On-line determination of aggregate size and morphology in suspensions
Abstract
Information concerning the aggregation state of fine solid particles is an important element for process control and monitoring of product quality in many applications of industrial slurries. This work deals with the application of different in-line methods to the characterization of silica aggregate size and morphology. All of these methods exploit turbidity signals, obtained by various means including: from analysis of turbidity fluctuations in homogeneous suspension and from overall turbidity decrease during particle settling. This work also presents the opportunity to report progress in morphological and optical models of small aggregates. As a result of these models, the morphological characteristics of the aggregates along with the number of their constituting particles are derived from experimental results. Similarities between the different methods are examined and discussed.