Aerosol Filtering/Sampling Device Based on Irrigated Rotating Wires—(1) Theoretical

The air cleaning or sampling system described in this study is a new concept involving irrigated rotating wires. The collector consists of a central disk-like hub from which the wires or elements radiate. The hub and radial elements are rotated at high speed, collecting solid or liquid particles on their surfaces, primarily by inertial impaction. To avoid buildup of collected material on these elements, a liquid is introduced onto the wire surfaces at the hub. The liquid then flows radially outward along the wire surfaces and is collected in a special ring-like section as it leaves the wire tips as drops. In this study, design principles and theoretical analyses are developed for the irrigated rotating wires. Theoretical bases for design and operation of the rotating wires are presented. The air cleaning rates, power requirements, and particle capture efficiency are theoretically analyzed, providing guidelines for designing and operation of the irrigated rotating wire system.