Distribution of non-spherical nanoparticles in turbulent flow of ventilation chamber considering fluctuating particle number density

Abstract

The Reynolds-averaged general dynamic equation (RAGDE) for the nanoparticle size distribution function is derived, including the contribution to particle coagulation resulting from the fluctuating concentration. The equation together with that of a turbulent gas flow is solved numerically in the turbulent flow of a ventilation chamber with a jet on the wall based on the proposed model relating the fluctuating coagulation to the gradient of mean concentration. Some results are compared with the experimental data. The results show that the proposed model relating the fluctuating coagulation to the gradient of mean concentration is reasonable, and it is necessary to consider the contribution to coagulation resulting from the fluctuating concentration in such a flow. The changes of the particle number concentration M0 and the geometric mean diameter dg are more obvious in the core area of the jet, but less obvious in other areas. With the increase in the initial particle number concentration m00, the values of M0 and the standard deviation of the particle size σ decrease, but the value of dg increases. The decrease in the initial particle diameter leads to the reduction of M0 and σ, and the increase in dg. With the increase in the Reynolds number, particles have few chances of collision, and hence the coagulation rate is reduced, leading to the increase in M0 and σ, and the decrease in dg.