Aerosols and their technical significance

Aerosols occur in many technical processes. For example, aerosols are formed to generate products of highly disperse solids in gas phase processes. Particle formation and growth in the aerosol state decisively determine the product properties by the size, shape, and structure of the particles. Undesired aerosol formation can also occur in technical processes. These undesired aerosols pollut process gases or products or increase the pollutant content of exhaust gases. If undesired aerosol formation cannot be avoided, efficient separation techniques have to be used. Efficient separators are also required to recover fine product particles from the gas phase. Moreover, aerosols, whether desired or undesired, have to be measured and characterized. This requires high performing measuring techniques. The paper outlines the technical significance of aerosols.