On the Fragility of Acoustically Agglomerated Submicron Fly Ash Particles

Abstract

The concept and potential use of acoustic agglomeration as an aerosol conditioning device in a clean-up team is discussed. The experimental setup used for carrying out the room temperature agglomeration tests is briefly described. Photographic evidence is presented showing the survival of bonds holding the acoustically agglomerated particles together, after the particles were size separated in an (Anderson Mark II) inertial impactor. A theoretical analysis is developed which shows that the shearing stresses exerted on particles in the impactor are higher than would be experienced if they were being separated in a typical industrial cyclone. Thus, it is concluded that the acoustically agglomerated particles are “robust” enough to avoid breakup in a cyclone (a common industrial particle removal device).