Particle Count/Size Analysis

RESULTS IN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS

Comprehensive particle size/count analysis for in-situ and flowing fluids. Graphic and tabular presentation of particle size, total counts, counts percent, surface area percent, volume percent, PPM and total suspended solids. Ideal for water treatment plants, ground water analysis, filtration sizing, pre/post filtration tests.

WE DO NOT HANDLE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

Please fill out the form below, and click on 'Submit' to print final format for shipping with samples: Ship approximately 100 mL, or 6 oz per sample in well sealed plastic container(s).

It is very important to label all bottles, containers and packages.

All samples must be accompanied by the Sample Analysis Form.

Sample Analysis Form

Price List

TYPICAL TEST RESULTS
		PDF - 23kb (click to enlarge)

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF SPECTREX WATER ANALYSIS PRINT-OUT

TITLE
This heading lists the customer whose sample is being analyzed and the description and identification of the sample.
HISTOGRAM SHOWING SIZE DISTRIBUTION
1. Bin Number
  Left hand vertical column indicates bin or channel number. Normally we use 32 bins.
2. Particle size range
  Moving from left to right: the next vertical column shows the particle sizes, from 1 to 100 micrometers (symbol µm.)
  Note: µm is equivalent to one thousandth of a millimeter or one millionth of a meter. The human eye is able to see down to about 50 µm, while the Spectrex instrument can count and size down to µm.
3. Particle size in percentage
  Next column is the percentage distribution per bin over the complete size range.
4. Relative Count Column
  These numbers are only indirectly related to the absolute number of particles in each bin and should be ignored.
5. The Bar Graph ("Histogram")
  This gives a quick, visual indication of the size distribution. The scale at the top can be changed as necessary.
6. Filter Box (The topmost of six rectangles to the right of the Bar Graph)
  "F-0" is used for clear water samples.
  "F-30" is used for opaque hydraulic oil samples.
  "F-11" is used for the small vial attachment.
7. A-T This is the ACTUAL number of seconds it took to collect your sample.
8. S-T This is the number of seconds SET on the computer to take your sample.
9. Dilution
  If your sample has to be diluted, this is the amount of dilution needed.
10. Offset and Gain
  These are constants preset in the computer to ensure that the sized particles are entered in the right bins.
LISTINGS
These are the vertical columns of numbers immediately under the Histogram.
From left to right ...
1. Bin Number — As explained above in B-1
2. Size — As explained above in B-2
3. Total Counts per cc —- This column lists the absolute number of particles in each bin and includes the dilution factor. If there is a "0" in the sub lµm category this does not mean that there are no submicron particles present. Unless specifically requested, we usually size from lµm upward as there is a slightly indeterminate factor below that size, while we are sure that all lµm particles are counted.
4. Counts percent — As explained in B-3
5. Surface Area percent — The computer rearranges the distribution by Surface Area. The Surface Area is derived by multiplying Counts Percent by the "square" of the diameter.
6. Volume Percent — This is calculated using the "cube" of the diameter. You will notice that the percentage distribution is heavily weighted toward the larger particle range.
7. Mass Per Bin — This is derived from the volume Percent, using a special volumetric factor, to give the total suspended solids in each size range. The total of this right-hand column gives the total suspended solids in parts per million or milligrams per liter for the complete sample. Spectrex, for its lab service, will normally assume the sample specific gravity is one. If the customer knows the specific gravity, the TSS derived by Spectrex should be multiplied by this to give the final TSS. Note that the TSS we generate is CALCULATED. For extra accuracy we suggest physically separating the suspended solids from the liquid in a sample and weighing it (gravimetric method).
STANDARD CLASSIFICATION
This is usually in "Phi" categories, used by sedimentologists, geologists and water engineers. It is a relisting of C above in a reduced number of channels. Other "standard" listings, for hydraulic oils, are ISO, NAS and SAE. If you would prefer one of these three rather than "Phi" please specify.
TOTALS
Here we list -
1. Total number of particles in the sample. This is a total of C-3 above.
2. Total suspended solids. This is a sum of the listing C-7 and is both in parts per million and in milligrams per liter.
3. Dilution factor. This is an indication of how much dilution was necessary to get the required results.
4. Specific Gravity. This important aspect of the sample is entered into the computer before the sample is run and is used to calculate the Mass Per Bin C-7 and Total Suspended Solids E-2.
5. Mean Size and Standard Deviation are computed from Total Counts per cc (C-all 3).
6. Date_ and Time at which the sample was run is a valuable reference for the future.

Sample Analysis Form

* Explanation of the Pre-paid label Service
This service is designed for customers who plan to send several samples for analysis over time. We provide clean bottles, serialized labels and free ground shipping to you. Simply attach the serialized label to the bottle and complete the Sample Analysis Form before sending it to us.