How quickly do ocean spray droplets dry into solid salt particles?

AI Thread Summary
Ocean spray droplets dry into solid salt particles influenced by factors such as droplet size, salt concentration (primarily NaCl), relative humidity, air speed, and temperature. Sodium chloride is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture when humidity exceeds 75%, but it can dry out in lower humidity conditions. The drying rate may vary based on environmental conditions, particularly in heated air scenarios like ventilation ducts. There may be existing measurements or formulas that quantify this process, which can be explored under terms like "sea spray" or "aerosols." Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending the behavior of salt particles in the atmosphere.
Peter Hessellund
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
When a bubble in the ocean bursts water drops are thrown into the air. How fast do these water drops dry out creating solid salt particles? There must be a formula for calculating this and I am guessing that the following variables must figure in the formula:
- Droplet size
- Salt concentration (Lets just assume that is is NaCl)
- Relative humidity
- Air speed around the particle
- Temperature

Or maybe someone just made a measurement.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
I doubt they ever do dry out ... sodium chloride is hygroscopic . It absorbs moisture from the atmosphere when the relative humidity is above 75%
 
But they must dry out when the humidity is below 75% In my case when the air enters a ventilation duct where the air is heated slightly.
 
Peter Hessellund said:
Or maybe someone just made a measurement.
Look under "sea spray", or "aerosols", and see if you can find out some information for your inquiry.
 
Back
Top