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Mass Transfer Rate of Non-Spherical Particles in Turbulence using Sugar-Glass Recipe
Summary
This study evaluated mass transfer rates from non-spherical particles in turbulent flow using sugar-glass replicas of rod and disc shapes, providing insight into how particle shape affects environmental behavior — relevant to understanding how irregularly shaped microplastics disperse in aquatic environments.
We evaluate the mass transfer rate from the surface of rod- and disc- shaped particles with various aspect ratios and surface areas. The method of particle fabrication used here builds off of both traditional gypsum plaster dissolution methods and advances in sugar-glass particle recipes. The particles were created in-house with a nearly neutrally buoyant formula and custom molds. They were then tested in homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. The decrease in particle weight was recorded and results were compared to the Hixson-Crowell model for dissolution. We hypothesized that the turbulent flow would affect the boundary layer surrounding these particles and therefor their mass transfer rate. Results from these experiments show the dependence of shape and surface area to mass transfer rate in turbulent flow. The related questions are relevant to cases of marine biology, carbon sequestration, and pollution by microplastics.