On the orderly nature of the motion of nonspherical aerosol particles. I. Deposition from a laminar flow

Abstract The gravitational deposition of axisymmetrical elongated particles from a laminar flow was studied theoretically and checked experimentally. The rotation of the particles due to the velocity gradients was taken into account. The dependence of the sedimentation characteristics on the initial conditions of motion, the geometric dimensions of the particles and the flow, was investigated. It has been found that the Stokes (or aerodynamic) diameter of the particles is not an inherent property but rather a function of the velocity gradients within the flow. This is thought to be significant for the size assessment of nonspherical aerosol particles and its interpretation.