On the fluidization of cohesive powders

Abstract

The fluidization of cohesive powders has been extensively researched over the years. When looking at literature on the fluidization of cohesive particles, one will often find papers concerned with only micro- or only nano-sized powders. It is, however, unclear whether they should be treated differently at all. In this paper, we look at differences and similarities between cohesive powders across the size range of several nanometres to 10s of micrometres. Classification of fluidization behaviour based on particle size was found to be troublesome since cohesive powders form agglomerates and using the properties of these agglomerates introduces new problems. When looking at inter-particle forces, it is found that van der Waals forces dominate across the entire size range that is considered. Furthermore, when looking into agglomeration and modelling thereof, it was found that there is a fundamental difference between the size ranges in the way they agglomerate. Where the transition between the types of agglomeration is located is, however, unknown. Finally, how models are made and agglomerate sizes are measured is currently insufficient to accurately predict or measure their sizes consistently.