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Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, Vol.17, No.5-6, 244-250, 2000
Design and performance evaluation of multi-nozzle virtual impactors for concentrating particles
This paper describes the development and performance evaluation of multi-nozzle virtual impacters used in concentrating aerosol particles. Four virtual impacters were designed: one single-nozzle and three multi-nozzle virtual impacters with 4, 12 and 18 nozzles, respectively. For each of the four designs, two kinds of nozzles were implemented, one that had a flat surface and the other a cut-out nozzle designed with consideration of airflow streamlines inside the impactor. Thus, a total of 8 models of virtual impacters were designed and fabricated to study the internal particle loss and concentration performance. Multi-nozzle devices were provided primarily for applications involving high-volume air sampling. Virtual impacters with cut-out nozzles yielded higher fractional collection efficiencies and lower internal losses than virtual impacters with flat nozzles. It is expected that significant flow turbulence will occur in the space between the acceleration nozzles and the collection probes. This may increase the internal losses arising from back-impaction on the acceleration nozzles and particle deposition on the collection probes with flat nozzles.