Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, Vol.12, No.6, 295-298, 1995
Dry mechanical dispersion of submicron particles
Concerning the use of air classifiers with cut sizes in the micron range and lower, it is necessary to disperse the feed material properly in an air flow to avoid agglomerates larger than the desired cut size. Commonly used dispersing devices such as injectors use large amounts of air. To reduce the size and costs of the subsequent air classifiers, two new types of dispersing systems were developed, one design being related to a brush feeder and the other to a pin mill. Both apply mechanical rather than fluid mechanical forces in the dispersion process. The brush disperser achieves the same size distributions as the pin mill disperser with much less machinery. Its properties as a feeding and dispersing system are shown and its ability to disperse particles in the submicron range is confirmed by two independent particle size analysis systems: a new diffraction spectrometer and an impactor.