Experimental and numerical modeling of particle levitation and movement behavior on traveling-wave electric curtain for particle removal

Abstract

Traveling-wave electric curtain (EC) has been developed for potential application in particle removal/shield on solar panels and other surfaces. Levitation and transport of a particle in a traveling-wave electric field were simulated. Results show that levitation directions/angles and levitation trajectories differ because of the difference in starting positions and starting times. The particles in the two positive acceleration regions are levitated in opposite directions, and the particles distributed on the dielectric surface are levitated and transported successively rather than simultaneously. Movement trajectories are complex and affected by various factors. In the current paper, movement trajectories are modeled to analyze which motion modes are advantageous or disadvantageous to particle removal. This process is beneficial to elucidate the mechanism of particle removal and provide a guidance for movement control by designing appropriate operating parameters.