Correlation of the Particle Size Distribution Parameters with Sieving Rate Constant

Abstract

Controlling the particle size distribution (PSD) of raw materials, intermediates, and end products is very critical to the success of the powder technology related processes. This study presents the evaluation of the sieving characteristics of some industrial minerals, namely, quartz, talc, and barite, and the establishment of possible correlations between the PSD and kinetics parameters. PSD of the -600 mu m fractions of quartz, talc, and barite minerals were plotted in Schuhmann mathematical approach. The size modulus (k(s)) and distribution modulus ((s)) were obtained for each mineral. Then, sieving kinetics study was carried out for each mineral to determine optimum sieving time and sieving rate constant (k(k)). Further, the size distribution parameters were correlated with the sieving rate constant values for those minerals. While distribution modulus ((s)) increases, size modulus (k(s)), and average sieving rate constant values (k(k)) decrease. The correlations were found to be k(s)=-293.52(s)+730.87 and k(k)=-0.0041(s)+0.0454. The results showed that near-mesh particles play important role in the overall kinetic process.