3. Flocculation (Collision) Kinetics

            The particle can also increase is size as a result of collision and subsequent coagulation with other particles. The rate of agglomeration of particles is

 

The rate of flocculation (collision) of the particles is proportional to the square of the concentration of particles is

                          # of collisions/kg(gas)/s

                                                                                                            [0 < r’F < 5.9´1010] [Seinfeld, 1986]    (15)

            The 1/2 is included so that we don’t count the particle collisions twice. Where b is the collision coefficient and Ws a correction factor that can either increase or decrease the flocculation rate depending on the gas and particle properties.

The Flocculation Parameters

Again the parameter values for the APFR properties and operating conditions are given just above Figure 1.

b is the collision coefficient 

             m3/s

                                    [5´10-16 < b < 7.2´10-15 m3/s]

            dp is the particle diameter

De is the particle diffusion coefficient

             (m2/s)

                                    [1.5´10-10 < De < 8.5´10-4 m2/s]

c is the particle velocity

             (m/s), [0.0146 < c < 1408 m/s]

rp is the density of the solid phase = 2700 kg/m3

vp is the particle volume  m3  [1.2´10-29 < vp < 5.2´10-20]

g1 is the transition parameter    (m)

                                    [1.35´10-8 < g1 < 1.53´10-6 m]

la is the mean free path for the particle   m  [2.6´10-8 < la <1.5´10-6]

m is the viscosity of the career gas   kg/m/s

                                    [3.4´10-5 < m < 4.9´10-5 kg/m/s]

Ws is the stability factor that can either retard or accelerate flocculation.

                        1 < Ws < 106

We note Ws can be smaller than 1 for bipolarity charged aerosols.