Electrostatic Precipitator Operation
Process Conditions
Maintain proper process conditions (i.e. boiler operation). Upset conditions in the process will affect the performance of the Electrostatic Precipitator. Also, avoid thermal excursions or other similar conditions that may cause damage to the ESP (such as operating above design temperatures). This may stress and thus bend the collecting plates.
Seal Air System
Maintain operation of penthouse seal air system. The seal air system must be operating continuously. The purpose of the seal air system is to maintain the H.V. insulators in the penthouse free from the dirty flue gases. Keeping the penthouse pressurized will avoid any influx of flue gas up into the insulators, which will result in insulator tracking and failure.
Make sure that the seal air heater is operating properly. Loss of heater operation will result in cold air in the penthouse that will create moisture resulting in sticky build-ups. This will cause insulator failure and corrosion.
Salt Cake build up inside a support insulator due to poor pressurization of the precipitator penthouse
Maintain air intake filters. Clean or change out as necessary. A clogged filter will starve the blower and result in reduced pressurization and possibly heater failure.
Poor penthouse pressurization can simply result from a clogged filter
Insulation and Lagging
Maintain the integrity of the insulation and lagging. Loss of insulation on the ESP will result in cold spots and eventually corrode the electrostatic precipitator.
Many old designed precipitators have poor penthouse insulation, which creates cold spots.
The recommended fix, above, suppresses any possible cold spot formation.
Safety Key Interlocks
Make sure all safety key interlocks are in good working order and all interlocks work correctly. Make sure no one has tampered and or defeated any interlocks. Safety key interlocks are installed for personnel safety and must be treated accordingly. Make sure all dust caps are on the lock cylinders to keep out any dirt that would otherwise damage the lock cylinder.