Effect of surface roughness on droplet resuspension behavior

C. T. Wang, W. T. Leung, S. C. Fu, Yuguo Li, Anthony K.Y. Law, Christopher Y.H. Chao

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Resuspension of droplets from surfaces is an important indoor phenomenon. If the droplets are infectious, they would become a new source of airborne disease transmission. Since different kinds of materials that have different surface roughness are used in an indoor environment, investigation of the effect of surface roughness on droplet resuspension behavior is essential. Experiments were carried out by using a centrifuge. Unlike solid particles which detach as a whole, droplets detach by portion when they are under an increasing force field. The adhesive force between droplets and surfaces is found to be proportional to the contact diameter, and the adhesion coefficient is dependent on the roughness. Different from solid particles, the larger the roughness, the harder it is for droplets to be resuspended. This work reveals how roughness affects droplet resuspension and how droplet resuspension behavior differs from that of solid particles. This will be useful for risk assessment on disease transmission.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Electronic)9781713826514
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: 22 Jul 201827 Jul 2018

Publication series

Name15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018

Conference

Conference15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period22/07/1827/07/18

Keywords

  • Adhesive force
  • Aerosol
  • Centrifuge
  • Disease transmission
  • Resuspension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution

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