The Nature of

Particulate Pollutants

Hsin Chu
Professor
Dept. of Environmental Engineering
National Cheng Kung University

1
1. Primary and Secondary Particles

Next slide (Fig. 8.1)

An overview of particles and their properties.
diameter for a nospherical particle means
diameter of a sphere of equal volume.

2
 The particles that cause significant air pollution
problems are generally in the size range 0.01 to
10 .
Particles diameters are also stated in terms of
Tyler screen size in the United States, e.g., the
sieve size of Tyler 100 mesh screen is
equivalent to 150 .

4
 Some industrial particulate pollutants (e.g.,
pulverized coal, which has a size range of 3 to 400 )
may be created mechanically but most crushing and
grinding processes do not produce particles smaller
than about 10 .
Instead, most of the fine particles (0.1 to 10 )
shown on the figure are obtained by combustion,
evaporation, or condensation processes.

5
 One example is the formation of tobacco smoke,
which is shown in Fig. 8.1 as having a size
range from 0.01 to 1 .
Next slide (Fig. 8.2)
The cigarette smoke consists of droplets of
condensed hydrocarbons (oils, tars).

6
 The finest particles that have been made for
research purposes are made by heating a metal
or a salt to it vaporization temperature and then
condensing the resulting gaseous metal or salt
by quickly cooling it so that many small particles
(0.01 ) form rather than a few large ones.

8
 It is uncommon in the air pollution literature to
distinguish between fine particles that are solids
and liquids (e.g., tars).
In the atmosphere and in common collecting
devices they frequently behave alike.

9
 Most fuels contain some incombustible materials,
which remain behind when the fuel is burned,
called ash.
The ash left behind by the combustion of wood,
coal, or charcoal contains mostly the oxides of
silicon, calcium, and aluminum, with traces of
other minerals.

10
 The distinction between mechanical and
condensed particles is illustrated by tests in
which pulverized lignite was burned in a
laboratory furnace.
The ash particles in the exhaust gases consisted
of two groups.
One group had an average diameter of about
0.02 , the other about 10 .

11
 The smaller particles contained a much higher
percentage of the more volatile materials in the
ash (P, Mg, Na, K, Cl, Zn, Cr, As, Co, and Sb)
than did the larger particles.
Almost certainly the fine particles were formed
by condensation, in the furnace, of materials that
had been vaporized during the combustion
process.

12
 The larger particles were formed from the
remaining mineral matter in the fuel that was not
vaporized.
Next slide (Fig. 8.3)
A sample of particles collected from a coal-fired
furnace operated at fuel-rich conditions,
resulting in significant unburned carbon in the fly
ash.

13
 The spherical particles in Fig. 8.3a are parts of
the coals mineral ash which melted in the
furnace and were drawn into spherical shapes
by surface tension.
The irregular, porous particles (like the large one
at the lower left of Fig. 8.3a) are pieces of coal
char, which in mostly carbon plus the mineral
ash.

15
 The large piece at the top of Fig, 8.3a is soot,
which forms long, lacy filaments up to a few
millimeters long.
At high magnification (Fig. 8.3b) one can see
that the soot is an agglomerate of spherical
particles, typically 0.01 to 0.03 microns in
diameter.

16
 If enough excess air had been supplied and enough
time allowed, we would expect that all the char and
soot would have burned, and only the spherical
metal oxide ash particles would have remained.
Fig. 8.4 (next slide) shows an example of that type
of ash.
The largest particle is roughly 20 in diameter, the
smallest visible particles are about 0.3 in diameter.

17
 Another property of fine particles that is different
from our experience with particles as large as
sand grains is that when two fine particles are
brought into direct physical contact, they
generally will stick together by electrostatic and
van der Waals bonding forces.

19
 Electrostatic and van der Waals forces are, in
general, proportional to the surface area of the
particle.
Gravity and inertial forces are proportional to the
particle mass, which is proportional to D3,
whereas the surface area are proportional to D2.

20
 Thus, as the particle size decreases, D3 goes down
much faster than D2 so that the ratio of electrostatic and
van der Waals to inertial and gravity forces becomes
larger.
As a result, if you had a handful of 1- particles that had
been brought together into intimate contact and threw
them into the air, they would not fragment into individual
1 particles but rather would break up into
agglomerates that are the size of ordinary sand (several
hundred ).

21
 For this reason, the basic strategy of control for
particulate pollutants is to agglomerate them into
larger particles that can be easily collected.
This can be done by forcing the individual particles
to contact each other (as in settling chambers,
cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, or filters) or by
contacting them with drops of water (as in wet
scrubbers).

22
 The particulate pollutants can be formed in the
atmosphere from gaseous pollutants, e.g.,
hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of
sulfur.
These particles are often called secondary
particles, to distinguish them from those found in
the atmosphere in the form in which they were
emitted, which are called primary particles.

23
 From Fig. 8.1, we see the wavelengths of visible
light are about 0.4 to 0.8 .
Particles in this size range are the most efficient
light-scatterers.
The hazy days and visible smog that occur in
our cities are largely caused by secondary
particles that tend to form in this size range.

24
 Near the middle of Fig. 8.1 we see Lung-
damaging dust, which has sizes from about 0.5
to 5 .
Tests show that particles larger than about 10
are removed in our noses and throats; very few
get into the trachea or bronchi.

25
 Particles in the size range 5 to 10 are mostly
removed in the trachea and bronchi and do not
get to the lungs.
Some researchers use the term inhalable
particles to refer to all particles smaller than 10
m and respirable particles to refer to those
smaller than 3.5 .

26
2. Settling Velocity and Drag Forces

The second row from the bottom of Fig. 8.1 shows the
terminal gravitational settling velocity for spheres of
specific gravity 2.0.
We can see that the value for a coarse sand grain with a
diameter of 1,000 in air is 6 m/s.
This is much higher than the common vertical wind
velocities of the atmosphere, so that it is rare for the
wind to blow such particles up or to hold them up once
they are in the air.

27
 The terminal settling velocity of a 1- diameter
particle is 6 10-5 m/s.
The vertical movements of outdoor air (and even
the air in most rooms) normally exceed this
value, so particles this size do not quickly settle
out of the atmosphere.

28
 Thus, we distinguish between dust, which settles
out of the atmosphere quickly because of its
high gravitational settling velocity, and
suspendable particles, which settle so slowly
that they may be considered to remain in the
atmosphere until they are removed by
precipitation.

29
 There is no clear and simple dividing line between the
two categories, but if we must make such an arbitrary
distinction, it would be made somewhere near a particle
diameter of 10 .
Particles small enough to remain suspended in the
atmosphere or in other gases for long times are called
aerosols, which indicates that they behave as if they
were dissolved in the gas.

30
2.1 Stokes Law

Next slide (Fig. 8.5)

The forces acting on a spherical particle settling
through a fluid under the influence of gravity.

31
 Writing Newtons law for the particle, we obtain

ma p 6 D3 g f 6 g Fd

D3
(1)

The three terms on the right represent, respectively, the

gravity, buoyant, and drag forces acting on the particle.

33
 The drag (or air resistance) forces increase with
increasing speed and are zero for zero speed.
The particle accelerates rapidly; as it accelerates, the
drag force increases as the velocity increases, until it
equals the gravity force minus the buoyant force.
At this terminal settling velocity, the sum of the forces
acting is zero, so the particle continues to move at a
constant velocity.

34
 To find this velocity, we set the acceleration to zero in Eq.
(1) and find

Fd 6 D g ( p f )
3 (2)

To find the velocity, we need the relation between Fd and

the velocity.

35
 Stokes worked this out mathematically for a set of
assumptions that are generally quite good for most of the
problems in this course, finding
Fd 3 D (3)
where = the viscosity of the fluid.
If we substitute Eq. (3) into Eq. (2) and solve for v, we find
( p f )
gD 2
(4)
18
which is commonly referred to Stokes law.

36
Example 1
Compute the terminal settling velocity in air of a sphere
with diameter 1 .
Solution:
Finding the properties of air and of particles, then,
substituting those values in Eq. (4), we find

(9.81 m / s 2 ) (106 m) 2 (2000 kg / m3 1.20 kg / m3 )

18 (1.8 105 kg / m / s )
6.05 105 m / s 6.05 10-3 cm / s #

37
 Stokes law has been well verified for the range
of conditions in which its assumptions hold good.
However, for both very large and very small
particles these assumptions break down.
The situation is illustrated in Fig. 8.6 (next slide).

38
2.2 Particles Too Large for Stokes Law

At larger particle sizes, the flow of fluid around

the sphere becomes turbulent and the principal
assumptions of Stokes law then become
inapplicable.
Although various efforts have been made to
derive a formula equivalent to Eq. (3) for larger
particles, no theoretical formula represents
experimental data over more than a modest
range of values.

40
 However, the experimental data can be easily correlated
by a nondimensional relationship.
A new parameter, called the drag coefficient Cd, is
defined by Eq. (5):
Fd
Cd (5)
( / 4) D2 f ( 2 / 2)

41
 In addition, we introduce the Reynolds number for a
particle:
D f
Rp (6)

The Reynolds number is a dimensionless ratio of the
inertial forces acting on a mass of fluid to the viscous
forces acting on the same mass of fluid in the same flow.

42
 There are theoretical grounds for smooth
spheres in uniform, subsonic flow in constant-
density Newtonian fluids, the drag coefficient
should depend on the Reynolds number alone.
Thus, on a plot of Cd versus Rp, all the data for
all sizes of spheres and all constant-density
Newtonian fluids should fall on a single curve.

43
 The reader may verify that the Stokes drag term
(Eq.(3)) can be substituted in Eq. (5) and the
result rewritten as Cd= 24/Rp.
Experimentally, it has been found that Stokes
law represents the observed behavior of
particles satisfactorily for Reynolds numbers less
than about 0.3.

44
 For the 0.3 RP 1,000, the experimental drag
coefficient data can be represented with satisfactory
accuracy by the following empirical, data-fitting equation:
24
Cd (1 0.14 Rp0.7 ) (7)
Rp

45
Example 2
A spherical particle with diameter 200 is falling
in air. If Stokes were correct for this particle, how
fast would it be falling, and what would its
Reynolds number be?
Solution:
We can take our result from Example 1, if
Stokes law applies, then the velocity is
proportional to the diameter squared, so

46
 (0.00605 cm / s)(200 /1 ) 2 2.42 m / s
D f (200 106 m)(2.42 m / s)(1.20 kg / m3 )
Rp 32.3 #
5
1.8 10 kg / m / s
This result is clearly greater than the Reynolds number
of 0.3, which is the normal upper limit for reliable use of
Stokes law.

47
 Example 3
Estimate the true settling velocity of the 200-
diameter particle in Example 2 using the
experimental drag coefficient correlation in Eq.
(7).
Solution:
In this case we must use a trial-and-error
solution because we do not know the real
Reynolds number.

48
 We begin by assuming that the particle Reynolds
number is 20. then from Eq. (7) we see that
24
Cd (1 0.14 200.7 ) 2.57
20
Solving Eq. (5) for the velocity:
1/ 2
t C Fd

d ( / 8) D f
2

49
 Here, at the terminal settling velocity, Fd = mg =
(/6)D3pg.
Thus, (4 / 3) D p g 1/ 2
t Cd f

6 3 2

1/ 2 m
(4 / 3)(200 10 m )(2000 kg / m )(9.81 m / s )
1.30
2.57(1.20 kg / m3 ) s
Now we must check our assumption that Rp = 20.
D f (200 106 m)(1.30 m / s)(1.20 kg / m3 )
R p 17.3
5
(1.8 10 kg / m / s)

50
 From Eq. (7) we compute that this corresponds to
Cd=2.82.
Since the calculated vt is proportional to (1/Cd)1/2, we can
compute the new estimate of the terminal velocity as

t 1.30 m / s(2.57 / 2.82) 1/ 2

1.24 m / s
Repeating the Rp calculation, we find Rp=16.5.

51
 For this Rp, Eq. (7) shows a Cd of about 2.90
leading to a new velocity estimate of 1.22 m/s
and a new Rp of 16.2.
At this point, we may consider the problem
solved. #

52
 Example 3 shows the following:
(1) For a 200- particle of specific gravity 2
settling in air at 20 oC, the true velocity is
only 50% (=1.22/2.42) of the velocity
calculated by Stokes law.
(2) This type of calculation by trial and
error is tedious.

53
 Next slide (Fig. 8.7)
A plot similar to Fig. 8.6, but it covers a range of
particle density and also shows particle settling
velocity in water.

54
2.3 Particles Too Small for Stokes Law

Stokes law assumes that the fluid in which the

particle is moving in a continuous medium.
When a particle becomes as small as or smaller
than the average distance between molecules,
then its interaction with molecules changes.

56
 At this circumstance, the number of collisions of
molecules on the particle is small, some significant
fraction of the colliding gas molecules are adsorbed
onto the surface of the particle and remain long
enough to forget what direction they came from.
In this case their direction of leaving is diffuse,
meaning random, subject to some statistical rules.

57
 The effect of the change from specular to diffuse reflection is to
lower the drag force, which causes the particle to move faster.
The most widely used correction factor for this change has the form
Fd Stokes
Fd (8)
1 A / D
where A = an experimentally determined
constant
= mean free path (the average travel
distance of a gas molecule between
successive collisions)
Fd-Stoke=the drag force computed according to
Stokes law

58
 The (1+A/D) term used here is commonly
called Cunningham correction factor.
It is only applicable for values of /D of order of
magnitude one.
For much larger value of /D, more complex
formulae are used.

59
 Most workers use the value of A in Eq. (8) found
by Millikan for oil droplets settling in air, A=1.728.
This is not derived theoretically, nor is it
necessarily applicable to other kinds of particles
or other gases but it is widely used because we
do not have better information.

60
Example 4
A spherical particle with diameter 0.1 is
settling in still air. What is its terminal settling
velocity?
Solution:
By combining Eqs (3) and (8), we find
v = vStokes (1 + A/D)
We find that vStokes is our answer from
Example 1, divided by 100,
vStokes = 6.5 x 10-7 m/s
61
 The mean free path depends on T, P, and M.
For air at one atmosphere and room temperature
0.07 , so

1 A
D
1 1.728 0.07
0.1 2.21

and
6.05 107 m / s 2.21 1.34 106 m / s #

62
 For oil droplets Fuchs suggested the limits listed
in Table 8.1 (next slide) for errors in the
applicability of Stokes law, and Stokes law
modified by the simple form of the Cunningham
correction factor.

63
 Since most of the industrial particle collectors work
on particles with diameters in the range of 1.6 to 70
, most are designed on the basis of Stokes law in
the early stages.
For the final design calculation, the Cunningham
correction factor is used as well.

65
2.4 Stokes Stopping Distance
Example 5
A 1 diameter spherical particle with specific
gravity 2.0 is ejected from a gun into standard air
at a velocity of 10 m/s.
How far does it travel before it is stopped by
viscous friction? Here we ignore the effect of
gravity.

66
 Solution:
The drag force is the only force acting on the particle
after it leaves the gun.
3 D 3 d
F ma D p
C 6 dt
Where C is the Cunningham correction factor.
Thus,
d 18
2
dt D pC

67
 Substituting dt = dx/v, separating variables, canceling the
two v terms, and intergrating, we find
v 0 18 x x
vv d D2 pC x0 dx
0

and
0 D p C
2

xStokes stopping (9)

18
(10 m / s)(106 m) 2 (2000 kg / m 3 )(1.12)

18(1.8 105 kg / m / s)
6.9 105 m 69 #
68
2.5 Aerodynamic Particle Diameter
Eq. (9) also shows that any two particles that
have the same value of D2pC will have the
same Stokes stopping distance for any initial
velocity (in air with the same viscosity).
They have the same aerodynamic behavior.

69
 For that reason, we define a new property, the
aerodynamic particle diameter:
Da=D(pC)1/2
This is a peculiar diameter, because it has the
dimensions [(length)(mass/length3)1/2], e.g.,
[(m)(kg/m3)1/2].

70
 Thus the particle in Example 5 would have an
aerodynamic particle diameter, Da, of

0.5 0.5
Da 0.1 2 cm3
g
2.21 0.21 g
cm3
0.21a

Where the symbol a stands for microns, aerodynamic.

In SI units this should be stated as 0.21 m (1000
kg/m3)0.5, but that usage is seldom seen.

71
2.6 Diffusion of Particles
Small particles move by Brownian motion, which
we describe according to the equations for
diffusion.
If the particle is small enough that it can only
expect a few collisions with the surrounding gas
molecules per second and its inertia is small
because of its small size, then the force of an
individual collision is enough to make it move.

72
 Subsequent collisions, whose directions are
random, will move it in other directions, so that
its time-series path will be a series of short
jumps in one direction and then another.
In a uniform solution or suspension, Brownian
motion does not cause any net change in the
concentration with time in any part of the
solution.

73
 But if the concentration is not uniform, then Brownian
motion tends to equalize the concentration.
From diffusion theory, we know that for three-
dimensional, nonsteady-state diffusion
c
t
D 2c
x 2
2c
y 2
2c
z 2 (10)

Where D = diffusivity (normal units m2/s)

c = concentration

74
 For steady-state, one-dimensional diffusion Eq. (10) reduces
to the well-known Ficks law of diffusion
Diffusive flow rate dc
Flux D
Unit area dx
For spherical particles suspended in a perfect gas, D may be
estimated from the kinetic theory of gases as
kTC
D
3 D

where k = Boltzmann constant

C = Cunningham correction factor

75
Example 6
Estimate the diffusivity of a 1- diameter particle in air at
20oC and 1 atm.
Solution:
For a 1- diameter particle the Cunningham correction
factor can be shown from Eq. (8) to be about 1.16, so
(1.38 1023 kg m2 / s 2 / K )(293.15 K )(1.16) 11 2
D 2.8 10 m /s
(3 )(1.8 10 kg / m / s)(10 m)
5 6

76
 Most gases diffuse in air with diffusivities of
about 10-5 m2/s, and diffusivities of solutes in
liquids are typically about 10-9 m2/s.
Thus, particles on the order of a few microns do
not diffuse rapidly.

77