Teaching particle and powder technology in chemical engineering at University College Cork

Particle and powder technology education in many chemical engineering degree programmes worldwide is not afforded the same attention as processes and technologies incorporating liquids and gases. Consequently, many graduating students may be less well equipped to solve problems and effectively contribute to process industries which deal mainly with particulates and powders. In Ireland, the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry are two of the major process industries contributing to over half of all exports in value terms. Both these industries produce, process and handle a lot of particles and powders. A new degree programme in Process & Chemical Engineering at University College Cork has recognised the importance of this technology to the process industries and has tried to incorporate a strong particle and powder technology component into its curriculum. This paper outlines the material taught and the structure in which it is taught. It also describes some visualisation techniques adopted to improve the teaching and learning of this material.