Characterization of Particles, Powders, and Compacts

Spring 2025

Description:

Particulate materials are common in industrial practice.  For example, approximately one-half of the products and at least three-quarters of the materials in the chemical industry are in granular form. Despite their ubiquity, a recent study found that 80% of solids processing facilities had solids handling difficulties. Furthermore, these facilities typically only reached between 40-50% of their design capacity. Unfortunately, most engineering students in the U.S. have no exposure to particulate materials. This course describes the physical and mechanical characteristics of particulate materials and the methods used to measure these properties. The goal of this course is to familiarize course participants with the properties and methods used to characterize the physical and mechanical behavior of particles, granules, and compacts with the intention of using these properties for process and performance design in manufacture of particulate products.