Unique Applications for Malvern Mastersizer 2000 at Chilworth Technology
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Particle size analyzer proves its value in powder safety testing
A Malvern Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyzer is being used in two unique applications for powder explosion and powder handling safety studies being conducted by leading industrial process safety specialist Chilworth Technology (www.chilworth.co.uk). Particle size is one of a range of properties examined by Chilworth when determining the flammability of materials, and is also a critical parameter in toxicological safety testing of powders.
Particle size has a huge effect on a powder's sensitivity to ignition, and on subsequent explosion severity. Finer powders tend to have lower minimum ignition energies and temperatures; they also exhibit stronger explosion severity. Even with granules or pelletised materials, fines are normally present somewhere in the process. The Mastersizer 2000 permits rapid, accurate particle size analysis of materials either as solids or in liquid suspension. The system overcomes the drawbacks of traditional mechanical sieve analysis, which often fails because of sieve blinding or agglomeration of the powder, aside from the risks of shaking toxic active compounds in a laboratory environment.
Toxicological safety testing of powders also requires a good understanding of particle size. If more than 10% of a product has a particle size of less than 10 microns, it is subjected to respiratory inhalation studies.
According to Steve Rowe, Technical Manager at Chilworth Technology, "When our previous laser diffraction analyzer, from another company, became unsupported and was showing signs of age, we canvassed the market for a replacement. The Malvern system was selected primarily due to the responsiveness of the Malvern sales and technical teams and their clear desire to match Chilworth's needs."
He went on to say: "Technically, the Mastersizer 2000 offers excellent versatility, a wide range of analysis and a very user friendly operating environment. Furthermore, the support provided by Malvern since installation has been second to none."
Malvern Instruments www.malvern.com
Chilworth Technology www.chilworth.co.uk
About Chilworth Technology
Established in 1986 by Dr Sampuran Singh and Dr Paul Cartwright to provide a comprehensive source for process safety advice, Chilworth Technology is recognised today as a global provider of expert knowledge and quality test data. The Chilworth Group has international consulting bases in the UK, USA, Italy, France and India and laboratories in both the Chilworth Science Park (Southampton, England) and Plainsboro (NJ, USA). www.chilworth.co.uk
About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments is a global company that develops, manufactures and markets advanced analytical systems used in characterizing a wide variety of materials, from bulk powders to the latest nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. Innovative technologies and powerful software produce systems that deliver industrially relevant data enabling customers to make the connection between micro (eg particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging). Malvern laboratory, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors from cement to pharmaceuticals and support the understanding, improvement and optimization of many industrial processes.
Headquartered in Malvern, UK, the company has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, key partnerships in India, a global distributor network and a number of applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com
For press information, please contact
Trish Appleton, Kapler Communications
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Tel: +44 (0) 1480 471117; Fax: +44 (0) 1480 471118 trish@kapleronline.com
USA contact:
Marisa Fraser, Malvern Instruments Inc
10 Southville Road, Southborough, MA 01772, USA
Tel: +1 508 480 0200; Fax: +1 508 460 9692 marisa.fraser@malvern.com
Please send sales enquiries to:
Alison Vines, Malvern Instruments Ltd
Enigma Business Park, Grovewood Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1XZ UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 892456; Fax: +44 (0) 1684 892789 salesinfo@malvern.com
