Physicomathematical Modeling of the Explosive Dispersion of Liquid by a Centrifugal Atomizer

High dispersiveness of an aerosol, short time for cloud generation, and uniform distribution in a room are substantial parameters that have to be taken into account in the development of disinfectant, decontaminating, and fire‐extinguishing aerosols. To obtain greater homogeneity of an aerosol cloud, it has been suggested to additionally employ a centrifugal atomizer, which enables a relatively wide spray angle, in the design of a pulsed‐type aerosol generator. A physicomathematical model for an explosive‐type centrifugal atomizer is suggested herein. Results of parametric studies of the model are summarized which establish dependences of the aerosol dispersiveness, spray angle, and mass flow rate upon dimensionless parameters characterizing geometric properties of the sprayer. The physicomathematical model allows the sprayer characteristics to be selected in order to obtain aerosol media with a priori specified parameters. Experimental results with respect to the dynamics of the filling of an experimental vessel with an aerosol produced by the explosive‐type centrifugal atomizer are presented. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical data indicates the adequacy of the physicomathematical model proposed.     

Gas–particle partitioning of organic compounds in the atmosphere

Gas–particle partitioning of condensable organic compounds in the atmosphere is described using two methods. The first method is based on the use of a comprehensive mechanistic model of adsorption/absorption processes. The second method is based on aerosol yields estimates. The model parameters in the adsorption/absorption model are evaluated from experimental data. The concepts of concentration of adsorbed molecules on the surface of aerosol particles and diffusion of adsorbed molecules in the liquid phase are used for determining the importance of the adsorption/absorption mechanisms. The model calculations showed a qualitative agreement with available experimental data for alkanes. Furthermore, a modified version of the Carbon Bond IV chemical mechanism including an aerosol yields method to model the formation of organic aerosols in reactive plumes is used in combination with a plume dispersion model. The formation of secondary organic matter in plumes contributes significantly to the total secondary aerosol mass produced.     

Techniques for Dispersion of Microorganisms into Air

ABSTRACT

Many commercially available devices initially developed for dispersion of biologically inert particles have been adopted for aerosolization of microoganisms in laboratory settings. However, these dispersion devices are not always adequate for microbial particles, as they do not simulate natural release into air. Wet dispersion methods are appropriate for viruses and most bacteria, whereas dry methods are more suitable for most fungal and actinomycete spores. Characteristics of the resulting aerosol are dependent on the dispersing shear forces and the sensitivity and agglomeration of the tested microorganisms. Consequently, each microbial group may need a specific dispersion technique. The following devices have been developed and tested in this study: the bubbling aerosol disperser, the agar-tube disperser, and the swirling-flow disperser. Testing included the evaluation of both physical and microbiological characteristics of aerosolized microorganisms. Each of the dispersers has shown several advantages over commercially available ones. When used for the dispersion of bacteria from the liquid suspension, the bubbling aerosol disperser was found to produce considerably fewer amounts of microbial fragments and much lower levels of microbial metabolic injury than the commercially available Collison nebulizer. Fungal spores dispersed from their colonies by the agar-tube disperser were found to have a more stable aerosol concentration and a lower fraction of agglomerates than achievable by conventional powder dispersion. The swirling-flow dispersion technique was used for aerosolization of actinomycetes because the agar-tube disperser could not provide a stable concentration of these spores due to their smaller size. The tests have shown that new methods minimize the changes of properties of the microorganisms during their aerosolization in the laboratory.     

气雾剂火灾危险性分布式管理模式研究及相关系统开发

很多气雾剂产品具备易燃易爆危险品的特征。但是由于气雾剂产品产地众多、使用分散,并不像普通危险品一样可以相对集中地管理和使用。这种生产使用双分散的特征是造成气雾剂火灾爆炸事故的重要原因之一。文章基于网络的分布式管理及使用特点,构建了基于网络的气雾剂火灾危险性全社会分布式管理模式,服务于终端用户、生产储存单位管理人员、执法人员,并设计相关软件以供参考。本管理模式的实施对气雾剂火灾爆炸隐患的监控、消除均有一定的意义。     

Aerosole und ihre technische Bedeutung

Aerosols and Their Technical Significance Aerosols occur in many technical processes. For example, aerosols are formed to generate products of highly disperse solids in gas phase processes. Particle formation and growth in the aerosol state decisively determine the product properties by the size, shape, and structure of the particles. Undesired aerosol formation can also occur in technical processes. These undesired aerosols pollut process gases or products or increase the pollutant content of exhaust gases. If undesired aerosol formation cannot be avoided, efficient separation techniques have to be used. Efficient separators are also required to recover fine product particles from the gas phase. Moreover, aerosols, whether desired or undesired, have to be measured and characterized. This requires high performing measuring techniques. The paper outlines the technical significance of aerosols.     

Evolution of particle metrics in a buoyant aerosol cloud from explosive releases

Abstract

The detonation of high explosive (HE) material generates a cloud containing a high concentration of detonation products in the form of aerosol particles and gases. Modeling and simulation of aerosol metrics in an explosive cloud is a complex problem as it involves various processes such as chemical reaction, nucleation, volume expansion, and coagulation. Several models have been developed to study the atmospheric dispersion of these detonation products, but very few or no model is available to study the evolution of aerosol metrics at the early stage. In this work, we present a numerical model to simulate the temporal evolution of aerosol metrics in an expanding cloud by coupling transient thermodynamic properties with important microphysical processes. To illustrate the application, the numerical model is applied to a typical HE, and the aerosol particle properties such as size distribution, number concentration, and average size are estimated from the numerical results. These results will provide the essential input conditions for atmospheric dispersion models to estimate the atmospheric concentration and deposition of aerosol particles.

Copyright © 2020 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Particle Charge Distribution Measurement for Commonly Generated Laboratory Aerosols

ABSTRACT

An improved particle charge analyzer system has been developed to measure the absolute charge distribution of common generated laboratory aerosols. The charge analyzer system consists of an integral cylindrical mobility analyzer used in conjunction with an optical aerosol spectrometer, with computer assisted operation and data reduction. The charge analyzer collects aerosol particles over an absolute electrical mobility range from 4.2*10^?4 to 400 cm²/(stat · Volt second) and flow rates that can vary from 0.3 to 30 liters per minute. The charge analyzer has been used to investigate the nature of spray and contact electrification during aerosol generation by measuring the residual charge distribution on the liquid and solid generated particles. In addition, the neutralization of charged particles by bipolar ions also was studied using conventional neutralizers that use ionizing radiation from alpha and beta sources. Charge distribution measurements were performed on alumina dust (Al), Arizona road dust (ARD), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) and di-octyl sebacate (DOS) liquid particles. Aerosol generation devices include a Collison atomizer, a condensation aerosol generator and a fluidized bed dust generator. Our work provides experimental charge distribution data for comparison with simple models of electrification theory. Experimental results showed that charge levels of atomized KCl and NaCl particles were high and decreased as the dissolved ion concentration increased. DOS particles generated by evaporation-condensation were both neutral and moderately charged. These conclusions support the existence of a dipole layer at the liquid-gas interface that interacts with dissolved particles and changes their charge state. Alumina and ARD generated by the fluidized bed disperser are highly charged due to strong contact electrification during dispersion. In most cases, the charge on generated aerosols could be reduced to Boltzmann charge equilibrium conditions by commonly used radioactive neutralizers.     

Particle Bounce During Filtration of Particles on Wet and Dry Filters

This paper experimentally examines the bounce and immediate re-entrainment of liquid and solid monodisperse aerosols under a stable filtration regime (precake formation) by wet and dry fibrous filters. PSL and DEHS were the solid and liquid aerosols, respectively, used in four monodisperse sizes of 0.52, 0.83, 1.50, and 3.00 w m. Three different fibrous filters were used to filter the aerosol streams, and the efficiency of the filtration process for each aerosol type under dry and wet regimes was measured. It was found that the solid particles generally exhibited a lower fractional filtration efficiency than liquid particles, although this difference decreased in the smaller size fractions. The difference between solid and liquid efficiencies was found to be greatest in the 1.5 w m size range. As particle sizes of liquid/solid aerosols and filtration parameters were similar, this difference is most likely to be due to the effect of particle bounce and or immediate re-entrainment occurring inside the filter, with the greater efficiency of filtration of the liquid particles being due to their greater capacity to plastically/elastically deform in order to absorb the impact forces. However, for the wet filtration regime (each fibre of the filter was coated by a film of water), no significant difference in filtration efficiency was detectable between solid and liquid aerosols. Therefore, the conclusion can be drawn that the either the bounce effect of the particles is inhibited by the liquid film, or the filtration conditions in the wet filter are so different that the aerosol properties are less significant with respect to capture.     

Development of polydisperse aerosol generation and measurement procedures for wind tunnel evaluation of size-selective aerosol samplers

Accurate development and evaluation of inlets for representatively collecting ambient particulate matter typically involves the use of monodisperse particles in aerosol wind tunnels. However, the resource requirements of using monodisperse aerosols for inlet evaluation creates the need for more rapid and less-expensive techniques to enable determination of size-selective performance in aerosol wind tunnels. The goal of recent wind tunnel research at the U.S. EPA was to develop and validate the use of polydisperse aerosols, which provide more rapid, less resource-intensive test results, which still meet data quality requirements necessary for developing and evaluating ambient aerosol inlets. This goal was successfully achieved through comprehensive efforts regarding polydisperse aerosol generation, dispersion, collection, extraction, and analysis over a wide range of aerodynamic particle sizes. Using proper experimental techniques, a sampler’s complete size-selective efficiency curve can be estimated with polydisperse aerosols in a single test, as opposed to the use of monodisperse aerosols, which require conducting multiple tests using several different particle sizes. While this polydisperse aerosol technique is not proposed as a regulatory substitute for use of monodisperse aerosols, the use of polydisperse aerosols is advantageous during an inlet’s development where variables of sampling flow rate and inlet geometry are often iteratively evaluated before a final inlet design can be successfully achieved. Complete Standard Operating Procedures for the generation, collection, and analysis of polydisperse calibration aerosols are available from EPA as downloadable files. The described experimental methods will be of value to other researchers during the development of ambient sampling inlets and size-selective evaluation of the inlets in aerosol wind tunnels.

© 2018 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Modeling and experimental evaluation of an aerosol generator for very high number currents based on a free turbulent jet

In this paper we report on theoretical and experimental work on aerosol formation in a free turbulent jet. A hot DEHS vapor issues through a circular nozzle into slowly moving cold air. Vapor concentration and temperatures are such that particles are formed via homogeneous nucleation close to the nozzle upon mixing with the surrounding air. The vapor is completely quenched in the nucleation regime so that further particle growth is controlled by coagulation. A simple growth dynamics model is presented and the theory is used to design a generation system that produces liquid aerosols at a very high number current [up to 10¹² particles (s)]. The aerosol properties can be controlled by two easily adjustable parameters. The aerosol properties are related to these parameters by simple scaling laws. The results of measurements of the number current and the average particle size support these scaling laws.     

Spouted bed collection of solid aerosols in the presence of electrical effects

A spouted bed of 1.7 mm cement clinker particles was previously found to be an efficient collector of liquid micronsize aerosols introduced into the bed with the spouting gas⁽¹⁾ With solid aerosols, however, collection efficiencies obtained were poor since these failed to adhere permanently to the target particles and were re-entrained. The present paper describes experimental work to overcome the re-entrainment problem by making use of electrostatic forces. Solid latex aerosol particles (0.79 μm dia.) were electrified by a negative corona discharge and collected in a 15 cm diameter spouted bed of ABS plastic particles (2.5 mm cubes). The variables studied included corona voltage (0 to 9500 V), bed depth (0.3 to 0.5 m) and superficial gas velocity (0.23 to 0.85 m/s). Spouted bed efficiencies with neutral aerosols ranged from 43 to 65% as against 72-98% with charged aerosols The experimental results are interpreted using the two-region model of a spouted bed, and invoking an enhancement factor for aerosol mass transfer due to electrical effects. The values of this factor ranged between 160 to 2300 under the conditions studied.     

Evaluation of a New High‐Pressure Dispersion Unit (HPN) for Emulsification

Emulsification plays an important role in the formulation of lipophilic pharmaceutical agents. These substances are often included in the disperse phase of an oil‐in‐water emulsion. To reach a high bioavailability and a good long‐term stability, drop sizes much less than 1 micron are required. For the generation of such emulsions, energy densities of a quality which can only be reached in high‐pressure systems, are necessary. Actually available apparatus, such as high‐pressure homogenizers fitted with valves, microfluidizer or jet disperser, reach particle sizes of about 0.2 micron in continuous processes. It is indispensable to produce emulsions with smaller globules in order to receive a maximum of diversity in application. Therefore, dispersion units with a higher efficiency in drop breakup are needed. Especially in the case of parenterally administered medicament formulations an average particle size between 0.04 and 0.1 microns is requested which is up to now not reachable by continuous emulsification. In this study the drop breakup behavior of a new high‐pressure nozzle is investigated with the example of oil‐in‐water emulsions and compared to the breakup behavior of a state‐of‐the‐art nozzle and to available data published.     

Effect of Selected Binary and Mixed Solutions on Steam Condensation and Aerosol Behavior in Containment

In the course of severe light water reactor (LWR) core melt accidents, the formation and presence of water soluble compounds will affect the behavior of fission products in the primary system and in the containment. A liquid aerosol mixed with an insoluble component has an affinity to stick on surfaces. A relocation of the deposited aerosol may occur depending on the mole fraction of the solid component and the viscosity of the liquid component in the deposited material. In the very humid conditions expected in the containment, steam will condense on the hygroscopic particles, thereby increasing the size of the particles and settling rate. As a first step in modeling the effects of hygroscopicity, the water activity of a CsOH solution was implemented in the condensation model. The model predicts a significant contribution of CsOH hygroscopicity on the suspended mass concentration, which is in accordance with the observations from the latest large-scale containment aerosol experiments. Results of this simplified CsOH hygroscopicity model were compared with aerosol particles consisting of mixed solutions (e.g., CsOH—Cs₂CO₃—CsI—H₂O) expected in particles released during severe accidents. Water activities of binary and mixed solutions were first calculated using semiempirical methods and these results were compared with the available experimental data. Secondly, different heat and mass transfer models were compared to find a suitable method for the growth rate calculations of hygroscopic aerosol particles. We can conclude that sedimentation of hygroscopic aerosols is an effective removal mechanism for airborne fission products at a high relative humidity in the LWR containment during severe core melt accidents.     

Evolution of atmospheric aerosol particle size distributions via Brownian coagulation numerical simulation

Current atmospheric observations tend to support the view that continental tropospheric aerosols, particularly urban aerosols, show multimodal mass distributions. One of the obvious mechanisms causing the multimodality is the mixing of different primary sources. Other modes involve dissimilar aerosol formation processes in the atmosphere. Fine aerosol particles are generated from secondary processes such as nucleation, condensation and chemical reaction, whereas coarse particles usually consist of dust, fly ash and mechanically generated aerosols. With the use of a newly developed computer code GROWTH in our laboratory, we report here the simulated results of Brownian coagulation dynamics involving multimodal mass density functions for long periods of time. In our model calculations we assume that the aerosol particles are well mixed in an atmospheric volume so that spatial variation in the distribution is negligible. Our accurate numerical simulation of the Brownian coagulation dynamics indicates that once formed, an atmospheric multimodal aerosol distribution in the range 0.1 to 100 μm will maintain its identity for a very long period of time (at least hours) unless “atmospheric perturbations” such as meteorological instabilities, rain-washout and gravitational settling occur. It is our belief that understanding the complex domain of atmospheric aerosols requires systematic investigation of each process. This paper is a continuation of such an investigation.     

MADM-A New Multicomponent Aerosol Dynamics Model

A Multicomponent Aerosol Dynamics Model (MADM) capable of solving the condensation/evaporation equation of atmospheric aerosols is presented. Condensable species may be organic and/or inorganic. For the inorganic constituents the equilibrium model ISORROPIA is used to predict the physical state of the particle, i.e., whether the aerosol is liquid or solid. The mass transfer equations for the fluxes for solid atmospheric particles are developed. MADM is able to simulate aerosol deliquescence, crystallization, solid to solid phase transitions, and acidity transitions. Aerosols of different sizes can be in different physical states (solid, liquid, or partially solid and partially liquid). Novel constraints on the electroneutrality of the species flux between the gas and aerosol phases are presented for both liquid and solid aerosols. These constraints aid in the stability of the algorithm, yet still allow changes in aerosol acidity. As an example, MADM is used to predict the dynamic response of marine aerosol entering an urban area.     

Shock Initiation of the CL‐20‐Based Explosive C‐1 Measured with Embedded Electromagnetic Particle Velocity Gauges

Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) is a high‐energy material with high shock sensitivity. The evolution of shock into the detonation of CL‐20 deserves academic attention and research. An embedded electromagnetic particle velocity gauge was used to study the shock initiation of detonation in a pressed solid explosive formulation, C‐1, containing 94 wt‐% epsilon phase CL‐20 and 6 wt‐% fluororubber (FPM). In conventional experiments, the magnetic field was generated using a pair of electromagnets with a complex structure and operation. A new device was designed to solve complex problems. This device comprised NdFeB magnets, pole shoes and magnetic yokes; using this technique, a uniform magnetic field could be created. A series of shock initiation experiments on high‐explosive C‐1 was performed, and the explosive samples were initiated at different intensity input shocks by an explosive driven flyer plate. In situ magnetic particle velocity gauges were utilized to detail the growth from an input shock to detonation, and the attenuation of particle velocity in unreacted C‐1 was also obtained in low‐intensity shock initiation experiments. Hugoniot data for C‐1 in the form of shock velocity D vs. particle velocity Up were obtained. A simulation model for shock initiation of C‐1 was established, and the particle velocity data from several experiments were used to determine the parameters required for the unreacted equation of state and ignition and growth reactive flow model for C‐1. These coefficients were then applied in the calculation of the initial shock pressure−distance to detonation relationship (Pop‐plot) for the explosive. Based on the results of experiments and simulations, the shock sensitivity characteristic of C‐1 was described.     

The capture of aerosol in a granular moving bed

Flue gas from process plants usually contains contaminants which require scrubbing prior to discharging to atmosphere. There are various techniques used to scrub the exit gas, such as packed columns, spray scrubbers, fluidised beds, filters, etc. One of the key design parameters required in order to select and design a scrubber is the capture efficiency. This efficiency is dependent on a number of factors such as the contacting mode, feed composition and operating conditions.This paper describes an experimental technique to quantify the efficiency of liquid aerosol capture in a bed of moving particles. The experimental technique provides an effective means of generating and capturing the tracer aerosol and determination of the overall aerosol capture efficiency. The results show the influence of the superficial gas and particle velocity, bed height, as well as the aerosol concentration, on the overall capture efficiency.Three possible predictive methods are considered to describe or quantify the aerosol capture efficiency. These are a capture parameter based on the available surface area, a capture parameter based on dimensionless groupings, and a dispersion model based on aerosol particle filtration by fixed bed porous filters. Each method is applied to the experimental data to determine their effectiveness in describing the capture in the granular moving bed. The dispersion model method showed good potential in quantifying the experimental capture efficiency.     

The formation and removal characteristics of aerosols in ammonia-based wet flue gas desulfurization

The characteristics of aerosol generation were studied experimentally in an ammonia-based wet flue gas desulfurization process. Particle size distributions and concentrations, morphologies and compositions before and after desulfurization were measured using an electrical low pressure impactor and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that aerosols can be generated between ammonia and sulfur dioxide resulting in gas-phase reaction and the aerosol concentration at the outlet of scrubber is significantly higher than at the inlet. Before desulfurization the particles are primarily silica-alumina minerals including O, Al, Si and C, while after ammonia-based desulfurization aerosol particles have smooth surfaces with regular structures, such as cubic and prismatic crystals, and contain principally O, S and N. Particle sizes up to 10 μm were measured, but the majority of the aerosol particles are in the submicron range. Separation of submicron particles from flue gas is difficult by conventional desulfurization scrubber; however high removal efficiency can be achieved based on the enlargement of the particles by heterogeneous condensation. The influence of the supersaturation degree and liquid–gas ratio on the removal efficiencies of the particles are demonstrated additionally. It indicates that aerosols generated in ammonia-based desulfurization process can be deliquesced and gradually enlarged in a high humidity flue gas, but the supersaturation degree higher than 1.2 is required for heterogeneous nucleation of water vapor with ash particles from coal combustion.     

湿式氨法烟气脱硫中气溶胶的形成特性研究

气溶胶的形成是湿式氨法烟气脱硫过程存在的主要问题,通过测试分析氨法脱硫前后细颗粒的浓度与粒径分布、颗粒形态及其组成的变化特性,探讨了氨法脱硫中气溶胶的形成机理,并考察了影响气溶胶颗粒形成的主要因素。结果表明:氨水挥发逸出的气态NH3与烟气中SO2发生气相反应是气溶胶形成的主要原因,气溶胶含(NH4)2SO4、(NH4)2SO3、NH4HSO3等组分,粒径集中在0.07～0.70μm范围内,氨法脱硫系统对其难以有效脱除;氨水脱硫液温度及其浓度、烟气中SO2浓度、液气比等对气溶胶形成具有重要影响,形成量随氨水脱硫液及烟气中SO2浓度升高而增多,在保持NH3:SO2化学计量比不变的情况下,随液气比增大,气溶胶颗粒形成量减少。最后,对气溶胶颗粒的控制措施提出了建议。     

Sensitive Colorimetric Detection of Explosive 2,6‐Bis(picrylamino)pyridine after Preconcentration by Dispersive Liquid‐Liquid Microextraction

An experimental investigation for sensitive spectrophotometric detection of explosive, 2,6‐bis(picrylamino)pyridine (BPAP) using dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction was carried out. Based on this procedure, which is a dispersive‐solvent‐free technique, the extractant is dispersed in the aqueous sample solution using Aliquat 336 (acted as disperser agent and carrier to extraction solvent) and monitored with microvolume UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The effect of different variables such as pH, concentration of sodium hydroxide, type and volume of extraction solvent, concentration of Aliquat 336 solution and coexisting substances were systematically investigated and optimized. Interference tests showed that the developed method has a good selectivity and could be used conveniently for determination of explosive analyte. The proposed method is capable of determining BPAP over a range of 2.0–150.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a limit of detection 1.0 ng mL⁻¹. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for 20.0 and 80.0 ng mL⁻¹ of BPAP were 3.3 and 1.2 % (n=10), respectively. This colorimetric method was applied to determine BPAP in different water and soil samples.