Model for nanoparticle charging by diffusion, direct photoionization, and thermionization mechanisms

A nanoparticle charging model considering simultaneous diffusion, direct photoionization and thermionization charging was developed. The model included a balance expression for the positive and negative ions, and one for each charge level of the particles. Three comparable parameters: attachment coefficient, β±(v,q), photoelectric yield coefficient, α+(v,q), and thermionic yield coefficient, γ+(v,q), were identified that govern different charging mechanisms. By comparing these parameters, the importance of different mechanisms was explored. Analytical (closed-form) solutions under certain unipolar and bipolar conditions were proposed. Literature reported experimental data on a soft-X-ray based unipolar charger was used to verify this model and fair agreement was achieved. A numerical algorithm was developed to solve the governing equations for a soft-X-ray enhanced electrostatic precipitator (ESP) system. The role of soft-X-ray irradiation at improving nanoparticle average charge and enhancing the ESP capture efficiency was demonstrated. Experimental tests with this system were also conducted. Measured capture efficiency showed excellent agreement with theoretical results.