of said first rapping arrangement effects a driving of said second rapping arrangement.

4. The electrostatic precipitator of claim 1, wherein said first rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft, and said second rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft, for raps of the rapping hammers against the shock bars once per rotation of the rotating shafts.

5. The electrostatic precipitator of claim 1, further comprising: a first drive system that drives said first rapping arrangement; a second drive system that drives said second rapping arrangement; and a control system that controls said first drive system and said second drive system such that a driving of said first rapping arrangement and a driving of said second rapping arrangement occur at least in part simultaneously.

6. The electrostatic precipitator of claim 1, wherein the shock bar of the second rapping arrangement is supported by a plurality of guides.

7. A method of modifying an electrostatic precipitator comprising a flue gas chamber, a collecting electrode, a first rapping arrangement that raps said collecting electrode, the first rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar and a dust hopper, said method comprising: equipping said electrostatic precipitator with a second rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar, to rap at least one of said dust hopper and an element located within said dust hopper, wherein said second rapping arrangement is located within both said flue gas chamber and said dust hopper, together defining an inner chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second rapping arrangement raps at least one of: an inner wall of said dust hopper; a structural element located within said dust hopper and connected to at least one inner wall of said dust hopper; a rapping plate located within said dust hopper proximate to an inner wall of said dust hopper; and a baffle located within said dust hopper.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: equipping said electrostatic precipitator with a mechanical connection interconnecting said first rapping arrangement and said second rapping arrangement such that a driving of said first rapping arrangement effects a driving of said second rapping arrangement.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said first rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft and said second rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft, for raps of the rapping hammers against the shock bars once per rotation of the rotating shafts.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said electrostatic precipitator comprises a first drive system that drives said first rapping arrangement and a control system that controls said first drive system, said method further comprising: equipping said electrostatic precipitator with a second drive system that drives said second rapping arrangement; and configuring said control system to control said second drive system such that a driving of said first rapping arrangement and a driving of said second rapping arrangement occur at least in part simultaneously.

12. A method of rapping an electrostatic precipitator comprising a flue gas chamber, a collecting electrode, a first rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar that raps said collecting electrode, and a dust hopper, said method comprising: rapping, by means of a second rapping arrangement comprising a hammer, a rotating shaft and a shock bar located within both said flue gas chamber and said dust hopper, together defining an inner chamber, at least one of said dust hopper and an element located within said dust hopper.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said rapping by means of said second rapping arrangement comprises rapping at least one of: an inner wall of said dust hopper; a structural element located within said dust hopper and connected to at least one inner wall of said dust hopper; a rapping plate located within said dust hopper proximate to an inner wall of said dust hopper; and a baffle located within said dust hopper.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said first rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft and said second rapping arrangement comprises a rapping hammer mounted on a rotating shaft, for raps of the rapping hammers against the shock bars once per rotation of the rotating shafts.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the shock bar of the second rapping arrangement is supported by a plurality of guides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The novel features of the invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation will be best understood from the accompanying figures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. The Figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrostatic precipitator in accordance with the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a first rapping arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure; and

(6) FIG. 5 a schematic view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(7) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrostatic precipitator 100 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g. as described hereinabove.

(8) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises an inlet 11 for a inflow of gas 51 that contains particulate matter, e.g. fly ash, and an outlet 12 for outflow of gas 52 from which most of the particulate matter has been removed. Inflowing gas 51 may be a flue gas, for example, from a furnace in which coal is combusted.

(9) Electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises a flue gas chamber 10 as well as a plurality of walls 13 that substantially define flue gas chamber 10. Flue gas chamber 10, i.e. walls 13, provides part of a containment for the gas as it flows from inlet 11 to outlet 12.

(10) Electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises a plurality of collecting electrodes 30. Together with one or more discharge electrodes and one or more power supplies as known in the art, collecting electrodes 30 are capable of cleansing particulate matter from inflowing gas 51. Specifically, the particulate matter accumulates on collecting electrodes 30.

(11) Electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises a first rapping arrangement 60 (not shown in FIG. 1) that raps the collecting electrodes 30 to dislodge the particulate matter that has accumulated thereon. First rapping arrangement includes a shaft 61.

(12) Electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises one or more dust hoppers 20 as well as a plurality of walls 21 that substantially define dust hoppers 20. Dust hoppers 20 are positioned so as to collect the particulate matter that has been rapped from collecting electrodes 30. A dust evacuation/transport system, e.g. a conveyor belt 80, (not shown in FIG. 1) may be provided to automatically transport the particulate matter collected in dust hoppers 20 away for appropriate disposal.

(13) Dust hoppers 20 comprise a plurality of structural elements in the form of crossbars 22 that are fastened by means of connection elements 23 to walls 21. The structural elements, in this case crossbars 22, thus provide stiffening for walls 21 to counter the weight of the particulate matter in dust hoppers 20.

(14) Electrostatic precipitator 100 comprises a plurality of baffles 40 that inhibit inflowing gas 51 from flowing through dust hoppers 20 as it passes from inlet 11 to outlet 12.

(15) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a first rapping arrangement 60 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g. as described hereinabove.

(16) For the sake of better understanding, FIG. 2 also shows features of an electrostatic precipitator. Since those features have already been described hereinabove, their constitution and function will not be reiterated.

(17) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, first rapping arrangement 60 comprises a rapping hammer 62 and a shock bar 63. In the illustrated embodiment, rapping hammer 62 is a tumbling hammer that is connected to and rotates with a shaft 61. Rapping hammer 62 is arranged so as to rap against shock bar 63 once per rotation of shaft 61. Shock bar 63 is connected to collecting plates 30 by a plurality of fasteners 64. Accordingly, the rapping of rapping hammer 62 against shock bar 63 is transmitted to collecting plates 30, which effects a dislodging of particulate matter clinging to collecting plates 30. The dislodged particulate matter then falls into dust hoppers 20 as described above.

(18) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement 70 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g. as described hereinabove.

(19) For the sake of better understanding, FIG. 3 also shows features of an electrostatic precipitator. Since those features have already been described hereinabove, their constitution and function will not be reiterated.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, second rapping arrangement 70 comprises a rapping hammer 72 and a shock bar 73. In the illustrated embodiment, rapping hammer 72 is a tumbling hammer that is connected to and rotates with a shaft 61. Rapping hammers 62 of a first rapping arrangement 60 that raps collecting electrodes 30 may also be mounted on shaft 61. Rapping hammer 72 is arranged so as to rap against shock bar 73 once per rotation of shaft 61. Shock bar 73 is moveably supported, e.g. slidingly supported, by a plurality of guides 74 that are mounted on crossbars 22 of dust hopper 20. Shock bar 73 is connected to crossbar 22A and connection element 23A that, in turn, are connected to walls 21 of dust hopper 20. Accordingly, the rapping of rapping hammer 72 against shock bar 73 is transmitted to walls 21 of dust hopper 20, which inhibits clinging and clogging of particulate matter in dust hopper 20.

(21) FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement 70 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g. as described hereinabove.

(22) For the sake of better understanding, FIG. 4 also shows features of an electrostatic precipitator. Since those features have already been described hereinabove, their constitution and function will not be reiterated.

(23) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, second rapping arrangement 70 comprises a rapping hammer 72 and a shock bar 73. In the illustrated embodiment, rapping hammer 72 is a tumbling hammer that is connected to and rotates with a shaft 61. Rapping hammers 62 of a first rapping arrangement 60 that raps collecting electrodes 30 may also be mounted on shaft 61. Rapping hammer 72 is arranged so as to rap against shock bar 73 once per rotation of shaft 61. Shock bar 73 is fastened to baffles 40 by fastening elements 75. Accordingly, the rapping of rapping hammer 72 against shock bar 73 is transmitted to baffles 40, which inhibits clinging and clogging of particulate matter in dust hopper 20.

(24) FIG. 4 also shows a conveyor belt 80 located at a bottom portion of dust hopper 20. Conveyor belt 80 transports particulate matter away for disposal that has fallen to the bottom dust hopper 20.

(25) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a second rapping arrangement 70 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g. as described hereinabove.

(26) For the sake of better understanding, FIG. 5 also shows features of an electrostatic precipitator. Since those features have already been described hereinabove, their constitution and function will not be reiterated.

(27) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, second rapping arrangement 70 comprises a rapping hammer 72 and a shock bar 73. In the illustrated embodiment, rapping hammer 72 is a tumbling hammer that is connected to and rotates with a shaft 71. Rapping hammer 72 is arranged so as to rap against shock bar 73 once per rotation of shaft 71. Shock bar 73 is moveably supported, e.g. slidingly supported, by a plurality of guides 74 that are mounted on crossbars 22 of dust hopper 20. Shock bar 73 is connected to crossbar 22A and connection element 23A that, in turn, are connected to walls 21 of dust hopper 20. Accordingly, the rapping of rapping hammer 72 against shock bar 73 is transmitted to walls 21 of dust hopper 20, which inhibits clinging and clogging of particulate matter in dust hopper 20.

(28) Shaft 71 may be mechanically connected to a shaft 61, e.g. by a combination of chains, shafts and/or gears. Rapping hammers 62 of a first rapping arrangement 60 that raps collecting electrodes 30 may be mounted on shaft 61. Accordingly, a driving of the first rapping arrangement effects a driving of the second rapping arrangement, which inhibits clinging and clogging of particulate matter in dust hopper 20.

(29) Shaft 61 may be driven by or part of a first drive system, and shaft 71 may be driven by or part of a second drive system that is independent of the first drive system. Driving of the first drive system and the second drive system may be controlled by a common controller such that driving of the first drive system and the second drive system occurs, at least in part, simultaneously. This likewise inhibits clinging and clogging of particulate matter in dust hopper 20.

(30) While various embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made to the configuration, operation and form of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. In particular, it is noted that the respective features of the invention, even those disclosed solely in combination with other features of the invention, may be combined in any configuration excepting those readily apparent to the person skilled in the art as nonsensical. Likewise, use of the singular and plural is solely for the sake of illustration and is not to be interpreted as limiting.