What are the causes of dispersion troubles? An explanation of the reasons for aggregation, sedimentation, and variation, as well as design points to reconsider in the dispersion process.
澁谷工業 メカトロ統轄本部
In dispersion engineering, issues such as unresolved agglomeration, sedimentation, and unstable particle size distribution occur frequently at many sites. These problems are caused not only by the performance of the equipment but also by inconsistencies in particle characteristics, dispersion conditions, and process design. For example, when there is insufficient dispersion energy, particles do not break down to primary particles, and agglomeration remains. Additionally, if the shear conditions or flow state are not appropriate, uniform dispersion cannot be achieved, leading to sedimentation and variations in quality. Particularly in high-viscosity systems or high solid content slurries, even slight differences in conditions can significantly impact the results. Furthermore, in batch processing, variations in mixing uniformity and residence time make it difficult to ensure reproducibility. To resolve these dispersion issues, it is important to optimize the entire process, including particle characteristics, dispersion energy, and flow design, rather than simply changing the equipment. By maintaining consistent conditions, as in inline continuous processing, stable dispersion quality and reproducibility can be achieved.
