Mechanical Operation

Around 75% of chemical manufacturing processes involve small solid particles at some point. Proper design and handling of these fine particles often makes the difference between success and failure of the product. Many products such as catalysts, pigments, fertilizers, cements, ceramics and pharmaceuticals are currently manufactured in particulate forms. Mechanical Operations deal with Science and Technology of particulate matter, which is a multidisciplinary field including Materials Science, Environmental, Biomedical, Aerospace, Agricultural, Chemistry, Microbiology and Cell Science, Pharmacy and Medicine. The primary objective of this course is to• identify the important physical mechanisms occurring in processes involving particles• discuss unit operation and its role in Chemical industries, characteristics of particulate solids, Principles of size reduction, particle dynamics and separation of particles• formulate and solve mathematical descriptions of such processes

INTENDED AUDIENCE : Undergraduate students. However, this course will also be helpful for anyone of any professional level, preferably holding a college degree or with substantial industrial experience, working in the production, handling, processing, modification or characterization of particular solids (powders and bulk solids).

INDUSTRY SUPPORT :Any chemical industry which deals with particulate matter.

COURSE LAYOUT

Week 1

• Introduction
• Characterization of a single particle
• Characterization of collection of particles

Week 2

• Fine grain size distribution
• Effectiveness of screen
• Industrial screening equipment
• Size reduction

Week 3

• Laws of comminution
• Examples of laws of comminution
• Size reduction equipment

Week 4

• Particle dynamics
• Particle dynamics – Examples
• Classification and Jigging