Influence of Submicron Particle Shape on Behaviour during Filtration and Separation Processes

Abstract

Filtration is the most efficient method of aerosol monitoring and control. A number of theories (Bradley, 1932); (Hamaker, 1937); (Johnson et al., 1971); (Wang and Kasper, 1991); (Dahneke, 1995); (Wall et al., 1990) have been developed to describe the particle interaction with surface of a filter and to estimate the probability of the particle adhesion onto a surface. A range of the particle, filter and process parameters could contribute to the strength of the adhesion. Some of them are: hardness and cross-sectional shape of the fiber, smoothness of either the fiber or particle, air humidity, the effect of particle shape and many others. Obviously, the particle size (and correspondingly the surface area) also plays a crucial role in the bouncing processes. However, despite its importance in the research field the detailed mechanisms of the particle-fiber collision and possibility for the particle to bounce or to be re-entrained have not been fully explored. Therefore, there is a need for a theoretical and experimental knowledge concerning the influence of particle bouncing on filtration and separation processes. Although, some work on the effect of particle shape on filtration process has been done, there is still need for further research regarding the influence of motion of the particles of different shape along a fiber...