Particulate Technology 3B – Learning Unit 1 Part B

Dr Tebogo Mashifana

2020
Test 1
• 5 March 2020, Thursday, lecture slot

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Particle Characterisation
• Definition
• Particle and Shape
• Sphericity
• Size distribution
• Mean particle sizes
• Particle size measurement
• Bulk properties of particles

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Characterization of Solid Particles
Individual solid particles are characterized by their size, shape and composition.

a) Shape – regular – e.g. spherical or cubical irregular – e.g. a piece of broken glass

b) Size – influence the properties such as :

- the surface per unit volume
- the settling rate of particle in fluid

c) Composition - determines properties such as density and conductivity

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Why measure particle properties?

❑Better control of quality of product (cement, urea, cosmetics etc)

❑Better understanding of products, ingredients.

❑ Designing of equipment for different operations such as crushing, grinding, conveying, separation,
storage etc.

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Which particle properties are important to measure?

❑ In addition to chemical composition, the behavior of particulate materials is often dominated by the
physical properties of the constituent particles.
❑ These can influence a wide range of material properties including, for example, reaction and
dissolution rates, how easily ingredients flow and mix, or compressibility and abrasivity.
❑From a manufacturing and development perspective, some of the most important physical
properties to measure are: what particle properties are important to measure?
o Particle size
o Particle shape
o Surface properties
o Mechanical properties
o Charge properties
o Microstructure

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Particle shape – individual particle
❑The shape of an individual particle is expressed in terms of the sphericity which is independent of
particle size.
❑Sphericity is the ratio of surface area of sphere of same volume as particle to the surface area of
particle.
❑So for spherical particle sphericity is equal to one.
❑For non-spherical particle it is defined by (1):
6v p
=
Dp s p

– Dp: equivalent diameter of particle

– Sp: surface area of one particle
– vp: volume of one particle

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Particle shape – Individual Particle
❑The equivalent diameter is sometimes defined as the diameter of a sphere of equal volume.
❑For fine particles, Dp is usually taken to be the nominal size based on screen analysis or
microscopic analysis.
❑The surface area is found from adsorption measurements or from the pressure drop in a bed of
particles.
❑For many crushed materials, Sphericity is between 0.6 and 0.8. For particles rounded by abrasion,
their sphericity may be as high as 0.95.
❑For a cube and cylinder sphericity is 1

surface area of sphere of same volume as particle

Sphericity =
surface area of particle

Source ; Unit Operation of Chemical Engineering (McCabe,Smith & Harriot) ( Table 7.1 page 164) 8
Sphericity of different particles

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Particle size
❑By far the most important physical property of particulate samples is particle size.
❑Particle size measurement is routinely carried out across a wide range of industries and is often a
critical parameter in the manufacturing of many products.

❑Particle size has a direct influence on material properties such as:

o Reactivity or dissolution rate e.g. catalysts, tablets
o Stability in suspension e.g. sediments, paints
o Efficacy of delivery e.g. asthma inhalers
o Texture and feel e.g. food ingredients
o Appearance e.g. powder coatings and inks
o Flowability and handling e.g. granules
o Viscosity e.g. nasal sprays
o Packing density and porosity e.g. ceramics.

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Particle size – Mixed particle sizes and size analysis
❑In a sample of uniform particles of diameter Dp the number of particles in a sample ,N is given by;
𝑚𝑝
N= (2)
𝜌𝑝 𝑣𝑝

❑From Eq. (1) and (2), the total surface area of particle sample, A can be computed by
6𝑚
A= Nsp = (3)
Φ𝜌𝑝 𝐷𝑝

❑These equations are applicable to mixtures of particles having various sizes and densities, the
mixture is sorted into fractions, each of constant density and approximately constant size

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Particle size – Mixed particle sizes and size analysis

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Particle size – Mixed particle sizes and size analysis

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 Specific surface of mixture

If the particle density 𝜌𝑝 and sphericity Φ𝑝 are known, the surface area of particles in each fraction
can be calculated and added to give the specific surface, Aw.
The total surface area of the unit mass of particles:

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Average particle size

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Number of particles in mixture

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Screen Analysis

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Screen Analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-NrQoRIYY
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Screen Analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-NrQoRIYY
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Screen Analysis

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Screen Analysis

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Screen Analysis Cumulative fraction small than Dp
= 1.000 – 0.0251 = 0.9749

Average particle diameters in increment

= (4.699 + 3.327)/2 = 4.013

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Size measurement with fine particles

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Factors affecting the efficiency of a screening system
Rate of feeding: If feed rate is too high, there is insufficient residence time. The screen
becomes overloaded, and some "fines" leave with the oversize.
Particle size: Large particles can impede the path of smaller ones, and a preliminary
separation may be required if a high proportion of larger particles are present
Moisture: Moisture can cause adhesion of small particles to larger ones, so some undersize
leave with the oversize
Worn or damaged screens: Oversize may fall through damaged areas
Blinding (clogging) of screens: Particularly likely when the size of particles is very close to
the screen aperture. Result can be undersize leaving with oversize.
Electrostatic charge: When screening dry powders, surfaces can become charged, resulting
in small particles clumping together and leaving with the oversize. Grounding of screens may be
necessary.

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Sedimentation methods

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Elutriation TEchniques

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Microscopic sizing and image analysis

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Laser Diffraction Methods

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Particle Solids in Bulk

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Voidage

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Agglomeration

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Pressure in Particle Solids

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Angle of repose

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Storage of solids

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Flow of solids in hoppers

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Discharge rate, measurement and control of solids flowrate

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Conveying of solids

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Conveying of solids

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Mixing of solids

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Mixing Equipment

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Kneader mixer

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Muller mixer

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Mixing effectiveness

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Mixing index at zero time granular solid

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Rate of mixing

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Classification of solid particles

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Classification of solid particles

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