INTRODUCTION TO
PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY
LECTURE 1
CH136
By: Dr. Alvin R. Caparanga
arcaparanga@mapua.edu.ph
PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY
• PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY is the science and technology related to
handling and processes involving particles and powders.
• Also known as:
• POWDER TECHNOLOGY
• PARTICLE SCIENCE Particles of interest: Other topics of interest:
• POWDER SCIENCE a. Bulk solids a. Aerosols
b. Particulate solids b. Crystallization
• PARTICULATE TECHNOLOGY c. Granular solids c. Bucket elevators
d. Liquid drops d. Pneumatic transport
e. Emulsions and bubbles e. Slurry filtration
f. Solid particles f. Silo design
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“Of all the shapes and sizes that may be found in solids, the
most important from a chemical engineering standpoint is the
small particle.”
Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering
W.L. McCabe, J.C. Smith, P. Harriott
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Historical Perspective: Particles processing in human history
• Utilization of flours and grains
• Discovery of natural and synthetic seasonings
• Discovery of natural dyes and pigments
• Extraction of vegetable oils from plant seeds
• Use of herbal medicines (raw and processed)
• Use of earthenware and ceramics
• Use of sands, clays, and mud
• Utilization of mining, ore processing, and purification technologies
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Microsized catalyst spheres
Coal fly ash particles (SEM image)
Lead (II) iodide crystals
Some Particles and Powder
Materials from Different Industries
TiO2 powder Crushed gold ore
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PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY
• TOPICS / COVERAGE
• Characterization (particle size measurement and analysis)
• Processing (fluidized beds/fluidization)
• Particle formation (granulation, size reduction)
• Fluid-particle separation (filtration, settling, cyclones)
• Safety (dust explosion)
• Transport (pneumatic transport, standpipes)
• Engineering properties of particle systems (colloids, respirable drugs, slurry
rheology)
• Special topics:
• Nanoparticles applications
• Health hazard of fine particles
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• INDUSTRIES THAT HANDLE OR USE PARTICLES
• Food processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Biotechnology
• Oil
• Chemical
• Mineral processing
• Detergent
• Power generation
• Paint
• Plastics
• Cosmetics
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• CURRENT INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES THAT USE PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY
• chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, environmental
• Coal gasification (finely pulverized coal particles)
• Coal-water and coal-oil mixtures (to improve combustion and pumpability
characteristics)
• Vegetable oil extraction (solvent extraction)
• Algae biodiesel technology
• Methanol synthesis (Cu-based catalysis; co-precipitated CuO/ZnO/Al2O3)
• Natural rubber latex (dispersion of narrowly distributed ingredient particles
(approx. 2 µm)
• Conventional powder coatings (15 – 20 µm ingredient particles)
• Breathable films (fine particles distributed in polymer films)
• Clays (improved strength, porosity, and selectivity of membranes)
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• PROCESSING STEPS THAT INVOLVE PARTICLES OR POWDERS
1. PARTICLE FORMATION 2. TRANSPORTATION 3. MIXING PROCESSES
a. Crystallization PROCESSES
b. Precipitation a. Pneumatic transport 4. DRYING PROCESSES
c. Granulation b. Hydraulic transport 5. COATING PROCESSES
d. Spray drying c. Mechanical conveying
e. Pelletization d. Screw feeding
f. Extrusion
g. Grinding PELLETIZER MACHINE
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SCREW FEEDING SPRAY DRYER
End of Lecture 1.
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