Influence of particle location on the number of charges per charged nanoparticle at the outlet of a needle charger

This study has investigated numerically the influence of particle location on the number of charges per charged particle in the 10–40 nm size range at the outlet of a needle charger by simulating flow field, electric field, particle charging, and particle trajectory at various conditions. The results show that the total (i.e., diffusion + field charging) number of charges per particle increase with decreasing ratio values of radial location at the outlet of the charger due to the particle position close to the needle tip. It has also been shown that in the outlet region of the charger there is a critical radial location at which the number of charges per particle is a maximum; this critical radial location represents the point at which the charged particle trajectory becomes closest to the needle electrode. The maximum value of number of charges increases with increasing Reynolds number and slightly increases with decreasing applied voltage for particle diameter larger than 20 nm. The maximum number of charges per charged nanoparticle increases with increasing particle diameter. In addition, the minimum ratio value of radial particle location decreases with increasing Reynolds number for various particle diameters.

Implications: In this work, the influence of particle location on the number of charges per charged nanoparticle at the outlet of a needle charger has been investigated using numerical models under different conditions. The results demonstrate that the radial location affects the number of charges per particle at the outlet of the charger. The maximum number of charges increases with increasing particle diameter, and the minimum ratio value of radial particle location decreases with increasing Reynolds number. The numerical models explain and quantify the number of charges on the charged particle in the 10–40 nm size range from the outlet of the needle charger at various conditions.     

Evaluation of cyclone performance in different gases

A new set of the cyclone efficiency data is reported. The particle collection efficiency data have been obtained as a function of particle size, flow rate, cyclone size, and gas properties. Cyclones of four different dimensions were used covering a flow rate range of 9.1–19.5 l min ⁻¹ and a particle size range of 0.5–25 μm. Both liquid and solid particles were used. For varying the gas properties, air and argon were used.The experimental results suggest that in addition to the gas viscosity, the gas density plays an equally important role in cyclone performance. It was found that increasing the gas density enhances particle collection characteristics. Among the several parameters tested, the Reynolds number using the inlet gas velocity and the exit tube diameter was found to show the strongest correlation on the cut size.     

Preparation of electrospun polyurethane filter media and their collection mechanisms for ultrafine particles

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile process to produce polymer nanofibers, which are useful for ultrafine particle filtration. In this study, a polyurethane filter with an average fiber diameter of 150–250 nm was prepared through the electrospinning process and its filtration characteristics were investigated. We found that the electrospun fiber diameter was highly dependent on the polyurethane concentration, electric field, and tip-to-collector distance. As the polyurethane concentration, electric field, and tip-to-collector distance under the same electric field increased, the fiber diameter increased. We also found that the produced filter media had a minimum collection efficiency at particles sizes from 80 to 100 nm, which implies an electrostatic attraction between the filter and the test particles. Furthermore, we observed that interception was a predominant collection mechanism at Peclet numbers higher than 10 in nanofiber filtration for ultrafine particles.

Implications:

A polyurethane nanofiber filter with excellent mechanical properties was prepared, and the effect of operating conditions on fiber morphology was examined. The filter fabricated by an electrospinning process is charged and has high filtration efficiency due to electrostatic force. Therefore, it can be a good alternative to control hazardous ultrafine particles.     

Collection efficiency of a midget impinger for nanoparticles in the range of 3–100 nm

Impingers have been employed for collection of biological particles for a long time and the collection efficiency for submicron particles has been well studied for a few impinger models, like the SKC Biosampler and the AGI 30. These efficiency studies have been limited to particles larger than about 15 nm. The aim of this research is to determine the collection efficiency of ultrafine particles (from 3 to 100 nm) of a 25 ml midget impinger. The effect of different collection parameters (particle type, collection fluid volume and type and flow rate) was studied and results are presented here. All results showed minimum collection efficiencies from 3 to 10% at approximately 40–57 nm. Increasing the volume of the collection liquid and flow rate improved the collection efficiency of the impinger.     

固定床中粒状脱硫剂除尘效率的研究

建立了非稳态过滤下的固定床颗粒层除尘效率模型.该模型尽可能地包含了影响固定床颗粒层除尘的参数,反映了沉积粉尘对除尘效率的影响;研究了以粒状脱硫剂为滤料的固定床在不同颗粒层厚度、空床气速、粒径下的除尘效率.结果表明,在颗粒层厚度为400～800 cm、空床气速≤0.4 m/s的条件下,颗粒层的除尘效率可达90％以上.     

公路隧道空气颗粒物净化实验研究

研制了窄极距双区电除尘公路隧道空气颗粒物净化系统,研究了粉尘浓度、粉尘粒度、工作电压及电场风速等主要因素对其净化性能的影响。结果表明,该技术方案可行,颗粒物净化效率随粉尘浓度及电场风速增大而降低,随工作电压及粉尘粒径增高而提高。     

Influence of particle location on the number of charges per charged nanoparticle at the outlet of a needle charger

This study has investigated numerically the influence of particle location on the number of charges per charged particle in the 10-40 nm size range at the outlet of a needle charger by simulating flow field, electric field, particle charging, and particle trajectory at various conditions. The results show that the total (i.e., diffusion + field charging) number of charges per particle increase with decreasing ratio values of radial location at the outlet of the charger due to the particle position close to the needle tip. It has also been shown that in the outlet region of the charger there is a critical radial location at which the number of charges per particle is a maximum; this critical radial location represents the point at which the charged particle trajectory becomes closest to the needle electrode. The maximum value of number of charges increases with increasing Reynolds number and slightly increases with decreasing applied voltage for particle diameter larger than 20 nm. The maximum number of charges per charged nanoparticle increases with increasing particle diameter. In addition, the minimum ratio value of radial particle location decreases with increasing Reynolds number for various particle diameters.     

长纤维过滤器过滤过程的数值模拟

在长纤维束过滤器动力学模型和现场实验数据的基础上,利用Comsol Mulitiphysics仿真软件对长纤维束过滤器过滤过程进行数值模拟。将3类仿真曲线(滤出水颗粒浓度随时间的变化曲线、滤液浓度沿滤层的变化曲线、滤床各层比积泥量的变化曲线)与实验所得的真实曲线分别进行对比,两者比较接近。说明该过滤过程模型可用于影响长纤维束过滤器运行特性中单个或多个变化因素(初始滤速、纤维束装填密度、流入浓度和纤维丝直径等)实验结果的估算,可作为长纤维过滤器的实验研究、操作优化和结构设计的参考。     

A detailed numerical study of the evolution of soot particle size distributions in laminar premixed flames

In this work, two numerical techniques, viz. the method of moments and a discrete h-p-Galerkin method, have been applied for numerical simulation of soot formation in a laminar premixed acetylene/oxygen/argon flame. From the evolution of the PAH and the soot particle size distributions, new insight into the different processes of soot formation is provided. For this, the single submodels have been examined with respect to their influence on the PAH and the soot particle size distributions. The particle inception step was studied in detail by comparing the simulated PAH size distributions with experimental results. Additionally, an estimation of the interaction energy of layered PAH dimers was performed by quantum chemical calculations. From these results, some evidence for the particle inception model employing coalescence of PAH molecules has been found. The numerical results for the gas phase chemical species, the particle number densities and volume fractions of soot as well as for the soot particle size distributions are compared with experimental data. Thereby, the consistency of the entire model is demonstrated.     

The modality of particle size distributions of environmental aerosols

Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fractions has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of air pollution. While total number and mass concentrations may play an important role in exposure and risk assessment analyses, often an understanding of the particle size distributions provides more information on the type of atmospheric processes resulting in the distributions. The modality of the particle size distribution is one such aspect that has been associated with the aerosol formation mechanisms. The aim of this work is to provide a detailed analysis of the modal characteristics of a large number of particle size spectra collected over a period of three years for a range of ambient aerosol types. Measurements of over 6000 size distributions in the size range 0.016–30 μm were made using a scanning mobility particle sizer and an aerodynamic particle sizer for various ambient aerosols including: traffic influenced, urban, vegetation burning influenced, marine, modified background and suburban. Advanced data analytical procedures were adopted to combine the distributions from the two instruments for the calculation of the volume size distributions to allow clear interpretation of the modal characteristics. It was determined that, while in most cases there is a distinct nuclei mode in the number size distribution, this does not translate to a nuclei mode in the volume size distribution. Furthermore, while many of the number size distributions were different for each aerosol studied, the volume distributions were similar. This finding has serious implications for the setting of mass-based air quality standards.     

Performance of a Pulse-Jet Filter at High Filtration Velocity III. Penetration by Fault Processes

Performance data for fabric filters using either woven or felt bags can be better understood when fault processes such as pinhole bypass and seepage are considered. Penetration straight through the dust cake and fabric may not be important by comparison. Observed trends of increased penetration with increased filtration velocity, constant or slightly increased penetration with increasing particle diameter, and constant penetration with additional dust loading can be explained by fault processes. The pulse-jet experimental work described here, done over many filtration and cleaning cycles, shows that penetration increases substantially with increasing filtration velocity and that this increase is due entirely to seepage.     

Determination of the Sodium Carbonate-Sulfur Dioxide Reaction Rate Coefficient at 450°F

Abstract

Gas-phase dispersion in granular biofilter materials with a wide range of particle sizes was investigated using atmospheric air and nitrogen as tracer gases. Two types of materials were used: (1) light extended clay aggregates (LECA), consisting of highly porous particles, and (2) gravel, consisting of solid particles. LECA is a commercial material that is used for insulation, as a soil conditioner, and as a carrier material in biofilters for air cleaning. These two materials were selected to have approximately the same particle shape. Column gas transport experiments were conducted for both materials using different mean particle diameters, different particle size ranges, and different gas flow velocities. Measured breakthrough curves were modeled using the advection-dispersion equation modified for mass transfer between mobile and immobile gas phases. The results showed that gas dispersivity increased with increasing mean particle diameter for LECA but was independent of mean particle diameter for gravel. Gas dispersivity also increased with increasing particle size range for both media. Dispersivities in LECA were generally higher than for gravel. The mobile gas content in both materials increased with increasing gas flow velocity but it did not show any strong dependency on mean particle diameter or particle size range. The relative fraction of mobile gas compared with total porosity was highest for gravel and lowest for LECA likely because of its high internal porosity.     

Acid Particles and the Tracheobronchial Region of the Respiratory System—An “Irritation-Signaling” Model for Possible Health Effects

This paper explores some detailed mechanistic hypotheses for the possible action of acid particles on the tracheobronchial region of the human respiratory system. Because of the buffering capacity and volume of mucus produced per day it appears doubtful that ordinary ambient exposures to acid particles could markedly change the overall pH of tracheobronchial mucus considered as a whole. However it is possible that individual acidic particles could contain enough acid to deliver localized “irritant signals” that could be the triggers for enhanced mucus secretion and cell division in sensitive portions of the bronchial tree, and thereby contribute to the processes involved in chronic bronchitis.

Depending on the exact pH depression required for a “signal” to be perceived by the tracheobronchial epithelium, the acid content of the incoming particles per unit weight, and the effect of neutralization by ammonia in the upper respiratory tract, the minimum size of an acidic particle required to deliver a perceptible signal might range from about 0.4 to 0.7 microns for portions of the epithelium that are frequently swept by 4-micron mucus droplets. (For unprotected epithelium, however, it is conceivable that the minimum effective size for acid particles could be less.) Since particle number per unit weight declines dramatically with increasing particle size, the most potent fraction of particles in terms of signals delivered per μg/m³is likely to be just above the minimum size that is needed to produce an effective signal. The model developed here makes predictions of the relative potency of particles of different size and acid delivery capacity that could be tested in both experimental animal systems and human epidemiological studies.     

Empirical correlations to estimate agglomerate size and deposition during injection of a polyelectrolyte-modified Fe0 nanoparticle at high particle concentration in saturated sand

Controlled emplacement of polyelectrolyte-modified nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) particles at high particle concentration (1-10 g/L) is needed for effective in situ subsurface remediation using NZVI. Deep bed filtration theory cannot be used to estimate the transport and deposition of concentrated polyelectrolyte-modified NZVI dispersions (>0.03 g/L) because particles agglomerate during transport which violates a fundamental assumption of the theory. Here we develop two empirical correlations for estimating the deposition and transport of concentrated polyelectrolyte-modified NZVI dispersions in saturated porous media when NZVI agglomeration in porous media is assumed to reach steady state quickly. The first correlation determines the apparent stable agglomerate size formed during NZVI transport in porous media for a fixed hydrogeochemical condition. The second correlation estimates the attachment efficiency (sticking coefficient) of the stable agglomerates. Both correlations are described using dimensionless numbers derived from parameters affecting deposition and agglomeration in porous media. The exponents for the dimensionless numbers are determined from statistical analysis of breakthrough data for polyelectrolyte-modified NZVI dispersions collected in laboratory scale column experiments for a range of ionic strength (1, 10, and 50mM Na(+) and 0.25, 1, and 1.25 mM Ca(2+)), approach velocity (0.8 to 55 × 10(-4)m/s), average collector sizes (d(50)=99 μm, 300 μm, and 880 μm), and polyelectrolyte surface modifier properties. Attachment efficiency depended on approach velocity and was inversely related to collector size, which is contrary to that predicted from classic filtration models. High ionic strength, the presence of divalent cations, lower extended adsorbed polyelectrolyte layer thickness, decreased approach velocity, and a larger collector size promoted NZVI agglomeration and deposition and thus limited its mobility in porous media. These effects are captured quantitatively in the two correlations developed. The application and limitations of using the correlations for preliminary design of in situ NZVI emplacement strategies is discussed.     

Specifying Venturi Scrubber Throat Length for Effective Particle Capture at Minimum Pressure Loss Penalty

A simplified equation for specifying the optimum minimum length for commercial venturi scrubber throats is presented in this paper. This theoretical correlation is derived using an optimum velocity ratio (velocity of collector droplet at end of venturi throat to velocity of gas in throat) and is a function of throat gas velocity and liquid to gas ratio. This velocity ratio establishes the minimum throat length and is based on available literature data. Predicted venturi scrubber particle collection for throats specified by this procedure compare favorably with reported commercial venturi collection efficiencies and with modeled venturi efficiencies over the practical range of venturi scrubber operation.     

工艺条件对鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度的影响

采用激光粒度仪实验测定了小型套管式空气曝气填料层磷回收装置中不同条件下生成的鸟粪石晶体的体积平均粒径,考察了其变化规律,并结合Stokes公式计算了晶体的沉降速率,同时考虑鸟粪石晶体形状的影响,进行了相应的修正。实验结果表明,鸟粪石的粒径在10—200μm之间,主要集中于20～100μm;在磷回收装置中添加填料并通人空气有利于增大鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度,无填料无空气时和有填料有空气时的平均粒径分别在30～55μm和40～65μm之间。随着pH值的增大,鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度逐渐增大,但当pH大于9．0后,鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度又逐渐减小;氮磷比值从1：1增大到2：1,鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度小幅度增加,氮磷比进一步增大,鸟粪石晶体的粒径和沉降速度基本不变;镁磷摩尔比在1：1—1．2：1的范围内时,鸟粪石晶体的平均粒径和沉降速度随镁磷比的增大而增大;镁磷摩尔比大于1．2：1后,鸟粪石晶体的平均粒径和沉降速度随镁磷比的增大逐渐减小;初始磷浓度越高,鸟粪石晶体的平均粒径和沉降速度越大。     

Design and Testing of a New Size Classifying Isokinetic Sequential Aerosol Sampler

Two versions of a size-classifying isokinetic sequential aerosol sampler (SCISAS) have been designed, built, tested, and deployed in a field program in the southwestern United States. The SCISAS units can operate at unattended sites, exposing four or more filter types simultaneously, in two size ranges, for six sampling time Intervals. Design considerations included theoretical estimates of aerosol particle losses in the 0-15 μm size range.

SCISAS prototypes have been tested to evaluate their sampling efficiency as a function of flow rate, the sensitivity of the sampling efficiency to isokinetic matching within the SCISAS sampling stack, the equivalency of their sampling ports, and their passive deposition characteristics. The prototypes were also compared to several other types of aerosol filtration samplers already in common use. These tests show that particle loss mechanisms within the SCISAS usually cause no more than 5 percent losses, and that the SCISAS units agree, within one to two measurement uncertainty intervals, with other types of aerosol samplers.     

The impact of biomass burning on the environmental aerosol concentration in Gaborone,Botswana

Biomass burning, in the form of savanna fires and firewood for cooking and warmth, is widespread during the dry winter months in Southern Africa. This study was carried out to investigate its impact on the environment in Gaborone, Botswana, which is a small-sized city with very little pollution from industrial sources. Measurements of aerosol size and number concentrations were carried out at the University of Botswana campus in Gaborone from September 1999 to July 2000 using two automatic laser scattering particle counters. Particles were monitored in eight size ranges from 0.1 to 5.0 μm. The mean daily particle concentrations were found to vary from about 200 cm⁻³ on clear visibility days during the summer to a high of over 9000 cm⁻³ on cold winter evenings, when there was a significant smoke haze over the city. Particle concentrations were noticeably higher during the winter than in the summer. During a typical winter day, the total particle concentration peaked between 18 and 23 h, often showing an increase of over four-fold from mid-morning minimum values. The aerosol number size distributions under various conditions were investigated and the corresponding surface area and volume distributions were derived. In general, both the surface and volume distributions were bimodal with peaks close to 0.2 μm and at 5.0 μm or greater. A hand-held counter with a minimum detectable particle size of 0.3 μm was used to monitor the size and number concentrations of aerosols across the city. The results indicate a consistent pattern of maximum concentration in the highly populated areas close to the city centre, falling significantly in the sparsely populated outlying areas by up to an order of magnitude during peak biomass burning, suggesting that much of the smoke particles in the city are removed by wind.     

工艺条件对磷回收过程中鸟粪石沉淀颗粒粒径的影响

在鸟粪石沉淀法回收废水中磷的过程中,鸟粪石颗粒的大小将直接影响其沉淀的速率,进而影响鸟粪石的沉淀效果和磷的回收率。本文采用激光粒度分析仪测定鸟粪石的平均粒径,详细考察在小型连续搅拌反应-沉淀磷回收装置中不同的工艺条件下鸟粪石颗粒粒径的变化规律,并结合Stokes公式计算鸟粪石颗粒在废水出口处的沉降速率,为沉淀池的设计提供参考依据。结果表明:鸟粪石的平均粒径在12～25μm之间,沉降速率在5.46×10-5～2.37×10-4m/s之间。随着反应室水力停留时间的延长,鸟粪石颗粒的粒径逐渐增大,当停留时间超过18 min时,颗粒的粒径基本不变;随着沉淀室水力停留时间的延长,鸟粪石颗粒的平均粒径缓慢增大,当停留时间超过70 min后颗粒粒径的变化不大;鸟粪石颗粒的平均粒径在一定程度上受废水中磷初始浓度变化的影响,在磷初始浓度为62～128 mg/L时颗粒的粒径变化不大,当磷浓度为496 mg/L时粒径有较大增加,此时鸟粪石颗粒的沉降速率也大幅度增加;鸟粪石颗粒的平均粒径受pH值的影响不大;随氮磷摩尔比的增大,鸟粪石颗粒的平均粒径略有增加;随镁磷摩尔比的增大,鸟粪石颗粒的平均粒径逐渐减小,沉降速率则有明显的下降。