Experimental and Simulation Analysis of Dust Removal Efficiency for a Three-Phase Traveling Wave Electric Curtain

Photovoltaic power plants in desert regions experience substantial efficiency losses due to the accumulation of dust on panel surfaces. Traditional dust removal methods are resource-intensive and often ineffective. This study investigates the potential of a three-phase traveling wave electric curtain (TWEC) for mitigating dust on photovoltaic panels. Through a combination of experimental investigations and numerical simulations, this study examines the effects of electric field strength, frequency, and particle size on dust removal efficiency. Experiments were conducted with particle sizes constrained by standard metal sieves, ranging from 26 to 450 mu m, and operating frequencies between 30 and 200 Hz, while numerical simulations covered a frequency range of 25-200 Hz. Results indicate that higher electric field strength enhances efficiency by reducing particle detachment time, while higher frequencies reduce efficiency due to altered particle trajectories. Importantly, dust removal efficiency varies non-linearly with particle size: it achieves optimal removal efficiency for particle diameters from 75 to 100 mu m but decreases significantly for particles larger than 300 mu m due to dominant gravitational and adhesion forces. These findings, supported by the mutual verification of experiments and simulations, provide insights into optimizing TWEC design and operational parameters for effective dust mitigation in photovoltaic systems.