Program Overview

APT2012 Scientific/Technical Program

Production of particles (crystallization, atomization, mechanical activation, synthesis in aerosol flame, sol-gel and microemulsion reactors)
This session encompasses aspects of particle production dealing with crystallization and crystal growth from solution, crystal morphology, effects of impurities, solvents and particulates, particle engineering, particle-process modeling and control, atomization, synthesis in aerosol flame, sol-gel and microemulsion methods. Papers covering experimental or theoretical aspects are welcomed.

Comminution (crushing, grinding, high energy milling, attrition and erosion)
This session solicits papers in all aspects of particle size reduction, breakage and/or fragmentation, either in milling, processing or as a result of transport. This includes nanoparticle breakage and size reduction. Theoretical, experimental and computational papers are welcomed.

Agglomeration (granulation, pelletization, briquetting, tableting, sintering)
This session seeks papers covering all aspects of agglomeration and granulation processes, i.e., the process of forming larger granules from fine particles with or without the use of a binder. This includes wet- and melt-granulation, mixer-granulation, fluid bed granulation and coating, compaction under pressure, pelletization, briquetting, tableting and sintering. Papers on theoretical, computer modeling and experimental research performed on the above systems are welcomed.

Bulk powder handling (storage, dust collection and transportation)
Papers on all aspects of solids handling, transport, storage and processing operations are included in this session. Submissions which consider the relationship and interaction between particle and material properties and process equipment, and product specifications and requirements are welcomed. Papers addressing fundamental and phenomenological issues are also encouraged.

Mixing, granular flow and fluidization
Mixing and segregation phenomena occur in most systems of powdered or granular solids and can have a significant influence on their behavior. Despite the enormous importance of solids mixing, our understanding of mixers, and mixing and segregation phenomena are far from complete. For this session, both experimental and theoretical papers on fundamentals, scale up and modeling of mixing, process applications and design, monitoring and instrumentation and all aspects of fluidization are sought.

Roasting, combustion and smelting reduction
Crop residues, forest residues, woody biomass, and plant-based industrial processing woody biomass wastes provide a broad renewable feedstock base for developing energy efficient and environmentally sustainable processes for producing a wide range of chemicals, fuels, and bio-based materials. This session provides a forum for the application of Reaction Engineering in the biomass conversion area. Topics covered range from detailed chemical kinetics and reacting flow simulation methods and experimental measurements through practical industrial engineering of high-temperature processes.

Solid-solid and solid-liquid separation (gravity, electrostatic, magnetic and flotation separation, filtration, drying, membrane separation, thickening)
This session will focus on recent advances in fluid particle separations, including theoretical, experimental and numerical research studies, novel industrial applications, new solids/liquid separation materials, novel system configurations, nano-separation processes and nano-materials for solid/liquid separation applications. Papers on experimental, theoretical modeling and simulation of sedimentation, agglomeration, filtration and other pertinent solid liquid separation processes are sought for the session.

Colloidal processing (dispersion, flocculation and rheology of suspensions)
This session will consider colloidal dispersions, including dispersions and flocculation of solids in liquids, emulsions, foams. Presentations of either an experimental or theoretical nature are welcomed on issues relating to responsive or functional colloids, colloidal crystals, inter-particle forces and colloid interactions. Contributions are also welcomed on other topics relating to the properties or applications of colloids.

Particle coating and surface modification
Papers on novel synthesis routes and/or applications of functional nanoparticles and their coatings are sought. Studies relating to the coating of a thin film of inorganic and/or organic materials on particle surfaces to achieve a specific physical, optical, electronic, chemical or biomedical property are welcomed. Special emphasis will be paid to in-situ surface functionalization of nanoparticles tailoring their properties to achieve high performance in the final application, e.g. to enhance catalytic activity, band structure or dispersion in polymer matrices. Authors are encouraged to present the connection between synthesis conditions, chemical and crystal composition, structure and the surface functionality in specific applications.

Packing and consolidation of particles in dry/wet conditions
Nanoparticles naturally form aggregates in an attempt to reduce surface area. Aggregation is a general phenomena of nature whose features apply to ceramic oxides, carbon, proteins and other biomolecules and a variety of industrial materials such as detergents, foods and pharmaceuticals. Despite the broad interest and importance of aggregation phenomena, aggregation remains difficult to control. This session focuses on novel approaches to describe, quantify, predict and control aggregation and agglomeration with an emphasis on the generality of the phenomena.

Recycling and reclamation (electronic waste, tailings management, eco-cements)
This session solicits presentations of innovative processing technologies for conversion of solid wastes into reusable energy and/or products to reduce environmental footprints. Solid wastes of large volume and energy content are of interest, such as electronic waste, municipal solid wastes, agricultural wastes, and industrial wastes.

Design of equipment handling powders, emulsions and aerosols
Many solids handling systems at the pilot and demonstration scale have challenges associated with them such as bridging, deposition, pressurized feed, uniform feed rate, and temperature distribution. This session seeks papers on techniques and solutions for meeting the challenges of solids handling systems.

Modelling and simulation (CFD, DEM, population balances, molecular modelling, Monte Carlo)
The session will focus on the advancement of chemical engineers’ ability to understand, predict, design, and thus optimize particulate systems. Increasing computational power and new numerical/analytical techniques from applied mechanics have allowed for increasingly complex particulate systems to be modeled and have set the stage for future work in such diverse areas as mixing/segregation, granulation, fluidization, and pneumatic conveying.

Process optimization and advanced control (measurement, automation and soft sensors)
The focus of this session is on novel applications of process control. Papers describing real-time applications and/or simulation studies of novel control methods are sought. Of special interests are real-time industrial applications.

Process Analytical Technologies (PAT), in-process particle characterization techniques
This session welcomes presentations on recent applications of Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) for development and manufacturing of crystallization processes. PAT applications may include various spectroscopy (FTIR, NIR, Raman), particle size and counting techniques (FBRM, PVM), and other on-line or in-line monitoring or sensing techniques. Novel approaches and methodologies to drive crystallization development are of particular interest.

APT 2012 Timetable
Venue: National University of Singapore

Organizers

Collaborating Organizations