Particle Size Distributions in Atmospheric Clouds

Abstract

In this note, we derive a transport equation for a spatially integrated distribution function of particles size that is suitable for sparse particle systems, such as in atmospheric clouds. This is done by integrating a Boltzmann equation for a (local) distribution function over an arbitrary but finite volume. A methodology for evolving the moments of the integrated distribution is presented. These moments can be either tracked for a finite number of discrete populations ("clusters") or treated as continuum variables.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADP014791

Entities

People

  • Karim Shariff
  • Roberto Paoli

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Boltzmann Equation
  • Cloud Physics
  • Clouds
  • Condensation
  • Diffusion
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Distribution Functions
  • Equations
  • Flow
  • Heat Energy
  • Kinetic Theory
  • Latent Heat
  • Particle Size
  • Physical Properties
  • Thermodynamic Processes
  • Turbulence

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics