Sedimentation, particle size measurement

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. 

The terminal velocity in the case of fine particles is approached so quickly that in practical engineering calculations the settling is taken as a constant velocity motion and the acceleration period is neglected. Equation 7 can also be appHed to nonspherical particles if the particle size x is the equivalent Stokes diameter as deterrnined by sedimentation or elutriation methods of particle-size measurement. 

For the particle size measurements of boron and barium dichromate, components of pyrotechnic delay compns, Freeman (Ref 46) evaluated the MSA. Particle Size Analyzer versus microscopy, gravitational liq sedimentation,... 

Various techniques and equipment are available for the measurement of particle size, shape, and volume. These include for microscopy, sieve analysis, sedimentation methods, photon correlation spectroscopy, and the Coulter counter or other electrical sensing devices. The specific surface area of original drug powders can also be assessed using gas adsorption or gas permeability techniques. It should be noted that most particle size measurements are not truly direct. Because the type of equipment used yields different equivalent spherical diameter, which are based on totally different principles, the particle size obtained from one method may or may not be compared with those obtained from other methods. 

Sedimentation classifiers, 76 619-620 in depth filtration theory, 11 339 in particle size measurement, 78 142-144 in solid-liquid separation, 76 656-657 Sedimentation rate... 

This paper outlines the basic principles and theory of sedimentation field-flow fractionation (FFF) and shows how the method is used for various particle size measurements. For context, we compare sedimentation FFF with other fractionation methods using four criteria to judge effective particle characterization. The application of sedimentation FFF to monodisperse particle samples is then described, followed by a discussion of polydisperse populations and techniques for obtaining particle size distribution curves and particle densities. We then report on preliminary work with complex colloids which have particles of different chemical composition and density. It is shown, with the help of an example, that sedimentation FFF is sufficiently versatile to unscramble complex colloids, which should eventually provide not only particle size distributions, but simultaneous particle density distributions. 

Schweyer (1942) compared various methods of particle-size measurement (except centrifuging). He found excellent agreement between pipette and hydrometer methods. He considers the former the best method for determining the particle-m/.c distribution of sub-sieve material by sedimentation, and prefers the hydrometer as a rapid control procedure. 

Flow, sedimentation and electrical, and other particle size measuring techniques have been used to characterize parenteral emulsions... 

To ensure that only the finer fraction of the sediment slurry was processed, a shipboard centrifugal cone separator was connected to the slurry transfer hose to remove the coarse-sediment fraction. The cone separator was a 101.6-mm diameter, urethane-coated centrifugal cone (Demco 275). Under a normal operational pressure of 221 kPa the cone separator is capable of delivering 57.0 L/min of sediment slurry, whose sediment particle size ranged from 2 to 32 jitm as measured on the particle data Model 111 analyzer. 

PCS is a rapid, absolute, nondestructive and rapid method for particle size measurements, but it does have some limitations. The main disadvantage is the poor resolution of particle size distribution, and it also suffers from the limited size range (absence of any sedimentation) that can be accurately measured. Several instruments are commercially available, for example by Malvern, Brookhaven, and Coulter. The most recently developed instrument that is convenient to use is HPPS, supplied by Malvern (UK). This allows the particle size distribution to be measured without the need for too much dilution (which may cause some particle dissolution). 

There is a wide variety of methods for particle size measurement which measure different types of particle size. When selecting a method, it is best to take one that measures the type of size which is most relevant to the property or the process which is under study. Thus, for example, in powder elutriation, pneumatic conveying or gas cleaning, it is most relevant to use one of the sedimentation methods which measure the Stokes diameter, i.e. the diameter of a sphere of the same density as the particle itself, which would fall in the gas at the same velocity as the real particle (assuming Stokes law). In flow through packed or fluidized beds, on the other hand, it is the surface-volume diameter (or diameter... 

The use of the effective (aerodynamic) particle density is largely restricted to fluidization and pneumatic conveying applications at the moment. It is, however, potentially useful in other areas like particle size measurement by sedimentation or elutriation, or flow through packed beds where it has not yet been fully accepted. 

Sedimentation techniques are amongst the oldest methods of particle size measurement. Sizes are derived from the rate of settling of particles under the action of gravitational or centrifugal forces. One sedimentation technique is the disk centrifuge, which is used to measure particles in the range 0.1-50 pm. 

See alsa Color Measurement. Environmental Analysis. Geochemistry Sediment. Particle Size Analysis. Sensors Photometric. Water Analysis Particle Characterization. 

Allen, T., Particle Size Measurement (Powder Technology Series), 5th edn, Chapman Hall (November 1997), ISBN 0 41275 350 2 Bernhardt, 1. C., Particle Size Analysis—Classification and Sedimentation Methods, Chapman Hall (September 1994), ISBN 0 41255 880 7 Gy, P. and Royle, A. G. (translator). Sampling for Analytical Purposes, John Wiley Sons Ltd (abridged 153 pages) (July 1998), ISBN 0 47197 956 2 Kaye, B. H., Characterization of Powders and Aerosols, John Wiley Sons Ltd (January 1999), ISBN 3 52728 853 8... 

Gravitational settling of particles in liquids is an age-old process which can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, it is used for the classification of solids, washing, particle size measurement or mass transfer, and in solvent extraction. The majority of applications of gravity sedimentation, however, are in solid-liquid separation duty. The object here is to remove the solids from the liquid either because the solids and/or the liquid are valuable or because the two phases have to be separated before disposal. 

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