Performance Analysis of Electrodynamic Self-Cleaning Transparent Films for its Applications to Mars and Lunar Missions

Abstract

The performance of Electrodynamic Screen (EDS)for surface cleaning was characterized with respect to the following operational parameters: (1) the efficiency of screens under both continuous and intermittent operations with different rates of dust deposition, (2) electrical power requirements for the screen operation with respect frequency of excitation and duration of the applied power needed to remove dust particles as a function of dust loading, and (3) the optical transmission efficiency of the films for the screens with and without transparent Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrodes. The average dust removal efficiency of EDS during continuous dust loading was over 95%, whereas it was 90% when the screen was activated intermittently. The corresponding optical transmission efficiency was also measured. The rate of continuous dust loading on screen was equivalent to the estimated amount of one year dust deposition on the surface of Mars. This estimation was based on average obscuration rate of 0.29% per day as measured during Mars Adherence Experiment and reported by Landis. Power consumption by EDS as well as the size and weight of the power supply is one of the critical factors for its applicability for dust removal from solar panels during future Mars mission. The power consumption by EDS was measured under several dust loadings and using different frequencies and electrical field intensities for the safe operation of power supplies without Paschen breakdown. Experiments were conducted under both Earth and simulated Martian atmosphere (5.0 mb CO 2 atmosphere). The average power consumption of screen varied between 0.8 mW to 1.21 mW, when operating at atmospheric pressure and from 1.02 mW to 2.87 mW under simulated Martian atmosphere. The power supply requires approximately 5 W for its operation under no load condition and it is estimated that the total power consumption will be approximately 10 W per meter square, 5 W for the supply operation and the additional 5 W for cleaning the dust with a dust load of 0.64 mg/cm 2 .

A review of dust accumulation on PV panels in the MENA and the Far East regions

“…Nevertheless, it was found that using the EDS cleaning method as an extra layer on top of the PV panel reduces the intensity of sun radiation through its transparent screen, thus, leading to a reduction in the panel's efficiency, resulting from uncertain durability consideration on ultraviolet radiations. Accordingly, the output power decreases by 15% [113,114]. EDS is unreliable in wet conditions or cemented dust; however, it can be integrated with super hydrophobic coatings in order to achieve a better cleaning effect on the panels in rainy conditions [115,116].…”

Flexible Thin Film Functionalized by Initiative Dust Removal and Anti-Fogging for Optical Device Applications

“…However, if the RH of the surface is high (RH>40%), the F adh will grow so rapidly that the process of dust removal is inhibited. Furthermore, it is recognized that fog can adversely affect the optical performance of the device and enhance the F cap exerted on the particles, which will hinder the process of dust removal [36]. In order to solve the above problems, this work utilizes the electrothermal efficiency of the transparent metal film to reduce the negative effects of fog.…”

“…However, if the RH of the surface is high (RH > 40%), the will grow so rapidly that the process of dust removal is inhibited. Furthermore, it is recognized that fog can adversely affect the optical performance of the device and enhance the exerted on the particles, which will hinder the process of dust removal [ 36 ].…”

“…When relative humidity exceeds a certain threshold, the capillary force is one order of magnitude higher than the van der Waals force, so the Coulomb force is ineffective in removing fine dust particles. Furthermore, the optical transparency of the electrode is also a point that needs to be paid attention to [ 36 ].…”

Self-Cleaning: From Bio-Inspired Surface Modification to MEMS/Microfluidics System Integration

“…The concept of transporting particles using an electrostatic traveling wave was first developed by Masuda [ 139 ], where a series of electrodes were connected to the AC source to serve as contactless conveyors. Mazumder, et al developed an electrodynamic screen (EDS) with traveling-wave AC field to create a self-cleaning system for the problem of dust accumulation both on Mars missions [ 140 , 141 , 142 ] and on terrestrial solar panels [ 143 ]. Figure 15 demonstrates a typical EDS design with dust accumulation and cleaning effect before and after the AC voltage was supplied [ 144 , 145 ].…”