Hassan Ghassan, Yilbas B S, Said Syed A M, Al-Aqeeli N, Matin Asif
Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
Center of Research Excellence in Renewable Energy (CoRE-RE), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
Sci Rep. 2016 Jul 22;6:30253. doi: 10.1038/srep30253.
Mud formed from environmental dust particles in humid ambient air significantly influences the performance of solar harvesting devices. This study examines the characterization of environmental dust particles and the chemo-mechanics of dry mud formed from dust particles. Analytical tools, including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, particle sizing, and X-ray diffraction, are used to characterize dry mud and dust particles. A micro/nano tribometer is used to measure the tangential force and friction coefficient while tensile tests are carried out to assess the binding forces of dry mud pellets. After dry mud is removed, mud residuals on the glass surface are examined and the optical transmittance of the glass is measured. Dust particles include alkaline compounds, which dissolve in water condensate and form a mud solution with high pH (pH = 7.5). The mud solution forms a thin liquid film at the interface of dust particles and surface. Crystals form as the mud solution dries, thus, increasing the adhesion work required to remove dry mud from the surface. Optical transmittance of the glass is reduced after dry mud is removed due to the dry mud residue on the surface.
潮湿环境空气中由环境尘埃颗粒形成的泥垢会显著影响太阳能收集装置的性能。本研究考察了环境尘埃颗粒的特性以及由尘埃颗粒形成的干泥垢的化学力学性质。使用包括扫描电子显微镜、原子力显微镜、能量色散光谱、粒度分析和X射线衍射在内的分析工具来表征干泥垢和尘埃颗粒。使用微/纳米摩擦计测量切向力和摩擦系数，同时进行拉伸试验以评估干泥丸的结合力。去除干泥垢后，检查玻璃表面的泥垢残留并测量玻璃的透光率。尘埃颗粒包含碱性化合物，这些化合物会溶解于冷凝水中并形成高pH值（pH = 7.5）的泥溶液。泥溶液在尘埃颗粒与表面的界面处形成一层薄液膜。随着泥溶液干燥会形成晶体，因此增加了从表面去除干泥垢所需的粘附功。去除干泥垢后，由于表面存在干泥垢残留，玻璃的透光率降低。
