Air gaps are the principal insulating medium for transmission lines. The atmospheric conditions have an important nonlinear impact on the breakdown voltage prediction, such as temperature and humidity. Unlike previous studies that use a single model, this article introduces a weighted fusion approach, which has not previously been used to test the air gap insulation performance. This novel strategy assigns different importance levels to each model based on its strengths. The experimental breakdown voltage for plane-plane electrodes air gap is in good agreement with the estimated breakdown voltage using three neural network models: multilayer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function (RBF), and support vector regression (SVR). The performance of these models is measured using error metrics such as mean square error (mse), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean square percentage error (MSPE), and root mse (RMSE), with the RBF model showing the best accuracy, reaching mse values of 1.4139% for humidity and 1.3855% for temperature. This fusion method significantly improves prediction accuracy, reducing mse to 0.5378% for humidity and 0.6268% for temperature. The results confirm that the proposed approach enhances prediction reliability and helps improve insulation performance in power systems.

This investigation presents a comprehensive optimization framework for ozone generation in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) systems applied to water treatment processes. The study employs a Venturi injection configuration to systematically analyze the influence of three critical operational parameters: applied voltage (6-8 kV), oxygen flow rate (3-5 L/min), and water flow rate (8-16 L/min) on dissolved ozone concentration in treated water. Experimental design methodology utilizing MODDE 5.0 software enabled the development of a second-order polynomial mathematical model correlating input variables with ozone concentration response. The derived model demonstrated excellent statistical validity with coefficient of determination (R²) of 99.2% and predictive capability (Q²) of 90.3%, confirming robust model accuracy and reliability.Parameter optimization was achieved through implementation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, a bio-inspired metaheuristic approach that mimics collective intelligence behavior observed in natural swarms. The PSO methodology employed a population of 50 particles over 100 iterations to minimize prediction errors between theoretical model outputs and experimental measurements. Convergence analysis revealed rapid optimization performance, achieving optimal parameter extraction within 90 iterations. Comparative analysis between PSO-optimized parameters and conventional MODDE 5.0 results demonstrated superior performance of the proposed approach. Optimal operating conditions were identified as: applied voltage of 7.95 kV, oxygen flow rate of 3.38 L/min, and water flow rate of 8.27 L/min. The PSO-based optimization yielded enhanced ozone generation efficiency through reduced water flow rates and optimized voltage levels, confirming the voltage parameter as the dominant factor in ozone production.

The recycling of discarded electrical cables is important for recovering valuable copper and reducing the environmental burden of polymeric insulation waste. This study investigates a laboratory-scale vibratory separation system for recovering copper and plastic fractions from mechanically crushed cable waste. The objective was to evaluate the effects of motor speed and table inclination on separation efficiency and to develop statistical models for recovery and purity responses. Controlled 50/50 copper–plastic mixtures were prepared from pre-processed cable waste to ensure reproducible laboratory conditions, while recognizing that this feed is simplified compared with variable industrial cable-waste streams. Tests were conducted at motor speeds of 700–1200 rpm and four inclination configurations based on transverse tilt angle (α) and longitudinal tilt angle (β). The best performance within the tested experimental domain was obtained at α = 8°, β = 0°, and 1000 rpm, yielding copper recovery of 96.63% with 97.67% purity, and plastic recovery of 97.70% with 96.73% purity. Response surface regression models were developed to describe the influence of operating parameters on separation performance. Statistical analysis showed that motor speed and its quadratic term were the dominant factors, while the copper recovery model showed the strongest predictive performance. The results indicate that vibratory separation is a promising dry mechanical approach for copper–plastic separation under controlled laboratory conditions. However, further validation using real industrial feed streams, continuous feeding, dynamic vibration measurements, and energy-consumption analysis is required before broader industrial application can be confirmed.

A novel staged free-fall tribo-electrostatic separation method is proposed and investigated for the efficient recycling of mixed plastic granules. The separator is based on a cascade of inclined planar electrodes of identical polarity, designed to enhance particle deflection during free fall while maintaining a simple and mechanically robust configuration. The separation performance was evaluated through combined experimental tests and numerical simulations, focusing on the influence of key operating and material parameters. Experiments were conducted using two ternary mixtures of millimeter-sized plastic particles commonly found in waste electrical and electronic equipment, namely polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The results demonstrate that the staged-electrode configuration enables high separation efficiency, with recovery rates exceeding 92% of the total processed mass and product purities reaching up to 96% under optimal operating conditions. Numerical trajectory simulations support the experimental findings and confirm that separation performance is primarily governed by the particle charge-to-mass ratio and the applied electric field, while particle size and density play a secondary role within the investigated range.

Surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) ozone generators are a promising technology for industrial water treatment as well as air purification; however, they are under-studied. In this experimental study, three types of AC voltage waveforms (triangular, rectangular and sinusoidal) are compared to ozone generation and energy performance in the SDBD reactor. The optimal waveform was triangular, with an ozone concentration of 12 mg/L and an efficiency of 120 g/kWh. The second was the sinusoidal waveform (120 mg/L and 95 g/kWh, respectively). The most typical was the square waveform, with the rectangular one less effective. The optimum operating conditions are as follows (by response surface methodology (RSM)): V = 7.84 kV, f = 202.86 Hz (eta = 114.76 g/kWh) and V = 8.99 kV, f = 849.7 Hz (OC = 132.163 mg/L). This study highlights the importance of optimal waveform selection and systematic parameter tuning to improve ozone generation performance while minimising energy consumption for practical industrial SDBD applications.

This study experimentally investigated a double-gap dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor for ozone generation, comparing it to a conventional single-gap design under identical operating conditions. Electric field simulations revealed that the double-gap configuration achieved a more uniform and intensified electric field, with peak values reaching 1.4 x 10 7 V/m, substantially surpassing the single-gap's peak value of about 1 x 10 7 V/m. Voltage-current characteristics, Lissajous figures, and waveform analysis confirmed improved discharge behavior and reduced energy consumption in the double-gap reactor (19.5 W vs. 29.5 W). The influence of frequency, voltage, and oxygen flow rate on performance was also evaluated. In terms of performance, the DBD-DG system produced approximately 4.5-5.0 g/h of ozone, compared to 3.5-4.0 g/h for the DBD-SG, and achieved an energy efficiency of 250 g/kWh, twice that of the DBD-SG (125 g/kWh). These results establish the double-gap configuration as a promising, energy-efficient alternative for scalable, high-yield ozone generation.

This article presents the results of an experimental investigation into the separation of waste electrical cables using a new installation based on electrostatically assisted aspiration system. The installation operates with a plate conveyor that promotes the attachment of conductive particles to its surface under the influence of electrostatic forces, aiding in the separation process by aspirating the insulating particles. The operation of the installation is controlled by several factors such as the rotation speed of the aspirator motor, the high voltage applied to the curtain electrodes integrated into the conveyor plates, and the waste feed rate. This installation has demonstrated promising results in the separation of electrical cable waste with a particle size larger than 2 mm. Its major advantage lies in its ability to recover conductive particles with various sizes. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional productivity that exceeds 650 kg/h in a 1 m wide installation, making it suitable for industrial applications. However, the presence of powdered copper in electrical cable waste can cause insulation problems between the two electrodes of the electrostatic plate, so an insulating layer is applied to them. Based on the experimental models developed in this study, optimization techniques were applied to identify the optimal operating point of the installation. Then, an experimental analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of applying an insulating layer to the curtain electrode surface on particle behavior. Examining the parameters that influence the attachment force of conductive granules to the curtain electrode surface using a test bench designed in this study indicates that increasing the amplitude and frequency of the applied voltage can intensify this attachment force. For copper granules with a diameter between 0.3 and 0.5 mm recovered from cable scrap, force saturation occurs at 5 kV and above within a range of 3 to 7 kV and at a frequency of 10 to 90 Hz.

The recycling of cable waste is essential for sustainable material management, given its substantial content of valuable resources, such as copper and plastic. This study compares two separation methods: the mechanical separation (density-based separation) and electrostatic separation, for the efficient recovery of copper and plastic from cable waste. Laboratory-scale trials using a density table and a roll-type electrostatic separator were conducted to assess the performance, focusing on the influence of varying operational parameters. The results show that density separation achieved copper recovery rates up to 96.5% under optimal conditions, demonstrating significant resilience to environmental humidity fluctuations. In contrast, electrostatic separation produced high-purity fractions at optimized settings (28 kV, 80 rpm), but its efficiency was significantly compromised under elevated humidity due to increased plastic particle conductivity. Based on this study, a hybrid strategy that integrates both techniques to enhance recycling efficiency in industrial-scale operations is proposed.

In this paper, the "design of experiments" technique and “Response Surface Methodology” (RSM) were applied to optimize process parameters for electrostatic separation of particles. The study utilized a laboratory roll-type corona-electrostatic separator, with samples comprising 75 % copper and 25 % PVC obtained from electric cable waste. The investigation focused on understanding the behaviour of variables, their interactions, and their influences on purity and recovery rates of separated conductive and insulating materials. The factors under study were the high-voltage level, rotating roll speed, and granular feed rate. To validate the findings, real tests were conducted on an operational separator using 120 kg of a granular mixture of waste electrical cables. Using RSM, it was possible to minimize the number of experiments required for optimization, leading to a more efficient process.

Driven by recent progress in electrostatic separation techniques, there is growing interest in their industrial applications, particularly for waste recycling processes. This study investigates the effectiveness of two electrostatic separator configurations, with a particular focus on mitigating particle-electrode collisions, a significant challenge in conventional designs. To address this limitation, a novel segmented electrode configuration is proposed to improve particle sorting efficiency while minimizing collision events. The separation performance has been assessed through a numerical model, with the inclination angles of the electrodes held constant. A final verification of the model has been carried out using a high-speed camera. The Matlab-based numerical model accurately predicts experimental results, validating its suitability for further optimization studies. The results demonstrate the elimination of the charge/mass ratio limitations reported in previous studies, and highlight that electrodes segmentation significantly improves the particles’ deflection with more than 38 % for the final position with same initial conditions.

This study investigates a novel double-side electrostatic actuator (DSEA) comprising a dielectric layer sandwiched between a copper mesh electrode (top) and a plate electrode (bottom). The DSEA was driven by a polyphase square wave voltage applied to each electrode through high voltage amplifiers. Experimental analysis, utilizing copper and aluminum particles and employing an aspirator above the DSEA, demonstrated an electroadhesion force acting on both types of particles deposited on the top surface. This phenomenon, combined with the difference in particle mass, enabled high-purity separation of copper and aluminum particles with recovery rates exceeding 99 %.

The study presents the development of a novel hybrid ozone generator utilizing dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technology for water treatment applications. This generator features a cylindrical design with multiple stainless steel balls as the internal high-voltage electrode, enhancing the electric field and increasing ozone concentration. Key results indicate that the hybrid configuration outperforms traditional volume and surface DBD systems in both ozone production and energy efficiency. Specifically, the hybrid reactor with smaller balls achieved ozone concentrations approximately 2 to 3 times higher than those produced by surface and volume DBD generators. Additionally, energy efficiency exceeded 500 g/kWh at low voltages for the hybrid system, significantly surpassing the efficiencies of the other configurations. The experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid reactor can decolorize contaminated water more effectively, achieving near-complete discoloration in just 20 min, compared to 30 min for conventional systems. This research highlights the potential of hybrid DBD systems in improving ozone generation efficiency for environmental applications, particularly in water treatment processes.

In this work, a rotating actuator was employed to build a new electrostatic separator. This actuator is made of a double-layer Printed Circuit Board with a helical electrode on top side and a circular electrode on the bottom side. The separation efficiency of this device was evaluated using millimeter-sized copper/plastic particles. To get the optimum separation results, many parameters were investigated, including the level and shape of the voltage delivered to the electrodes. The collected data revealed that the best recovery and purity rates were reached.

This article presents the results of an experimental investigation into the separation of waste electrical cables using a new installation based on electrostatically assisted aspiration system. The installation operates with a plate conveyor that promotes the attachment of conductive particles to its surface under the influence of electrostatic forces, aiding in the separation process by aspirating the insulating particles. The operation of the installation is controlled by several factors such as the rotation speed of the aspirator motor, the high voltage applied to the electrodes integrated into the conveyor plates, and the waste flow rate. This installation has demonstrated promising results in the separation of electrical cable waste with a particle size larger than 2 mm. Its major advantage lies in its ability to recover conductive particles with various sizes. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional productivity that exceeds $650 ~\text{kg} / \mathrm{h}$ in a 1 m wide installation, making it suitable for industrial applications. Based on the experimental models developed in this study, optimization techniques were applied to identify the optimal operating point of the installation.

This study presents a novel actuator design for photovoltaic (PV) panel cleaning using ionic wind generation. The compact design features two electrodes: a high-voltage sawtooth electrode and a grounded electrode with parallel tubes, housed in a 60 cm frame that matches the width of the solar panel. The actuator moves on the panel surface and generates ionic wind through an opening at its base, effectively removing sand dust. We experimentally analysed wind speed and power consumption, investigating the influence of electrode configuration, electrode spacing, inter-tube distance and applied voltage. First, “one factor at a time” experiments identified preliminary ranges for voltage, electrode spacing, and inter-tube distance. Subsequently, a Design of Experiments (DOE) using a central composite design was implemented to develop wind speed and power consumption models. It was found that all three factors had a significant effect on the wind speed, with an optimal configuration achieving nearly 3 m/s at minimal power consumption.

This study presents the outcomes of an experimental investigation aimed at evaluating the combined impact of irrigating tomatoes with ozonated water and applying organic fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse equipped with an innovative ozonated water generation system. Tomato seeds were planted in 240 pots of 2-liter volume, arranged in 16 rows with 15 pots each. Alongside the native greenhouse topsoil, three distinct substrate mixtures incorporating compost compositions of 10%, 20%, and 40% were examined. Regular irrigation, twice a week, was implemented using three varying concentrations of dissolved ozone in water (1, 2, and 3 ppm). Results obtained after approximately three months of cultivation unveiled an almost twofold increase in plant productivity with ozonated water irrigation. This effect was notably pronounced when utilizing the native topsoil and a substrate containing 10% compost, coupled with an ozone concentration of 2 ppm. Intriguingly, the use of ozonated water facilitated enhanced development of both aerial and root components of the tomato plants. Moreover, the study suggests that organic fertilization may not be necessary when irrigating with ozonated water, as comparable productivity was observed for both fertilized and non-fertilized soil substrates. Although physicochemical analyses indicated minimal alterations, the noticeable improvement in plant vitality underscores the positive influence of ozone.

There are several devices designed for the processing of millimeter-sized granular mixtures, but few devices are specifically designed for the treatment of micronized particles. That's why a rotating cylinder separator has been developed to address this specific need. This separator stands out by not requiring a tribocharging device. Instead, it utilizes the charge acquired by the particles during the grinding process to separate them. To ensure its proper functioning, the separator requires an electrode cleaning system, such as a brush connected to the electrode. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of various elements that may affect the new electrostatic separator's performance. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) were combined in a binary mixture for the experiments. Three control factors were examined: the applied high voltage, the particle flow rate, and the cylinder's rotation speed. The purity measurement was carried out using a visual method. The obtained results were extremely satisfactory, confirming the effectiveness of this equipment

We present a new technique for cleaning solar panels using a corona ionic wind generated by a system that includes a high-voltage wire electrode and a grounded frame electrode. The device, equipped with two driven wheels at its extremities, moves along the panel to clean dust using the ionic wind generated from a small opening located at the bottom of the front wall. To evaluate the device's performance, we measured the wind speed and cleaning efficiency at varying movement speeds and applied voltage levels, both in positive and negative polarities. Our experiments using Algerian Sahara sand dust with an average particle size of about 480 & mu;m showed that at an applied voltage of 25 kV and a current of 400 & mu;A, the ionic wind speed reached about 2 m/s, and the cleaning efficiency was as high as 95%.

This study thoroughly analyzes the performance of roll-type electrostatic separators compared to an innovative method based on electrostatically assisted aspiration for sorting copper and PVC particles from electrical cable waste. The results of this study highlight the capacity of roll-type separators to recover between 98 and 100% of PVC particles at relatively low rotation speeds. However, at these speeds, a significant proportion of copper ends up inadvertently in the PVC bins. The new electrostatic separator, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility. By carefully adjusting the parameters, it achieves satisfactory recovery rates for both copper and PVC. Thus, the choice of the most suitable parameters will depend on the desired material and the compromises acceptable in terms of recovery efficiency.