An analytical approach to the population balance equation for radioactive aerosols

An analytical approach to the population balance equation for radioactive aerosols is performed based on the general governing equation involving the effect of radioactivity. The analytical studies covering the quantitative analysis of the interaction among the various physical processes are carried out to elucidate the general properties of radioactive aerosol size distribution under the simultaneous influence of coagulation, condensation and removal. The physical meanings of the solutions derived were closely examined through graphical representations. The volume-proportional removal process was mainly considered and it was known that the major physical process to reduce the radioactivity should be the gravitational settling of particles. Also, it was examined that the definition of the total airborne radioactivity between that known conventionally and that defined in this paper might be slightly different. While total radioactivity defined conventionally could be an underestimate compared with that of this work, the effect of the removal process was believed to reduce the difference as time increases. (author)