Patent ID: 8414687

Claim:
A method for removing particulate matter from a particulate-bearing gas stream comprising: a) flowing a particulate-bearing gas stream in a first direction at a first volumetric flow rate to a plurality of electrostatic precipitator units; b) passing at least a portion of the gas stream past at least one discharge electrode in each electrostatic precipitator so as to produce electrically charged particulate matter; c) collecting the electrically charged particulate matter on at least one primary collection electrode plate, which is oppositely charged from the discharge electrode, until a desired amount of particulate matter has been collected; d) reducing the flow through at least one of the electrostatic precipitator units; e) sequentially increasing the flow through one or more remaining electrostatic precipitator units in an amount so as to maintain the sum of flow through all of the electrostatic precipitator units at the first volumetric flow rate; f) subjecting the at least one primary collection electrode plate in the at least one electrostatic precipitator unit of step (d) with reduced flow to forces which dislodge the particulate matter from the at least one primary collection electrode; g) collecting the dislodged particulate matter in a particulate collection receptacle; and h) withdrawing a gas stream of reduced particulate matter contamination, the method further comprising generating an electrical potential between the at least one primary collection electrode plate and the particulate collection receptacle to drive the particulate matter that is dislodged from the at least one primary collection electrode plate to the particulate collection receptacle, wherein the electrical charge in the particulate collecting receptacle is generated by means of a secondary collection electrode.