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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M49939/01
Title: AN INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING PARTICLE BREAKAGE IN ROLLER MILLING OPERATIONS
Principal Investigator: Gibson, Professor A
Other Investigators:
Webb, Professor C Campbell, Professor GM
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Q-Par Angus Ltd
Department: Electrical Engineering & Electronics
Organisation: UMIST
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2000 Ends: 31 December 2002 Value (£): 281,045
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Particle Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Electronics
Food and Drink Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Particle size reduction processes are currently sub-optimal, due to inadequate understanding of the particle/process interaction, combined with a lack of suitable instrumentation for characterising individual particles. The Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at UNIIST propose to develop instrumentation to characterise individual particles, for the purpose of predicting roller mill output as a function of the distribution of input particle parameters. The instrument will be based on a novel volume meter developed by the group, combined with non-invasive microwave techniques, to measure the mass, moisture content and density of individual particles. Knowing the distribution of these parameters enables prediction of roller milling performance using a breakage matrix method developed at UNIIST. The group will investigate breakage of particles, as a function of these parameters and milling conditions, and develop predictive equations for use in constructing the breakage matrix. The method, and the instrumentation, will be valuable for the design and optimisation of processes involving particles.Novel rotationally symmetric, high dielectric constant annular resonators and re-entrant cavities will be investigated as microwave sensors using the finite element technique. A differential arrangement will be integrated with the twin chambers of the volume meter. A low cost swept microwave source will be developed to allow commercialisation.
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