Resuspension of Particles by Aerodynamic Deagglomeration

Authors

Mark Fonda, NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER, MS 239-4, MOFFETT FIELD, CA
Mike Petach, TRW SPACE & ELECTRONIC GROUP, APPLIED TECHNOLOGY GROUP, REDONDO BEACH, CA
C. Fred Rogers, DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PO BOX 60220, RENO, NEVADA
Judith Huntington, SETI INSTITUTE, 2035 LANDINGS DRIVE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
David Stratton, SETI INSTITUTE, 2035 LANDINGS DRIVE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
Kenji Nishioka, SETI INSTITUTE, 2035 LANDINGS DRIVE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
Mark Tipo, HERNANDEZ ENGINEERING INC., NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER, MOFFETT FIELD, CA

Date of this Version

1999

Citation

Aerosol Science and Technology 30:509–529 (1999)

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

A deagglomerator system was developed, characterized by laboratory tests, and flown under low-gravity (low-g) microgravity conditions. Requirements for a dry powder deagglomeration system were generated by university and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists from diverse fields of interest including exobiology, planetary sciences, and atmospheric sciences. Existing deagglomeration methods and devices are reviewed. An aerosol generation method suitable for dry powders over a large rang of particle sizes and types at high concentrations with consistent deagglomeration efficiency are evaluated. Development of a pulsed-flow laboratory device and experimental approaches to meet the requirements without being g-dependent are described. Results of laboratory one-g quantitative characterization on one type of dry powder particle generator is discussed. Data from NASA low-g tests are summarized.