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Coagulation algorithms with size binningThe Smoluchowski equation describes the time evolution of an aerosol particle size distribution due to aggregation or coagulation. Any algorithm for computerized solution of this equation requires a scheme for describing the continuum of aerosol particle sizes as a discrete set. One standard form of the Smoluchowski equation accomplishes this by restricting the particle sizes to integer multiples of a basic unit particle size (the monomer size). This can be inefficient when particle concentrations over a large range of particle sizes must be calculated. Two algorithms employing a geometric size binning convention are examined: the first assumes that the aerosol particle concentration as a function of size can be considered constant within each size bin; the second approximates the concentration as a linear function of particle size within each size bin. The output of each algorithm is compared to an analytical solution in a special case of the Smoluchowski equation for which an exact solution is known . The range of parameters more appropriate for each algorithm is examined.
Document ID
19950029162
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Statton, David M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Gans, Jason
(University of California, Santa Cruz, CA United States)
Williams, Eric
(San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Computational Physics
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0021-9991
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
95A60761
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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