Simulation of Particle Separation on an Inclined Electric Curtain

Electric curtains have been shown in experiments to successfully remove charged dust particles from a surface using phase-modulated oscillating electric fields on parallel electrodes. Experimental limitations on charge and velocity measurement of individual particles have restricted understanding of the physical mechanism of this phenomenon. A discrete-element method for simulating particle motion in electric curtains is discussed and applied to study particle motion induced by an upward-traveling wave on an inclined electric curtain. The upward particle motion induced by the traveling wave is opposed by downward gravitational motion. Particles are influenced by van der Waals adhesion and electrostatic interaction, both to the surface and to each other. These different effects result in a complex particle flow that sometimes leads to separation of particles of different sizes but, in other cases, leads to particles moving together in one direction.