A mechanistic explanation of the increase in particle scavenging in the ultrasonic scrubber

Ran et al., 2014 developed the ultrasonic scrubber, a device which combines an ultrasonic standing wave field and a water spray to eliminate particles from a gas flow. This device, which is essentially a wet scrubber enhanced by ultrasound, was shown to significantly improve the scavenging of micron-scale particles compared to the use of a water spray alone. Herein a simulation of trajectories of the particles and spray drops in the ultrasonic scrubber are presented. These simulations and an associated model of the process are used to provide a mechanistic understanding of the enhanced scavenging observed in the ultrasonic scrubber.