What is particle size distribution?

Example. If we take a soil sample, and analyze each grain. Then, we will notice that different
type of soil grains of different shapes and sizes make up the soil. After examining few soil samples, we
come to notice that soils rarely consists entirely of single size grains. Rather, their different size grains
ranging from smaller to larger. Different size grains impart different kinds of properties to soil, like
permeability (a measure of the ability of a porous material (often, a rock or an unconsolidated material)
to allow fluids to pass through it) , shear strength, and compressibility.

Why soil? Soil because like in food properties, each grain impart different kinds of properties to
foods. Examples of food properties are, shape, size, volume, surface area, thousand grain weights,
density, and porosity. Which are important in the development of sizing and grading machinery.

"Particle size distribution (PSD)" is an index (means of expression) indicating what sizes (particle
size) of particles are present in what proportions (relative particle amount as a percentage where the
total amount of particles is 100 %) in the sample particle group to be measured.

Example: If you have a mass sample, and that is amounting to 100% comprising different particles. How
many percent of that are-coarse particles, fine particles, very fine particles, or ultrafine particles.

TAGS: How particle size is expressed? How particle size is measured?

The shape of almost all particles cannot be simply and quantitatively expressed as "spheres" or
"cubes." Particles are complex and irregular shapes, and their particle size cannot be directly defined.
This is why the indirect definition "sphere-equivalent diameter" is used. Under this definition, when a
certain particle is measured based on a certain principle of measurement, the particle size of the
measured particle is expressed by the diameter of a spherical body that displays the same result.

Note: Particle Size is expressed by its diameter, thus. We can say that; Ps = f(d), where Ps is the particle
size and d is the diameter.

- The principle of measurement or an analyzer should be suited to that target and purpose of
measurement.

The range of particle size in foods depends on what?

The range of particle size in foods depends on the cell structure and the degree of processing.
For example; the hardness of grain is a significant factor in the particle size distribution of flour.

What is particle distribution (other ways to explain)?

Particle size distribution is the method of any soil sample into different fractions. Based on their
particle sizes. There is little possibility that the soil is composed of all the particles of just one size. In
usual situations particles must consist of particles in different sizes. It may range from course to fine
particles.

How to obtain particle size distribution?

 Combined sieve analysis and Sedimentation analysis using hydrometer method is used.
  Very fine particles are smaller than 75 microns. They carry charge on
their surface. They have the tendency to stick with other particles.
So in a sample, the smaller particles tend to stuck with larger
particles.
 1st, we need to separate these smaller particles from the large
particles and for that-we carry out wet sieve analysis with a
sample.
 The sample is washed to remove the sticky particles of size smaller
than 75 microns. The remaining soil on the top sieve retain on 75
micron. It is dried in an oven.
 Then, the dry sieve is carried out in the usual manner. The finer fraction which is less than 75
micron sieve is utilized for the sedimentation analysis using hydrometer method (hydrometer
tube instrument). Hydrometer method is used to determine the particle size distribution of
fine-grained soils passing 75 micron sieve. The
hydrometer measures the specific gravity of the soil
suspension at the center of its bulb.
Example, you can measure the mass of your sample.
For instance, by combining the soil sample, and
water, since specific gravity or density of water is
given, we can calculate for the specific gravity of soil sample. If the specific gravity is
calculated, we can get for its density, finally, using density to calculate the mass of the soil
sample.
 Using all this methods, we calculate percentage final, then different particle sizes on the basis of
particle mass initially taken.
 Then, we plot the graph. Obtained finer percentage,
and diameter of the particle. The finer percentage as
a function of its particle diameter.
 The curve is obtained from the percentage finer
results of both course and fine grain portion of the
soil.
 This is called the particle size distribution curve
(graph).
 It is obtained from both sieve and hydrometer
analysis.
 Also called gradation curve.

The distribution of particles of different sizes in soil mass is called grading of soil.

Soil Gradation – is the classification of course grained soil. Based on the different particle sizes
contained in the soil.

Particle size distribution is divided into two ways:

1. In one type of graph – particle size increases from left to right.

2. In the second type of graph – particle size decreases from left to right.
Why gradation curve/particle size distribution curve (graph) is important?

It is important because by looking at the graph, we can determine for instance, if the particle is
soil, we can determine its soil properties. We can know the type of soil. Whether it is gravel, sand, silt,
or clay. But not only that, you can obtain different curves in the graph, and it can mean different
properties. Example, if there is a good distribution of particles, then the soil is well graded, that is if it is
good for planting. While a poorly graded soil represents, excess or deficiency in particle sizes-where
most of the particles are almost same size, these properties can be seen in the graph.

Methods of Particle Separation

Particles can be separated into fractions by using one of the following methods.

(1) Air Elutriation Method

Elutriation is a centrifugation technique that aims to separate

particles based on size and density. This is achieved through an
elutriation rotor.

An elutriation rotor is designed to separate and/or concentrate

monodisperse suspensions (monodisperse - characterized by particles
of uniform size in a dispersed phase) of single cells or particles according
to size (approximately 2 to 50 µm in diameter). Elutriation rotors
combine two separation technologies, with each cell in the chamber being acted upon by the two
opposing forces:

Before we proceed, we should understand the meaning of sedimentation:

Basic example. Sedimentation refers to the process during which particles suspended in water
tend to settle out. The point is “to settle out”, and if particles are settled, it means they are under
sedimentation.

How is sedimentation used in a centrifugation process?

Centrifugal force: By adding a centrifugal force to the required solution, sedimentation can be used to
separate particles based on their size. A centrifugal force is given to a heterogeneous mixture during the
centrifugation process, which separates the mixture based on its density. It is being pushed away from
the axis of rotation. This is the sedimentation process under the influence of a centrifugal force field.
The act of settling or depositing as a sediment.

Fluid velocity: Driving it toward the axis of rotation—“counter-flow elutriation." This is the process of
separation by washing.

Where separation does takes place?

Separation takes place in an elutriation chamber with a funnel form. While the centrifuge's rotor
is spinning, a cell suspension is fed at a predetermined flow rate from outside the centrifuge into the
rotor and into the narrow end of the elutriation chamber. When suspended cells are introduced into the
chamber, they migrate down the gradient according to their sedimentation rates to places where the
effects of the two pressures on them are balanced.
 Ang paghihiwalay ay nangyayari sa loob ng elutriation chamber na may isang funnel form.
Habang ang rotor ng centrifuge ay umiikot, ang isang cell suspension ay unti-unting ini-introduce mula
sa labas ng sentro ng centrifuge sa rotor at sa makitid na dulo ng elutriation chamber. Kapag ang
suspended cell ay naintroduce sa chamber, ang mga particles ay humihiwalay ayon sa kanilang
sedimentation rates kung saan ang mga epekto ng dalawang pressures sa kanila ay balanse. Ibig
sabihin, sa balanseng pressure natitipon ang mga sediments (accumulated particles) doon, ang mga
particles ay “settled”.

Small cells with low sedimentation rates are quickly washed toward the axis of rotation. These
cells are washed out of the chamber, up through the rotor, and out into a collection vessel. Somewhat
larger or denser cells move through the chamber more slowly and reach equilibrium at the elutriation
boundary. The largest or densest cells remain near the inlet to the chamber, where centrifugal force and
fluid velocity are high. By increasing the flow rate in gradual steps, successive fractions of increasingly
large or dense cells can be washed out of the rotor and collected. Continued incremental increase of the
flow rate will finally elutriate all cells from the chamber.

(2) Settling, sedimentation, and centrifugation method: (MODULE) In settling and sedimentation, the
particles are separated from the fluid by gravitational forces acting on the particles. The particles can be
solid particles or liquid drops. Settling and sedimentation are used to remove the particles from the
fluid. It is also possible to separate the particles into fractions of different size or density. Particles that
will not settle by gravitational force can be separated by centrifugal force. If the purpose is to separate
the particles into fractions of different sizes, particles of uniform density but different sizes are
suspended in a liquid and settle at different rates. Particles that settle in given time intervals are
collected and weighed.

DESCRIBE SETTLING, SEDIMENTATION, AND CENTRIFUGATION METHOD.

ANSWER: When a liquid containing suspended materials is allowed to stand for some time. The
heavier particles will settle down through a process called sedimentation. This can be used to separate
the material from the liquid. But what will we do if the suspended material is very light it will take days
to settle in such cases. We can use the process of centrifugation to quicken the process of
sedimentation centrifugation is the process of separating substances of different densities from a
mixture with the help of a centrifuge. There is an experiment to see centrifugation for this. We need a
handy centrifuge machine muddy water mixture of calcium carbonate in water for centrifuge test tubes
take the sample of muddy water and place the test tubes in the centrifuge machine now take the
calcium hydroxide mixture in the test tubes and also place them in the centrifuge machine rotate the
machines fast for a few minutes. Stop rotating remove the test tubes and observe. We see mud
particles and white precipitate have settled in each of the test tubes. This is the process of
centrifugation in a centrifuge, as we rotate, the substances experience centrifugal force away from the
center which forces the materials against the wall of the tool. The amount of centrifugal force
experienced by any object depends on its mass and the speed of rotation the components of a mixture
get separated because the denser particles are forced to the bottom while the lighter ones stay at the
top. So with an increase in the speed of rotation, even lighter materials can settle down centrifugation is
used in diagnostic labs for blood and urine tests. It is used in dairies and homes to separate butter from
cream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEXWd3_fM94
(3) Screening: This is a unit operation in which various sizes of solid particles are separated into two or
more fractions by passing over screen(s). A dispersing agent may be added to improve sieving
characteristics. Screen is the surface containing a number of equally sized openings. The openings are
square. Each screen is identified in meshes per inch. Mesh is defined as open spaces in a network. The
smallest mesh means largest clear opening. A set of standard screens is stacked one upon the other with
the smallest opening at the bottom and the largest at the top placed on an automatic shaker for screen
analysis (sieve analysis). In screen analysis, the sample is placed on the top screen and the stack is
shaken mechanically for a definite time. The particles retained on each screen are removed and
weighed. Then, the mass fractions of particles separated are calculated. Any particles that pass through
the finest screen are collected in a pan at the bottom of the stack.

Describe SCREENING:

POSSIBLE ANSWER: STACK IS SHAKEN MECHANICALLY FOR A DEFINITE TIME OR REFER TO SIEVE
ANALYSIS (ALREADY MENTIONED ABOVE WITH PROCESS).