Question

Electrostatic precipitation of carbon from smoke is used to control what type of pollution?
A.Air
B.Soil
C.Both A and B
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the Electrostatic precipitator is most widely used in a thermal power plant as it can remove almost $99$ percent particulate matter present in the exhaust of thermal power plants. The main principle behind its working is the electrical charging of the dust particles and its collection on a differently charged platform.

Complete answer:
As we know, the electrostatic precipitator is a sort of cleaner that uses static electricity until the smokestacks go out to remove soot and ash from exhaust fumes. Using electrical energy to charge particles either positively or negatively it eliminates particles from a gas stream. Then the charged particles are drawn to collector plates that bear the opposite charge. The particles collected can be removed as dry material from the collector plates. Also, the fossil fuels such as coal or oil are burned by most power stations to produce energy for use. Smoke is created when these fuels undergo combustion. Smoke consists of tiny soot particles that are suspended in hot, rising air. Through using static electricity in the precipitators, these unburned carbon particles are pulled off the smoke, leaving clean, hot air to escape from the smokestacks.
This one common air pollution control device. It is fairly easy to operate electrostatic precipitators. Two electrodes pass through the toxic flue gas that escapes through the smokestack. The nature these electrodes take depends on the type of electrostatic precipitator used, but inside a pipe or the smokestack itself, they may be metal wires, bars, or plates. Originally designed for recovery of valuable industrial-process materials, electrostatic precipitators are used for air pollution control, particularly for removing particles from waste gases at industrial facilities and power-generating stations.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Remember that the most electrostatic precipitators operate in a similar way, with different sized particles, different smoke concentrations, and varying levels of emissions, there are many variations and different types that work better. The need for a number of designs stems partly from the fact that coal burned across the globe differs dramatically in its chemical composition.