PTC:02-1

Particle Size and Shape Characterization, Distributions, Measurement Techniques, Interconversion and Prediction of Powder Properties

This is a comprehensive report useful for all powder production and processing industries, equipment manufacturers, consultants, designers, researchers and students dealing in powders of any kind.  This report is especially useful to the following industries:

The report consists of the following chapters:

1. Particle size and shape distributions, standard psd equations like Rosin-Rammler, Monotonic, Gaudin-Schumann, Normal, Log-normal, Nukiyama-Tanasawa, standard graphs, equations for fibrous, flaky and volumetric particles. 
2. Interconversion of distributions and diameters, expressions for calculating various average diameters and specific surface area, methods for characterising steepness of powders such as area-volume characteristic curve, steepness quality factor etc.
3. Coulter counter and Microscopy outlining the underlying fundamentals, theory, calibration and relative merits.
4. Sieving, Sedimentation, Elutriation and Cyclones outlining the underlying fundamentals, theory, calibration and relative merits.
5. Photography and Photosedimentation outlining the underlying fundamentals, theory, calibration and relative merits.
6. Specific surface area measurement by Permeametry and Adsorption outlining the underlying fundamentals, theory, calibration and relative merits.
7. Shape factors and their distribution, sphericity, inter-relations, sphericity measurement methods like packed bed and settling, shape measurement and separation using inclined rotating disc.
8. New concepts like psd by WAN (Weight-Area-Number), psd by WAR (Weight vs. Area), SSA distribution, differential and cumulative distributions, psd histogram, standard equations' fitting to raw data and estimation of parameters like RR-exponent, representative (eg. average) diameters, number per unit volume, number per unit area etc. 
9. Particle size analysis software SIZEANAL incorporating all the features explained in the above chapters including typical predictions.
10. Conclusion.

The various mathematical calculational procedures are made easy to understand with the help of 47 worked-out examples and actual particle size distributions of a number of powders from different industries.  These should be extremely useful to operating plants for understanding powder quality leading to optimisation of equipments producing the same, to designers for designing optimum equipments, and to engineers and plant operators as an effective learning/training aid.