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Variable-slope power-law PSD Prev topic | Next topic

The power-law PSD, n(D) = tD -s, where, t and s are positive constants and D is a non-dimensional particle size (see Power-law PSD), has been widely used to approximate experimental particle size distributions for numerous types of dispersions, since the introduction of this approximation by Junge (1963). Such an approximation is represented by a straight, descending line in the logn vs. logD plot.

Yet, experimental size distributions frequently exhibit curvature when plotted in such a scale, for example, Cavender-Bares et al 2001, Jonasz and Fournier 1996, Jonasz 1983). Ceronio and Haarhoff (2005) examine an extension of the power-law approximation with the slope parameter s being a function of D:

 s(D) = b logD  (1)

where parameter b was found by Ceronio and Haarhoff to be in a range of about 1.3 to 2 for nearly 1500 PSDs obtained for samples taken at water treatment plants. Ceronio and Haarhoff also provide a least-squares based procedure for estimating the parameters of so modified power-law approximation.

By making s a function of the particle size, D, one allows the PSD to curve in the log-log scale plots. Other functions used for approximating curved PSDs include:

CITATION:
Jonasz M. 2006. Variable-slope power-law PSD (www.tpdsci.com/Tpc/PsdPwLwVSlp.php). In: Top. Part. Disp. Sci. (www.tpdsci.com).
HISTORY:
Published:17-Jan-2006
Modified: 19-Jun-2006
Reviewed: PENDING
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