P3395 Handling of Particulate Materials

Prerequisites

According to admission requirements.

Course Objectives

Particulate materials form 50-80% of feed-stocks in most process industry companies, whose products are also often particulate materials. They are also widely encountered in the pharmaceutical, food, mining and agricultural industries. In spite of their ubiquity, however, very few university courses provide students with the knowledge necessary to run processes which involve these materials. This course aims at providing the understanding necessary to avoid the many mistakes that are made with respect to both the selection and operation of equipment and processes which involve particulate materials.

Learning Methods

Two lectures per week and two tutorials per week during the first or third semesters, supplemented by 8 exercises and 2 laboratory sessions. At least 5 of the exercises must be submitted for correction and comment before a student will be allowed to take the written 4 hour examination.

Course Description

The course explains the position of Powder Technology in relation to Process Technology. It describes methods of characterizing particulate materials, and explains how these characteristics can be used in quality control, monitoring of processes, modelling and equipment design. Other subjects to be covered include: sampling and sample preparation, particle size analysis, design of silos based on powder properties, segregation, discharge aids, silo/feeder interfacing, selection and operation of mechanical and pneumatic transport systems, gas/solids separation using cyclones, and filters.

Assessment Methods

8 exercises, at least 5 have to be completed.

Both laboratory session must have been completed.

Evaluation is based on 4 hour written examination.