Abstract

In this work, a model for particle formation and growth is used to simulate the aluminum particle synthesis by an evaporation-condensation process. The effect of commonly employed process parameters (vaporization temperature, cooling rate, system pressure) is investigated. The model to be solved is the general dynamic equation (GDE) that accounts for particle nucleation, condensation and coagulation at non-isothermal conditions. The GDE was solved using the nodal method. The methodology approximates the particle size distribution to a few nodes by introducing size-splitting operators. The simulation results show that particle formation and growth take place in a short temperature range. The coagulation increases the particle size while maintaining the number concentration. On the other hand, the surface condensation tends to shift the particles size distribution towards a larger size. It was shown that production of nanoparticles with a more uniform size distribution and smaller particles are favored using low pressure and low vaporization temperature. The particle size distribution is nearly influenced by the cooling rate in the range study here.

Recommended Citation

Setyawan, Heru and Yuwana, Minta (2008) "Modeling and Simulation of Aluminum Nanoparticle Synthesis by the Evaporation-Condensation Process Using the Nodal Method," Chemical Product and Process Modeling: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1, Article 32.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/cppm/vol3/iss1/32