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3646761 
Journal Article 
The Selective Separation of Aerosol Particles of Different Shape 
Griffiths, WD 
1987 
Yes 
Journal of Aerosol Science
ISSN: 0021-8502
EISSN: 1879-1964 
NIOSH/00184685 
18 
6 
761-763 
A separator has been developed for the selective separation of fibrous and isometric aerosols; a simple computer model capable of simulating the behavior of a mobility separator was used to design the instrument for maximum separation. Since fibrous particles have a greater surface area than isometric particles of the same size, they are able to acquire a greater electrical charge. In the method described, the sample is charged before it enters the separator by passing it through an electric field generated by a high voltage electrode. A series of charger/separator experiments were performed using various aerosol fibers, including ceramic, amosite (12172735) and chrysolite (25666971) fibers. On traversing the separator, the particles were collected on a 90 millimeter, 3 micrometer pore membrane filter. The results showed a gradual separation of the high aspect ratio fibers from the short aspect ratio fibers and from the isometric particles. Long, straight fibers were observed to align in the radial direction. The author concludes that the computer model used was successful in aiding the design of a mobility instrument with the ability to separate fibrous from isometric particles. 
DCN-173475; Aerosol particles; Airborne fibers; Aerosol sampling; Particulate sampling methods; Electrical fields; Membrane filters; Ceramic materials; Computer models; Asbestos fibers; 12172-73-5; 25666-97-1