Microphysical Characteristics and Environmental Isotope Effects of the Micro-Droplet Groups under the Action of Acoustic Waves

• Published in: Atmosphere 2021-11, Vol.12 (11), p.1488
• Main Authors: Bai, Wenwen, Wei, Jiahua, Shi, Yang, Zhao, Zhifeng, Li, Qiong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustic waves; Acoustics; Air; Air chambers; Atmospheric aerosols; Droplets; environmental water vapor; Experiments; Gravity; Humidity; Hydrogen; isotope exchange equation; Isotopes; Lasers; Oxygen; Particle size; Radiation; Sedimentation; Sedimentation & deposition; Sound waves; trigger effect; Water vapor; Water vapour
• ISSN: 2073-4433; 2073-4433
• DOI: 10.3390/atmos12111488

Acoustics can cause particles/droplets to agglomerate in the air medium, thereby accelerating gravity sedimentation. To assess the microphysical characteristics and environmental isotope effects of micro-droplet groups under the action of acoustic waves, an air chamber experimental platform was established, and 100 groups of controlled experiments were conducted. The characteristic particle size, size spectrum, isotope values, corresponding linear relationships with hydrogen and oxygen, and d values were analyzed. The isotope exchange equation between the micro-droplet groups and environmental water vapor inside the air chamber was investigated. The results showed that the peak size values of the micro-droplet groups increased under the action of acoustic waves. The characteristic particle size (D90) showed a “trigger effect” with the acoustic operation with a positive deviation in the size spectrum and isotope exchange between the micro-droplet groups and environmental water vapor. The relative variations in theoretical values for different sedimentation conditions were consistent with those of the experimental results. Environment isotopes could be used to trace the acoustic agglomeration process of micro-droplets in the future.