A mixed Weibull model for size reduction of particulate and fibrous materials

This paper describes a simple alternative to the classical population balance breakage model, which characterizes and controls the size distribution of particles submitted to a reduction process. The new approach is based on cumulative distribution functions of mixed random variables. Results indicate that a Weibull mixture distribution function adequately models the size of particles submitted to various breakage processes. The model was further applied to experimental reduction processes with apparently random breakage probability and yielded good estimates of the unbroken particle and fragment distributions. Use of these results for direct and indirect prediction of the size alteration under dimensional reduction processes is discussed.