Particle technology

Particle technology is that branch of science and engineering dealing with the production, handling, modification, and use of a wide variety of particulate materials, both wet or dry, in sizes ranging from nanometers to centimeters; its scope spans a range of industries to include chemical, petrochemical, agricultural, food, pharmaceuticals, mineral processing, advanced materials, energy, and the environment.

This definition is given (essentially) by the Particle Technology Forum,[1] an international and interdisciplinary forum, but also a division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and as such is included in their list under the title of AIChE’s Technical Divisions and Forums.

Subjects of particle technology

Particle technology thus deals with bulk storage, crushing and grinding, particle size separation, such as sieving, tabling, flotation, qualitative separation such as magnetic separation, and/or electrostatic precipitation, fluidization, flocculation, Centrifugal separation, Liquid filtration, particle size analysis, powder metallurgy, nanotechnology, particle characterization by shape, and others.

Education in particle technology

Because according to the definition of particle technology it is a branch of chemical engineering, numerous universities with chemical engineering departments give courses in particle technology such as Sheffield University. The instruction includes both theory and laboratory practice. Particular subjects in this scientific/engineering discipline are also discussed during periodic symposia. Such a symposium is The Particle Technology Forum. The 8th UK Particle Technology Forum 2007 was held on 26–27 September 2007 at Robinson College, Cambridge, UK.

The Internet book entitled Fundamentals of Particle Technology on the World-Wide Web Virtual Library of the University of Florida Engineering Research Center (ERC) Particle Size and Technology (PS&T) group [2] consists of the following downloadable chapters for private study.

ChapTitle pp
Sponsors' page128
Title page 11
Copyright declaration and publisher information 11
Preface 28
Contents 27
1Introduction 89
2Particle characterisation770
3Fluid flow through porous media167
4Liquid filtration784
5Dilute systems218
6Hindered systems and rheology479
7Fluidisation332
8Centrifugal separation357
9Conveying166
10Powder flow and storage363
11Crushing and classification260
12Solid/solid mixing1320
13Colloids and agglomeration270
14Gas cleaning335
15Powder hazards160
16Case study110
Nomenclature 51
Further Reading 32
Heywood Tables 42
Index

Particle characterization

Particles are characterized by different methods. One of the many methods is the tap density (the Hausner method) to receive the bulk density. This test is performed by using a Hokosawa Powder Tester. Another test that is performed by using the Hokosawa Powder Tester is the angular repose. Angular repose data is collected by using a sieve/sifter that is connected to a funnel and the powder leaves the funnel and falls on to a pan. To ensure that the powder falls onto the pan there is a vibration setting that can bed adjusted. The powder falls in a mountain shape that a small thin rod is matched to measure the angle the powder makes. After the pointer/pin is in parallel with the powder piles angle the Hokosawa Powder Tester outputs the angle of the powder. The smaller the angle the better the flow-ability.

References

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