Based on the prior work of Chahl and Gopalakrishnan (2019) to infer particle-ion collision time distributions using a Langevin Dynamics (LD) approach, we develop a model for the non-dimensional diffusion charging collision kernel β_i or H that is applicable for 0≤Ψ_E≤60,0≤Ψ_I/Ψ_E ≤1,Kn_D≤2000 (defined in the main text). The developed model for β_i for attractive Coulomb and image potential interactions, along with the model for β_i for repulsive Coulomb and image potential interactions from Gopalakrishnan et al. (2013b), is tested against published diffusion charging experimental data. Current state of the art charging models, Fuchs (1963) and Wiedensohler (1988) regression for bipolar charging, are also evaluated and discussed. Comparisons reveal that the LD-based model accurately describes unipolar fractions for 10 – 100 nm particles measured in air (Adachi et al., 1985), nitrogen and argon but not in helium (Adachi et al., 1987). Fuchs model and the LD-based model yield similar predictions in the experimental conditions considered, except in helium. In the case of bipolar charging, the LD-based model captures the experimental trends quantitatively (within ±20%) across the entire size range of 4 – 40 nm producing superior agreement than Wiedensohler’s regression. The latter systematically underpredicts charge fraction below ~20 nm in air (by up to 40%) for the data presented in Adachi et al. (1985). Comparison with the data of Gopalakrishnan et al. (2015), obtained in UHP air along with measurements of the entire ion mass-mobility distribution, shows excellent agreement with the predictions of the LD-based model. This demonstrates the capability to accommodate arbitrary ion populations in any background gas, when such data is available. Wiedensohler’s regression, derived for bipolar charging in air using average ion mass-mobility, also describes the data reasonably well in the conditions examined. However, both models failed to capture the fraction of singly and doubly charged particles in carbon dioxide warranting further investigation.
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An experimentally validated model of diffusion charging of arbitrary shaped aerosol particles
Particle shape strongly influences the diffusion charging of aerosol particles exposed to bipolar/unipolar ions and accurate modeling is needed to predict the charge distribution of non-spherical particles. A prior particle-ion collision kernel β_i model including Coulombic and image potential interactions for spherical particles is generalized for arbitrary shapes following a scaling approach that uses a continuum and free molecular particle length scale and Langevin dynamics simulations of non-spherical particle-ion collisions for attractive Coulomb-image potential interactions. This extended β_i model for collisions between unlike charged particle-ion (bipolar charging) and like charged particle-ion (unipolar charging) is validated by comparing against published experimental data of bipolar charge distributions for diverse shapes. Comparison to the bipolar charging data for spherical particles shows good agreement in air, argon, and nitrogen, while also demonstrating high accuracy in predicting charge states up to ±6. Comparisons to the data for fractal aggregates reveal that the LD-based β_i model predicts within overall ±30% without any systematic bias. The mean charge on linear chain aggregates and charge fractions on cylindrical particles is found to be in good agreement with the measurements (~±20% overall). The comparison with experimental results supports the use of LD-based diffusion charging models to predict the bipolar and unipolar charge distribution of arbitrary shaped aerosol particles for a wide range of particle size, and gas temperature, pressure. The presented β_i model is valid for perfectly conducting particles and in the absence of external electric fields; these simplifications need to be addressed in future work on particle charging.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1903432
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10221109
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of aerosol science
- Volume:
- 151
- Issue:
- January
- ISSN:
- 0021-8502
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 105678
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2020.105678
