Köhler Theory Analysis (KTA)

Köhler Theory 101

 

Each particle requires a discrete amount of water vapor to activate into cloud droplets.  Köhler theory describes cloud droplet formation and  is based on thermodynamic equilibrium arguments and computes the equilibrium saturation ratio, S, of a wet particle of diameter, Dp, from the contribution of curvature (Kelvin) and solute (Raoult) terms.  We provide Köhler theory for the following types of CCN:

 

¨ Single Component - aerosol consisting of one compound

 

¨ Multiple Component - aerosol consisting of two or more compounds, either inorganic, organic, or a mixture of both