Powder Technology

In many of the process industries more than 70% of the products are sold in the form of powders, pass through a powder stage in their manufacture, or use powders as their raw material. Some examples are found in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear and metal industries.

The importance of a knowledge of powder technology and science to these industries cannot be over-emphasised, yet few undergraduate science or engineering courses contain even a passing reference to the subject area.

Very often the difficulties encountered in handling and processing particulate solids are ignored or under-estimated at the design stage, with the result that start-up and operational problems reduce the effective capacity of the plant and threaten the quality of the products. A basic understanding of the technology of powders can minimise processing problems and help industrial scientists and engineers to improve existing operations.