Particle-size distribution#Measurement techniques

The particle size analysis is a branch of mechanical process engineering and closely coupled with the materials science. It deals with the characterization of disperse systems with respect to particle size, shape, concentration and their spatial distribution. These sizes are randomly distributed in the rule and time-dependent in some systems. The primary goal of particle size analysis is mostly in determining the prevailing particle size distribution. Other names for the particle size analysis are: dispersity, grain, grain shape, grain size drop, bubble and particle size analysis and particle size.

The particle size analysis in the industrial sector has a high importance as particle characteristics significantly affect the properties of a product. For example, plays the particle size, often referred to as grain size, an important role in the flow behavior of a bulk product or the stability is to be judged by heaps. Contrast, does not include the particle size analysis to the field of elementary particle physics.

Introduction

In the field of mechanical process engineering a material conversion means above all a change of Dispersitätszustandes, ie the fineness of a disperse system. Mixing, cutting, crushing and agglomeration processes change the physical properties of the products produced on their particle size distribution. Can be influenced, inter alia, the breaking strength, the permeability, and many other properties.

The aim of particle size analysis

The relationships described above lead to the following hull description of the scope of the particle size analysis:

The product properties depend on the Dispersitätseigenschaften from, that is, a product feature is a function of Dispersitätseigenschaft.

This property, known as functional context shows that in addition to the measurement of product properties such as the permeability and its dependence needs to be investigated by the Dispersitätseigenschaften. The particle size analysis is thus a part of the field of particle measurement technology specifically focuses on the measurement of Dispersitätseigenschaften.

Areas of application

Common use areas

The particle size analysis finds its use, inter alia, in the process characterization (eg crushing, agglomeration ), quality assurance of products (eg: filters, pigments ) and in the monitoring of the environment (eg: Particulate matter ), technical facilities (eg clean rooms) and plant parts ( eg filters, cyclones ). In research and development, the particle size analysis for the determination of product characteristic functions and process optimization will be used.

Product characteristic function

The quality of the chocolate, which is a complex - dispersed heterogeneously distributed system components, inter alia, depends on the fineness of the cocoa powder and the sugar crystals in the cocoa butter. Exceeded the disperse ingredients in the chocolate with a suitable particle size, these are unpleasant noticeable on the tongue.

Release duration in the human body by medical agents or excipients is fundamentally determined by the fineness of these.

Method

Measurement method for the particle size analysis based primarily on the different physical properties of particles to be analyzed systems. Different measuring methods are used, therefore, dependent on the particle size of the dominant continuous phase and the particle concentration.