Ex.

No:7 BEAKER DECANTATION

AIM:

To find the particle size distribution and calculate the average particle size.
Theory

Beaker decantation is a method used for finding the size of powder sample to separate the
mixture of particles into different size ranges; settling principle is used. The movement of the
particles through the fluid requires the density difference between the particles and the fluid
medium. Greater the difference more effective will be the separation process. Homogenous
materials are separated based on the sizes. The settling of particle is assumed to be free settling
and it falls under Stokes region.
Formulae:

Ut = [g* D2n * (ρP - ρ)] / (18µ) (m/s)

Corrected weighted relation

X1 = W1-W2, X2 = 2W2-W3,

X3 = 2W3-W4, X4 = Total – X1 –X2-X3.

Where,

g =Acceleration due to gravity in m/s2

Dp = diameter of the particle in m

pp = density of the solid sample in Kg/m3

p= density of the medium Kg/m3

μ= Viscosity of the medium Kg/m s

Observation
Weight of the sample (m) = 50 gm.

Particle Size (Assumed) = 60, 60/√ (2), 30, 30/√ (2) microns

Density of the sample (ρP) = 2930 kg/m3

Viscosity of the sample (µ) = 0.001 Ns/m2

Procedure:
Weigh 50 grams of the powder and transfer it into one of the beakers provided .The water
is added and the slurry is made up to the level marked in the beaker. The size of the particles are
assumed to be 60, 60/ (2)1/2, 30, 30/ (2)1/2 microns and the corresponding terminal settling
velocities and the settling times are calculated. The slurry is stirred well and stop watch is just
started when stirring is stopped. The slurry is allowed to settle for calculated time of 60 micron
particle. Then the slurry is decanted to the next beaker leaving the settled solids at the bottom.
The slurry is made up to the level by adding water. The above mentioned procedure is repeated
for different sizes. The settled solids are filtered individually for various size In previous
weighed filter papers, dries, weighed again to get the different rough weights W1, W2 W3, W4
.The correct weight for fractions are calculated as follows.

TABULATION:

Time ∆Φn / 1/
Dpi Ut Rough Correct
of
S.No ×10-3 ×10-3 Weight Weight ∆Φn Φn ×10-3
settling ×10-3 ×10-3
m m (g) (g) m
(s) m m

1.

2.

3.

4.
Result:
Average size of the particle
By differential analysis =

By cummulative analysis =