Resource Recovery and Conservation, 5 (1980) 275-277 275

Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands

Short communication

THE ROSIN-RAMMLER PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

P. AARNE VESILIND
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706 (U.S.A.)
(Received 28th February 1980; accepted 4th March 1980)

The objective of this communication is to clarify the origin and proper use
of the Rosin-Rammler particle size distribution function as applied to solid
waste processing.
It is difficult to describe a material consisting of various size fractions using
a single value parameter. In some cases, as in the description of filter sand in
water treatment practice, two parameters have been used. One of these two
parameters usually describes the absolute size of the particles (usually at some
specified point on the particle distribution curve, such as “50% finer than
size x”), and the other describes the uniformity of the sizes (using some calcu-
lation of the slope of the particle size distribution curve). Obviously, the use
of two such parameters assumes that the shape of the curve is similar in all
cases, a poor assumption when particle size distributions of various refuse com-
ponents are analyzed [ 11.
The shape of the particle size distribution curve is best described by a con-
tinuous function. A number of such equations have been suggested, all based
at least partly on empirical evidence [2-41. None of these functions, it
should be emphasized, is “correct”. Some simply describe the shape of the
particle size distribution curve better than others.
One of these equations was developed in 1933 by Rosin and Rammler [ 51,
and because of its relatively good fit with shredded refuse (61 has become
widely used in the resource recovery field.
The Rosin-Rammler equation is stated as

Y = 1 - exp (-~/x,)~
where Y = cumulative fraction of material by weight less than size X; n = con-
stant describing the material uniformity and hence called the “uniformity con-
stant”; and 3c0 = the “characteristic particle size”, defined as the size at which
63.2% (1 - l/e = 0.632) of the particles (by weight) are smaller.
The uniformity constant n is the slope of the line ln [l/(1 - Y)] versus x on
log-log coordinates, since the linear form can be derived as
n
Y=l-exp
( 1
Z
x0

0304-3967/80/0000-0000/$02.25 o 1980 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company

276

In (3 = (fgn

log [h ($-)I =“1o?q)

log[In (A)] =n bg (xl - 1%(x0)1
The value of x0 is also defined as that size where In [l/(1 - Y)] = 1.0, or
equivalently where l/eth of the particles are larger than x0. The equation sug-
gests that for a specific value of x0, as the constant n increases due to changes
in machine or feed characteristics, the value Y decreases, meaning that a
coarser product is obtained. Conversely, for a given n, a larger x0 also defines
a coarser particle size of the product.

Particle Size OL) cm

Fig. 1. Definition of terms used in the Rosin-Rammler particle size distribution equation.
In this example, the characteristic size x, = 1.6 cm and n = 1.0.

The Rosin-Rammler equation is plotted on log-log coordinates in Fig. 1 to

illustrate the definition of both n and x0. This line represents the best fit
straight line when particle size distribution data are plotted on log-log paper as
In [l/(1 - Y)] vs. x, the particle size. The characteristic size 3co is read off the
plot as the size corresponding to ln [l/(1 - Y)] = 1.0.
In some cases, of course, the particle size distribution is such that the data
do not plot as a straight line. In this case, the Rosin-Rammler equation is in-
applicable. Fortunately, solid waste particle sizes almost always seem to fol-
low the Rosin-Rammler distribution.
The characteristic size can be calculated from a specification such as “90%
passing a given size”, common in ore comminution practice. The following
example, after Trezek and Savage [ 71, illustrates the procedure.
Suppose a sample of refuse must be shredded so as to produce a product with 90%
passing 3.8 cm. Assume n = 1. Calculate the characteristic size. Since Y = 9.0,
In [l/(1 - Y)] = In [l/(1 - 0.9)] = In 10 = 2.3. Plot x = 3.8 cm vs. In [l/(1 - Y)] = 2.3
on log-log paper, as shown in Fig. 1. For n = 1, the slope of the line is 45”. Lines for any
other slope (n) can similarly be constructed. The characteristic size X, is then found at
In [l/(1 - Y)] = 1.0, as X, = 1.6 cm.
 277

The conversion from x0 to 90% passing is possible by recognizing that

X

If Y = 90%, this expression reduces to

x0 = ~J(2.3)~‘”
where xgo = screen size where 90% of particles pass. If the value of n is 1.0,
xgo = 2.3x0

In conclusion, it should be reiterated that although the Rosin-Rammler

particle size distribution is a useful tool in describing shredded refuse, it is
nothing more than an empirical equation which seems to fit the particle size
distribution curve.

REFERENCES

Ruf, J.A., 1974. Particle size spectrum and compressibility of raw and shredded
municipal solid waste, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville,
Gaudin, A.M. and Meloy, T.P., 1962. Model and comminution distribution equation for
single fracture, Trans. AIME, 223: 40, 43.
Harris, CC., 1969. The application of size distribution equations to multi-event process,
Trans. AIME, 244: 187.
Epstein, B., 1948. Logarithmic-normal distribution in breakage of solids. Ind. Eng. Chem.,
40: 2289.
Rosin, P. and Rammler, E., 1933. Laws governing the fineness of powdered coal, J. Inst.
Fuel, I: 29.
Trezek, G.J., 1972. Significance of size reduction in solid waste management, EPA SOO/
2-77-131, Washington, D.C.
Trezek, G.J. and Savage, G., 1975. Report on a comprehensive refuse comminution
study, Waste Age, 6: 49.