Dust Cloud Formation Research Articles

On the Influence of the Rayleigh–Taylor Instability on the Formation of Dust Clouds in the Mesosphere of Mars

On the Influence of the Rayleigh–Taylor Instability on the Formation of Dust Clouds in the Mesosphere of Mars

Molecular dynamics study of water molecules nucleation for fine particle removal: Effects of wettability and aggregation modes and comparison with experiment

Water vapor nucleation on particle's surface plays an important role in dust removal, cloud formation, and particle measurement. However, the selectivity of nucleation sites and the nucleation characteristic of water molecule on the particle's surface are still unclear, especially for the aggregated particles. In this paper, the effects of particle wettability and aggregation modes on the selectivity of nucleation sites and the nucleation characteristics were investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The results were compared with our earlier experimental findings. It illustrates how the contact angle of clusters, the growth velocity, and the growth duration are all influenced by the interaction coefficient between water and particles. Moreover, the nucleation sites of water molecules on the particle aggregation surface exhibit a definite selectivity. The primary indicator of this selectivity is the preferential nucleation of water molecules at the interfaces of linear chain aggregation particles, at the inner side of non-linear chain aggregation particles, and at the centers of ring aggregation. These results are in good agreement with our previous experimental findings. More significantly, additional research has revealed that subcritical-size clusters typically aggregate on two-particle surfaces spacing when the spacing smaller than the critical cluster size.

Determination of the lifting height of dust particles after a mass explosion in an iron ore open pit

Open pit mining is accompanied by emissions of fine dust and hazardous gases into the atmosphere. This is related to the operation of open pit transport, drilling and blasting operations. The release of harmful components into the quarry space and the increase in their concentrations has a negative impact on the health of working personnel and leads to pollution of the environment. In doing so, the nature of fine dust and gases pollution depends on the mining technology and meteorological factors. The problem of reduced effectiveness of dust suppression methods after mass explosions in open pits is relate to insufficient research into the formation of dust and gas cloud. Additional theoretical and experimental research into the dust dynamics of blasting operations is therefore need. The article discusses the stages of formation of the dust and gas cloud after a mass explosion in an iron ore open pit. The results of experimental studies of the evolution of the dust and gas cloud at different points in time after the detonation of borehole charges are presented. Relations for determination of density and dynamic viscosity of gases, gas mixture and gas-dust aerosol are given. A formula for determining the time and height of ascent of spherical dust particles at the dynamic stage of dust and gas cloud formation is obtain. In this case, the assumption is madid that there is no mutual influence of the dynamic and thermal factors after detonation of the charges. The elevation of dust particles due to temperature differences during the heat stage of dust and gas cloud formation is determined. Based on the analysis of the calculation results, the duration of the dynamic stage of cloud formation is determined. It is established that, following the release of solid and gaseous detonation products into the atmosphere, a height distribution of dust particles is observed as a function of their diameter. That said during, the dynamic stage of dust and gas cloud formation, the height of dust particle lift is directly proportional to their diameter, while during the heat stage the inverse relationship is observe. That at the beginning of the thermal stage the deposition of coarse dust particles takes place are established. In this process, fine dust particles rise to a maximum height and are then carried outside the open pit by the airflow.

Classification of dispersibility for combustible dust based on Hausner ratio

Mixing of combustible dust and oxidant is one of five essential prerequisites in the dust explosion pentagon, requiring that particles originally in mutual contact within the deposits be separated and suspended in the air. However, dust dispersion never proceeds with 100% efficiency, with inevitable particle agglomeration, and an inherent trend toward settling out of suspension. Dispersibility is defined to describe the ease of dispersion of a dust and the tendency of the particulate matter to remain airborne once a dust cloud has been formed. Pioneers made contributions to classify dust dispersibility by introducing dustiness group (DG), dustability index (DI), NIOSH dispersion chamber and in-situ particle size analysis. Issues remained including the difficulty in comparing results from different methods, as well as the availability of some high-tech testing apparatus.This study aims to provide a quick and universal testing method to estimate the dispersion property of combustible dust. A new dispersibility classification was developed based on dimensionless numbers Hausner ratio and Archimedes number. Four dispersibility classes (DCs) were proposed from one to four, with a larger number meaning better dispersibility. Results for more than a dozen dust samples and mixtures thereof showed the new method is useful in dust explosion research. The consistency in classifying dust dispersion properties between the DC method and previous methods was good. Changes in DC well explained our earlier findings on suppressant enhanced explosion parameter (SEEP) phenomenon attributed to the improvement in dust dispersibility. Hausner ratio and Archimedes number, as easily measured parameters, can be quite advantageous to assess dust dispersibility, permitting a proper risk assessment for the formation of explosible dust clouds.

A numerical model for the calculation of the minimum ignition energy of pure and mixture dust clouds

A numerical model is developed for the minimum ignition energy (MIE) calculation of pure and mixture dust clouds, considering the influence of particle size distribution. The original particle number based size distribution is approximated with median sizes (number d50) of the subdivisions obtained by dividing the original distribution range. The MIE is calculated for 5 pure dusts, 2 mixtures of combustible dusts and 2 mixtures of combustible & inert dusts. For pure dust clouds, as the number of subdivisions and hence d50s increases, variation trend of the MIE as a function of dust concentration (MIE(conc)) gradually shifts from a “V” to a “U” or “bathtub” shape, along with an increase in the concentration where the dust cloud MIE (minimum MIE(conc) value) is reached. Furthermore, the calculated MIE fluctuates at lower number of d50s but gradually stabilizes as the d50 number further increases. The calculated MIE variation trends correspond well with the experimental data. However, due to uncertainties in the dust cloud formation and spark release in the experimental tests, differences in the definitions of the d50 in different studies and high idealization of the numerical model, there are deviations between the absolute experimental and calculated MIE values.

A Computational Study on Rotor and Fuselage Configuration Effect on Rotorcraft Brownout

Rotorcraft brownout is an in-flight visibility restriction caused by clouds of sand and dust particles during landing, takeoff, and near-ground flight operations in arid desert terrain. This complex phenomenon is caused by the entrainment of dust, sand, and ground particles by rotor downwash and is compounded by fuselage geometry and its orientation with respect to the ground. Highly unsteady wind velocities are common in near-ground operations and play a significant role in the particulate cloud's behavior that creates the brownout condition. Experiments and flight tests to understand brownout are challenging, expensive, and risky. Alternatively, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used extensively over the past few decades to study rotorcraft aerodynamics. However, there are additional computational challenges associated with modeling the dust particle transport in a brownout. In this work, a computationally efficient Eulerian-based framework has been developed to model rotorcraft brownout. The flowfield is modeled by Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation and is solved using the SIMPLER algorithm. Turbulence properties are modeled using Realizable κ – ε equations, while the rotor is modeled as a momentum source to focus on the global flowfield rather than the flow near the rotors. The Eulerian approach for both the flowfield and the dust transport allows computationally efficient and rapid analysis, taking an order of few hours in a single CPU to a fraction of an hour using GPU-based computation. In this work, results from two sets of experiments are presented. At first, a study on the fuselage's effect on brownout with respect to height for a single-rotor configuration in hover is demonstrated. Next, a study on the brownout characteristics of three rotor–fuselage configurations in hover, namely single-rotor, tandem-rotor, and quad-rotor, is presented. It has been observed that the ground friction velocity profile and flowfield vorticity around the rotorcraft play a significant role in dust cloud behavior. Additionally, the body forces and interference due to the fuselage plays a vital role in the formation of brownout dust clouds. The experiments showed that the quad-rotor is worst affected in terms of size and height of the dust clouds. However, the tandem-rotor has been found to be worst in the terms of average dust density.

Analysis of dust dispersion in the loading of a bulk carrier ship using CFD and DEM

Dust generation and dispersion continue to be a major concern for many in the industries that rely on bulk materials handling, and the ability to predict dust generation and dispersion remains challenging. This study looks at the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM) as a means of predicting dust generation and dispersion. The paper outlines work completed on predicting dust dispersion during the loading process of a bulk carrier using the Rotabox™ system for a stevedoring company at a port in Australia. CFD simulations are conducted to analyze the induced air flow generated inside the cargo hold of a bulk carrier including typical cross-wind conditions. Coupled CFD-DEM simulations are conducted to analysis the air flow inside the cargo hold driven by the unloading of the bulk material. Dust particle free-settling time is used to assess the dust cloud formation and dispersion based on the flow conditions predicted by CFD-DEM simulations. The study finds that the unloading process is likely to disperse dust into the cargo hold at a level that without dust suppression would result in dust being dispersed into the broader environment by the typical cross-wind conditions at the port.

Mechanisms, Severity and Ignitability Factors, Explosibility Testing Method, Explosion Severity Characteristics, and Damage Control for Dust Explosion: A Concise Review

The explosion of dust particles poses significant risks to the health and safety of humans working in process industries such as mining, energy, and manufacturing. A dust explosion is the rapid deflagration of particles in a large volume of air or gaseous oxidants. Since industrial dust explosions can occur in any plant equipment or environment, it is crucial to identify, examine and highlight the highly probable sources and risk areas for dust cloud formation and ignition along with damage control measures. Therefore, the paper presents a concise review of the various combustion classifications of dust along with the mechanisms of dust explosion, ignitability factors, and severity characteristics, explosibility testing methods, and damage control measures. Dust is broadly classified according to its explosive value, which indicates that its moisture, particle size, dust concentration, oxidant concentration, and turbulence are crucial to a dust explosion. Furthermore, the dust explosion mechanism reveals that dust particles undergo explosion when confined and or mixed oxidants, ignition sources or heat as described in the “explosive pentagon” concept. To address the risks posed by dust explosions, reduce ignitions and the severity of these hazards, numerous testing methods have been proposed or developed. The most notable characteristics of explosion severity are the maximum explosion overpressure (Pmax), maximum rate of pressure rise (dp/dt) max, dust deflagration index (Kst), and minimum explosibility concentration (MEC). Likewise, the measures for containing, isolating, suppressing, and venting the effects of dust explosion were also highlighted in detail. In conclusion, the review highlighted the role of the particles and dust clouds and the need to identify and highlight the sources of dust explosion that pose risks to human health and safety in the industry.

Numerical Modeling of Formation and Rise of Gas and Dust Cloud from Large Scale Commercial Blasting

The emission of dust particles into the atmosphere during rock mass breaking by blasting in ore mining open-pits is one of the factors that determine the ground-level air pollution in the vicinity of pits. The data on dust concentration in the cloud, which is extremely difficult to obtain experimentally for large-scale explosions, is required to calculate the dust dispersion in the wind stream. We have elaborated a Eulerian model to simulate the initial stage of dust cloud formation and rising, and a Navier–Stokes model to simulate thermal rising and mixing with the ambient air. The first model is used to describe the dust cloud formation after a 500 t TNT (Trinitrotoluene equivalent) explosion. The second model based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method is used to predict the height of cloud rising, its mass, and the evolution of dust particles size distribution for explosions of 1–1000 t TNT. It was found that the value of the turbulent eddy viscosity coefficient (Smagorinsky coefficient) depends on both the charge mass and the spatial resolution (grid cell size). The values of the Smagorinsky coefficient were found for charges with a mass of 1–1000 t using a specific grid.

On the question of the mechanism of dust cloud formation on forest roads

The justification of the model of dust cloud formation during the passage of a forest train on a dry road surface is given. Given the previous studies on sedimentation of single particles and a dust cloud, a formula is obtained that allows one to calculate the initial and average sedimentation velocity of a dust cloud taking into account changes in the concentration of dust in the cloud.

Effect of admixed solid inertants on dispersibility of combustible dust clouds in a modified hartmann tube

Reduction of dust explosion hazards can be achieved by processing materials in less hazardous forms. Two principles are often employed to moderate explosion potential. One approach is to increase dust particle size so as to decrease its reactivity. The other involves altering the dust composition by admixture with solid inertants. An essential prerequisite for dust explosions is the formation of airborne dust clouds. Dust dispersibility (i.e., the ease of dispersion of a dust and the tendency of the particulate matter to remain airborne once a dust cloud has been formed) is therefore an important safety characteristic, certainly requiring research attention. This paper presents experimental results using a modified Hartmann tube to determine the effect of admixed solid inertants on particle size distribution of dust clouds. Nine types of combustible dust and two sizes of inert Al2O3 were tested repeatedly five times. Generally, admixing small amounts of micro-sized solid inertants caused relative improvement on the dispersibility of combustible dust, forming a better dispersed cloud, and sometimes resulted in increased ignition sensitivity. However, the addition of agglomerate nano inert particles caused a multilayer coating of combustible particles, causing an increase in the effective surface area at the particle contact points, and thereby increasing cohesion in the powder mixtures. Higher inter-particle forces in turn enhanced the combustible particle agglomeration during dispersion, leading to an increase in effective particle size distribution.

COMPUTER MODELING OF AIR POLLUTION IN CASE OF DUST CLOUD MOVEMENT IN OPEN PIT MINE

Purpose. Explosions in open pits lead to the formation of dust clouds. These clouds lead to intense air pollution. An important task is the development of methods for predicting the dynamics of atmospheric air pollution during explosions in open pits. The purpose of this work is development of a numerical model to predict atmosphere pollution after explosion in open mine pit. The task is to develop a numerical model that would allow for the calculation to take into account the geometrical shape of the open pit mine, the parameters of the meteorological situation (wind speed, atmosphere), the shape of the dust cloud that is formed in the open pit mine at the site of the explosion. Methodology. Mathematical modeling of dust cloud dispersion during an explosion in an open pit mine is based on the use of fundamental equations of aerodynamics and mass transfer. The airflow velocity field in the open pit mine is modeled using the Laplace equation for the velocity potential. The formation of the concentration field of dust is modeled on the basis of the equation of convective-diffusion dispersion of an impurity. For numerical integration of modeling equations, difference schemes are used. The Laplace equation for the velocity potential is numerically integrated using the Richardson method. For the numerical integration of the convective-diffusion dispersion equation for an impurity, an implicit difference splitting scheme is used. Findings. A CFD model has been developed that allows you to calculate the formation of pollution zones during the movement of a dust cloud in the open pit mine. A feature of the developed model is the speed of calculation. For practical use of the developed model, standard input information is required. Originality. In contrast to the existing models in Ukraine, the developed numerical model allows taking into account the geometrical shape of the open pit mine and the geometrical shape of the dust cloud when making predictive calculations to assess the level of air pollution caused by explosions in open pits. Practical value. The developed numerical model can be implemented on computers of low and medium power. For practical use of the numerical model, standard information on meteorological conditions in open pit mine is required. The numerical model can be used for environmental assessment of the effect of explosions in open pit mine on environmental pollution and work areas.

Erratum: Celestial mechanics and polarization optics of the Kordylewski dust cloud in the Earth–Moon Lagrange point L5 – I. Three-dimensional celestial mechanical modelling of dust cloud formation

Erratum: Celestial mechanics and polarization optics of the Kordylewski dust cloud in the Earth–Moon Lagrange point L5 – I. Three-dimensional celestial mechanical modelling of dust cloud formation

Celestial mechanics and polarization optics of the Kordylewski dust cloud in the Earth–Moon Lagrange point L5 – Part II. Imaging polarimetric observation: new evidence for the existence of Kordylewski dust cloud

Telescopes mounted with polarizers can study the neutral points of the Earths atmosphere, the solar corona, the surface of planets/moons of the Solar System, distant stars, galaxies and nebulae. These examples demonstrate well that polarimetry is a useful technique to gather astronomical information from spatially extended phenomena. There are two enigmatic celestial objects that can also effectively be studied with imaging polarimetry, namely the Kordylewski dust clouds (KDCs) positioned around the L4 and L5 triangular Lagrangian libration points of the Earth-Moon system. Although in 1961 the Polish astronomer, Kazimierz Kordylewski had observed two bright patches near the L5 point with photography, many astronomers assume that these dust clouds do not exist, because the gravitational perturbation of the Sun, solar wind and other planets may disrupt the stabilizing effect of the L4 and L5 Lagrange points of the Earth and Moon. Using ground-born imaging polarimetry, we present here new observational evidence for the existence of the KDC around the L5 point of the Earth-Moon system. Excluding artefacts induced by the telescope, cirrus clouds or condensation trails of airplanes, the only explanation remains the polarized scattering of sunlight on the particles collected around the L5 point. By our polarimetric detection of the KDC we think it is appropriate to reconsider the pioneering photometric observation of Kordylewski. Our polarimetric evidence is supported by the results of simulation of dust cloud formation in the L5 point of the Earth-Moon system presented in the first part of this paper.

Celestial mechanics and polarization optics of the Kordylewski dust cloud in the Earth–Moon Lagrange point L5 – I. Three-dimensional celestial mechanical modelling of dust cloud formation

Since the discovery in 1772 of the triangular Lagrange points L4 and L5 in the gravitational field of two bodies moving under the sole influence of mutual gravitational forces, astronomers found a large number of minor celestial bodies around these points of the Sun-Jupiter, Sun-Earth, Sun-Mars and Sun-Neptune systems. The L4 and L5 points of the Earth and Moon may be empty due to the gravitational perturbation of the Sun. However, in 1961 Kordylewski found two bright patches near the L5 point, which may refer to an accumulation of interplanetary particles. Since that time this formation is called the Kordylewski dust cloud (KDC). Until now only a very few computer simulations studied the formation and characteristics of the KDC. To fill this gap, we investigated a three-dimensional four-body problem consisting of the Sun, Earth, Moon and one test particle, 1860000 times separately. We mapped the size and shape of the conglomeratum of particles not escaped from the system sooner than an integration time of 3650 days around L5. Polarimetric observations of a possible KDC around L5 are presented in the second part of this paper.

Experimental and numerical study of a dust cloud formation in the stratified positive column of a dc glow discharge in helium

The experimental and theoretical investigations of the formation of dust particle clouds in the stratified positive column of a dc glow discharge in helium were performed. The size and shape of a dust cloud that levitated in the strong electric field of the striations in a vertically oriented discharge tube were measured under different helium pressures. Axial electric field strength was also experimentally estimated. A model for radial distributions of all dusty plasma parameters of the positive column of the dc glow discharge was developed to describe the obtained experimental results. The model is based on the solution of a non-local Boltzmann equation for an electron energy distribution function, drift-diffusion equations for ions and dust particles, and a Poisson equation for a self-consistent radial electric field. The experimental and calculated results show that the size of the dust cloud decreases with the increase in the gas pressure, and the axial electric field strength pressure dependencies have minima. At low gas pressures, the dust particle charge number density increases and exceeds the electron density that strongly influences the plasma parameters.

Dust cloud evolution in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering

Context. In contemporary sub-stellar model atmospheres, dust growth occurs through neutral gas-phase surface chemistry. Recently, there has been a growing body of theoretical and observational evidence suggesting that ionisation processes can also occur. As a result, atmospheres are populated by regions composed of plasma, gas and dust, and the consequent influence of plasma processes on dust evolution is enhanced.Aim. This paper aims to introduce a new model of dust growth and destruction in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering.Methods. Using example sub-stellar atmospheres from DRIFT-PHOENIX, we have compared plasma deposition and sputtering timescales to those from neutral gas-phase surface chemistry to ascertain their regimes of influence. We calculated the plasma sputtering yield and discuss the circumstances where plasma sputtering dominates over deposition.Results. Within the highest dust density cloud regions, plasma deposition and sputtering dominates over neutral gas-phase surface chemistry if the degree of ionisation is ≳10−4. Loosely bound grains with surface binding energies of the order of 0.1–1 eV are susceptible to destruction through plasma sputtering for feasible degrees of ionisation and electron temperatures; whereas, strong crystalline grains with binding energies of the order 10 eV are resistant to sputtering.Conclusions. The mathematical framework outlined sets the foundation for the inclusion of plasma deposition and plasma sputtering in global dust cloud formation models of sub-stellar atmospheres.

Simulation of the Processes of Formation of a Dust Cloud in a Vacuum and in the Absence of Gravitation

This article is devoted to the simulation of the processes of formation of dust clouds in the absence of gravitation, which is necessary for understanding the processes proceeding in dust clusters in outer space, upper planetary atmosphere, and on the surface of space objects, as well as for evaluating the possibilities of creating disperse structures with given properties. The chief aim of the simulation is to determine the general laws of the dynamics of the dust cloud at the initial stage of its formation. With the use of the original approach based on the particle-in-cell method that permits investigating the mechanics of large ensembles of particles on contemporary computational platforms, we consider the mechanics of a dusty medium in the process of its excitation in a closed container due to the vibration of the walls, and then in the process of particle scattering when the container opens in outer space. The main formation mechanisms of a dust formation have been elucidated, and the possibilities of mathematical simulation for predicting spatial and time characteristics of disperse structures have been shown.

Probabilistic model of the Kordylewski dust clouds formation

Three body dynamics problems in the system of Earth-Moon are crucial for Space navigation safety. The existence of the stable periodic solutions, capturing the Lagrange libration points of the Earth-Moon system, under gravitational perturbation of the Sun is under investigation taking into account the light pressure of the Sun. A family of periodical orbits, which rises from the periodic solutions, is obtained. The probability of formation of cosmic dust clouds in these zones is estimated.

In situ X-ray diffraction measurement of shock-wave-driven twinning and lattice dynamics.

Pressure-driven shock waves in solid materials can cause extreme damage and deformation. Understanding this deformation and the associated defects that are created in the material is crucial in the study of a wide range of phenomena, including planetary formation and asteroid impact sites, the formation of interstellar dust clouds, ballistic penetrators, spacecraft shielding and ductility in high-performance ceramics. At the lattice level, the basic mechanisms of plastic deformation are twinning (whereby crystallites with a mirror-image lattice form) and slip (whereby lattice dislocations are generated and move), but determining which of these mechanisms is active during deformation is challenging. Experiments that characterized lattice defects have typically examined the microstructure of samples after deformation, and so are complicated by post-shock annealing and reverberations. In addition, measurements have been limited to relatively modest pressures (less than 100 gigapascals). In situ X-ray diffraction experiments can provide insights into the dynamic behaviour of materials, but have only recently been applied to plasticity during shock compression and have yet to provide detailed insight into competing deformation mechanisms. Here we present X-ray diffraction experiments with femtosecond resolution that capture in situ, lattice-level information on the microstructural processes that drive shock-wave-driven deformation. To demonstrate this method we shock-compress the body-centred-cubic material tantalum-an important material for high-energy-density physics owing to its high shock impedance and high X-ray opacity. Tantalum is also a material for which previous shock compression simulations and experiments have provided conflicting information about the dominant deformation mechanism. Our experiments reveal twinning and related lattice rotation occurring on the timescale of tens of picoseconds. In addition, despite the common association between twinning and strong shocks, we find a transition from twinning to dislocation-slip-dominated plasticity at high pressure (more than 150 gigapascals), a regime that recovery experiments cannot accurately access. The techniques demonstrated here will be useful for studying shock waves and other high-strain-rate phenomena, as well as a broad range of processes induced by plasticity.