Ultrafine aerosol generation from free falling nanopowders : experiments and numerical modelling

Abstract

In the last few years, the interest on nanomaterials and their applications have increased in a considerable way. Hence, the knowledge of the possible hazards on human health becomes necessary. Besides the description of the toxicological effects of nanomaterials, the exposure level on the worksites is one of the key data of the problem. The present work aims at studying the resuspension of ultrafine particles in the air during the falling of nanostructured powders. A numerical approach has been developed aiming at simulating the free falling of a powder cluster. The results show that a resuspension of particles occurs following the powder cluster deformation during the free fall of the particles in the air. Isolated particles remain suspended in the air for a long time.