# US 8,465,568 B2 · Method and a device for controlling the rapping of an ESP > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,568 B2 - Document ID: US8465568B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/866,076 - Filed: 2009-02-04 - Published: 2010-12-16 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-08 - Assignees: ALSTOM Technology Ltd - Applicants: Anders N. G. Karlsson - Inventors: Anders N. G. Karlsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465568B2 ## CPC - B03C 3/74: Cleaning the electrodes - B03C 3/763: {Electricity supply or control systems therefor} - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) ## Abstract A method of controlling operation of an electrostatic precipitator (6) is provided wherein a soot-blowing operation is performed in an upstream device. According to the method, a signal is sent to a controller (34) that a soot-blowing operation is about to be initiated in the upstream device (2). The controller (34) is operative for controlling performance of a rapping event with respect to the electrostatic precipitator (6), and causes a rapping decision (52; 152) to be made, based on receipt of the signal. The rapping decision includes establishment of a first point in time (T1) for initiating performance of a rapping event with respect to the electrostatic precipitator (6), such that said first point in time (T1) is correlated to a second point in time (T2). The second point in time (T2) is the time at which the soot-blowing operation of upstream device (2) is initiated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling the operation of an electrostatic precipitator comprising: effecting sending of a signal that a soot-blowing operation is about to be initiated in an upstream device to a controller operative for controlling a rapping of an electrostatic precipitator to cause a rapping decision to be made by said controller, based on receipt thereby of said signal, said rapping decision including establishment of a first point in time (T1) for initiating a rapping event with respect to the electrostatic precipitator, said first point in time (T1) is correlated to a second point in time (T2), which is a time at which the soot-blowing operation of said upstream device is initiated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said first point in time (T1) is a time which occurs before said second point in time (T2), such that the electrostatic precipitator (6) will be at least partially cleansed of dust particles before the soot-blowing operation of said upstream equipment (2) is initiated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the relationship of said first point in time (T1) to said second point in time (T2) is such that the performance of the rapping event with respect to the electrostatic precipitator is at least 50% completed before the soot-blowing operation of said upstream device is initiated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said soot-blowing operation comprises utilizing at least one soot-blowing substance selected from among steam and water, with said first point in time (T1) established to occur after said second point in time (T2), such that operation of the electrostatic precipitator is enhanced by virtue of a process gas having an increased moisture content from said soot-blowing substance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said soot-blowing operation comprises utilizing at least one soot-blowing substance selected from among steam and water, with said first point in time (T1) established to occur a maximum of 60 minutes after said second point in time (T2), such that operation of the electrostatic precipitator is enhanced by virtue of a process gas having an increased moisture content from said soot-blowing substance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said soot-blowing operation comprises utilizing at least one soot-blowing substance selected from among steam and water, with said first point in time (T1) established to occur during the soot-blowing operation, such that operation of the electrostatic precipitator is enhanced by virtue of a process gas having an increased moisture content from said soot-blowing substance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said first point in time (T1) is established to occur 0-5 minutes after completion of the soot-blowing operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said controller causes a signal to be sent to a soot-blowing controller regarding the rapping status of the electrostatic precipitator, and said soot-blowing controller causes said second point in time (T2) to be established relative to said rapping status. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said signal also provides information regarding type of soot-blowing operation about to be initiated. ### Claim 10 A device for controlling the operation of an electrostatic precipitator comprising: a controller operative for controlling performance of a rapping event with respect to the electrostatic precipitator, for receiving a signal that a soot-blowing operation is about to be initiated in an upstream device, and for causing a rapping decision based on receipt of said signal, with said rapping decision including establishment of a first point in time (T1) for initiating performance of a rapping event, correlated to a second point in time (T2), which is a time at which the soot-blowing operation of said upstream device is initiated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A device according to claim 10, wherein said controller is operative for initiating performance of a rapping event at said first point in time (T1), which occurs before said second point in time (T2), such that the electrostatic precipitator is at least partially cleansed of dust particles before the soot-blowing operation of said upstream device is initiated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A device according to claim 10, wherein said controller is operative for establishing said first point in time (T1) to occur after said second point in time (T2), such that operation of the electrostatic precipitator is enhanced by process gas having an increased moisture content due to use of a soot-blowing substance in said soot-blowing operation.