A sintered stainless steel filter is used as the grounded electrode of a point-to-plane electrostatic precipitator. Particles flow through, rather than parallel to, the collection plate. Particle collection efficiency is empirically shown to increase as the charged particles are drawn closer to the grounded filter. The utilization of stainless steel fiber filter provides (1) low particle penetration (high particle collection efficiency) of different particle range, (2) applicability to all different particulate components, (3) high loading capacity but low pressure drop (less energy and maintenance needed), (5) low electric voltage for operating the system, and (6) low cost and small dimension.