Assessing Electrocyclone Performance in Collecting Smaller than 1 μm Silica Airborne Particles

Cyclone is one of the most utilized dust collectors for airborne particles control. It separates particles from airflow by centrifugal force. However، it is not effective in collecting very fine particles smaller than 10 μm in diameter. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of charging particles on cyclone efficiency in collecting particles smaller than 1 μm. To achieve the above aim، a pilot air conditioning system equipped with conventional cyclone of Lapple model was designed and installed. A high voltage (18 KV) DC power supply was used for charging silica particle in corona charger. Isokinetic probe was used for particles sampling at upstream and downstream of cyclone under different study conditions and measurement was carried out using Grimm 1. 08 dust counter. Charging fine airborne silica particles caused a significant increase in collection efficiency. There is a direct relationship between collection efficiency and charging voltage، so that the total particles collection efficiency was increased from 2. 7 to about 72% with respect of increasing charging voltage from zero to 18 Kv. However، inlet air velocity has a negative effect on the collection efficiency of particles charged. Applying electrocyclone in collecting fine particles smaller than 1 µm is more efficient compared with that of conventional cyclones.