New particle formation in the presence of an aerosol

P. H. McMurry, S. K. Friedlander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

191 Scopus citations

Abstract

Condensable molecules generated in the gas phase by chemical reaction can either form new panicles or condense on existing aerosol particles. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of a preexisting aerosol on aerosol dynamics in such systems. Secondary sulfate aerosol was produced by photochemical reactions in the SO2-NOx-propylene system. A new theory which predicts the rate at which new particles of a given size are formed is also presented. Scavenging of molecular clusters by surrounding aerosols can be important, and is incorporated in the theory. Measured rates of new particle formation are compared with predicted rates, taking into account the minimum particle size detected experimentally. Agreement between theory and experiment is within experimental error. Based on the theoretical analysis, a criterion for determining whether or not new particle formation is important in such systems is established.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1635-1651
Number of pages17
JournalAtmospheric Environment (1967)
Volume13
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 1979
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Ackeowledgemenr - This studyw ass upportedin part by the Nationali nstitutefo r EnvironmentaHl ealthS cience(sG rant No. 5 TO1 ES 00004-14a)n d the EnvironmentaPl rotection Agency, (Grant No. R802160)W. e wish to expresso ur appreciationt o the Pasadena Lung Associationfo r an instrumentatiogn rant.

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