Frequency and phase-lag effects on transport of particulates by an AC electric field

The dynamics of a charged particulate transported by a three-phase AC electric field is analyzed. The electric field is imposed by a series of parallel electrodes disposed inside a flat dielectric panel. An exact solution for the motion equation is proposed utilizing a new technique. The investigated conditions are for the curtain mode. The analysis shows that the forces acting on the particulate are much greater near the electrodes. This and the fact that the phase lag of the displacement vis-a-vis electric force exceeds a quarter cycle cause a great repulsion force to act on the particle when it passes through the bottom half of the trajectory, whereas a smaller attraction force acts during the top half. The difference between the repulsion and attraction momentums balances gravity and results in continuous levitation. The phase lag is sensitive to the applied electrical frequency; thus, only a limited range of frequencies causes continuous levitation