The Design and Experimental Study of a Double-Column Scrambler Wind–Sand Separator for Sustainable Soil Wind Erosion Monitoring

Abstract

Sand collectors play an indispensable role in the study of land desertification, with the wind–sand separator serving as a vital core component. It plays a pivotal role in researching soil wind erosion. In response to the challenge of wind–sand separation in high-wind conditions, we introduce a novel approach. We designed, optimized, and validated a double-column scrambler wind–sand separator through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel experiments. Our test results showcased the impressive performance of this double-column scrambler wind–sand separator. It achieved substantial reductions in wind velocities at both the exhaust and sandfall ports, with reductions of 89.56% and 89.85%, respectively. Furthermore, the wind–sand separation efficiency consistently exceeded 98% across wind speeds ranging from 6 to 15 m/s. This study establishes a robust scientific foundation for further enhancements in the performance of the double-column scrambler wind–sand separator, holding promise for advancements in the field of desertification monitoring and control.