Experimental investigation of the acoustic agglomeration phenomenon

This final year project aims to investigate the acoustic agglomeration mechanism and determine its effect on coal ash. Acoustic agglomeration makes use of sound energy to excite and change the relative motions of particulate matter in order to encourage coagulation and formation of larger particle sizes. Orthokinetic interactions and hydrodynamic forces are two mechanisms that are widely accepted to be more significant in causing the acoustic agglomeration effect. The effects were investigated by sending a dust aerosol mixture through an acoustic chamber in order to find the differences when the speaker is turned on compared to when it is turned off. The effects of frequency and sound pressure levels are determined by exposing the dust mixture to both high and low frequencies, at varying sound pressure levels.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering