Hydraulic classifier system for fractionation of nano CaCO3 particles

H F Aly,Hesham M A Soliman,Aref M E Abdel-Rahman,M A Akl,A I Abd-Elhamid

doi:10.1007/s13204-014-0328-z

Abstract

A laboratory scale hydraulic classifier system was developed for calcium carbonate nanoparticles fractionation. The system is based on the differences in the settling velocity of particles in aqueous fluid at different dynamic viscosities along different settling stages. Different factors affecting the fractionation process were studied, such as the effect of water volume, L, terminal (settling) velocity in different stages, νs, CaCO3 feed concentration, g/L and flow rate (L/h) of the dispersed fluid solution. The particles obtained were characterized using SEM and showed that the developed system can fractionate particles within the size range 25–33 nm. A simple model for the results obtained is developed and discussed in terms of the different parameters affecting particles size is given. Further, the calcium carbonate used was characterized before and after fractionations using Vibratory sieve shaker, SEM, EDS, XRD and FTIR.

Highlights

Nanoparticles are an important research area because they are widely used in numerous technological and medical applications (Guo et al 2007)
A laboratory scale hydraulic classifier system was developed for calcium carbonate nanoparticles fractionation
The smallest particle size was less than 45 lm. This fraction size was taken as feed source for further fractionation using the hydraulic system developed and given in this work

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticles are an important research area because they are widely used in numerous technological and medical applications (Guo et al 2007) Owing to their very small size and large surface area-to volume ratio, fractionation of these powders is very attractive. Many types of powder classifiers are available These exemplified by cyclone type separators (Bryczkowski and Chmielniak 2001), cross flow air type classifiers (Wang et al 2001), Rotating vibrating conical disk separator (Yamamoto et al 1998) and impeller wheel type classifier (Galk et al 1999). These classifiers address fractionation of powder particles within the micro range

Methods

Results

Conclusion