In-process particle size distribution measurements and control

In-process measurement of particle size and concentration distributions provide continuous analysis and quality control of a product stream. Elimination of sample handling and operator manipulation is now possible for most pneumatic flows using optical methods which are properly interfaced with the process stream. The EPCS (Ensemble Particle Concentration & Size) described in the following has been used to obtain detailed size distribution measurements in powder production facilities at two-second intervals, and has been successfully used for automatic feedback control.