Particle (Size) Characterization
Prof. Bernd Sachweh, BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany
Particle technology offers great opportunities in developing of innovative products by selective modification of material properties. Therefore, often specially engineered particles are used in a size range from micron to nano. Many processes need special separation technologies to remove residual particles. In order to characterize the efficiency of the separation processes (e.g. filtration) a measurement of the particle size is required. But in some applications the state of agglomeration and shape of the particles interfere with the particle size.
The standard measuring parameter is particle size. But for a real assessment of the separation process the particle morphology is equally important. So far, there is not only a lack in proper and standardized characterization of this physical parameter but also a certain unavailability of instrumentation, esp. with online capability. A first development into this direction is the UNPA system which was recently introduced to the scientific community. UNPA is able to distinguish between spheres, aggregates and agglomerates together with a good estimate for the primary particle size in the size regime from 50-500 nm.
In this presentation the state-of-the-art measuring instruments are introduced together with novel methods for the measurement of particle morphology. The influence of different particle morphologies on the measurement result and therefore on the process evaluation will be demonstrated. Another focus of this presentation is on the sampling technology to get representative samples especially if fine particles are present.
FILTECH 2011 - March 22-24, 2011 - Wiesbaden - Germany - www.Filtech.de