Experimental Investigations into the Use of Piezoelectric Film Transducers to Determine Particle Size through Impact Analysis

Sensors are required to determine the particle size of granular materials in a variety of industries such as energy, chemical manufacturing and food processing. The importance of accurately monitoring the particle size is essential in quality control in these industrial sectors. This paper presents the use of a custom made piezoelectric PVDF film transducer that is capable of determining the particle size of granular material through impact analysis. Experiments were carried out using a purpose-built test rig using ball bearings of different sizes traveling at different velocities. Through power spectral analysis of the impact signal it has been determined that different components of the signal spectrum may relate to different characteristics of the particle itself such as particle impact velocity and particle size. A comparison between the experimental data and system modelling results using the known mechanical characteristics of the test particles shows close similarities.