Effect of particle size distribution on the collection efficiency of Brownian particles

The main purpose of the present paper is to investigate the effect of the normal Gaussian size distribution on the deposition of Brownian particles onto a spherical collector, by applying the Brownian dynamic simulation method and the Kuwabara flow field model with different types of DLVO interaction energy curves and the shadow effect. The simulation results show that the collection efficiency of Brownian particles always increases with a wider particle size distribution region. The same increased tendencies are also observed for the case of increasing Reynolds number and for the case of increasing the particle size to the collector size ratio. When compared to the available experimental data, the present simulation method fits well with the experimental data when the specific deposit per collector is not large.

Graphical abstractFour types of the DLVO total interaction energy curves adopted in the simulation of the present paper.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide