The gas flow distribution in the electrostatic precipitator(ESP) ducts of a 2×300 MW unit was numerically simulated with computational fluid dynamics(CFD) software

and the accuracy and reliability of the numerical simulation on flue gas distribution was verified by field test results. A three-level

three-variable Box-Benkhen design combined with response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal vanes design of the inlet shaft flue of the ESP. The numerical simulation of inlet smokebox unit under different settings of the turning vanes was carried out. Subsequently

on the basis of response surface method

the effect of guide plate angles

setting potion and numbers of turning vanes on the uniformity of airflow distribution was deeply discussed. The results showed that better airflow distribution uniformity could be achieved by optimizing the arrangement of guide plates in ESP inlet dust at the following designs: central angle=60°

setting potion Y=0.9 m

installed numbers=2. In this case

the relative difference in the gas flux in different pipelines δ could be decreased from ±13.6% to ±2.12%

and the root mean square values σ of the flue gas velocity distribution in the monitoring cross-section was reduced up to about 0.16

which meets the optimum design demand.