Do electrostatic precipitators effectively remove SO2 and NOx gases from fossil fuel power plant exhaust?

Electrostatic precipitators are devices primarily designed to remove particulate matter, such as dust and smoke, from flue gases in emissions control systems. They function by applying an electrical charge to particles as they pass through, allowing these charged particles to be collected on plates with an opposite charge. This method is highly effective for particulate pollutants but does not target gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

SO2 and NOx are gaseous pollutants that require different methods of removal. For instance, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, commonly referred to as scrubbers, are used to remove SO2. Similarly, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems are utilized to reduce NOx emissions. These technologies involve chemical reactions to convert gases into less harmful substances, a process that electrostatic precipitators are not equipped to handle.

Thus, stating that electrostatic precipitators effectively remove SO2 and NOx gases is inaccurate, as these gases require specific treatment technologies rather than the particle collection method employed by electrostatic precipitators.