Electrostatic precipitator maintenance
Maintenance of electrostatic precipitators at the Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales divisions: cleaning and replacement of fields and electrodes, scraper conveyors, electrical systems and all internals, through to commissioning. A workforce of 170 people on double shifts.
An electrostatic precipitator removes dust from process gases by charging it electrically so that it sticks to its collecting plates, which are arranged in fields. Over time, the accumulated material reduces its efficiency, and maintenance requires cleaning the fields and replacing the electrodes and internal components.
LTF carried out the cleaning of fields and the replacement of electrodes, the replacement of complete fields, the maintenance and replacement of the scraper conveyors, the removal and maintenance of the electrical systems and the replacement of all internals, and handed over each unit with its commissioning. 170 people took part on a double-shift system.
The photographs on this page are from the precipitator maintenance at the Ministro Hales Division, in September 2026.
Scope delivered.
What LTF delivered on this project, item by item. The photo follows each item as you scroll.
- 01
Cleaning of fields and replacement of electrodes
The collecting plates are arranged in fields, and the material that builds up on them reduces the unit’s efficiency. That is why the fields are cleaned and the electrodes replaced.
- 02
Replacement of fields
Beyond cleaning, complete fields were replaced, with precipitator components lifted by crane.
- 03
Maintenance and replacement of scraper conveyors
The scraper conveyors carry the collected dust to the unit’s discharge. They were serviced and replaced as part of the maintenance.
- 04
Removal and maintenance of electrical systems
The precipitator works by charging dust electrically. Its electrical systems were removed for maintenance.
- 05
Replacement of all internals
That is the name for the precipitator’s internal components. In this maintenance they were replaced in full.
- 06
Commissioning of the unit
At the close of the maintenance, each unit was handed over with its commissioning.
- 07
Workforce of 170 people on a double-shift system
Work went on by day and by night: the record includes the night shift inside the precipitator.
Project record.
Photos taken on site. Tap any image to see it in full, zoom in and browse all 35 from the project.
Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales, Calama.
Site context
The electrostatic precipitator of the Ministro Hales roaster is one of the most critical and complex units of the Division. In August 2026, Codelco reported a pneumatic system to thoroughly clean the precipitator fields, which removes almost all the accumulated material and avoids having to replace components every four years, according to Reporte Minero.
LTF Montajes Industriales · +56 9 9431 6903 · [email protected] · ltfmontajes.cl
Boiler tube banks for the Chuquicamata smelter
Codelco, Chuquicamata Division · Chuquicamata smelter, Calama. Fabricated at the LTF shop in Concón View the sheet
Project index
12 project sheets for Codelco- 01 Boiler tube banks for the Chuquicamata smelter Chuquicamata smelter 2025
- 02 Crane maintenance and rail replacement at the Potrerillos smelter Potrerillos smelter 2025
- 03 Boiler banks, wall panels and boiler maintenance Smelter and thermoelectric plant 2020 and 2021
- 04 Flash Furnace cooling system Chuquicamata smelter 2023
- 05 Replacement of casting wheels 3 and 4 Chuquicamata smelter 2021 and 2023
- 06 Flash Furnace ancillary works contract Chuquicamata smelter 2021
- 07 ZeCor-Z welding and acid plant maintenance Acid plant 2021
- 08 Fabrication and maintenance of dryer 6 coils Chuquicamata smelter 2024
- 09 Flash Furnace and boiler cooling, 18 inch line Chuquicamata smelter
- 10 Crane rail replacement at the Chuquicamata smelter Chuquicamata smelter 2021
- 11 Oxygen lines of 16, 20 and 24 inches Chuquicamata smelter 2020
- 12 Electrostatic precipitator maintenance Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales This sheet
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