New instrument based on electrostatic sensor array for measuring tribo-electrification charging due to single...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Particle collisions in solid processing generate electrostatics, causing issues like poor powder flow and explosion risks.
• Understanding tribo-electrification from single particle impacts is fundamental to addressing these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and establish a new test rig for measuring charge transfer from single particle impacts.
• To develop methods for simultaneously estimating particle position, charge, and velocity during impact.

Main Methods:

• A novel impact charging test rig utilizing an electrostatic sensor array was developed.
• Compressed sensing and cross-correlation algorithms were employed for particle state estimation.
• The system was calibrated using an oil test rig and validated for accuracy.

Main Results:

• The developed instrument accurately measures single particle impacts at velocities over 100 m/s.
• Estimation errors for spatial position and charge amount were within 5%, and velocity errors within 2%.
• Experiments revealed distinct charge transfer behaviors: no net transfer for polymers but complete transfer for metals at a specific initial charge.

Conclusions:

• The new test rig provides a reliable method for fundamental tribo-electrification research.
• The findings highlight material-dependent charge transfer phenomena crucial for electrostatic hazard mitigation.
• This research contributes to safer and more efficient particulate solid processing.