Multiphase Systems:

Particle Engineering
Lecture 1, Part 1: Introduction
Kit Windows-Yule
Particle Engineering:
Why should I care?
 As the name implies, this part of the course
focuses on particles
 Particulate media are more important than
most of us realise
 In fact, practically every modern commodity
involves the use of particulate media at some
point in its fabrication
 Particle Engineering:
Why should I care?
 Pharmaceutical sector:
– Both pills and their contents are particulates
– Poor sizing/mixing may have serious consequences
 Agriculture and Food sectors:
– Anything from grains to whole fruits can be considered
a particulate material!
– Particle size in foods has huge impact on user’s
perception
 Chemical sector, mining sector, petrochemical
sector…
Particle Engineering:
Why should I care?
 The problem with particulate media is they
don’t behave like normal materials
 Much more complicated than classical solids,
liquids and gases
 We can’t easily predict their behaviours
– Navier stokes
– Kinetic theory
 But what exactly is a Particulate
Medium?
 Short answer: almost anything you can see with the
naked eye can be considered a particulate material!
Powders
 Take home point:

Particulate matter…
matters!
Particle Engineering: Overview
 Scope:
– Size Characterisation
– Fluidisation
– Pneumatic Conveying
– Powder Flow & Compaction
Course Structure
 Normal structure:
– One 2 hour lecture per week
 Post-Covid structure:
– Modular approach – each lecture is broken
into small, bite-size “chunks”, each
corresponding to a given topic.
 Benefits:
– Can go into greater depth (no time limits!)
– You can go at your own pace
– Less exam-focussed
Useful Books
 Introduction to Particle Technology (Rhodes)
– Closest in content to the course
– >10 copies in library
 Fluidisation Engineering (Kunii and
Levenspiel)
 Fundamentals of Particle Technology
(Holdich)
– Available online at
http://www.particles.org.uk/particle_technology_bo
ok/particle_book.htm
 Course Concept
 I will make every effort to ensure this course is
filled with memes and bad jokes people
remember stupid.
 Course Concept
 There are no wrong questions other than
unasked questions – the best scientists aren’t
scared to admit when they don’t know the
answer.
Clouds and Silver Linings
 I am under no illusions that Covid-19 and
2020 in general have not absolutely sucked.
 However, sometimes good things can come
of bad situations.
 I intend to make the most of the opportunity
to try a new approach to teaching that I hope
will be very effective.
 I will also make sure I am available (by Zoom
if not in person) to support those of you
finding it difficult.