Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
After this qualitative validation, a quantitative evaluation of the concentration of
nanoparticles captured at the electrodes, at different distances from the input of the
device, is necessary in order to give a solid validation of the model.
Conclusions
This study concerns the use of dielectrophoresis for the selective manipula-
tion of nanoparticles. The DEP force depends on the gradient of the energy
density, which changes on the length scale of the electrodes and is a short
range effect. It can be modulated by changing the frequency and electrical
properties of the suspending medium. After presenting the main theoretical
aspects of the problem, the paper investigates the possibility to improve the
filtering process of flue gas by separation of suspended nanoparticle using
dielectrophoresis. The study focuses on the particles having an average radius
of about 50-150 nm, that cannot be filtrated by classical techniques but have a
harmful effect for environment and human health. We introduced a theoret-
ical model and applied it to a physically realistic problem, using as input data
the experimental results obtained by dimensional analysis and dielectric
measurements performed on ashes sampled from the filters of Pro Air
Clean Timisoara hazardous waste incinerator. The numerical solutions of
the DEP force and particle concentration distribution for a typical interdigi-
tated electrodes array are calculated using a proposed mathematical model.
The calculations are performed using the COMSOL Multiphysics finite
element solver. The functionality of a 3D DEP-based microsystem for the
selective manipulation of nanometric particles is discussed in terms of
Fil-
tration rate
, for different values of particle radius and applied voltage. The
optimal parameters of the separation process can be determined through a
detailed numerical study performed in the frame of the mathematical model
and used for designing more efficient separation devices. Finally, we
presented some preliminary experimental results regarding the trapping of
nanoparticles from flue gas in a microfluidic device under DEP.
Acknowledgements This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for
Scientific Research, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0762.
References
1. Neculae A, Giugiulan R, Lungu M and Strambeanu N (2013) Separation of nanoparticles from
combustion gases wastes of incinerators. IMCET 2013, Kemer-Antalya, Turkey, 16-19 April,
2013,
www.nanodep.com
2. Rickerby D, Morrison M (2007) Report from the workshop on nanotechnologies for environ-
mental remediation, JRC Ispra 2007,
www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/reports/reportpdf/
