Electrode configuration has a certain influence on pollutants removal efficiency of the wet electrostatic precipitator(WESP).This paper applies the finite element method to study the electric field with different electrode configurations.The effects of discharge electrode form

electrode distance and supply voltage on the electric field characteristics in the corona area and near the collecting plate and that on the pollutants removal efficiency of the WESP were investigated.The results show that

the average electric field strength in the dust collecting area is greater and the relative standard deviation is smaller when the top of the discharge electrode needle is more smooth

which could improve the pollutants removal efficiency of the WESP.Flat top is the best type for discharge electrode needle.It is suggested that the electrode distance be from 340 mm to 380 mm and the supply voltage be from 45 kV to 55 kV.Under these conditions

the pollutants removal efficiency of the WESP is the highest.