Educational Resources for Particle Technology

Particle Characterization - Optical Methods

Technical Areas: light scattering, optical properties, shape, size

Latest changes: 08Jan14 - update Mettler-Toledo link / 08Jan28 - Micromeritics article / 08Feb06 - Avoiding Common Errors /

TOPIC AREAS
The Significance of PT
Formation from Gas
Formation from Liquid
Comminution, Attrition
Size Enlargement
Particle Physics
Particle Characterization:
   Non-Optical Methods
   Optical Methods
Storage / Discharge:
   Mechanics: wall stress
   Dynamics: flow
Pneumatic Conveying
Fluidized Bed
Mixing and De-mixing
Separation by Size
P./Gas Separation
P./Liquid Separation
Dispersion in Fluids
Rheology
Reaction
Heating, Drying
Safety
Simulation, Modeling
Specific Applications
ERPT Home Page

ERPT Tutorials

Determination of Particle Size Distribution Using Laser Diffraction
      by Maurice W. Wedd (Malvern Instrument Co.)
-- ERPT 032Q-Wedd, This is an introduction to the dependence of light scattering (especially laser diffraction) on particle size, refractive index of particle and medium, scattering angle, light adsorption, and polarization. The author points out several situations in which the simplifying approximations that are sometimes employed in data reduction will yield misleading results.

Web Tutorials (not ERPT)

A Primer on Particle Sizing by Static Laser Light Scattering
      by Paul A. Webb (Micromeritics Instrument Co.)
-- An excellent discussion of the many factors involved in a successful evaluation, including oversampling of fines due to settling and flow segregation (pages 2-4 to 2-7).

Avoiding Common Errors in Size Analysis
      from the Thai National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC)
-- This describes size segregation in a jiggled container, explains the need to secure a large count in the large-size channels during particle size analysis, describes how a spin-riffler works, and uses a plot of DV10, DV50, and DV90 to illustrate breakup of agglomerates during extended sonication.

Malvern Instruments Ltd. provides many on-line tutorials in English, French and German. ( See their list.) These are portions of day-long seminars covering (among other things) Dynamic Light Scattering (PCS), Laser Diffraction, On-Line/In Line Process Particle Sizing, Particle Shape, and Spray Characterization. Access to these multimedia presentations requires that you register [name, institution, industry, job title, address, phone, and Email address]. You then choose a password. For later entries you need only your Email address and PW
-- http://www.malvern.co.uk

Introduction to Optical Microscopy, Digital Imaging, and Photomicrography
      by Michael W. Davidson (Olympus America Inc.)
      and Mortimer Abramowitz (The Florida State University)
      and supported by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
-- micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/index.html

Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES) Theory and AES Instrumentation
      by Dr. Ron Fleming of Charles Evans & Associates,
      Web tutorials developed and supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
-- www.eaglabs.com/cai/augtheo/caiatheo.htm
-- www.eaglabs.com/cai/auginst/caiainst.htm

Web Sites of Educational Interest

Tutorials on Optics -- PDF files of brochures by Thermo-Oriel
-- www.thermo-oriel.com/tech/tutori.htm

Tutorial on the Laser by Web Science Resources
-- members.aol.com/WSRNet/tut/ut1.htm

-- Size analysis by linear scanning
-- Size and shape analysis by on-line microscopy
FBRM(TM) and PTM(TM) instruments by Mettler-Toledo Corp (originally by Lasentec Corp)

Single particle sizing by laser scattering via PCSV(TM) by Process Meterix LLC
-- www.processmetrix.com/pcsv.html

Optical Mineralogy a tutorial by Prof. Greg Finn, Earth Sciences, Brock Univ. (Canada)
--- www.brocku.ca/earthsciences/people/gfinn/optical/222lect.htm

NonWeb Resources

Direct Light Scattering,
      by Raj Rajagopalan (Univ. of Florida)
-- see ERPT's list of non-Web resources

Explanations and Disclaimers
You may Email the ERPT Web Site Manager at
URL: http://www.erpt.org/technoar/partch-1.htm