Measuring Particle Distributions

There are four (4) primary methods used to obtain data concerning particle size distributions. These are shown on the next pcige  

Measuring particle size and growing single crystals 

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ALL METHODS FOR PRESENTING DATA FROM THE MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS, WHETHER INSTRUMENTAL, SEIVING, SEDIMENTATION, OR PHOTOMETRIC METHODS, MEASURE FRACTIONS OF THE TOTAL PARTICLE DISTRIBUTION. IF THE METHOD IS SENSITIVE, THE FRACTION-SEGMENTS CAN BE SMALL, AND THE MEASURED PARTICLE DISTRIBUTION WILL BE CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL ONE. IF THE MEASUREMENT IS LESS SENSITIVE, THERE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT DEVIATIONS FROM THE CORRECT PSD. 

Figure Bl.9.8. Schematic diagram of the relationship between a particle distribution and the measured experimental scattering data. This figure is duplicated from [14],with pennission from Academic Press.

In particle-size measurement, gravity sedimentation at low soHds concentrations (<0.5% by vol) is used to determine particle-size distributions of equivalent Stokes diameters ia the range from 2 to 80 pm. Particle size is deduced from the height and time of fall usiag Stokes law, whereas the corresponding fractions are measured gravimetrically, by light, or by x-rays. Some commercial instmments measure particles coarser than 80 pm by sedimentation when Stokes law cannot be appHed. 

A wide variety of particle size measurement methods have evolved to meet the almost endless variabiUty of iadustrial needs. For iastance, distinct technologies are requited if in situ analysis is requited, as opposed to sampling and performing the measurement at a later time and/or in a different location. In certain cases, it is necessary to perform the measurement in real time, such as in an on-line appHcation when size information is used for process control (qv), and in other cases, analysis following the completion of the finished product is satisfactory. Some methods rapidly count and measure particles individually other methods measure numerous particles simultaneously. Some methods have been developed or adapted to measure the size distribution of dry or airborne particles, or particles dispersed inhquids. 

The electrical aerosol analyzer and the optical counter are used to measure particle size distributions. Describe the size range and resolution characteristics of each of these instruments. 

With particles, the contaminant concentration in the duct is determined by isokinetic sampling with subsequent laboratory analysis use of a calibrated direct reading instrument. If the concentration distribution in the duct is uneven, a complete survey of the concentration distribution with the corresponding duct velocities and cross-sectional area is required. National and ISO standards provide information on isokinetic sampling and velocity measurements. In the case of particles, the airborne emission differs from the total emission, for example in the case of granular particulate. The contaminant settling on surfaces depends on particle distribution, airflow rates, direction in the space, electrical properties of the surfaces and the material, and the amount of moisture or grease in the environment. 

CAHN RG ELECTROBALANCE/SEDIMENTATION ACCESSORY. This app produces a continuous, visible chart record of the sediment weight collected on the balance pan. It has been evaluated for measuring particle size distributions of the primary expls Lead Styphnate, Lead Azide, Tetracene by Hutchinson (Ref 41). 

Many particle-measuring methods use STORE S LAW to determine particle distributions. By suitable mcUiipulation(see below), we obtain an equation relating the Stokes diameter, M, with the particle density, Pj, and the liquid... 

The particles build up Iqr layers because it has been found that all monosized particles can be removed from suspension by rotating at a specific speed. Thus, one runs the instrument at a series of rotational speeds, measuring the weight of the build-up layers in between each run. The overall analysis is run at specified rpm s which correspond to selected particle diameters, resulting in data sufficient to characterize the particle distribution. 

Perhaps the most useful method for determining particle distributions is that of electrical conductivity, the most widely used instrument is the Coulter Counter (named after the Inventors), although there are now other similar instruments on the market. Originally, this instrument was designed to measure blood corpuscles which are 2-8 p in size. It has proven to be very... 

Figure 13. Comparison between measured particle size distribution for 2D2/380 latex (B) and that calculated at 254 nm (A)...

Efforts to apply Equations (6) and (7) to distributions of Th isotopes in the oceans showed that the situation was more complex. For example. Bacon and Anderson (1982) measured vertical distributions of Th in the deep sea and found that both the particulate and dissolved fractions increased linearly with depth. While the former observation is predictable from Equation (7) if sinking particles continue to scavenge Th during their descent, the latter is inconsistent with Equation (6). Bacon and Anderson (1982) suggested that the data could best be explained by a reversible scavenging equilibrium maintained between dissolved and particulate Th. Thus Equation (6) must be modified to ... 

Dynamic SIMS is used for depth profile analysis of mainly inorganic samples. The objective is to measure the distribution of a certain compound as a function of depth. At best the resolution in this direction is < 1 nm, that is, considerably better than the lateral resolution. Depth profiling of semiconductors is used, for example, to monitor trace level elements or to measure the sharpness of the interface between two layers of different composition. For glass it is of interest to investigate slow processes such as corrosion, and small particle analyses include environmental samples contaminated by radioisotopes and isotope characterization in extraterrestrial dust. 

The phase-Doppler method is capable of accurately measuring particle size distribution and velocity J655] The most recent models ofphase-Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA) can generate data of droplet size and velocity simultaneously as a function of time, from that droplet drag can be calculated and clustering phenomenon can... 

This is a universally applicable instrument for determining particle-size distributions of all kinds of solids which can be analysed either in suspension in a measuring cell or dry by feeding through a solid particle feeder. In the Fritsch Analysette 22 laser diffraction apparatus the measured particle-size distribution is displayed on the monitor in various forms, either as a frequency distribution, as a summary curve or in tabular form and can be subsequently recorded on a plotter, stored on hard disk or transferred to a central computer via an interface. The time required for one measurement is approximately 2min. 

One of the newest particle sizing techniques is light scattering. This technique is used to measure particle size distribution, colloid behavior, particle size growth, aerosol research, clean room monitoring, and pollution monitoring. 

Individual particles are measured hence distribution data are obtained by measuring a number of particles. 

The extent of gas-to-aerosol conversion of secondary pollutants can be estimated by measuring gas particle distribution factors for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur species. For example, /c = P/ P + G), where P = particulate organic carbon ng/m as carbon) and G = gas-phase... 

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