Particle technology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 AIChEs Technical Divisions and Forums.

Subjects of particle technology[edit]

Particle technology thus deals with bulk storage, crushing and grinding, particle size separation,
such as sieving, tabling, flotation, qualitative separation such asmagnetic 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[edit]

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 2627 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.
Chap

Title
Sponsors' page

pp
128

Title page

11

Copyright declaration and publisher information

11

Preface

28

Contents

27

Introduction

89

Particle characterisation

770

Fluid flow through porous media

167

Liquid filtration

784

Dilute systems

218

Hindered systems and rheology

479

Fluidisation

332

Centrifugal separation

357

Conveying

166

10

Powder flow and storage

363

11

Crushing and classification

260

12

Solid/solid mixing

1320

13

Colloids and agglomeration

270

14

Gas cleaning

335

15

Powder hazards

160

16

Case study

110

Nomenclature

51

Further Reading

32

Heywood Tables

42

Index

Particle characterization[edit]
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[edit]
1.

Jump up^ http://www.erpt.org/ptf/

2.

Jump up^ http://particles.org.uk/particle_technology_book/index.htm