Dust Settling On the Southern Arava Region (Yousre Odeh Jan 28, 2010)

Supervised by Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed

Abstract Because of the increased demanding on the fossil fuels resources and the limited amount of fuels that is available in the world, the researchers face many challenges to use the renewable energy resources efficiently. For example, in our regions the most useful and efficient source of energy is the solar energy since it is considered as one of the highest radiation density point in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study is to focus on one of the most restriction that discouraging the popular usage of the solar systems, dust accumulation and its effect on the performance of the collectors.

Introduction: Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the degradation of the performance of solar, photovoltaic, and thermal panels due to Environmental conditions. Many collectors show reduction on its performance after a short time, electrical and thermal performance. Most of these panels designated to operate properly for more than twenty years, but it doesn't work that long because of the natural conditions affecting its performance. For this reason, it's important to study the degradation of the collectors leading to invent improvable techniques that might stop the efficient degradation due to natural conditions.

The performance of the solar collectors, thermal and photovoltaic collectors, is defined as the ability of the cover glass to allow the radiation to penetrate the surface. The performance varies due to the density of solar radiation at that area, the tilt angle of the panels, the properties of the materials, and the gradual degradation of collectors that depends on the accumulation of dust particulates (Elminir, Ghitas et al. 2006).

The primary source of the natural degradation is hail, chemical weathering process, natural airborne particulates (sand and soil) and industrial carbon and other dirt, (Bethea et al., 1983). The presence of the airborne in the atmosphere affects the performance of the collectors in a different way, 1

as shown in Figure [1], the density of dust on the atmosphere affecting the photovoltaic and dropping the performance of the panels. Moreover, it might cover the tracing sensor of the outdoor panels; therefore, it will not trace the sun anymore, (Khoshaim et al., 1983). Or it might penetrate the collectors under the glass layer and reduce the mirror reflectance, (Thomas et al., 1985). The other possibility, it might degrade the collectors due to its presence on the atmosphere with a high density because of the nearby industrial zones or sand storms that effect the amount of radiation to reach the panels finally (Goossens and Van Kerschaever 1999). For record, this study doesn't deal with the issue of the particulates on the sphere or inside the concentrator. It is going to focus on the effect of dust

particulates on the performance of the surface of the collectors.

Figure [1]: Reduction in the solar intensity received by photovoltaic panels (El-Shobokshy,M. and Hussein, M,1993)

Since the early 1960s, the scientists have noticed and studied the reduction of the collectors' performance due to the pollution of solar cells' surface (Al-hasan and Ghoneim 2005). Such studies, at that time, were focused mainly on the thermal cells and the effects of dust accumulation on the mirror reflectance (Dietz, 1963). On the other hand, the recent researches and studies cope up with the updated information that deals with the solar and photovoltaic panels. They highlight the negative results for the effect of dust on collectors. In this context, many experiments have been made to test the effect of dust on the solar panels in terms of the collected power, the effect of particles size, t he effect of wind on the accumulated dust, and the effect of different types of dust (limestone, cement and carbon) 2

(Goossens and Van Kerschaever 1999). These studies were more focused on the effect of particulates on the collected radiation in terms of its properties. Hence, they were restricted with laboratory conditions such as the type and size of particulates that used in the experiment under zero wind velocity. Other studies show the largest deposition which always occurred during high wind speed especially in the desert when large amount of sediment are eroded from the ground and the density of dust on the atmosphere is very high (Goossens and Offer, 1995).

Questions and/or Hypotheses This study is to determine the amount of the settling dust in the southern Arava region in order to expect the level of degradation of photovoltaic' performances. The importance of this study is to encourage researches to develop an improved technique to clean up the polluted surfaces of the collectors using time, energy, and water resources efficiently. It can also be used to develop techniques that might be used for cooling the solar system in Arava because the high level of radiation affects negatively its performance as well.

Study area The area of this study was distributed over three stations, Figure [2]. The collected data will help to determine the mass of dust that will settle per unit area in the following three stations: Kibbutz Ktura: a natural environment as there is no industrial activities playing role in dust. Kibbutz Yotvata: a polluted area since there is a cows farm there, the cows movement increases the density of dust on the atmosphere. Timna: Copper mines are there. Also, it is expected to be an active area in the near future. The study aimed to show if this affects the dust settling.

Figure [2]: containers will be setting up at A, B and C (edited google maps, 2009).

Methods and Procedures The methodology of this study is based on data collected from the three stations that we mentioned before in Arava. The method of determining the mass of dust settling per unit area was as follow: Five containers were placed in the three stations (two containers in each station except Ktura only one container was placed there) as shown in Figure [3].

Figure [3]: Container filled with distilled water in the station prepared for the experiment, (Odeh,Y and Shahin,S ,2009).

The containers were filled partially with a distilled water, with concerning that the level of distilled water in the container should be controlled periodically, this water were collected monthly for filtration process.

The collected water was filtered in the laboratory, Figure [4].before filtering water, the filters were weighted, and after filtration process the filters were dried and weighted again to determine the mass of insoluble particles using the following equation: Insoluble particle mass = (filter weight after drying)-(filter weight).

Figure [4]: Filtration process, the filters were placed in the funnels, weighted and marked according to the stations , (Odeh,Y and Shahin,S ,2009).

In order to determine the amount of soluble particles, a sample of 300mL were taken from the filtered water, these samples were placed in containers that were weighted before the

evaporation process in the Oven at 105 (Celsius degree), Figure [5]. When the water in the containers totally evaporated, the containers were weighted again using the following equation: Soluble Particle mass = (weight of the crucible after evaporation process)-(weight of the crucible before evaporation process).

Figure [5]: Evaporation process, the containers were placed in the Oven, weighted and marked according to the stations , (Odeh,Y and Shahin,S ,2009).

After collecting, analyzing data, and determining the amount of impurities in the atmosphere, the previous study showed the mass of settled dust in the three stations. Moreover, it showed how such amount of dust can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. The importance of this study lies on determining the effect of dust accumulation on a surface, so that this study will give an impression about the time and amount of collectors' degradation. In the future, this research will help to adjust systems that might be used for solar panels cleaning and cooling.

Limitations and Delimitations Bird droppings, algae, insects, and large planet matters are not considered as fallout particles. To minimize the effects of bird dropping a bird ring will be attached to containers whereas to avoid having algae and fungi in the containers, algaecides and fungicides might be added. Particles larger than 1mm can be removed by sieving (Lodge, 1989). Soluble gases: gas might dissolve on the liquid and act as soluble particles, but the gas mass will be neglected in this study (Lodge, 1989). Wind speed: wind speed will affect the amount of collected particles and to minimize the effect of the wind speed on the collected particles in this experiment a cylinder containers will be used (Lodge, 1989). Particles blowout: Dry particles might respond to wind and blow out of the containers. To avoid this interference, an amount of water is filled in the containers (Lodge, 1989). Leaching to/from the container surfaces: certain metal ions have been found to leach on various 6

materials, this interference can be neglected but it might influence the concentration of some chemical soluble (Lodge, 1989). Regarding particles, leaching from the containers surface issue can be avoided by rinsing the containers before using them (Lodge, 1989). Suitable Containers: containers as shown in the figure were not available, metal deep containers were used for this study; filled bottles of water were used to raise the water surface inside the containers, an attention should be paid that the used containers are metal containers and they might be oxide, corrosion might be seen in the containers. So, it is advised to use plastic containers. Supplies Water: distilled water will be used for this study and it's more preferable to conform to ASTM specifications D1193 for reagent water, type II (Lodge, 1989). Filter: Solid particulate matter should be removed by filter; the most appropriate for this process is a glass or quartz filter (Lodge, 1989). Algaecide and Fungicide: to eliminate the growth of algae in the containers, copper sulfate can be used. Or in order to inhabit the growth of fungi and algae in the containers an amount of 15mg/L of Mercuric Chloride will be added to the water container if the algae growth has been noticed before (Lodge, 1989). Gummed Identification Labels: These labels will be used to be attached to the collected water containers and the containers in the stations. Result The results that were achieved by experiment were corresponded to the unit of area as dust density (mass (g) per unit area (m)) , the units were changed in to Gram per square meter to compare this result with a previous study that showed the mass of dust settled on the surface of the photovoltaic panel versus the output voltage. Figure [6], shows the settled dust mass in the three locations. Yotvata station has the largest mass of settling dust. This is according to the fact that Yotvata has a big cows farm that is next to the containers, the cows movements increase the density of dust in the atmosphere. It shows the total amount of dust, including the soluble and insoluble particles in the stations.

Dust Settling On The Three Stations (g/square meter)

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

Yotvata1 1st Sample Yotvata2 1st Sample Yotvata1 2nd Sample Yotvata2 2nd Sample Yotvata1 3rd Sample Yotvata2 3rd Sample Timna1 1st Sample Timna2 1st Sample Timna1 2nd Sample Timna2 2nd Sample Timna1 3rd Sample Timna2 3rd Sample Ktura1 1st Sample Ktura1 2nd Sample Ktura1 3rd Sample

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Figure [6]: Mass of settled dust (soluble and insoluble) (g) per unit area (square meter) in each container each station per month (Odeh,Y and Shahin,S ,2009).

Data in figure [6], still within the realistic range, except Yotvata, since the reference value in Israel for total settling dust is 20 g/square meter per month.

Discussion According to the result achieved by this study, figure [6], it was clear that Yotvata station has the largest amount of settled dust, because of the cows waste and contamination. The cows move in that area, which increases the dust density in the atmosphere, also the study shows a relatively big amount of the particles in Timna 2, station, which might be as a result of corrosion in the container.

The effect that settled dust causes varies according to dust contamination type (Lime stone, Cement or Carbon), and according to diameter length as well. El-Shobokshy and Hussein made a study emphasized the degradation of photovoltaic cell performance due to dust deposition that covers its 8

surface. They made the study on particles that had mean diameter of 80 m and solar intensity of 195 W/square meter. They get the result as shown in figure [1].

By referring to Figure [1], it is possible to predict the level of degradation of photovoltaic panels installed in one of these stations over time. The result of this study shows dust settling mass density varies between (1.87 70.29 g/square meter). This means the reduction on the solar intensity also will vary between almost zeros until 15% as shown in figure [1]. The reduction in the solar intensity reduces the output voltage. El-Shobokshy and Hussein (1993) emphasized the (Current-Voltage with respect to the Dust Density in the atmosphere) relation and they proved the reduction of this relation according to the settled dust on the surface as shown in figure [7] .

Figure [7]: Different graphs show the reduction of photovoltaic output according to the amount of settled dust (ElShobokshy and Hussein,1993).

Again, comparing the result of this study with figure [7], the curves that illustrate current-Voltage curve were marked with green red curves (clean surfaces -77 g/square meter respectively ) of settled dust on the surface, after one month of installing the system and this the range of degradation of the photovoltaic panels' performance if they were installed in the stations. The effect of dust will be very high in Yotvata station. But in Timna and Ktura will be relatively less than that.

Conclusion

This study shows experimentally after analyzing samples of water collected from three stations; Yotvata, Timna and Ktura, by placing two containers in each station, filled partially with distilled water for one month over three months. It was clear that the settling dust would reduce the radiation significantly. However, getting more data over a whole year will allow us to determine the periods of high dust and will assist the selection of the appropriate technology for cleaning or preventing the dust settling. It is also considered as a base to predict the level of degradation of any photovoltaic system that might be installed in one of these stations.

Recommendations I recommend that this research should be applied over a whole year period moreover, taking multi samples from the same station will so that an accurate for a whole year will be available. I recommend using plastic containers for the same experiment in the future to avoid corrosion accumulation in the containers. I recommend that the filtration process should be repeated several times for each sample to have samples that are more accurate.

Acknowledgment I would like to thank Dr. Shmuel for directing me and helping me to compare the results with the international researches and studies. Also I would like to thank Dr. Clive for directing us in the research procedure and processes; I also would like to thank Suleiman Halasah for his support and guidance with the technical issues.

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References

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Dietz A. G. H. (1963) Introduction to the utilization of solar energy. In Diathermassous Material and Properties of Materials, Zarem A. M. and Erway D. D. (Eds), McGraw Hill, New York.

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Edited google maps, 2009, retrieved on 28 th, November, 2009 from http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+of+israel.

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Lodge, J. (1989). Methods of air sampling and analysis, CRC Press, pp.440-446

Thomas M. G., Fuentes M. K., Lashway C. and Black B. D.(1985) Reliability of photovoltaic systems: A field report. In Proc. 18th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf., Las Vegas,USA, pp. 1336 1341.

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