Articles | Volume 17, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12659-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12659-2017
Research article
 | 
25 Oct 2017
Research article |  | 25 Oct 2017

A new balance formula to estimate new particle formation rate: reevaluating the effect of coagulation scavenging

Runlong Cai and Jingkun Jiang

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Cited articles

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Short summary
Widely used formulae underestimate the atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) rate when intense NPF events are analyzed. This is caused by the underestimation or neglect of the coagulation scavenging effect. To address this issue, a new formula was theoretically derived. Aerosol down to ~ 1 nm was measured in Beijing and used together with data reported in the literature to test the new formula and others. Implications for NPF rates in various atmospheric environments are discussed.
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