Showing papers on "Particle-size distribution published in 2016"

Influence of HCl pretreatment and organo-mineral complexes on laser diffraction measurement of loess–paleosol-sequences

Abstract: The influence of different sample pretreatment methods on grain size distributions in particle size analysis has been subject to controversial discussions. Standard sample preparation typically comprises the disaggregation of aggregated and agglomerated particles into single primary particles, i.e., the organic binding material is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the contained carbonates are dissolved by hydrochloric acid (HCl). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of HCl treatment on grain size analyses of Late Pleistocene and Holocene loess–paleosol-sequences investigated by a Beckman Coulter LS 13320 laser particle analyzer. For this purpose, samples from two different sections with different weathering degrees and sedimentary genesis were measured: (1) the Suohuoduo section on the northeastern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau (China) containing loess and paleosols, and (2) a vibracore from Dusseldorf-Grafenberg (Germany) containing calcareous loess and intercalated interglacial, interstadial and periglacial soils and soil sediments. All samples were pretreated with hydrogen peroxide and sodium pyrophosphate. Subsequently, the samples were prepared with and without the addition of HCl. There is no significant association of the HCl-induced grain size modifications after the HCl treatment with the calcium carbonate content. Conversely, a distinct dependence of the modification of grain size distributions on the content of organic matter, the weathering degree of the sediment, and the presence of stable aggregates as well as organo-mineral complexes was observed. Consequently, pretreating post-depositionally modified aeolian sediments with HCl may result in misleading grain size distributions and should be avoided in standard analyses of loess–paleosol-sequences. However, the HCl-induced modification of grain size distributions provides an indication of the existence of stable aggregates or organo-mineral complexes.

Effects of coarse grain size distribution and fine particle content on pore fluid pressure and shear behavior in experimental debris flows

Abstract: Debris flows are typically a saturated mixture of poorly sorted particles and interstitial fluid, whose density and flow properties depend strongly on the presence of suspended fine sediment. Recent research suggests that grain size distribution (GSD) influences excess pore pressures (i.e., pressure in excess of predicted hydrostatic pressure), which in turn plays a governing role in debris flow behaviors. We report a series of controlled laboratory experiments in a 4 m diameter vertically rotating drum where the coarse particle size distribution and the content of fine particles were varied independently. We measured basal pore fluid pressures, pore fluid pressure profiles (using novel sensor probes), velocity profiles, and longitudinal profiles of the flow height. Excess pore fluid pressure was significant for mixtures with high fines fraction. Such flows exhibited lower values for their bulk flow resistance (as measured by surface slope of the flow), had damped fluctuations of normalized fluid pressure and normal stress, and had velocity profiles where the shear was concentrated at the base of the flow. These effects were most pronounced in flows with a wide coarse GSD distribution. Sustained excess fluid pressure occurred during flow and after cessation of motion. Various mechanisms may cause dilation and contraction of the flows, and we propose that the sustained excess fluid pressures during flow and once the flow has stopped may arise from hindered particle settling and yield strength of the fluid, resulting in transfer of particle weight to the fluid. Thus, debris flow behavior may be strongly influenced by sustained excess fluid pressures controlled by particle settling rates.

Optical backscattering by particles in Arctic seawater and relationships to particle mass concentration, size distribution, and bulk composition

Abstract: The magnitude and spectral shape of the optical backscattering coefficient of particles, b(bp)(lambda), is being increasingly used to infer information about the particles present in seawater. Relationships between b(bp) and particle properties in the Arctic are poorly documented, and may differ from other oceanic regions which contribute the majority of data used to develop and parameterize optical models. We utilize recent field measurements from the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to examine relationships between the spectral backscattering coefficient of particles in seawater and the mass concentration, bulk composition, and size distribution of the suspended particle assemblage. The particle backscattering coefficient spanned six orders of magnitude from the relatively clear waters of the Beaufort Sea to extremely turbid waters on the Mackenzie shelf. This coefficient was highly correlated with the mass concentration of particles, and to a lesser extent with other measures of concentration such as particulate organic carbon or chlorophyll a. Increased backscattering and high mass-specific b(bp)(lambda) was associated with mineral-rich assemblages that tended to exhibit steeper size distributions, while reduced backscattering was associated with organic-dominated assemblages having a greater contribution of large particles. Our results suggest that algorithms which employ composition-specific relationships can lead to improved estimates of particle mass concentration from backscattering measurements. In contrast to theoretical models, however, we observe no clear relationship between the spectral slope of b(bp)(lambda) and the slope of the particle size distribution in this environment.

Understanding the optical properties of ambient sub- and supermicron particulate matter: results from the CARES 2010 field study in northern California

Abstract: . Measurements of the optical properties (absorption, scattering and extinction) of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 made at two sites around Sacramento, CA, during the June 2010 Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) are reported. These observations are used to establish relationships between various intensive optical properties and to derive information about the dependence of the optical properties on photochemical aging and sources. Supermicron particles contributed substantially to the total light scattering at both sites, about 50 % on average. A strong, linear relationship is observed between the scattering Angstrom exponent for PM10 and the fraction of the scattering that is contributed by submicron particles (fsca, PM 1 ) at both sites and with similar slopes and intercepts (for a given pair of wavelengths), suggesting that the derived relationship may be generally applicable for understanding variations in particle size distributions from remote sensing measurements. At the more urban T0 site, the fsca, PM 1 increased with photochemical age, whereas at the downwind, more rural T1 site the fsca, PM 1 decreased slightly with photochemical age. This difference in behavior reflects differences in transport, local production and local emission of supermicron particles between the sites. Light absorption is dominated by submicron particles, but there is some absorption by supermicron particles ( ∼ 15 % of the total). The supermicron absorption derives from a combination of black carbon that has penetrated into the supermicron mode and from dust, and there is a clear increase in the mass absorption coefficient of just the supermicron particles with increasing average particle size. The mass scattering coefficient (MSC) for the supermicron particles was directly observed to vary inversely with the average particle size, demonstrating that MSC cannot always be treated as a constant in estimating mass concentrations from scattering measurements, or vice versa. The total particle backscatter fraction exhibited some dependence upon the relative abundance of sub- versus supermicron particles; however this was modulated by variations in the median size of particles within a given size range; variations in the submicron size distribution had a particularly large influence on the observed backscatter efficiency and an approximate method to account for this variability is introduced. The relationship between the absorption and scattering Angstrom exponents is examined and used to update a previously suggested particle classification scheme. Differences in composition led to differences in the sensitivity of PM2.5 to heating in a thermodenuder to the average particle size, with more extensive evaporation (observed as a larger decrease in the PM2.5 extinction coefficient) corresponding to smaller particles; i.e., submicron particles were generally more susceptible to heating than the supermicron particles. The influence of heating on the particle hygroscopicity varied with the effective particle size, with larger changes observed when the PM2.5 distribution was dominated by smaller particles.

Physicochemical behavior of tropical laterite soil stabilized with non-traditional additive

Abstract: Non-traditional soil stabilizers are widely used for treating weak materials. These additives are cost- and time-effective alternatives to more traditional materials such as lime and cement. It has been well established that the treatment of natural soil with chemical additives will gradually affect the size, shape, and arrangement of soil particles. Furthermore, the degree of improvement is dependent on the quantity and the pattern of new products formed on and around the soil particles. In this paper, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was performed as an index of soil improvement on mix designs treated with calcium-based powder stabilizer (SH-85). The time-dependent changes in shear strength parameter and compressibility behavior of treated soil were also studied using standard direct shear and one-dimensional consolidation tests. In order to better understand the shape and surface area of treated particles, FESEM, N2-BET, and particle size distribution analysis were performed on soil-stabilizer matrix. From engineering standpoint, the UCS results showed that the degree of improvement for SH-85-stabilized laterite soil was roughly five times stronger than the untreated soil at the early stages of curing (7-day period). Also, a significant increase in the compressibility resistance of treated samples with curing time was observed. Based on the results, less porous and denser soil fabric was seen on the surface of clay particles. FESEM images of the treated mix designs showed the formation of white lumps in the soil fabric with the cementitious gel filling the pores in the soil structure.

Influence of Particle Size Distribution on the Performance of Ionic Liquid-based Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors

Abstract: Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) employing ionic liquid electrolytes are the subject of much research as they promise increased operating potentials, and hence energy densities, when compared with currently available devices. Herein we report on the influence of the particle size distribution of activated carbon material on the performance of ionic liquid based EDLCs. Mesoporous activated carbon was ball-milled for increasing durations and the resultant powders characterized physically (using laser diffraction, nitrogen sorption and SEM) and investigated electrochemically in the form of composite EDLC electrodes. A bi-modal particle size distribution was found for all materials demonstrating an increasing fraction of smaller particles with increased milling duration. In general, cell capacitance decreased with increased milling duration over a wide range of rates using CV and galvanostatic cycling. Reduced coulombic efficiency is observed at low rates (<25 mVs−1) and the efficiency decreases as the volume fraction of the smaller particles increases. Efficiency loss was attributed to side reactions, particularly electrolyte decomposition, arising from interactions with the smaller particles. The effect of reduced efficiency is confirmed by cycling for over 15,000 cycles, which has the important implication that diminished performance and reduced cycle life is caused by the presence of submicron-sized particles.

Packing fraction of particles with a Weibull size distribution.

Abstract: This paper addresses the void fraction of polydisperse particles with a Weibull (or Rosin-Rammler) size distribution. It is demonstrated that the governing parameters of this distribution can be uniquely related to those of the lognormal distribution. Hence, an existing closed-form expression that predicts the void fraction of particles with a lognormal size distribution can be transformed into an expression for Weibull distributions. Both expressions contain the contraction coefficient β. Likewise the monosized void fraction φ_{1}, it is a physical parameter which depends on the particles' shape and their state of compaction only. Based on a consideration of the scaled binary void contraction, a linear relation for (1-φ_{1})β as function of φ_{1} is proposed, with proportionality constant B, depending on the state of compaction only. This is validated using computational and experimental packing data concerning random close and random loose packing arrangements. Finally, using this β, the closed-form analytical expression governing the void fraction of Weibull distributions is thoroughly compared with empirical data reported in the literature, and good agreement is found. Furthermore, the present analysis yields an algebraic equation relating the void fraction of monosized particles at different compaction states. This expression appears to be in good agreement with a broad collection of random close and random loose packing data.

Influence of Particle-Size Distribution and Temperature on Rheological Behavior of Coal Slurry

Abstract: The rheological behavior of coal-water slurry of Indian coal is studied using rheometer. The effect of particle size, solid concentration, and temperature on the rheology of the coal-water slurry has been investigated. The settlement analysis of various size ranges of coal particles has been carried out. A particle size less than 75 µm is used for analysis of rheological behavior of coal slurry and it is found that the increase in solid concentration caused the increase in apparent viscosity of the coal-water mixture. Also, it is observed that as the solid concentration increases the coal-water mixture converts to a non-Newtonian fluid. The rheological behavior of the slurry is also analyzed by blending the coal samples with mixture of coarse and fine particles, hence making a bimodal particle-size distribution. The slurry having the bimodal particle-size distribution is prepared by blending the fine particles of 53–75 µm with the coarse particles of 106–150 µm or 150–250 µm with various proportions. The ...

Simulating the Impact of Particle Size Distribution on the Performance of Graphite Electrodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract: In this work we present a fundamental model-based analysis of the effect of active material particle size distribution (PSD) on graphite electrodes and their performance. We focused on the determination of the impact of differently shaped and scaled PSDs on the electrode performance, which is mainly influenced by the performance of the individual particles and their interaction. A mathematical electrode model with a distributed particle size is used for analysis to identify the different local current densities and the charging behavior of the particles. The heterogeneity provokes uneven surface overpotentials and reaction rates. Their identification facilitates the investigation of the degradation of such heterogeneous systems. In addition, we present an approach that accounts for the change of a PSD because of the restructuring of the electrode morphology during battery usage into the mathematical model and identify the general impact of particle cracking and agglomeration on the battery performance. Moreover, the importance of PSD in Li-ion batteries is shown by comparing the results obtained with a single particle model used commonly. This comparison shows that in case of narrow distributions surface-area- and volume-based mean approximations are sufficient to predict overpotentials and electrode capacity if kinetic losses are dominated either by reaction at the surface or diffusion processes, respectively. This work indicates that the PSD and its change impact the performance and degradation of Li-ion batteries considerably. We suggest that the PSD and its evolution should be of particular interest in the study of the degradation of particle-based electrodes.

A comparison of techniques for size measurement of nanoparticles in cell culture medium

Abstract: Plain and aminated silica nanoparticles dispersed in purified water, in 50 mM Tris–HCl buffer and in cell culture medium were measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS), centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and particle tracking analysis (PTA). The test samples were measured by all methods immediately after dispersion and after incubation at room temperature for 24 h. The effect of the biological dispersion medium on the modal value of the particle size distribution was compared for each method taking into account the estimated uncertainty. For the methods based on light scattering, DLS and PTA, the size distributions obtained were significantly altered due to the formation of a protein corona and induced agglomeration effects. With SAXS and CLS, the measured size of the primary particles was mostly unchanged. While SAXS offers excellent precision and traceability to the SI unit system if the model fitting approach is used for data analysis, CLS provides detailed size distributions from which additional information on the agglomeration state can be deduced.

Electrodeposition of Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings with combined addition of SDS and HPB surfactants

Abstract: The effect of hexadecylpyridinium bromide (HPB) combined with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on electrodeposition of Ni-Al 2 O 3 composite coatings using fine Al 2 O 3 particles of average size of 150 nm and a typical watt's bath was investigated by evaluating the dispersibility, migration of alumina particles in the plating bath and their capture and embedding in the resulted coatings with varying HPB concentrations. The dispersibility and stability of the Al 2 O 3 particles suspended in the electroplating bath were evaluated through measuring the particle size distribution and the particle sedimentation. The depositing dynamics of Al 2 O 3 particles was discussed based on analysis of particle surface chemistry, zeta potential with simultaneous particle motion observation, and contact angle of bath on the substrate and coatings, respectively. The dispersibility and stability of the alumina particles in Watt's bath seemed not to have been improved by the surfactants according to the static measurement results of particle size distribution and sedimentation. However, the dynamics of Al 2 O 3 particles co-deposition were apparently modified by the surfactant addition with analysis of Al 2 O 3 particle motion in the electroplating bath as increasing the HPB addition at a fixed SDS content, where a random movement of particles in the bath is observed correlating to a fluctuation of zeta potential, in contrast to continuous increasing of zeta potential in water-diluted case as also reported in previous studies for co-electrodeposition of both oxide and carbide particles reinforced composite coatings. It is concluded that, directional electrophoresis migration of ceramic particles across the bath is limited due to the high ionic concentration in the bath environment. The combined addition of HPB with SDS led to the highest concentration of co-deposition of Al 2 O 3 particles into composite coatings, over both the cases of SDS addition and without surfactants. Moreover, HPB addition alone deteriorated the coating quality with notable coating exfoliation. The adsorption of cationic HPB on the surface of Al 2 O 3 particles promoted the particle capture onto cathodes and favored particle dispersion especially with agitation of the bath by forming “soft” agglomerates of the particles, while the anionic surfactant of SDS may facilitate a smooth and dense coating without pore defect by significantly improving wetting of bath on both copper substrate and nickel coating.

Precipitation of Non-spherical Particles in Aluminum Alloys Part II: Numerical Simulation and Experimental Characterization During Aging Treatment of an Al-Mg-Si Alloy

Abstract: This is the second part of the investigation on the precipitation of needle-shaped particles. In part I, two particle aspect ratio-dependent correction factors are introduced to describe the effects of non-spherical precipitate shape on precipitate growth kinetics. In this part II, the two factors are integrated into a CALPHAD-coupled multi-component Kampmann–Wagner numerical model to predict precipitation kinetics of needle-shaped metastable particles during aging treatment of an Al-Mg-Si alloy. The predictions are compared with transmission electron microscopy observations on precipitate number density, volume fraction, and size distribution. Improved agreement is reported, and in particular, the shape of the predicted particle size distribution density function becomes more realistic.

UV-VIS depolarization from Arizona Test Dust particles at exact backscattering angle

Abstract: In this paper, a controlled laboratory experiment is performed to accurately evaluate the depolarization from mineral dust particles in the exact backward scattering direction (ϴ=180.0±0.2°). The experiment is carried out at two wavelengths simultaneously (λ=355 nm, λ=532 nm), on a determined size and shape distribution of Arizona Test Dust (ATD) particles, used as a proxy for mineral dust particles. After validating the set-up on spherical water droplets, two determined ATD-particle size distributions, representative of mineral dust after long-range transport, are generated to accurately retrieve the UV–VIS depolarization from ATD-particles at exact backscattering angle, which is new. The measured depolarization reaches at most 37.5% at λ=355 nm (35.5% at λ=532 nm), and depends on the particle size distribution. Moreover, these laboratory findings agree with T-matrix numerical simulations, at least for a determined particle size distribution and at a determined wavelength, showing the ability of the spheroidal model to reproduce mineral dust particles in the exact backward scattering direction. However, the spectral dependence of the measured depolarization could not be reproduced with the spheroidal model, even for not evenly distributed aspect ratios. Hence, these laboratory findings can be used to evaluate the applicability of the spheroidal model in the backward scattering direction and moreover, to invert UV–VIS polarization lidar returns, which is useful for radiative transfer and climatology, in which mineral dust particles are strongly involved.

Effect of Particle Size Distribution on the Magnetic Properties of Fe-Si-Al Powder Core

Abstract: The Fe-Si-Al soft magnetic powder cores with five particle size distributions were prepared. The microstructure study revealed that the cores had a fairly compacted structure with a uniform insulation layer of the phosphate forming on the surface of the magnetic particles. The particle size distribution was found to have the great influence on the core’s magnetic properties. The increase of the percentage of the small particles results in the decrease of the effective permeability, the improvement of the DC-bias performance, and the deterioration of the core loss. The effects of the distributed air gap and the demagnetization field on the core’s magnetizing process were believed to be the underlying physical origins. The core losses at the frequencies lower and higher than 150 kHz were found to be mainly determined by the hysteresis loss and the eddy-current loss, respectively. The good magnetic performances of the Fe-Si-Al powder cores with the effective permeability of about 55–60 were finally achieved as follows: the percent permeability at 100 Oe is up to 52.3 %, and the lowest core loss at 50 kHz/1000 Gs is 270 mW cm−3.

Powder compositions, method of preparing articles and coatings from the powder compositions, and articles prepared therefrom

Abstract: A powder composition including a plurality of thermoplastic particles having an optimized particle size and particle size distribution is disclosed. The powder composition includes a plurality of thermoplastic particles having a bimodal particle size distribution or a trimodal particle size distribution. Also disclosed are methods of preparing three-dimensional articles, methods of preparing a powder coating, and articles prepared by the methods.

Characterization of suspended particulate matter in the Moselle River (Lorraine, France): evolution along the course of the river and in different hydrologic regimes

Abstract: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays an important role in the transport and fate of contaminants in the environment. To better understand the relationships between contaminants and SPM, SPM properties, and their variations with flow regime, river size, land use, and season should be considered. The grain size distribution, elemental composition, and mineralogy of SPM from different stations along the Moselle River (Lorraine, France) were investigated at the particle scale during different flow regimes. The resulting data were compared with the elemental composition of the dissolved compartment to understand the role of particles in element transport. The grain size distribution, elemental composition, and mineralogy of SPM along the Moselle River and during different flow regimes showed only slight variations, except for the Fensch and Orne tributaries, two rivers that were impacted by inherited steel-making industrialization and different land use. In the Moselle River, SPM mainly consisted of clay minerals, while in Fensch and Orne Rivers, SPM mainly consisted of multiple types of anthropogenic particles. The diffuse urbanization gradient was hardly recognized based on the Trace Metal Element (TMEs) content in the river SPM, while the rivers impacted by the steel industries had greater TME contents. Finally, the TME content in the Moselle SPM was more strongly influenced by water flow than by the position of sampling on the linear reach of the Moselle River. The partitioning of TMEs in the particles and water at the main Moselle station (Frouard) revealed that SPM predominantly contributed to TMEs transport. This study confirmed that catchment geology greatly contributed to the SPM composition in the mean-sized rivers. In addition, the high anthropogenic pressure could be deciphered for small tributaries. Furthermore, this study allowed us to observe the high contribution of particles to TMEs and Rare Earth Element (REEs) transportation.

Preparation of Nano-CaCO3 from Phosphogypsum by Gas–Liquid–Solid Reaction for CO2 Sorption

Abstract: Nano-CaCO3 was prepared from phosphogypsum (PG) through reactive crystallization in the gas (CO2)–liquid (NH3·H2O)–solid (PG) three-phase system. The effects of temperature, CO2 flow rate, and reaction time on the CaCO3 particle size distribution (PSD) were investigated. The results show that PG-derived nano-CaCO3 with an average particle diameter of 86–104 nm can be obtained under a 251–138 mL/min CO2 flow rate at a corresponding temperature of 30–40 °C. Research indicates that the CaCO3 particle size is subjected to the mutual influences of temperature, CO2 flow rate, and reaction time. A relatively low CO2 flow rate with increasing temperature and a strictly controlled reaction time are advantageous to the formation of nanosized CaCO3 grains. Additionally, PG-derived nano-CaO maintains a CO2 sorption capacity of 0.27 g of CO2/g of CaO after 10 calcination–carbonation cycles, which is the same as for commercial nano-CaO.

Effects of grain size distribution on the packing fraction and shear strength of frictionless disk packings.

Abstract: Using discrete element methods, the effects of the grain size distribution on the density and the shear strength of frictionless disk packings are analyzed. Specifically, two recent findings on the relationship between the system's grain size distribution and its rheology are revisited, and their validity is tested across a broader range of distributions than what has been used in previous studies. First, the effects of the distribution on the solid fraction are explored. It is found that the distribution that produces the densest packing is not the uniform distribution by volume fractions as suggested in a recent publication. In fact, the maximal packing fraction is obtained when the grading curve follows a power law with an exponent close to 0.5 as suggested by Fuller and Thompson in 1907 and 1919 [Trans Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. 59, 1 (1907) and A Treatise on Concrete, Plain and Reinforced (1919), respectively] while studying mixtures of cement and stone aggregates. Second, the effects of the distribution on the shear strength are analyzed. It is confirmed that these systems exhibit a small shear strength, even if composed of frictionless particles as has been shown recently in several works. It is also found that this shear strength is independent of the grain size distribution. This counterintuitive result has previously been shown for the uniform distribution by volume fractions. In this paper, it is shown that this observation keeps true for different shapes of the grain size distribution.

Chord length distribution to particle size distribution

Abstract: A simple model is presented to extract the particle size distribution (PSD) from the chord length distribution measured using a focused beam reflectance measurement probe. The model can be implemented using simple spread sheeting tools and does not require the description of additional parameters as opposed to previous models. The model was validated for two systems consisting of spherical ceramic beads by comparing model predicted PSD against the PSD obtained through image analysis (IA). Then, the model was evaluated by considering various systems consisting of irregularly shaped particles (sand/zinc dust/plasma alumina). Model predictions accurately predicted the mean but over-predicted the variance of the PSD in comparison with the PSD obtained from IA. However, overall, a reasonable agreement was observed. Finally, the model was shown to be accurate in predicting PSD in comparison with the measured PSD for systems of practical relevance such as for paracetamol and p-aminophenol crystals. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4215–4228, 2016