Collection of uncharged prolate spheroidal aerosol particles by spherical collectors—I: 2D motion

The dynamics of prolate spheroidal particles are examined in relation to collisions with a 30 μm radius collector droplet. The rotations of the particles along their trajectories are determined for different particle aspect ratios. The initial particle orientation and position with respect to the collector and the particle rotational inertia are found to have strong influences on the collision efficiencies. Large differences in efficiency can occur for particles if the aerodynamic size is defined at different particle orientations. Capture of prolate spheroidal particles on the downstream side of the collector can occur in the absence of attractive forces in contrast to the case of spherical particles.