Computational Modeling of Triboelectric Charge Mobility and Transfer

Abstract

Charged particles are of great interest in a number of fields, particularly in systems where the buildup of static or triboelectric charge leads to unintended interparticle interactions. These interactions lead to complex forces in both natural contexts, such as dust storms, and in industrial areas, such as in fluidized reactor beds. As a result, simulation of such systems is of great interest, and relies on computational methods to resolve the forces that arise as particles aggregate charge. In this work, we propose and apply a computational model for representing localized charge on discrete surface elements of particles in close contact. From this model, we can determine the forces acting between particles and study potential mechanisms for the mobility and transfer of charged species between contacting species. In comparison to existing studies in the field, our model allows charge carriers to move and relax from existing electrostatic interactions, showing that multiparticle interactions can change depending on the time scale between collisions. Additionally, we examine how the mechanism of charge mobility can affect the transfer of charge between colliding particles to better understand the physical phenomena at play. The results of the study may be used to motivate future work and application in multiphase flow calculations and charge transfer material studies.