As the level of pollutants in our atmosphere increases, the need for effective solutions to the problem grows, and one of them is the use of electrostatic precipitators. The device can be used as industrial equipment in collecting particulate matter from exhaust gases. The methodology consists of electrostatically charging the particles and then capturing them by electromagnetic attraction.
chemical explanation
An electrostatic precipitator consists of a generator with a negative electrical charge (-). The device emits the charge in pollutant particles and these become negatively charged. The walls of the precipitator are positively charged and attract particles, which are retained. This encounter is due to the attraction between opposite charges.
As impurities accumulate on the sides of the electrostatic precipitator, it is much easier to eliminate them. It's like sweeping up and removing the dirt. But what type of pollutant is this device capable of eliminating?
The most common villains in our atmosphere are produced during the burning of fossil fuels, one of them is sulfur oxide (SO
ONLY2 (g) + CaO(s) → CaSO3 (s)
Note that the reaction had as a product, calcium sulfite → CaSO3 (s). It appears in the form of a solid precipitate, thus facilitating its removal.
The pollutant, when electrostatically precipitated and collected, can be properly disposed of in a chemical landfill, for example.
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By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
See more! Origin of Smog
Environmental Chemistry - Chemistry - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Electrostatic precipitator and pollutants"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/precipitador-eletrostatico-poluentes.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
