Process design disperse properties optimization

To achieve the goal of required performance, durability, and cost of plate materials, one approach is improvement of the control of the composition and microstructure of materials, particularly the composite, in the material designing and manufacturing process. For example, in the direction of development of thermoplastics-based composite plate, CEA (Le Ripault Center) and Atofina (Total Group) have jointly worked on an irmovative "microcomposite" material [33]. The small powders of the graphite platelet filler and the PVDF matrix were mixed homogeneously by the dispersion method. The filler and matrix had a certain ratio at the microlevel in the powder according to the optimized properties requirements. The microcomposite powders were thermocompressed into the composite plate. 

In the last part of this book, we apply the different models discussed earlier, particularly the ideal model and the equilibrium-dispersive model, to the investigation of the properties of simulated moving bed chromatography (Chapter 17) and we discuss the optimization of the batch processes used in preparative chromatography (Chapter 18). Of central importance is the optimization of the column operating and design parameters for maximum production rate, minimum solvent use, or minimum production cost. Also critical is the comparison between the performance of the different modes of chromatography. 

A supported catalyst consists of one or several active component(s) deposited on a solid carrier with the aim both to achieve an optimal dispersion and to prevent sintering of the active phase. The preparation of supported catalysts is a complex process. Several aspects should be taken into account in order to obtain the appropriate catalyst for a given process, or in other words, to design a catalyst. A general procedure for catalyst preparation should be ruled out, since for every particular application different catalytic properties might be desirable. The physical and chemical properties of a catalyst, which may be related to the preparation procedure, will determine its catalytic performance . 

A variety of processing steps have been utilized to achieve the desired physical forms and surface properties with porous silicon. Judicious choice of their order and overall process route can assist in optimization of properties for a specific use. Further improvements in maximum surface areas and porosities are likely to come from a combination of optimized etching, drying, and passivation steps. Improvements in chemical and mechanical stability are anticipated from optimized passivation and nanocomposite design, respectively. Improvements in control over particle size and shape dispersion are desired, but the feedstocks need to be inexpensive and the processing routes need to be scalable for maximum benefit. Some of the secondary processing techniques developed with other highly porous materials (see, e.g.. Wen et al. 2001, Hollister 2005, Conde et al. 2006, Studart et al. 2006) are likely to be utilized in the future. 

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