Mechanics of dust removal from rotating disk in relation to self-cleaning applications of PV protective cover

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 130; pp. 193 - 206
• Main Authors: Rifai, Aditia, Abu Dheir, Numan, Yilbas, Bekir S., Khaled, Mazen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2016; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Adhesion; Analytical chemistry; Dust; Environmental dust; Experiments; Particle size; Photovoltaic cells; Polycarbonate cover; Polycarbonate resins; Self-cleaning; Environmental dust; Self-cleaning; Adhesion; Polycarbonate cover
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2016.02.028

•Adhesion force predicted is higher than gravity, friction, lift, and drag forces.•Centrifugal force is larger than the adhesion force in disk outer region.•Dust residues composed of alkaline and alkaline earth metals increasing adhesion force.•Adhesion force measured is larger than prediction of Rump–Rabinovich model. The dynamic response of the dust particles on the rotating polycarbonate disk is examined in relation to the cleaning of the photovoltaic protective cover. Forces developed on the dust particles due to the rotational motion of the disk are formulated and predicted in line with the experimental conditions. The comparison of the resulting forces including centrifugal, gravitational, drag, lift, adhesion, and friction forces is carried out for various locations on the disk, different rotational speeds and several dust particle sizes. The dust particles collected from the local environment are analyzed using the analytical tools including scanning electron and atomic force microscopes, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. An experiment is carried out to assess the dust removal from the polycarbonate disk surface. The dust residues after the tests are analyzed and adhesion force between the dust particles and the polycarbonate surface is measured. It is found that centrifugal force remains higher than the adhesion, friction, drag, lift, and gravitational forces in the region away from the rotational center. The dust particle size and rotational speed significantly influence the rate of dust removal from the disk surface.