INTRODUCTION
The Pixact Agglomeration Monitoring (PAM) system is designed for the online analysis of solid agglomeration and flocculation in a variety of industrial processes. The measurement is based on the direct optical imaging of a suspension combined with advanced image analysis. The IP68 protected equipment can be installed directly on the process line or a dedicated sampling line.
Images are processed with real-time image analysis for detailed information on the suspension. All particles and other dispersed phase elements are detected and analyzed. In a subsequent particle classification procedure, agglomerates are recognized on the basis of selected morphological parameters.
RESULTS PRODUCED BY PAM
The PAM technology can be used for measuring both agglomerates and flocs. The foundation of PAM is the live image view of the suspension, which provides the operator with valuable visual information on the process.
The proprietary image analysis algorithms of the measurement system detect agglomerates and flocs in the image data and produce detailed real-time numerical information on their characteristics and other suspension properties.
Measurement results produced by PAM include:
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Agglomerate size distribution and related statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, percentiles of cumulative distribution (D10, D50, D90, etc.)
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Agglomerate growth rate
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Agglomerate morphology, such as aspect ratio and other measures of shape
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Number of agglomerates
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Suspension flowability
Example of agglomerate detection
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Early warning of agglomeration due to non-optimal process conditions
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Flocculation analysis in water treatment
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Flocculation analysis in filtration