FILTRATION OF FLUE GAS IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES USING DIELECTROPHORESIS

The paper investigates the possibility to improve the filtering process of flue gas by controlling entrapment of suspended nanoparticle using dielectrophoresis (DEP). A realistic description of the manipulation process requires an accurate description of microchannel geometry and a precise evaluation of the DEP forces spatial distribution. The work presents the results of a numeric study which aims to characterize the functionality of a 3D DEP-based microsystem for the selective manipulation of nanometric particles. The analysis focuses on the nanoparticles having radii ranging from 50 to 150 nm, particles that cannot be filtrated by classical techniques but have a harmful effect for environment and human health. The solutions of the DEP force and particle concentration distribution for a typical separation device with interdigitated electrodes array are calculated using the COMSOL Multiphysics finite element solver. The performances of the device are analyzed in terms of a specific quantity related to the separation process, called Filtration efficiency. The simulations provide the optimal set of values for the control parameters of the separation process, and represent a useful tool in designing of microfluidic devices for separating nanoparticles from flue gas.