Gas-particle flow induced erosion of economizer in low-low temperature electrostatic precipitators: Numerical prediction and engineering application

• Published in: Powder technology 2024-04, Vol.439, p.119696, Article 119696
• Main Author: Ye, Xinglian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Economizer; Erosion; Gas-particle flow; Low-low temperature electrostatic precipitators; Numerical simulation
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.119696

In this work, the gas-particle flow and the induced erosion in the economizer region in low-low temperature electrostatic precipitator were investigated by CFD-DPM-EPM coupling approach. The results show that positioning the economizer on the vertical flue or employing a vertical tubes arrangement for the heat exchange tubes, utilizing a small expansion angle (less than 35°) in the expansion section, ensuring a more uniform distribution of inlet gas velocity and dust concentration, and incorporating short and densely positioned guide plates in the expansion section can effectively reduce erosion in the low-temperature economizer. The above results were applied to the economizer equipped with the low-low temperature electrostatic precipitator of a 1000 MW unit in a certain power plant, and the wear situation was significantly improved. The research findings can serve as a reference for diagnosing and analyzing erosion phenomena in low-temperature economizer, and can guide the improvement design to prevent erosion. [Display omitted] •The mechanism of the heat exchange tube arrangement on the erosion rate is revealed.•Mechanisms of the effects of air velocity and dust concentration on erosion are revealed.•The optimal expansion angle and guide plate scheme in the coal economizer were obtained.•A design is proposed that can effectively reduce economizer erosion.