Application of Lotus Effect to Develop Anti-scaling Method for Geothermal Power Plant

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12275
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64050:Sound material-cycle social systems-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo National College of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Koyama Kohei 東京工業高等専門学校, 機械工学科, 准教授 (40597845)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 撥水性 / ロータス効果 / ピン止め力 / 接触角

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the pinning force was determined by dropping a water droplet onto a conical specimen made of SUS430. The contact angle of the droplet was measured. Experiments were conducted using conical specimens with radii ranging from 0.25 to 1.15 mm and bending angles from 45 to 105 degrees. After a drop of liquid was dropped onto the specimen, the contact angle of the droplet was measured with a contact angle meter. The pinning force was obtained based on the experimental results.
The relationship between the conical radius and the pinning force was discussed. The maximum pinning force was obtained for SUS430 and distilled water. The mechanism that the droplet fell down without staying on the conical surface was also clarified.

Free Research Field

流体工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は，材料表面で液体が撥水性を示す性質であるロータス効果を効率的に発生させる材料の開発に寄与することができる．接触角と材料表面の微細形状との関係を解明したことで，撥水性を考慮した材料設計をすることができる．撥水性は，地熱発電のような温泉利用設備におけるスケール付着を防止する効果が期待されている．本研究成果は，地熱発電普及を阻害する要因となっている温泉スケールの対策に応用することができる．