An improved numerical method for lunar dust transport during electric curtain-traveling wave removal in the lunar environment

• Published in: Acta astronautica Vol. 190; pp. 308 - 322
• Main Authors: Feng, Yulong, Dong, Tailang, Ren, Depeng, Wang, Jianshan, Cui, Yuhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Air pollution; Algorithms; Computer simulation; Dielectrophoresis; Dielectrophoretic force; Discrete element method; Dust; Dust control; Dust pollution; Dust transport; Electric curtain; Environmental law; Finite element method; Kinematics; Lunar dust; Lunar environments; Lunar exploration; Mitigation; Numerical methods; Particle transport; Six-node triangular finite element method; Surface energy; Traveling waves; Lunar dust; Dielectrophoretic force; Six-node triangular finite element method; Electric curtain; Surface energy
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.09.025

The law of dust removal by electric curtain in the lunar environment is considerably different from that in Earth's environment. This paper proposes an improved calculation method, which successfully simulates the kinematics of lunar dust transport during removal by electric curtain-traveling waves in the lunar environment. The numerical formula of the dielectrophoretic force component is derived based on a six-node triangular (T6) finite element method (FEM) in electromagnetics. A discrete element method (DEM) based on the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts soft-sphere model is chosen to simulate lunar dust particle transport under the action of the electric curtain dust removal system in the lunar environment. The validity, accuracy, and reliability of the present DEM algorithm are verified by comparing the experimental and numerical results. The final dust removal rate is positively correlated with frequency when the surface energy between the particles and insulating film is γf≥0.0075 J/m2. The final dust removal rate is negatively related to the surface energy between the particles and the film but positively related to the applied voltage and the charge of the particles. This research is of great significance to the mitigation of the lunar dust pollution problem that the crewed lunar exploration project will face in the future. •An improved calculation method simulated the mechanism of lunar dust transport.•A formula for dielectrophoretic force component is derived based on the T6 FEM.•Kawamoto's experimental and Liu's calculation results are compared to verify the DEM.•Electric curtain dust removal is realized by the vertical upward movement of particles.