SSPAL
Grain sizers
SSPAL has a range of grain sizers which are suitable for measuring the size and shape of your sample from 0.1nm to 3mm
Malvern 2000
The Malvern Mastersizer 2000 is a laser diffraction grain sizer that can measure size for particles ranging from 1um/10 φ /Colloid to – 850um/ 1 φ /Coarse Sand
- The Mastersizer has two dispersion modules (100ml and 250ml), and uses a pump in the dispersion units to suspend the particles homogeneously in the dispersion medium and then pump this through the measurement cell
- A HeNe laser passes through the cell, and the diffraction pattern detected by the array of sensors is a function of the distribution of particle sizes within the sample
- The Mastersizer is limited by its assumption that all particles are spherical, and as such it gives particle size as a diameter of a sphere
- The outputs of the Mastersizer are CSV files, showing the d10/50/90 of each sample, as well as the % volume in each size class. There is a plugin to transfer the CSV file as an Excel document with graphs showing cumulative percentage, distribution and tabulated data
Retsch Camsizer XT
The Retsch Camsizer XT is an optical grain sizing system that has three modules, X-Fall, X-Jet and X-Flow, and can measure size and shape parameters for samples from 1um/10 φ /Clay to 5000um/ -2 φ/ Fine Gravel
- The X-Fall and X-Jet are used for dry samples. X-Jet uses compressed air and suction to disperse agglomerated or fine samples during measurement. Once set up, these modules can be used with any size of sample, and the system will count each individual grain. The X-Fall module will return the sample after measurement
- The X-Flow is a wet cell, and 50ml of deionised water is used as a dispersal medium for a small subsample (approx.. 2ml when a 1% dw solution prepared) up to 600um/1 φ/Medium Sand
- The outputs from the Retsch can be chosen to be analogous with sieving (xc_min), laser diffraction (x_area) or a number of additional size calculations. The Retsch Camsizer also gives shape analysis, which again can be chosen from a wide range of calculated parameters covering 2D and 3D
- The output of the Camsizer is an Excel file and a proprietary raw data file. The Excel file contains the size and shape parameters in each size class and an average of all chosen size/shape parameters for the sample as a whole. The raw data file contains the parameters chosen by the user for the run
Cosgrove, GIE, Hodgson, DM., Poyatos-Moré, M et al. (2018) Filter Or Conveyor? Establishing Relationships Between Clinoform Rollover Trajectory, Sedimentary Process Regime, and Grain Character Within Intrashelf Clinothems, Offshore New Jersey, U.S.A. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 88 (8). pp.917-941
Cosgrove, GIE, Hodgson, DM., Poyatos-Moré, M et al. (2018) Filter Or Conveyor? Establishing Relationships Between Clinoform Rollover Trajectory, Sedimentary Process Regime, and Grain Character Within Intrashelf Clinothems, Offshore New Jersey, U.S.A. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 88 (8). pp.917-941
Cosgrove, GIE, Hodgson, DM., Poyatos-Moré, M et al. (2018) Filter Or Conveyor? Establishing Relationships Between Clinoform Rollover Trajectory, Sedimentary Process Regime, and Grain Character Within Intrashelf Clinothems, Offshore New Jersey, U.S.A. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 88 (8). pp.917-941
Nanosight NS3000
The Malvern Nanosight NS300 is an NTA (Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis) grain sizer with a blue LED module, which can measure size for particles from 01um/ 20 φ / Colloid to 1um/10 φ /Clay
- The Nanosight uses a syringe to push the suspended particulate solution into the cell. The software the uses the Brownian motion of the particles and the scatter light diffraction caused by the particles to determine their size and concentration
- The output of the Nanosight can be in the format of their report including their computed graphs of concentration, size and other chosen characteristics, CSV of the raw data or AVI files for the videos of the particle tracks
Sample Preparation and Ancillary Equipment
SSPAL has a wide range of sample preparation and ancillary equipment to ensure that you can obtain representative subsamples to analyse
Retsch Sample Splitter
SSPAL has a Retsch Sample Splitter with a vibrating feeder chute that can split any quantity of sample (up to combined volume of the bottles used) into subsamples for grain size analysis which are equal in volume and grain size distribution
- The splitter ensures that the results of any analysis undertaken on aliquots will be representative of the whole
- The Sample Splitter can be used with glass Duran bottles, which will ensure the process is plastic free, if plastic content analysis is required
Sieves
SSPAL has two full sets of sieves at Krumbian Phi intervals, one at 100mm diameter, the other at 200mm. There is also a sieve shaker, which is suitable for use with both sizes.
Ancillary Equipment
- A high accuracy Adams PGW 753I precision balance (precision to 0.001g)
- Adams balance (precision to 0.001g)
- Two Mettler Toledo pH and conductivity meters
- Four magnetic stirrer plates
- Two ultrasound baths
- One variable temperature water bath
- One Genlab E3 drying cabinet
The lab has a wide range of consumables and equipment for sample preparation and analysis.
