Comminution Flashcards
Define comminution.
Reduction of solid particles to lower average particle size
What size classification are granules?
Up to 2mm
What size classification is a coarse powder?
> 350um
What size classification is a medium/fine powder?
100-350um
What size classification is a fine powder?
50-100um
What size classification is a very fine powder?
10-50um
What size classification is a micronised powder?
<10um
What is a disadvantage of using a sieve for particle size analysis?
Limited information about shape or size range
What is a disadvantage of using microscopy for particle size analysis?
Not representative
What is a disadvantage of using laser diffraction for particle size analysis?
Must consider interaction with the solvent
Particles assumed to be spheres
Define milling.
Transformation of approximate normal particle size distribution into a finer bimodal population
What effect does prolonged milling have?
Forms a unimodal population
What happens when particle sizes are reduced to 1-5um?
Particle-particle forces predominate and agglomeration can occur
What are the features of cutting methods?
Series of knives/blades on rotor
High shear rates
Screen acts to retain particles larger than a specified size
What are the features of compression methods?
Material passes through rollers, one is mechanically driven
Series of rollers can be used to achieve smaller particles