APPENDIX D

PARTICLE SIZEU.S. SIEVE SIZE

AND TYLER SCREEN MESH
EQUIVALENTS

In the multiphase combustion area, we often encounter unburned and partially

burned particles of different sizes. In the United States, these sizes are often
expressed in a standard measured quantity in terms of either U.S. Sieve Size or
Tyler Screen Mesh. Sieving or screening is a method of separating a mixture of
particles (or grains) into two or more size fractions (see Tables E.1 and E.2).
The over size particles are trapped above the screen while undersize particles
can pass through the screen. Sieves can be used in stacks, to divide samples up
into various size fractions and hence determine particle size distributions. Sieves
and screen usually are used for larger particle sizes, d p 37 m (0.037mm).

Applications of Turbulent and Multiphase Combustion

Copyright 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Kenneth K. Kuo and Ragini Acharya

541

542

PARTICLE SIZEU.S. SIEVE SIZE AND TYLER SCREEN MESH EQUIVALENTS

TABLE D.1. Standard U.S. Sieve Sizes and Tyler Mesh Sizes
U.S. Sieve Size

Tyler Mesh Size

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

2 1/2 mesh
3 mesh
3 1/2 mesh
4 mesh
5 mesh
6 mesh
7 mesh
8 mesh
9 mesh
10 mesh
12 mesh
14 mesh
16 mesh
20 mesh
24 mesh
28 mesh
32 mesh
35 mesh
42 mesh
48 mesh
60 mesh
65 mesh
80 mesh
100 mesh
115 mesh
150 mesh
170 mesh
200 mesh
250 mesh
270 mesh
325 mesh
400 mesh

3 1/2
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
60
70
80
100
120
140
170
200
230
270
325
400

Opening (mm)

Opening (in)

8.00
6.73
5.66
4.76
4.00
3.36
2.83
2.38
2.00
1.68
1.41
1.19
1.00
0.841
0.707
0.595
0.500
0.420
0.354
0.297
0.250
0.210
0.177
0.149
0.125
0.105
0.088
0.074
0.063
0.053
0.044
0.037

0.312
0.265
0.233
0.187
0.157
0.132
0.111
0.0937
0.0787
0.0661
0.0555
0.0469
0.0394
0.0331
0.0278
0.0234
0.0197
0.0165
0.0139
0.0117
0.0098
0.0083
0.0070
0.0059
0.0049
0.0041
0.0035
0.0029
0.0025
0.0021
0.0017
0.0015

543

1Reference:

4 3

5 3 2

6 54 3

5 3 2

101

(1mm)

0.001

3 4 56 8

105

5 3 2

0.1

Carbon Black

Solar Radiation

Visible

Atmospheric Dust
Sea Salt Nuclei

2,500

10
1,250

3 4 56 8

5,000

Spray Dried Milk

6 54 3

5 3 2

0.01

0.1

6 5 4 3
2

6 5 4 3

3 4 56 8

108

6543

106

100

100

109

Flotation Ores

Pulverized Coal

Cement Dust

10

6 5 4 3

65 4 3

1010

2
6 54 3

65 4 3

100

3 4 56 8

108

60

65

1,000

(1mm.)

Beach Sand

4
3

+Fumishes average particle

diameter but no size
distribution.
++Size distribution may be
obtained by special
calibration.

1011

2
6 54 3

65 4 3

(1mm.)

1,000

3 4 56 8

109

(1cm.)

2
3

1011

6 5 4 3

10,000

3 4 56 8

1012

65 4 3

1010

Machine Tools (Micrometers, Calipers, etc.)

Visible to Eye

Sieving

(1cm.)

10,000
3 4 56 8

Microwaves (Radar, etc.)

40
20
12
U.S. Screen Mesh
50
30
16
8

Hydraulic Nozzle Drops

35
20
10
Tyler Screen Mesh
48
28
14
8

3 4 56 8

Fertilizer, Ground Limestone

Far Infrared

325 230 170

400 270 200 140

325 250 170

400 270 200 150

Plant
Spores
Pollens
Milled Flour

3 4 56 8

107

1
Particle Diameter, microns (m)

5 3 2

105

3 4 56 8

107

5 3 2

104

100
3 4 56 8

Nebulizer Drops
Lung Damaging
Pneumatic
Dust
Nozzle Drops
Red Blood Cell Diameter (Adults): 7.5m 0.3m
Bacteria
Human Hair

Alkali Fume

Ground Talc

Contact
Sulfuric Mist
Paint Pigments
Insecticide Dusts

625

Fly Ash
Coal Dust

Sulfuric
Concentrator Mist

Near Infrared

Theoretical Mesh
(Used very infrequently)

10,000

3 4 56 8

Particle Diameter, microns (m)

1

Electroformed
Impingers
Sieves
Ultramicrosocope
Microscope
Electron Microscope
Centrifuge
Elutriation
Ultracentrifuge
Sedimentation
Turbidimetry++
X-Ray Diffraction+
Permeability+
Adsorption+
Scanners
Light Scattering++
Nuclei Counter
Electrical Conductivity

Combustion
Nuclei

Aitken
Nuclei

Rosin Smoke
Oil Smokes
Tobacco Smoke
Metallurgical Dusts and Fumes
Ammonium Chloride
Fume

Ultraviolet

1,000

3 4 56 8

Zinc Oxide Fume

Colloidal Silica

Viruses

100

103

3 4 56 8

106

5 3 2

102

#Molecular diameters calculated

from viscosity data at 0C.

0.01

3 4 56 8

Gas
Molecules

X-Rays

N2
CH4
SO2
CO H2O
C4H10
HCl

0.0001

In Water
at 25C.

In Air
at 25C.
1 atm.

ngstrm Units,

10

0.001

(1mm)

3 4 56 8

O2 CO2
C4H4
H2 F2
Cl2

Modified from the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd Edition 2002-2003, pp.15-31

*Strokes-Cunningham
factor included in
values given for air
but not included for water

Particle Diffusion
Coefficient,
cm2/sec.

Methods for
Particle Size
Analysis

Typical Particles
and
Gas Dispersoids

Electromagnetic
Waves

Equivalent
Sizes

0.0001

TABLE D.2. Particle Characteristics for Different Sizes