| Abstract |
The goal of this research was to determine if surfactants that carry an electrical charge can enhance respirable particle capture through electrostatic attraction. In a laboratory setting, tests were conducted to measure the effects of particle diameter, surfactant type and concentration, and particle charge on the capture of respirable particles by surfactant-containing water spray droplets. Polystyrene latex particles with diameters of 0.6, 1.0, or 2.1 im or coal dust particles with a wide range of diameters were generated in a wind tunnel. Particles were given either an unneutralized, neutralized, net positive, or net negative charge, and then were allowed to be captured as they passed through sprays containing anionic, cationic, or nonionic surfactant, or they moved through the same spray section with the spray turned off. After passing through the spray region, the particles were sampled, charge-separated, and counted at various voltage levels. Comparisons of concentrations with the sprays on and off permitted the calculation of collection efficiency. Overall efficiencies were measured integrated across all charge levels, as well as efficiencies for particles at specific charge levels. |
