DYNAMICS OF AEROSOL AGGLOMERATE FORMATION

The dynamics of the formation of metal oxide agglomerates was studied by introducing metal containing salts of magnesium and zinc into a flat flame. Distributions of the mobility equivalent diameter of the agglomerates formed downstream from the flat flame were self-preserving and in good agreement with the theory for the agglomerating of power law (fractal-like) agglomerates in the free molecule regime. Theory indicates that after sufficiently long times, the average size of the agglomerates varies inversely with the size of the primary particles composing the agglomerates, for a given volumetric concentration of aerosol material. The effect of primary particle size is significant, and supported by experimental evidence. © 1991.