Abstract
Electric discharge phenomenon is often observed during the passage of sandstorms over desert regions and sometimes does great damage to human beings. Based on previous researches on the electrification of sandstorms by the scholars both at home and aboard, the authors conducted the simulation experiments on the electric fields of sandstorm-triggered creeping-saltating sand, suspending sand and watered suspending sand in the large-scale wind tunnel. According to the experimental results the electric field structure and its formation mecha-nism were analysed and discussed, the quantity of electric charges and electric field strength were measured and calculated, and finally several conclusions were drawn.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dong, G. R., Gao, S. Y., Jin, J. et al., Land Desertification and Control Ways in Gonghe Basin of Qinghai Province (in Chinese), Beijing: Science Press, 1993, 56–58, 79-81.
Shaw, P. E., Tribo-electricity and friction, IV: Electricity due to air-blow particles, Proc. R. Soc. (A), 1929, 122: 49–58.
Gill, E. W. B., Frictional electrification of sand, Nature, 1948, 18(4): 568–569.
Latram, J., The electrification of snowstorm and sandstorms, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 1964, 90: 91–95.
Greeley, R., Leack, R., A preliminary assessment of the effects of electrostatic on aeolian process, in Rep. Planet Geol. Program, 1977–1978, NASATM79729, 1978, 236–237.
Schmidt, D. S., Schmidt. R. A., Electrostatic force on saltating sand, J. Geophys. Res., 1998, 103(4): 8997–9001.
Schmidt, D. S., Dent, J. D., A theoretical prediction of the effects of electrostatic forces on salting snow particles, Ann. Glaciol., 1993, 18: 234–238.
Wener, B. T., A steady-state model of wind -blown sand transport, J. Geol., 1990, 98: 1–17.
Wang, S.G., Dong, G.R., Chen, H.Z., Progress in sand storm re-search, J. Desert Res. (in Chinese), 2000, 20(4): 349–353.
Yan, M. H., Guo, C. M., Ge, Z. M., Two-dimensional model study of cumulus dynamics and electrification processes, Acta Geo-physica Sinica (in Chinese), 1996, 39(20): 62–77.
Zhang, Y. J., Yan, M. H., Liu, X. S., Study on the model of thun-derstorm discharge, Chinese Science Bulletin (in Chinese), 1999, 44(12): 1322–1325.
Qu, J. J., Sun, H. Y., Li, J. G., Analysis of Markav model of sand-storms at southern margin of Tengger Desert, J. Desert Res. (in Chinese), 2001, 21(supp.): 206–208.
Huang, N., Zheng, X.J., Experimental determination of electrifi-cation phenomena of sand particles in Aeolian sand flow, Chinese Science Bulletin (in Chinese), 2000, 45(20): 2232–2235.
Zhu, J.J., Kuang, Z.B., Zou, X.Y. et al., Saltation in wind blown sand, Science in China, Ser. A (in Chinese), 1998, 28(3): 266–274.
Yang, B., Discussion on drag coefficient and lift coefficient of saltation particles in air flow, J. Desert Res. (in Chinese), 1998, 18(1): 70–76.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jianjun, Q., Yan, M., Dong, G. et al. Wind tunnel simulation experiment and investigation on the electrification of sandstorms. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 47, 529–539 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1360/01yd0478
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1360/01yd0478