Acoustic agglomeration of a glycol fog aerosol: Influence of particle concentration and intensity of the sound field at two frequencies

Measurements of the initial acoustic agglomeration rate averaged over the volume of the measurement chamber, , as a function of the applied acoustic power, P, and of the initial aerosol particle concentration, NT0, have been made using sound sources operating at 10 and 21 kHz. The results show that at both frequencies the acoustic agglomeration rate is directly proportional to the square of the wave velocity amplitude, i.e. . A model that takes account of sound attenuation in progressive or standing wave situations has been devised. The results of this model are consistent with the experimental observations when the efficiency dependency of is incorporated. It is also shown that an enhanced agglomeration can be achieved under standing wave conditions. The model also yields a number of non-dimensional parameters which permit comparison of measurements made in chambers with different geometry.