Laboratory evaluation of electrostatic spray wet scrubber to control particulate matter emissions from poultry facilities.

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant from animal production with significant impacts on human health and the environment. Abatement of PM emissions is imperative and effective PM control technologies are strongly needed. In this work, an electrostatic spray wet scrubber (ESWS) technology designed for removal of PM (PM10 and PM2.5) emissions from poultry facilities was evaluated under simulated laboratory conditions. Effects of primary operating parameters - including charging voltage (0-14 kV), air speed (0.5-3.5 ms-1), droplet diameter (100-300 µm), and PM concentration (1-5 mg m-3) on the PM removal performance of the ESWS - were investigated. Predictive empirical models for PM10 and PM2.5 removal efficiencies were also developed. The preliminary results showed that the ESWS technology reduced emissions of PM10 by 85-94% and PM2.5 by 85-88% with a charging voltage of 7 kV, air speed of 0.5-0.75 m s-1, and droplet diameter of 100-150 µm. The water consumption rate was approximately 2.35 L min-1, while the total power consumed was 270 W. This study demonstrates that the ESWS could be a potentially effective and feasible tool in controlling PM emissions for commercial poultry facilities.