Aggregation and cluster size evolution in nonhomogeneous flows

Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.1996.0191· OSTI ID:238025

Hansen, S; Ottino, J M ^[1]

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1. Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)

The authors study, by dynamic modeling, aggregation of compact and fractal structures in model flows typifying regular and chaotic regimes. Emphasis is placed on two-dimensional flows but three-dimensional systems are considered as well. The goal is to put into evidence flow effects--kinetics of aggregation, cluster size distribution, and structure of aggregates--with the long-range goal of manipulating flows to tailor the structure of clusters. Numerical simulations show that the average cluster size of compact clusters grows algebraically, while the average cluster size of fractal clusters grows exponentially; companion mathematical arguments are used to describe the initial growth of average cluster size and polydispersity. It is found that when the system is well mixed and the capture radius is independent of mass, the polydispersity is constant for long times and the cluster size distribution is self-similar. Furthermore, simulations indicate that the fractal nature of the clusters is dependent upon the mixing.

• OSTI ID: 238025
• Journal Information: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Journal Name: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 179; ISSN 0021-9797; ISSN JCISA5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
AEROSOLS
AGGLOMERATION
COLLOIDS
FLOW MODELS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICULATES
SOLID CLUSTERS
SOLIDS FLOW
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TURBULENT FLOW
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS