Drop size distribution in highly concentrated liquid–liquid dispersions using a light back scattering method

New data are presented on drop size distribution at high dispersed phase fractions of organic‐in‐water mixtures, obtained with a light back scattering technique (3 Dimensional Optical Reflectance Measurement technique, 3D ORM). The 3D ORM technique, which provides fast, in‐situ and on‐line drop distribution measurements even at high concentrations of the dispersed phase, is validated using an endoscope attached to a high‐speed video recorder. The two techniques compared favourably when used in a dispersion of oil (density (ρ) = 828 kg m^?3, viscosity (µ) = 5.5 mPa s, interfacial tension (σ_i) = 44.7 mN m^?1) in water for a range of 5–10% dispersed phase fractions. Data obtained with the ORM instrument for dispersed phase fractions up to 60% and impeller speeds 350–550 rpm showed a decrease in the maximum and the Sauter mean drop diameters with increasing impeller speed. Phase fractions did not seem to significantly affect drop size. Both techniques showed that drop size distributions could be fitted by the log‐normal distribution. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The potential of current high‐resolution imaging‐based particle size distribution measurements for crystallization monitoring

High‐speed, in situ video microscopy is a promising technology for measuring critical solid‐phase properties in suspension crystallization processes. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of high‐resolution, video‐imaging‐based particle size distribution (PSD) measurement by applying image analysis and statistical estimation tools to images from a simulated batch crystallization of an industrial photochemical. The results also demonstrate the ability to monitor important quality parameters, such as the ratio of nuclei mass to seed mass, that cannot be monitored by conventional technologies. General recommendations are given for achieving appropriate sampling conditions to enable effective imaging‐based PSD measurement. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Quantitative characterization of dispersed particle size,size distribution,and matrix ligament thickness in polypropylene blended with metallocene ethylene–octene copolymers

The average rubber particle size, size distribution, and matrix ligament thickness between particles in polypropylene blends containing metallocene catalyzed ethylene–octene copolymers have been quantitatively analyzed, as functions of blend composition and phase viscosity ratio. Comparison has been made between experimental data and those predicted from a number of theoretical models. All blends showed two‐phase morphology, with interestingly a bimodal distribution of the rubber particle size. The ranges and averages of rubber particle size were mainly determined by blend composition and viscosity ratio between the phases, irrespective of comonomer content along the rubber chains. The logarithmic relationship between the matrix ligament thickness and rubber concentration was observed. The values of ligament thickness obtained from the experiments and theoretical models were not in agreement. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2140–2149, 2001     

On‐line acoustic attenuation spectroscopy of emulsions stabilized by vinyl alcohol–vinyl acetate copolymers: a model system for the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride

BACKGROUND: Poly[(vinyl alcohol)‐co‐(vinyl acetate)] (PVA) copolymers obtained by partial hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) are currently used as industrial stabilizers in the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Their molecular characteristics, mainly the average degree of hydrolysis (DH ) and average degree of polymerization (DPw ), have a major influence on the monomer droplet size and the properties of the final poly(vinyl chloride) resin. RESULTS: The average droplet size and size distribution of chlorobutane/water emulsions, as a model system for VCM/water emulsions, were studied using acoustic attenuation spectroscopy on‐line with an agitated laboratory reactor. The emulsions were stabilized by PVA with DH values between 73 and 88 mol% and DPw values between 450 and 2500. The effects of agitation speed, stirring time and concentration of the PVA copolymers were investigated. An attempt was made to correlate the interfacial tension and the droplet size. CONCLUSION: On‐line acoustic spectroscopy appears to be a suitable technique for the real‐time control of the droplet size of monomer suspensions. The advantages and limitations of the technique are outlined. The validity and the application limits of the commonly cited correlation between the droplet size and the Weber number are established for polymeric surfactant‐stabilized emulsions. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of impeller speed and holdup on mean drop size in a mixer settler with spiral‐type impeller

An experimental investigation has been carried out in order to analyse the drop size distributions of liquid–liquid dispersion in a single stage mixer settler extractor. In this paper, the effects of the impeller speed and the holdup on mean drops size, D₃₂, have been investigated. D₃₂ was decreased with an increase in the impeller speed. Furthermore, D₃₂ was increased with an increase in the holdup. In addition, a new and modified correlation was established based on these results. The average absolute relative deviation is 3.36%.     

Particle size distribution,mixing behavior,and mechanical properties of carbon black (high‐abrasion furnace)–filled powdered styrene butadiene rubber

High‐abrasion furnace black (HAF, grade N330)–filled powdered styrene butadiene rubber [P(SBR/HAF)] was prepared and the particle size distribution, mixing behavior in a laboratory mixer, and mechanical properties of P(SBR/HAF) were studied. A carbon black–rubber latex coagulation method was developed for preparing carbon black–filled free‐flowing, noncontact staining SBR powders, with particle diameter less than 0.9 mm, under the following conditions: carbon black content > 40 phr, emulsifier/carbon black ratio > 0.02, and coating resin content > 2.5 phr. Over the experimental range, the mixing torque τ_α of P(SBR/HAF) was not as sensitive to carbon black content and mixing temperature as that of HAF‐filled bale SBR (SBR/HAF), whereas the temperature build‐up ΔT showed little dependency on carbon black content. Compared with SBR/HAF, P(SBR/HAF) showed a 20–30% mixing energy reduction with high carbon black content (>30 phr), which confers to powdered SBR good prospects for internal mixing. Carbon black and the rubber matrix formed a macroscopic homogenization in P(SBR/HAF), and the incorporation step is not obvious in the internal mixing processing results in these special mixing behaviors of P(SBR/HAF). A novel mixing model of carbon black–filled powdered rubber, during the mixing process in an internal mixer, was proposed based on the special mixing behaviors. P(SBR/HAF) vulcanizate showed better mechanical properties than those of SBR/HAF, dependent primarily on the absence of free carbon black and a fine dispersion of filler on the rubber matrix attributed to the proper preparation conditions of noncontact staining carbon black–filled powdered SBR. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2494–2508, 2004     

Agitation requirements for complete solid suspension in an unbaffled agitated vessel with an unsteadily forward–reverse rotating impeller

Background: To develop a new type of solid–liquid apparatus, we have proposed the application of an agitation system with an impeller whose rotation alternates direction unsteadily, i.e., a forward–reverse rotating impeller. For an unbaffled agitated vessel fitted with this system, the suspension of solid particles in a liquid was studied using a disk turbine impeller with six flat blades. Results: The effects of the solid–liquid conditions and geometrical conditions of the apparatus on the minimum rotation rate and the corresponding impeller power consumption were evaluated experimentally for a completely suspended solid. The power consumption for a just suspended solid with this type of vessel was comparable with that for a baffled vessel with a unidirectionally rotating impeller, taking the liquid flow along the vessel bottom into consideration. Conclusion: Empirical relationships to predict the parameters of agitation requirements were found. A comparative investigation demonstrated the usefulness of the forward–reverse rotation mode of the impeller for off‐bottom suspension of solid particles. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry