ELECTRIC CHARGE-DISTRIBUTION AND CAPACITANCE OF AGGLOMERATES OF SPHERICAL-PARTICLES - THEORY AND EXPERIMENTAL SIMULATION

The electrical properties of aerosol particles depend on their capacit ance and their spatial charge distribution. A theory has been develope d for the calculation of the capacitance of agglomerates of spherical components of any geometry, and any size or range of sizes. The calcul ations have been compared with direct measurements of capacitance made on large-scale simulations of aerosols, composed of steel spheres stu ck together. In all cases, theory and experiment agree closely, and pa rt of any discrepancy is experimental error. The theory also gives ris e to the spatial distribution of electric charge, which allows equipot ential surfaces to be plotted, and which enables estimates to be made of the charge that can be held before dielectric breakdown occurs.