A kinetic model of gas-particle mass transfer in aerosol: Application to phase state in aerosol

Aerosol plays a vital role in atmosphere pollution, climate change, and health hazard. The mass transfer process between the aerosol particles and their ambient gas critically affects the evolution of aerosol particles and their phase states. A novel kinetic model is proposed to describe the gas-particle mass transfer among a particle bulk, a gas-particle interface and the ambient sources, based on Maxwell-Stefan relations and Langmuir adsorption theory. Two kinds of typical aerosol, which are respectively consisted of oxalic acid solution (aqueous solutions) and sucrose solution (easily to form a glassy state in a special condition), are chosen to demonstrate the feasibility of this proposed kinetic model, along with the available experimental data. The results showed that aerosol particles, which could kinetically form amorphous states during evaporation, are limited by the bulk viscosity. In contrast, the bulks consisting of aqueous solutions are controlled by the surface adsorption and desorption of molecules during mass transport. [Display omitted] •Model based on Langmuir adsorption model and Maxwell-Stefan relations is proposed.•The particle evolution via mass transfer of gas-particle is dynamically traced.•The main factor of water transport in aerosol is discussed.•Phase state transition on surface affects the particle evolution characteristics.