Particle size vs. Dispersion

[kaos1]

Greetings,

We manufacture fine powders for the biotech industry. These powders are comprised of salts, sugars, amino acids, vitamins... The stuff that is necessary for cells to live.

The question has been raised, How fine is too fine? This is in reference to the powder (we mill it from raw chemicals) being dissolved in water. It has been rumored that if the powder is too fine that the powder will lay on the surface of the water and form clumps which will retard the solubility rate.

Thanks for any input or experience on the matter.

Kaos1

 

[mariodupuis]

I Kaos1,
It is true that when a powder is too fine, it can form lump an lay at the surface of the liquid but theire is no specific value of ideal powder granulometry.

This will depand mainly of the mixer used to dissolve the powder (mixing efficiency and flow of powder to the mixer).

In general, it is not usefull to grind finner than 1 micron.

Regards.

 

[nosaMgiarC]

Kaos1,

Not sure on the solubility aspects but depending on the particle size and solid type powders will fall into different categories. Search of Geldart on the web as he did a lot of work on power classification, this may help you look at this problem.

C.