Physical and Numerical Researches of Particle Agglomeration Induced by a Symmetrically Activated Acoustic Field

This article presents numerical and physical studies of a symmetrical piezoelectric ultrasonic vibration system (UVS), which consists of a double bidirectional axial piezoelectric transducer with two disks arranged perpendicular to its axis of symmetry. The UVS was designed, modeled, and constructed so that the symmetrical bidirectional axial piezoelectric transducer located in the center would work as a longitudinal vibration resonant system, which causes the disks attached at the ends to vibrate at a resonant frequency. Such a UVS design was conceived with the aim of applying it in air purification systems—an acoustic field is formed between the disks of the system, which forms lower- and higher-pressure zones in the air contaminated with particles. Particle agglomeration occurs in these zones. The stuck and thickened particles are subsequently cleaned by conventional methods. A special stand was used for the physical study, in which the UVS was installed. During the numerical research, calculations of the possibilities of particle agglomeration were performed. Tests were conducted in several different operating modes of the stand, and the results showed that such UVS can help agglomerate particulate matter in the air stream and thus improve air quality.