Chapter 12
Q. 12.2
Find the relaxation times and stopping distances of spores of 10 µm radius and aerosol particles of 0.5 µm radius in a gas moving at 2 m s^{−1}. Hence confirm that the spores would be deposited rapidly to the walls of a bronchus 4 mm diameter while the aerosol would penetrate effectively along the tube.
Step-by-Step
Verified Solution
\tau = m/6\pi \nu \rho _{a} r=2r^{2} \rho_{p} /9v \rho _{a} ,
i. \tau = 2\times (10\times 10^{-6} )^{2} \times 1 \times 10^{6} /(9\times 15\times 10^{-6} \times 1.2\times 10^{3} ) = 1.23 \times 10^{-3} \; s .
S= \tau V_{0} = 1.23\times 10^{-3} \times 2.0=2.5\; mm . Hence the probability of deposition from turbulent flow in a bronchus of diameter 4 mm would be high.
ii. τ = 3 × 10^{−6} s, and S = 6 µm. The probability of deposition would be low.