Experiment No.

– 3

Sieve Analysis

Objective:

1. To determine and analyze the size distribution of the two river sand samples by using
a vibratory sieve shaker.
2. To determine the size distribution of the third sample prepared by mixing the two river
sand samples.

Equipment and materials required:

1. River sand sample

2. Different sieves.
3. Weighing Machine
4. Vibratory sieve shaker

Theory:

The sieve analysis test is performed to determine the percentage of grain size contained in a
sample, and the results obtained from the test can be used to form the grain size distribution
curve. This result can be used to classify a sample and predict its behavior. A sieve analysis
test can be performed to determine the size distribution of samples greater than 0.075 mm in
diameter. The sieves are made of woven wires with square openings.The standard (ASTM)
mesh size and mesh numbers are provided in the table below.

Table 1. ASTM standard mesh size and mesh numbers

Sieve No. Opening(mm) Sieve No. Opening(mm)
4 4.75 35 0.500
5 4.00 40 0.425
6 3.35 45 0.355
7 2.80 50 0.300
8 2.36 60 0.250
10 2.00 70 0.212
12 1.70 80 0.180
14 1.40 100 0.150
16 1.18 120 0.125
 18 1.00 140 0.106
20 0.85 200 0.075
25 0.71 270 0.053
30 0.60 400 0.038

Mesh number
Mesh number is the number of openings per linear inch. Mesh number is inversely proportional
to aperture size, the thickness of the wire

Fig.1. Sieve Stack Fig. 2. Sieve Shaker

Size of the screen

It is the distance between two consecutive parallel wires.

Fig.3. Illustration of square openings

Size Distribution Analysis

The distribution of particle size is of significant importance in mineral processing. The

behavior of particles in crushing and grinding circuits, concentration operations, and solid-
liquid separations strongly depend on size. Size is inherently a continuous variable, and data
are commonly classified into appropriate size intervals.

cumulative cumulative
Size range Nominal size weight%
weight% weight%
(μm) (μm) retained
retained passing
+800 800 3.8 3.8 96.2
-800+630 630 3.86 7.66 92.34
-630+500 500 7.78 15.44 84.56
-500+400 400 11.45 26.89 73.11
-400+320 320 13.12 40.01 59.99
-320+250 250 21.16 61.17 38.83
-250+200 200 24.05 85.22 14.78
-200+160 160 12.32 97.54 2.46
-160+125 125 2.45 99.99 0.01
-125 0.01 100 0

100
90
80
cumulative wt.% passing

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
particle size (μm)
Determining the size distribution of blends and mixtures

Let us take two samples, A and B, with a ratio of x and 1-x and mix them to form a new sample;
then, the weight percentage retained at each size range will be calculated as :

𝑊𝐴
Here, the ratio of x is calculated by x = 𝑊𝐴 + 𝑊𝐵

i.e., the weight of sample A divided by total weight samples after the blend

Wt.% (A+B) = [Wt.%(A)×(x)]+[Wt.%(B)×(1-x)]

E.g., let us take a mixture of 360 gms of sample A and 640 gms of sample B and blend it;
then the following will be the weight retained in each size range

Wt.%(A+B) = [Wt.%(A)*0.36]+[Wt.%(B)*0.64]

Sample A Sample B Sample (A+ B)

(36%) (64%) Size range Weight%
Size range
Weight% Weight% retained
retained retained +800 4.31
+800 3.8 4.6 -800+630 5.10
-800+630 3.86 5.8 -630+500 6.90
-630+500 7.78 6.4 -500+400 10.99
-500+400 11.45 10.73 -400+320 13.33
-400+320 13.12 13.45 -320+250 20.49
-320+250 21.16 20.12 -250+200 26.72
-250+200 24.05 28.23 -200+160 10.68
-200+160 12.32 9.76 -160+125 1.42
-160+125 2.45 0.85 -125 0.04
-125 0.01 0.06

Applications: For particle size distribution estimation of a sample and estimating the screening
efficiency

Procedure:

1. Obtain two samples A and B and determine their weights separately as WA(g) and WB(g).
 2. Make sure all the sieves are cleaned. If any blockage is noticed, use a brush to poke it
out.
3. Weight all the sieves and pan separately.
4. Stack the sieves in order so that a larger mesh sieve is placed at the top and a smaller
mesh sieve is placed at the bottom. Place a pan under the last sieve to collect the sample
passing through the last mesh.
5. Take sample A and pour it into the stack (can pour a maximum of 500 gms at once; if the
sample is weighed more, repeat the test for every 500 gms).
6. Pour the sample from above into the stack and place the lid on it. Put the stack into a
sieve shaker. Fix the clamps, set the timer to 5 minutes, and start the shaker.
7. Stop the sieve shaker and measure the mass of the sieves along with the retained sample
in it.
8. Note down the retained sample in each sieve (if the raw sample is more than 500gms and
repetition is to be done, add all values at each sieve for the whole sample).
9. Draw the size distribution curve from the obtained values.
10. Repeat the same procedure( steps 1-9) for sample B.
11. Now mix the sample A and sample B to get sample C and repeat steps 1-9 for sample C.
12. Plot the experimental and theoretical size distribution curves for sample C and draw
further analysis.

Observations and Calculations:

Note down the values in the following table for each sample (A, B, & C) separately

Opening Sieve+ Wt of Cumulative Cumulative

Sl. Sieve Sieve Percentage
size sample sample weight% weight%
No. No Wt. retained
(mm) Wt. retained retained passing

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒

Percentage retained (%) = X 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
Cumulative weight% passing = 100% - cumulative weight% retained

The sample size distribution can be obtained by plotting the percentage passing with the
corresponding sieve on graph paper, as shown below.
Cumulative weight% passing

Cumulative weigth% passing

Size (mm) Error
Theoretical Experimental

Result and Discussions: The standard error for theoretical and experimental size distribution
for sample C = ____________.

Write the reasons for this error.

Conclusions:

Questions
1. At what ideal condition, theoretical cumulative weight percent passing is equal to
the experimental values? Why are there differences in the results obtained?
2. Based on your observations, why size distribution is important in mining and
mineral processing? What are the challenges associated with sieve analysis for
mined ores?
3. Do you think shape of the particles also plays an important role in sieve analysis?
If yes, how it is taken into consideration while determining particle size
distribution?