A Comparison of the Breakage Mechanisms for Attrition of Selected Polymers in Pneumatic Transport and Spouted Beds

Predicting the amount of attrition that will occur in a pneumatic transport system is very important in preventing product degradation. Considerable work has been performed on the mechanisms of attrition in fluidized beds; hence, they are well understood. On the other hand, there are fewer correlations that can be used to predict the attrition rate in pneumatic transport and spouted beds. In this study, polymethyl methacrylates particles were attrited in a pneumatic transport pilot plant and the experimental attrition rate was determined. The same particles were also used in a spouted bed with a sonic attrition jet and the attrition rate was measured. Finally, a fluidized bed correlation was applied to the spouted bed and a model was used to determine whether the attrition mechanism in pneumatic transport can be related to the attrition mechanism in the spouted bed.