Chapter 1

Particle characterization

 Particle size analysis

 Population of particles
 Particle size distributions
 Particle size measurements
 Sampling of particulate materials
Learning outcomes

 Students should be able to:

 Describe the characteristics and behavior of
particles.
1. Particle size analysis
 Individual solid particles are characterized by
their size, shape and density.
 In many particles and/or powder handling and
processing operations, particle size and size
distribution play a key role in determining the
bulk properties.
 The simplest shape of particle is the sphere
because of its symmetry. However, the regular-
shaped particles can be accurately described by
giving the shape and a number of dimensions.
Table 1: Regular shape particles

Shape Dimensions
Sphere Radius
Cube Side length
Cylinder Radius and
height
Cuboids Three side length
Cone Radius and
height
Measuring particles

 Microscope with an image analyzer can be used

to view the particles and measure the size and
shape of the particles.
 Common statistical diameters used in
microscope analysis:
 Martin’s diameter
 Feret’s diameter
 Shear diameter
 Equivalent circle diameter
 Equivalent circle diameter

Area of circle with the same area as the projected area of the particle resting in a stable position.
Martin’s diameter

Length of line which bisects the particle image.

 Feret’s diameter

Distance between two tangents on the opposite sides of the particle.

 Shear diameter

Particle width obtained using an image shearing device.

Comparison of equivalent sphere
diameters
Comparison of equivalent sphere
diameters
 Equivalent volume sphere diameter =
diameter of sphere having the same volume
as the particle.
Exercise 1
2. Population of particles
 Expressed as frequency distribution curves or
cumulative curves.
 Distribution can be presented by number, mass,
volume, surface area, etc (where particle
density does not vary).
By number:
By mass:
By volume:
By surface area:
Example 1: Differential frequency
distribution
Example 2: Cumulative frequency
distribution
Example 3: Comparison between
distribution
3. Particle size distribution

Most common methods of displaying size

distribution includes:
 Arithmetic-normal distribution
 Log-normal distribution
 Arithmetic – normal distribution

 arithmetic mean of 45 and standard deviation

of 12.
Log-normal distribution plotted on
linear coordinates
 dF/d(log x) versus x log x Arithmetic mean log x

Standard deviation
Exercise 2
Q 1: Cumulative frequency distribution
curve
Salt Sugar
Particle size (nm) Frequency Frequency
1-5 1 2
6 - 10 2 5
11 - 15 4 11
16 - 20 8 16
21 - 25 16 10
26 - 30 19 8
31 - 35 10 8

 Using the same axis, plot frequency distribution curves for

both particles.
 Determine median, upper and lower quartiles for both
particles and the interquartile range.
 Make a short comment comparing on the two particles.
 Answer: Cumulative Frequency

Both have 60 pieces of data

The scores in Salts are higher with less variation

salt 60 x
sugar xx
50
Cumulative frequency

x
Salt 40 Sugar
x
LQ = 20 30 x LQ = 13.5
Median = 25 20 x
Median = 19
x
UQ = 29 10
UQ = 26
x x
IQR = 9 0 xx x IQR = 12.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Marks
4. Particle size measurement

 Sieving

 Microscopy

 Sedimentation

 Permeametry

 Electro zone sensing

 Laser diffraction
Sieving

 Dry sieving using wooden wire sieves

 Simple method
 Cheap method of size analysis
 Suitable for particles sizes greater than 45m
 The sieve diameter is dependent on the
maximum width and maximum thickness of
the particle.
Microscopy
 Microscopy is the technical field of usingmicroscopes
to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen wit
h the naked eye (objects that are not within the resolution ra
nge of the normal eye). There are three well-known branches
of microscopy:
optical, electron, and scanning probe microscopy.
 Optical and electron microscopy involve the diffraction,
reflection, or refraction of
electromagnetic radiation/electron beams interacting with t
he
specimen, and the collection of the scattered radiation or an
other signal in order to create an image. This process may be
carried out by wide-field irradiation of the sample (for examp
le standard light microscopy and
Sedimentation
 The suspension is
dilute
 Particles are assume to
fall at their single
terminal velocity.
 Stoke’s law (Rep<0.3) is
applied
 Suitable for particle
with size <50 m in
diameter
Permeametry

 Based on fluid flow through a packed bed.

 Using Carman-Kozeny equation for laminar
flow.

Pressure drop height voidage Fluid viscosity Superficial velocity

Electro zone sensing
 Particles are held in
suspension of dilute
electrolyte.
 Drawn through a tiny
orifice with a voltage
applied across it.
 Voltage pulse is
recorded.
Laser diffraction

 This method relies on:

 light passing through a suspension
 diffraction angles, which is inversely proportional
to particle size.
 consists of a laser with fixed wavelength
 consists of photo-sensitive silicon as discrete
detector
5. Sampling of particulate material

 Two golden rules of sampling:

 The powder should be in motion when sampled
 The whole of the moving stream should be taken
for many short time increments.
Tutorial 1