Size and Shape of Detergent Powder SIZE AND SHAPE ANALYSIS OF DETERGENT POWDER USING DYNAMIC IMAGE ANALYSIS

The analysis of the size distribution is an important step during the development of new products and also during the production quality control. In addition to the interest in the average particle size, a special focus is also on the detection of oversized particles. The particle size distributions of detergents used as washing powders are traditionally analyzed by sieving. But detergents are known to create difficulties during the sieving process. The particles are often sticky and agglomerating which tend to block the sieve meshes, requiring time consuming cleaning. In the first few hours after production, the detergents age and change their adhesive behavior due to the exposure to humidity and other chemical processes. The results of the sieving thus depend on the age of the sample, storage conditions and on the handling procedures. The parameters of the sieving process might also influence the result, for example, by breaking up agglomerates in an unpredictable way. As a consequence, the results of the sieve analysis have to be treated with a high degree of uncertainty.