Mathematical Model of Propagation of an Aerosol Created by an Impulse Method in Space

Abstract

When developing neutralization systems for harmful agents, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of the formation and evolution of an aerosol cloud in a closed or open space. Effective decontamination with aerosol clouds is provided by a rather high particle concentration and dispersion in an open space or on contaminated surfaces. This paper considers neutralization systems based on pulsed powder aerosol generators. It is shown that an aerosol cloud consisting of micron- and submicron-sized particles appears for several seconds after spraying. A further evolution of the aerosol cloud in a room is associated with the gravitational settling, diffusion, and coagulation of particles and their settling on the walls and ceiling. In the case of an open space or a ventilation system in a room, the evolution of the aerosol cloud is affected by the airflow. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the most important parameters and critical conditions of pulsed aerosol generation. A mathematical model is, thus, proposed for pulsed aerosol generation, and its parametric study is conducted in the most typical conditions. The purpose performance predicted by the model is the mass concentration of aerosol particles in the air and on surfaces, depending on the time of particle spraying and dispersion.