Particle Transport–Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Mass-Flow Detection and Explosion Early Warning

In the process of particle transport in pipes, particles get charged, and the discharge process can cause fire and explosion, which causes great harm to the safe production. In this paper, a particle transport triboelectric nanogenerator (PT-TENG) based on particle transport in pipes is developed. The PT-TENG can be utilized to monitor the mass-flow of the particles and make explosion early warning without supplying the power. Under the condition of particles passing one by one, the moving speed of the particles can be obtained. When the particles transport continuously, the PT-TENG can be used as a self-powered detector to detect the mass flow of the particles in time. The mass flow detector can be installed both inside and outside the transport pipe. The PT-TENG can be used as a power source to charge capacitors and light up light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Moreover, a self-powered explosion early warning device has been developed based on the PT-TENG, which will have widespread application in the safety production.