Field evaluation of electrostatic precipitators for particulate matter mitigation in a manure-belt layer facility

Two full-scale electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) were tested at a commercial poultry egg production facility to assess their particulate matter (PM) removal capabilities. The smaller indoor ESP had an airflow treatment area of 0.371 m2 and operated at 26 kV, resulting in mean PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP) removal efficiencies of 79.6% ± 5.7%, 92.7% ± 4.4%, and 94.6% ± 2.0%, respectively. The respective mean PM2.5, PM10, and TSP removal efficiencies for the larger exhaust ESP, which had an airflow treatment area of 0.767 m2 and was operated at 40 kV, were 93.6% ± 5.0%, 94.0% ± 5.0%, and 94.7% ± 4.4%. The indoor ESP showed greater PM2.5 and PM10 removal efficiencies in warm weather, whilst cold weather resulted in higher removal efficiencies for the exhaust ESP. The indoor ESP exhibited greater PM2.5 removal efficiencies throughout the afternoon, while PM removal efficiencies were lower during the afternoon for the exhaust ESP. Previously developed empirical models to predict weighted ESP PM removal efficiencies were calibrated to field data and successfully validated. The indoor ESP featured an initial cost of US$7,095 and an estimated annual operating cost of US$120, with a system of ESPs to treat recirculated air costing US$16,765 annually. For the exhaust ESP, the initial cost per unit was US$8,610, with an estimated annual operating cost of US$123 per unit or US$23,631 for a system of ESPs to treat exhaust air for the entire facility. Significant further research is required to quantitatively assess potential cost effectiveness for systems of multiple ESPs installed at commercial poultry facilities. •Indoor and exhaust ESPs were tested for PM removal at a commercial poultry facility.•The smaller indoor ESP removed 79.6% of PM2.5, 92.7% of PM10, and 94.6% of TSP.•The larger exhaust ESP removed 93.6% of PM2.5, 94.0% of PM10, and 94.7% of TSP.•A system of 60 indoor ESPs would cost US$425,000 initially and US$7185 annually.•A system of 88 exhaust ESPs would cost US$757,680 initially and US$10,831 annually.