Turbulent disruption and agglomeration of fly ash particles in a stirred tank

Abstract

We have measured the change of size distribution and number concentration of fly ash particles suspended in a stirred tank. Disruption of aggregates is dominant for the dilute suspension (3.3 × 10 12/m 3). On the other hand, agglomeration of particles is dominant for high concentration (8.2 × 10 13/m 3). In both cases, the rapid changes of particle size distributions occur for the initial 2 min and the equilibrium states that the amounts of disruption and agglomeration are in balance have been reached after about 15 min from the starting point of rotation. Also, it has been found that for the intermediate concentration the amounts of agglomeration and disruption are in balance and cancel out each other from the starting point of rotation.