Inlet flue system for banks of electrostatic precipitator chambers

An inlet flue system for conducting particulate-containing gases to the inlet nozzles of a multiplicity of electrostatic precipitator chambers comprising an elongated plenum located generally above and laterally of the nozzles and associated precipitator chambers and having top and side walls and being substantially entirely open at the bottom, the bottom being essentially free of upwardly facing horizontal or substantially horizontal surfaces where particulates might settle out and collect, and a generally downwardly directed branch duct leading from the bottom of the plenum directly to each inlet nozzle for substantially downward flow of the gases directly to the respective inlet nozzles without substantial settlement and collection of particulates in the plenum or ducts, the inlet end of the perimeter walls of each branch duct defining an outlet opening from the plenum.