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Effects of chamber configuration on the nanoparticle output of spark discharge generators : A combined CFD, particle tracing, and experimental study

Bermeo, M. LU ; Megyeri, D. ; Magnusson, M. H. LU ; Kohut, A. ; Geretovszky, Zs and Messing, M. E. LU (2026) In Journal of Aerosol Science 195.
Abstract

Spark discharge generators (SDGs) are versatile tools for producing nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored properties. This study combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Particle Tracing (PT) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics® with experimental data to investigate the effect of various chamber configurations, including inlet/outlet positioning and chamber volume on the NP output. Five geometries were tested, with results showing that shorter inlet-to-outlet distances increase the gas velocity at the electrode gap, reduce particle residence time, and lead to higher particle yields. The experimental results were consistent with the simulations after normalization to the product of spark energy and frequency, indicating only a minor... (More)

Spark discharge generators (SDGs) are versatile tools for producing nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored properties. This study combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Particle Tracing (PT) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics® with experimental data to investigate the effect of various chamber configurations, including inlet/outlet positioning and chamber volume on the NP output. Five geometries were tested, with results showing that shorter inlet-to-outlet distances increase the gas velocity at the electrode gap, reduce particle residence time, and lead to higher particle yields. The experimental results were consistent with the simulations after normalization to the product of spark energy and frequency, indicating only a minor dependence of output concentration on chamber volume, given that the residence time does not exceed the sparking period. Our results highlight the effectiveness of combined CFD-PT simulations in predicting and optimizing SDG performance.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
CFD, COMSOL simulation, Nanoparticles, Particle tracing, Residence time, Spark ablation
in
Journal of Aerosol Science
volume
195
article number
106810
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105036723677
ISSN
0021-8502
DOI
10.1016/j.jaerosci.2026.106810
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4af5a8a5-9812-4df3-9fe7-6977ab85deff
date added to LUP
2026-05-21 12:14:22
date last changed
2026-05-21 12:15:17
@article{4af5a8a5-9812-4df3-9fe7-6977ab85deff,
  abstract     = {{<p>Spark discharge generators (SDGs) are versatile tools for producing nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored properties. This study combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Particle Tracing (PT) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics® with experimental data to investigate the effect of various chamber configurations, including inlet/outlet positioning and chamber volume on the NP output. Five geometries were tested, with results showing that shorter inlet-to-outlet distances increase the gas velocity at the electrode gap, reduce particle residence time, and lead to higher particle yields. The experimental results were consistent with the simulations after normalization to the product of spark energy and frequency, indicating only a minor dependence of output concentration on chamber volume, given that the residence time does not exceed the sparking period. Our results highlight the effectiveness of combined CFD-PT simulations in predicting and optimizing SDG performance.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bermeo, M. and Megyeri, D. and Magnusson, M. H. and Kohut, A. and Geretovszky, Zs and Messing, M. E.}},
  issn         = {{0021-8502}},
  keywords     = {{CFD; COMSOL simulation; Nanoparticles; Particle tracing; Residence time; Spark ablation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Aerosol Science}},
  title        = {{Effects of chamber configuration on the nanoparticle output of spark discharge generators : A combined CFD, particle tracing, and experimental study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2026.106810}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.jaerosci.2026.106810}},
  volume       = {{195}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}