CFD modeling the diffusional losses of nanocluster-sized particles and condensing vapors in 90° bends of circular tubes

Abstract

<p>Particle and vapor measurements typically include sampling tubing causing sampling losses therein. Correcting measured concentrations from the sampling losses using the calculated penetration efficiencies of straight tubes is a satisfactory approximation if sub-micrometer particles are of interest. However, in addition to inertial impaction of larger particles, bends in the tubing can cause a significant increase in diffusional losses of particles smaller than 5 nm or of condensing vapor, such as sulfuric acid. Here, the effects of 90° bends with various curvatures (dimensionless curvatures of 1.3−67) on the diffusional losses in a wide range of Reynolds (25−10000) and Schmidt (0.48−1400) numbers were simulated using computational fluid dynamics. The results were parametrized to output the functions for the penetration efficiencies of a bend.</p>