Determining the particle-size distribution of soil materials with the integral suspension pressure (ISP) method – lessons learned from PARIO measurements

Author(s):  
Wolfgang Durner ◽  
Miller Alina ◽  
Pertassek Thomas ◽  
Iden Sascha C.

<p>The integral suspension pressure method (ISP) is an automated method to evaluate sedimentation experiments for particle size analysis of soil materials. In contrast to the traditional pipette and hydrometer methods, it is based on the continuous measurement of the suspension pressure at one depth in the sedimentation cylinder. The particle size distribution is determined by inverse simulation (Durner et al., 2017). The ISP is promising because it is semi-automated, continuous, based on process simulation, and does not hinge on oversimplifying assumptions. Most importantly, disturbance of the settling particles is minimized whereas disturbance is unavoidable when applying the traditional methods. ISP has been made commercially available by the METER Group AG (Munich) with a device called PARIO<sup>TM</sup>. This implementation of ISP leads to a computerized system which yields quasi-continuous particle-size distribution curves.</p><p>Practical experience with PARIO has shown that, despite cutting-edge pressure sensor technology with a resolution of 0.1 Pa, the accuracy of the particle-size analysis was less than expected from a theoretical analysis, and that the time required to determine the clay content exceeded theoretical expectations. In this contribution, we analyze the reasons for disturbances of the methodology in practical applications and show ways to improve accuracy by compensating different errors. Furthermore, we show how an extended version of ISP called ISP+, which considers a single additional measurement in the objective function (Durner and Iden, 2019), leads to stable estimates of the clay fraction while considerably reducing the measurement time.</p><p>References:</p><p>Durner, W., S.C. Iden, and G. von Unold (2017): The integral suspension pressure method (ISP) for precise particle-size analysis by gravitational sedimentation., Water Resources Research, 53, 33-48, doi:10.1002/2016WR019830.</p><p>Durner, W., and S.C. Iden: ISP+: improving the Integral Suspension Pressure method by an additional measurement, Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 21, EGU2019-12761, 2019.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maame Croffie ◽  
Paul N. Williams ◽  
Owen Fenton ◽  
Anna Fenelon ◽  
Karen Daly

<p>Soil texture is an essential factor for effective land management in agricultural production. Knowledge of soil texture and particle size at field scale can aid with on-going soil management decisions. Standard soil physical and gravimetric methods for particle size analysis are time-consuming and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative. The objective of this study was to explore the use of XRF as a predictor for particle size. An extensive archive of Irish soils with particle size and soil texture data was used to select samples for XRF analysis. Regression and correlation analyses on XRF determined results showed that the relationship between Rb and % clay varied with soil type and was dependent on the parent material. There was a strong relationship (R > 0.62, R<sup>2</sup>>0.30, p<0.05) between Rb and clay for soils originating from bedrock such as limestones and slate. Contrastingly, no significant relationship (R<0.03, R<sup>2</sup>=0.00, p>0.05) exists between Rb and % clay for soils originating from granite and gneiss. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between Rb and % sand. The XRF is a useful technique for rough screening of particle size distribution in soils originating from certain parent materials. Thus, this may contribute to the rapid prediction of soil texture based on knowledge of the particle size distribution.</p><p> </p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songhao Shang

Particle size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental physical property of soils. Traditionally, the PSD curve was generated by hand from limited data of particle size analysis, which is subjective and may lead to significant uncertainty in the freehand PSD curve and graphically estimated cumulative particle percentages. To overcome these problems, a log-cubic method was proposed for the generation of PSD curve based on a monotone piecewise cubic interpolation method. The log-cubic method and commonly used log-linear and log-spline methods were evaluated by the leave-one-out cross-validation method for 394 soil samples extracted from UNSODA database. Mean error and root mean square error of the cross-validation show that the log-cubic method outperforms two other methods. What is more important, PSD curve generated by the log-cubic method meets essential requirements of a PSD curve, that is, passing through all measured data and being both smooth and monotone. The proposed log-cubic method provides an objective and reliable way to generate a PSD curve from limited soil particle analysis data. This method and the generated PSD curve can be used in the conversion of different soil texture schemes, assessment of grading pattern, and estimation of soil hydraulic parameters and erodibility factor.


2002 ◽  
Vol 740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopinath Mani ◽  
Qinguo Fan ◽  
Samuel C. Ugbolue ◽  
Isabelle M. Eiff

ABSTRACTThis research work focuses on combining ball milling and ultrasonication to produce nano-size clay particles. Our work also emphasizes on increasing the specific surface area of montmorillonite clay particles by reducing the particle size to nanometer dimensions. We have characterized the as-received clay particles by using particle size analysis based on laser diffraction and found that the size of the clay particles is not consistent and the particle size distribution is very broad. However, after the unique treatment and processing, the clay particles were obtained in nanometer dimensions with narrowed particle size distribution.


Author(s):  
J. Abutu ◽  
S.A. Lawal ◽  
M.B. Ndaliman ◽  
R.A. Lafia-Araga ◽  
A.S. Abdulrahman

In this study, locally sourced natural materials (coconut shells and seashells) were used separately to produce composites. The powders were sieved with sieve size of 10 µm and characterized using a particle size analyser (DLS) in order to ascertain their particle size distribution. Also, the effects of particle size distribution on the performance of sourced coconut shells and seashells-based composite was investigated. About 52% of the characterized powder was afterward used along with other ingredients (35% binder, 8% alumina and 5% graphite) to produced composites using moulding pressure (14 MPa), moulding temperature (160 ºC), curing time (12 min) and heat treatment time (1 hr). The performance of the composites was thereafter evaluated using standard testing procedures. The results of particle size analysis indicated that the seashell powder (0.27) possesses lower distribution width (PDI) compared to the coconut shell powder (0.342) while the coconut shell (542.3 nm) showed lower Z-average diameter compared to the seashell powder (1096 nm) with some little traces of nanoparticles (<10 µm). Also, the experimental results obtained from composite characterization indicated that the coconut shell-based samples exhibited better performance in terms of its mechanical and tribological properties compared to the seashell-based samples.


Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Budiman Minasny ◽  
Alex B. McBratney ◽  
Damien J. Field ◽  
Grant Tranter ◽  
Neil J. McKenzie ◽  
...  

This paper aims to establish the means and ranges of clay, silt, and sand contents from field texture classes, and to investigate the differences in the field texture classes and texture determined from particle-size analysis. The results of this paper have 2 practical applications: (1) to estimate the particle size distribution and its uncertainty from field texture as input to pedotransfer functions, and (2) to examine the criteria of texture contrast soils in the Australian Soil Classification system. Estimates of clay, silt, and sand content for each field texture class are given and this allows the field texture classes to be plotted in the texture triangle. There are considerable differences between field texture classes and particle-size classes. Based on the uncertainties in determining the clay content from field texture, we establish the probability of the occurrence of a texture contrast soil according to the Australian Soil Classification system, given the texture of the B2 horizon and its overlying A horizon. I enjoy doing the soil-texture feel test with my fingers or kneading a clay soil, which is a short step from ceramics or sculpture. Hans Jenny (1984)


2008 ◽  
Vol 587-588 ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Dias ◽  
Vera Lourenço ◽  
Carlos A. Nogueira ◽  
Fernando A. Costa Oliveira

When preparing β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), it is difficult to industrialise traditional methods because of the problem of particle aggregation. In this paper, β-TCP was prepared by calcining calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) powders obtained by the wet precipitation method at pH=6 and 40 °C, together with additions of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), in order to prevent powder agglomeration. The effect of the Ca/PEG mass ratio on the particle size distribution and the morphology of the resulting powders was evaluated. For comparison purposes, one powder without PEG addition was also synthesized. All synthesized powders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy prior and after calcination in static air at 1000 °C for 15 h. Single-phase β-TCP powders have been obtained by calcining CDHA powders in the temperature range of 850°C-1150°C. It was also found that increasing the PEG content in solution decreased the particle size distribution of the agglomerated particles and the β→α-TCP transition temperature. A plausible explanation consistent with these experimental findings is proposed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Elba Calesso Teixeira ◽  
Josete Dani Sanchez ◽  
Jandyra Fachel ◽  
Daniela Migliavacca

The present work is a preliminary study with the aim of characterize the particle size and the chemical composition of aerosols in the Charqueadas County in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, in order to better identify the sources responsible for alterations in the air quality. Seven filters were used for collecting material on thin nucleopore polycarbonate membrane (0,4 µm) during March/1996 to July/1996. X-ray energy dispersive scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the chemical composition of aerosol particles, and 21 elements were then analysed. Particle size distribution was measured by SEM-EDX analysis, and also by automated image technique. Nonhierarchical cluster analysis was applied to identify the types of particles present in the samples. This procedure resulted in the definition of 8 groups of particles containing Fe, Zn, Si, Al, S, Ca, Na and K, that revealed the chemical heterogeneity of aerosols in Charqueadas Country. The particle size analysis showed the predominance (around 80% of all analyzed particles) of the fraction ≤ 10 µm (dia) with the highest concentration of these particles located in the size ≤ 2.0 µm (dia). Data from particle size distribution, including Falk and Ward parameters, were combined with meteorological parameters and subjected to Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Discriminant Analysis. This procedure allowed particle-based features and meteorological variables to be integrated for potentially better discriminant capability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Wei-Ling Ng ◽  
Cheng-Ann Chen ◽  
Stephenie Demie Kawi ◽  
Baba Musta ◽  
Tin-Yam Chan

Particle size analysis is able to reveal essential information about processes like production, transportation, sorting, and deposition of a study area. Pre-treatment of sediment by using hydrogen peroxide is recommended for more accuracy of particle size distribution as it removes organic matter which is adsorbed on the grain particle. A shallow water where hydrothermal vents site are located in Guishan Island is selected as the study site in this research. Sediment samples were collected at the depth of 3 – 5 cm from the seabed surface by SCUBA diving. Particle size analysis was conducted by dry sieving before and after hydrogen peroxide treatment. Results showed significant differences in very coarse sand (p < 0.05) as it decreases significantly in weight after treatment (10.62% of change). The other particle size level of sediment increases slightly in weight and the changes ranged from 1.20% to 2.60%, showing no significant difference (500μm=0.59; p value 250μm=0.67; p value 125μm=0.48; p value 63μm=0.47; p value >63μm=0.38). Therefore, in order to accurately determine the particle size distribution at hydrothermal vent site, pre-treatment using hydrogen peroxide is recommended to remove organic material because hydrothermal vent is proved to have high organic matter content.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2017 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-685
Author(s):  
Łukasz Skórkowski ◽  
Ewa Zielewicz

Abstract The objective of this research was to examine the influence of energy input on the particle size distribution of disintegrated sludge. The change of particle size distribution indicates the deagglomeration of flocs and disruption of micro-colonies. As the digestibility of sludge increases with dispersion, particle size analysis is an important factor in evaluating the disintegration process. Four different levels of energy input were used in the research: 10–100 kWh·m−3. All samples showed significant changes as far as dispersion (kdCST = 22.98–74.67, kdFCOD = 3.23–18.46), lysis (kdSCOD = 4.22–12.09), acidification (kdVFAs = 1.78–12.61), nitrogen release (kdTN = 4.02–21.61) indicators were concerned. Results indicate the gradual decrease of measured particle size with increasing energy input. The energy supplied to the disintegration process primarily promotes deagglomeration and with the rise of energy input, the destruction of cells. For EV = 50 and 100 kWh·m−3 an increased occurrence of lysis effects and increase in particle fraction &lt;99.9 μm was noted. The highest efficiency evaluated by increase of filtered chemical oxygen demand (FCOD) and soluble COD (SCOD) per unit of volumetric energy – ΔCOD and ΔSCOD (mgO2·Wh−1) was obtained for Ev = 10 WhL−1, which corresponds to the most significant change in particle size distribution. The volume of particles &lt;99.9 μm rose from 1.92% for non-disintegrated sludge to 26.62% for volumetric energy 100 kWh·m−3.


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