PRODUCT ENGINEERING OF PARTICULATE SOLIDS

An important development in Particle Technology is directed towards tailored product properties, i.e. product engineering. Product properties are strongly related to the disperse properties of the particles, i.e. their size, shape, morphology and surface. We discuss some general applicable principles in product engineering and give various examples. Strongly related to this approach are methods to characterize and to tailor product and particle properties. For systems which are controlled by the interfaces (e.g. particles in the micron size range and below) we apply a multi-scale approach from the particulate interfaces over particle interactions to the macroscopic properties. Thus, we tailor macroscopic product properties through microscopic control of the interfaces. This approach must be complemented by methods to characterize particle and product properties. It is shown that by careful consideration of the underlying physical processes considerable progress can be achieved.