A Stochastic Model for Particle Deposition and Bounceoff

Abstract

A new model for particle deposition and bounceoff that combines current knowledge of turbulent bursts with the stochastic properties of turbulent fluctuations is presented. The model predictions for deposition velocities agree with experimental results in the literature for dimensionless particle relaxation time τ_p ⁺ > 2. For τ_p ⁺ > 10, most of the particles delivered to the edge of the viscous sublayer are able to deposit onto the surface due to their inertia; the deposition velocity approaches an asymptotic value because the process becomes limited by the rate of turbulent delivery to the viscous sublayer. Because of the penetration of turbulent fluctuations into the viscous sublayer, the minimum values of vertical velocities needed for particles to deposit onto the surface are smaller than those predicted by the free flight model. Most of the deposition occurs from those turbulent fluctuations at the upper tail of the distribution of the vertical component of air velocity.

In addition to the deposition velocity, the model is able to provide the distribution of particle velocities on reaching the surface which is used to compute the fraction of particle bounceoff. The model predictions for the fractions of rebound agree reasonably with the measured results from a wind tunnel experiment for τ_p ⁺ > 2. However, both the deposition velocity and the fraction of rebound are underestimated by the model for τ_p ⁺ < 2. Other mechanisms such as Brownian diffusion must be included in further revisions to this model in order to obtain satisfactory predictions for smaller values of τ_p ⁺.

Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng King University, Taihan, Taiwan.

Notes

Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng King University, Taihan, Taiwan.