MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC CHARGE OF AEROSOL PARTICLES GENERATED BY VARIOUS METHODS

Abstract

The charge of aerosols generated by various methods was measured by a visual experimental technique. The results obtained are as follows: 1) Aerosol particles generated by condensation after evaporation almost reach the Boltzmann charge distribution when ions are mixed as condensation nuclei, but have a lower charge when no ions are mixed. 2) The charge of aerosol particles generated by chemical reaction depends on the aerosol material and the kinds of reaction. Metal aerosol particles generated by combustion are highly charged, but particles of tobacco smoke are not highly charged. Aerosol particles of ammonium chloride generated by chemical reaction, on the other hand, are not charged at all. 3) The charge of aerosols dried after atomization seems to be affected by the state of solution or suspension in nebulizer. Di-octyl sebacate particles are almost uncharged, sodium chloride particles are highly charged, and polystyrene latex particles have the highest charge among the aerosols tested. 4) Aerosols generated by mechanical dispersion have a charge higher than the Boltzmann charge.