Electrostatic precipitation removes particles from the exhaust gas stream of a process. Often the process involves combustion, but it can be any industrial process that would otherwise particles to the atmosphere. There are six activities that take place:
 

• Ionization - Charging of particles
• Migration - Transporting the charged particles to the collecting surfaces
• Collection - Precipitation of the charged particles onto the collecting surfaces
• Charge dissipation - Neutralizing the charged particles on the collecting surfaces
• Particle dislodging - Removing the particles from the collecting surface to the hopper
• Particle removal - Conveying the particles from the hopper to a disposal point or return to the process.
   

• The electrical power supply
• Discharge electrodes
• The collecting electrodes (plates) or other collecting surfaces
• The rapping systems
• Precipitator hoppers
• Dust discharge conveyors