Particle Size Distribution Visualisation
We often talk about particle size distribution (PSD) as a curve or data set, but rarely visualise what this means in physical terms, especially at the microscopic scale.
In this example, using an average aluminium hydroxide PSD from the precipitation stage of an alumina refinery, we visualise the same PSD at different solids concentrations (200, 400 and 800g/L). The field of view is 1μL or 1mm³, with all particles are represented as spheres.
Looking at the PSD curves, we see that mass is concentrated in particles around 100μm, but the particle count peaks around 10μm. i.e. There are many more smaller particles, but the larger ones account for most of the mass.
Interestingly, 800g/L represents only 33% volume occupied by particles, but visually this seems much greater. Pay attention to the edges of the cube to get a sense of the empty space.
PSD plays an important role in the growth, agglomeration and nucleation of crystallisation processes, attrition and comminution in crushing and grinding, and in solids separation by sieve, screen, cyclone or settler.
We offer a Particle Size Distribution add-on for SysCAD which allows it track and manage PSD quality data and enables a range of PSD-specific unit operations for precipitation, comminution and separation processes.
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