Aerosol Physics: Optics, Gelation and Turbulent Aggregation

Kansas State University, Manhattan KS

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CTS-0080017 C. M. Sorensen, Kansas State University The PI proposes to extend the results he has obtained in the development of static light scattering diagnostics of aerosol aggregation kinetics. These measurements will be extended to include large particles (including some in the turbulent range), and also some cases in need of time resolution. Some needed theoretical work is planned, to characterize the fractal aggregate scattering, and also to generalize these assessments to homogeneous spherical aerosols. Fast microphotography will give an insight of the particles size and morphology. These quantitative results will make possible the kinetics characterization of aerogelation and turbulent aggregation. A special effort will be to establish the validity limits of the Smoluchovski equation, which does not seem to fit some of the earlier measured kinetics in dilute or turbulent systems. Cluster fractal data will yield the evolution beyond the diffusional (laminar) regime, while density fields will identify deviations from mean-field behavior.