Efficient removal of oil mist via triboelectric negative air ions

Abstract

Oil mist poses a long-term threat to both the environment and human health, and the high stability of fine oil mist particles makes them difficult to remove efficiently using traditional methods. This study reports on a strategy for the efficient removal of oil mist based on triboelectric negative air ions (TENAIs), delving into the charging and migration characteristics of the air/oil mist system during the oil mist removal process by TENAI. It was found that TENAIs could charge oil mist particles, causing the oil droplets to accelerate or change direction. During this process, submicron oil droplets coalesce into larger droplets, which are then efficiently removed under the coupled action of gravity and electric field forces. Experimental results indicate that the addition of the triboelectric negative air ion system increased the velocity of the oil mist flow field by 15–20 times, and the removal efficiency was enhanced by 280%. This study reveals the microscopic mechanism by which negative air ions promote rapid aggregation and settling of particles, providing a scientific basis for the efficient and sustainable management of oil mist.