High Frequency Precipitator Power Supplies have Advantages - Hot Topic Hour September 4

Existing precipitators can be modified to provide higher efficiency and lower power consumption. The secret is in the power supply.  The Hot Topic Hour yesterday was devoted to some of the proven methods and one novel method that is just getting its first test.

Speakers were

Jeremy Timmons, Neundorfer

Ralph Altman, EPRI

Corey Deye, Alstom

Paul Leanza, Pollution Control Services

Joe Manna, NWL

Biographies and pictures are displayed at Bios, Photos and Abstracts

Jeremy Timmons told participants that benefits of electrical sectionalization are improved reaction to process conditions, improved reaction to mechanical conditions and lower loss of powered collecting area.

Ralph Altman reviewed the status of high frequency power supplies. He showed how they can greatly improve precipitator performance but not in all cases. Tests are now underway to show the change in performance with a HV switch to produce polarity reversal. Improvements may be slightly offset with re-entrainment but the entrained particles remain as agglomerates and do not revert to the original state. Thus they would be captured in a downstream scrubber.

Corey Deye of Alstom chronicled some successes of the Switched Integrated Rectifer. There are 1,600 installed worldwide of which 560 are in the US. Corey provided all the reasons that the Switched Mode Power Supply is better than a conventional TR system

Paul Leanza pointed out that not only do the high frequency power supplies provide higher efficiency but their reliability has now been validated.

Joe Manna covered all the advantages of the switched mode power supply. Joe wishes to change his answer to a question. “Does it make sense to use switch mode power supplies on new and rebuilt precipitators?” While I agree that the reliability of the switch mode power supply (SMPS) may fall slightly short of the predicted life span of a T/R (16-20 years vs. 20-30 years), there are other factors to consider, factors such as:

• Installation Cost: Installation cost is significantly reduced because there is less equipment to purchase, less bus duct required (if any), less weight on the roof, smaller breakers and wire sizes are used, no separate control room is needed, no CLR and less field wiring is required.

• Return on Investment: Because of the greatly improved power factor, switch mode power supplies will more than pay for themselves in the first couple of years of service and the savings continues over the life of the equipment.

• Service: Since switch mode power supplies are smaller, lighter and self-contained, they are 100 percent serviceable from the roof, making repair cost lower and down time is reduced to hours, not weeks. The cost of removing and replacing a T/R from the roof can far exceed the cost of a new SMPS.
• Performance: In virtually every case, the switch mode power supply has outperformed the T/R, allowing precipitator manufacturers to rethink their design, bringing down the size and cost of the entire precipitator. So in retrospect, it makes perfect sense when you take the time to analyze all the benefits and cost savings associated with the switch mode power supplies.

The individual power points are in the Particulate Decision Tree and can be viewed as follows.

Jeremy Timmons - Neundorfer

Particulate Continuing Decision Process For: Power Supplies

ESP Performance Optimization presented by Jeremy Timmons, Neundorfer. Precipitator Power Supplies Hot Topic Hour September 4, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Jeremy Timmons - Neundorfer Hot Topic Presentation Power Supplies 9.4.08.pdf
 

Ralph Altman – EPRI

Paul Leanza – Pollution Control Services

Particulate Continuing Decision Process For: Power Supplies

A Short Summary of the Status of High Frequency Power Supplies presented by Ralph Altman, EPRI. Precipitator Power Supplies Hot Topic Hour September 4, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Ralph Altman - EPRI.pdf
 

Power Supplies for Electrostatic Precipitators (Wet & Dry) presented by Paul Leanza, Pollution Control Services. Precipitator Power Supplies Hot Topic Hour September 4, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Paul Leanza Pollution Control Services - Sept. 4, 2008.pdf
 

Corey Deye – Alstom

Joe Manna - NWL

Particulate Continuing Decision Process For: Alstom

Switched Integrated Rectifier -SIR presented by Corey Deye, Alstom. Precipitator Power Supplies Hot Topic Hour September 4, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Corey Deye Alstom Power.pdf

Particulate Continuing Decision Process For: NWL

Power Plus SMPS Solutions presented by Joe Manna, NWL. Precipitator Power Supplies Hot Topic Hour September 4, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/NWL - Sept. 4, 2008.pdf