Question

(a) Name any two places where it is essential to install electrostatic precipitators to do so?
(b) Mention one limitation of electrostatic precipitator.

Answer 1

(a) It is essential to install an electrostatic precipitator in industrial facilities(cement industry, flour mills etc) and power plants (thermal power plant, steam power plant etc) as they release a huge amount of particulate matter.

(b) An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) uses the principle of charging particulate matter suspended in an exhaust which is then allowed to settle down over variably or differently charged platforms. However, this device can only be used for separating particulate matter and not gaseous molecules such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen which are among primary pollutants of air. Thus, serving as a major limitation.