“The new device combines a conventional mist eliminator (ME) and an electrostatic precipitator that ‘electrifies’ pollutants and moves them to one side so they are not released into the atmosphere,” KIMM said. (image: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials)
SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) — A new eco-friendly mist eliminator that can drastically reduce fine dust released by thermal power plants has been developed for commercial use, a state-run machinery research institute said Tuesday.
The electrostatic mist eliminator (EME) has been tested to effectively reduce pollutants released to 0.5 milligram (mg) per one cubic meter, or some 10 times better than what can usually be achieved at present, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) said.
“The new device combines a conventional mist eliminator (ME) and an electrostatic precipitator that ‘electrifies’ pollutants and moves them to one side so they are not released into the atmosphere,” KIMM said.
It said if existing MEs are exchanged or augmented with EME at flue gas desulfurization (FGDs) facilities at coal-fired power plants, they will be able to cut back on fine dust particles to levels on par with generators using liquefied natural gas as fuel.
The institute added the new eliminator, which are modular in design, can be set up without the need for very expensive wet electrostatic precipitators that are used to filter out minute particles.
It said the overall size of the developed pollutant reduction device is only a third of MEs, making them attractive for power plants that are always short of space.
KIMM declined to provide the exact price tag of the EME, which is the first of its kind in the world, although making clear it will be competitive vis-a-vis similar devices.
It said the eliminator took over two years to make with research related costs hovering around 5.6 billion won (US$4.8 million).
(Yonhap)
(image: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials)
