We're picking up good vibrations
15 Jan 2000
Particle sizing is an often-overlooked but vital part of many processes. Where industrial powders are concerned - in areas such as paint pigments, ceramics, cement and photocopier toner - it's necessary to control the distribution of particle sizes very tightly. Researchers at University College London have developed a device for measuring particle size on-line, which would save time and avoid product wastage.
The design uses a resonating spring to agitate the powder sample, and is capable of sizing particles in the 20-100micron range. The researchers, led by Haroun Mahgerefteh, have tested the device on a variety of powders with different shapes and flow characteristics.
The device takes five minutes to process a 5g sample - a significant improvement on the current situation, which generally requires samples to be sent to outside laboratories for analysis.
In the next phase of the project, which is supported by the DTI and a British equipment manufacturer, Mahgerefteh and his team will construct a pre-production prototype of the machine.
