Abstract
Aim: A particle size analysis is an essential parameter used for assessing the correctness of numerous technological processes. Its results constitute a key element in the assessment and optimization of operational parameters of devices. Due to this fact, in various industry branches, it is very important to apply the most accurate ways of assessing the grain size composition of materials. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the particle size distribution of dry powder obtained through various methods.
Project and methods: There are various techniques of particle size analysis. Currently, the most frequently used techniques for particle size measurements are: sieve analysis, dynamic light scattering, static light scattering and microscopy. Each method has advantages, but also disadvantages. The research was conducted with the application of the following instruments: air jet sieve Alpine LS 200, vibratory sieve shaker type WSU, Laser-Particle-Sizer ANALYSETTE 22 MicroTec plus, analyser HELOS & RODOS and analyser IPS UA.
Results: The paper presents a comparison of a particle size distribution of extinguishing powder measured by the traditional sieve analysis, the laser diffraction methods and optical-electronic methods. The image analysis of particles does not measure the same size of aggregates as the sieve analysis. The size of particles determined by the image analysis does not measure mass, whereas the sieve analysis is presented in relation to the percent cumulative mass. The results are often presented as the percentage share of particles or aggregates of the given area. The correlation of sieve analysis to the image methods is dependent on the particles shape. A conversion of results achieved with one method to the results of another method for different materials requires consideration of appropriate physical parameters such as density of samples or optical properties.
Conclusions: The results obtained by these methods were not identical for the reason that each of them applied other physical parameter in measurement. As the effect of differences in measuring methods the results of the analysis of the same sample are various. It is important to present the results together with information on the methods and the type of used equipment. The correlation of sieve analysis with image methods is dependent on particles shape. A conversion of results achieved with one method to results of other method for different materials requires consideration of appropriate physical parameters such as density of samples or optical properties.
Keywords: extinguishing powder, particle size, sieve analysis, laser diffraction
Type of article: original scientific article