Deposition of inertial particles in turbulent channel flows

From gas turbine fouling to the transport of aerosolized pollutants in human airways, deposition of particulate matter in a turbulent channel has a wide range of applications. Although the 1D deposition model gives reasonably accurate result to the deposition velocity, the process is sensitive to many effects, including humidity, particle charges, and particle inertia. We have designed and constructed a vertical channel to investigate the deposition process of inertial particles. This system enables us to independently control the turbulence, humidity, and temperature of the air. Several different diagnostic methods have also been implemented to cover a wide range of length and time scales that are relevant to different aspects of the problem. Taken together, these measurements pave the way for a deeper understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms driving particle deposition.