静电除尘，简称“电除尘”，即利用静电吸引轻小物体的性质，利用静电吸附工业粉尘。在鞍钢等大型工厂都采用这种废气处理方式。

最基本的除尘器包含一排的细的垂直电线，和随后的一叠垂直方向的大的扁平金属板，与根据不同的应用在金属板之间通常间隔约1 cm至18 cm。空气或气体流通过电线之间的空间水平流动，然后通过金属板板的叠片。

几千伏的负电压施加在电线和平板之间。如果所施加的电压足够高，电晕放电电离在电极周围气体。负离子流向平板并且给气流颗粒充电。

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a filtration device that removes fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using the force of an induced electrostatic charge minimally impeding the flow of gases through the unit.

In contrast to wet scrubbers which apply energy directly to the flowing fluid medium, an ESP applies energy only to the particulate matter being collected and therefore is very efficient in its consumption of energy (in the form of electricity).