Particle sizing and product quality in production of fine and nano particles by means of wet grinding process

摘要

Wet grinding process is an interesting means of producing fine and nano particles. The particle sizing plays an important role in interpretation, control and optimization of various aspects of the wet grinding process. There is a lack of knowledge in understanding different aspects of particle sizing during a wet grinding process. The particle sizing in a wet grinding process is typical in the sense: (i) The dispersions in a wet grinding process, often, involve additives and (or) impurities. It is less known how impurities and additives influence the particle size of the dispersions in the wet grinding process. (ii) In a wet grinding process, dispersions of different concentrations may be used. It is less known how dispersions of different concentration may influence the particle sizing in a wet grinding process. (iii) In a wet grinding process, the change in average particle size of the product is rapid due to relatively fast breakage of the particles. (iv) The degree of poly dispersity in product changes with grinding time. (v) The nature of interaction between particles is non-colloidal before grinding process; this interaction becomes colloidal after a certain grinding time. Similarly, there is a lack of knowledge to understand how quality of final ground product is influenced in a wet grinding process. This study investigates the different aspects of particle sizing and product quality of aqueous dispersions of CaCO3 in a wet grinding process carried out in a stirred media mill. Acoustic attenuation spectroscopy that is known for measuring particle size of dispersions on line, under real process conditions and without diluting the sample has been employed in the study in addition to the technique of dynamic light scattering. The study brings out the conditions in which the effects of impurities and additives etc. on particle size of the dispersions may be determined using acoustic attenuation spectroscopy. Furthermore, the study compares and analyze the particle sizing results obtained though acoustic attenuation spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The causes of differences in the results of two techniques have been investigated. We report presence of multiple scattering at high concentration of the dispersions during wet grinding process that result in misleading results of the particles sizes. Quality is an intangible concept. In order to understand how different operating parameters influence product quality, we propose a method based upon the definition of quality as defined in ISO 9000:2005. The method takes into consideration the important operating parameters of wet grinding process (such as the operating condition of the mill, the measurement of particle size and the material) and important product characteristics ( such as average particle size, range of width of particle size distribution, stability of dispersion, degree of impurities, specific energy input and physical appearance). We bring out how a relationship between operating parameters and products of different grades may be established in a wet grinding process.