Premium
Agglomeration during the Drying of Fine Silica Powders, Part II: The Role of Particle Solubility
Author(s) -
Maskara Alok,
Smith Douglas M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1997.tb03044.x
Subject(s) - agglomerate , dissolution , solubility , economies of agglomeration , particle size , slurry , materials science , chemical engineering , particle (ecology) , aqueous solution , particle size distribution , spray drying , mineralogy , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering , geology , oceanography
The effect of particle solubility and the dissolution rate on agglomeration was studied by drying silica and titania particles from aqueous slurries with pH values in the range of 2–12. The agglomerate strength and strength distribution were measured by a calibrated ultrasonic force, and the strength increased as the solubility and dissolution rate increased. Two silica powders of different particle size (60 nm and 500 nm) were studied, and smaller‐sized particles formed stronger agglomerates. The drying rate of the powders was varied by using spray drying and tray drying, and slower drying was shown to lead to higher agglomerate strength. The agglomerate strength of titania powder (insoluble in water) was independent of pH, whereas the agglomerate strength of silica was dependent on pH. It was concluded that the solubility and dissolution rate are important parameters that govern the strength of agglomerates.