A novel method for simultaneous evaluation of particle geometry by using image processing analysis

Particle geometry is important for designing and optimizing physical separation, a material processing technique employed in many areas. Particle geometry is usually analyzed by sieving, an indirect method for particle size calculation. Moreover, other particle geometry parameters, such as aspect ratio, circularity, and cross-section area are sometimes calculated through visual analysis. It is important to note that the image processing method for simultaneously calculating several particle geometry parameters is challenging. This paper introduces a novel particle geometry algorism that simultaneously calculates several particle geometry parameters, including the shape factor that can be applied for modeling several physical separation methods. For evaluating the result of the image processing method, a sample of waste electric appliances was subject to a sieving experiment. After comparing the results of the image processing and sieving experiment, it was found that the size error width between image processing and sieving was promotional to the value of aspect ratio and circularity. Finally, considering the particle geometry of the sample, a general conceptual flowsheet was put forward to select the most suitable treatment method. [Display omitted] •Particle geometry is calculated after contour fitting with various geometrical shapes.•A calculation method of shape factor is introduced.•The width of particle calculated by image processing is similar with the size estimated by sieving experiment.•Particle geometry is required for designing effective physical separation processes.