Generalization of an asymptotic model for constant-rate aerosol reactors

摘要

An asymptotic model was previously developed to predict behaviors of constant-rate aerosol reactors operating with particles in the free-molecular or continuum limits. This model considered the limiting cases of having either condensation or nucleation dominate during a nucleation burst that occurs from steady addition of condensable monomer. In the present article, this model is generalized to allow condensation and nucleation to both be important during a nucleation burst. Criteria are derived to predict the relative magnitudes of nucleation and condensation, and scaling relations are presented for particle number densities, particle sizes, and onset times and durations of nucleation bursts. Comparison of the asymptotic results with numerical integration of the governing equations is favorable both qualitatively and quantitatively.