Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A system and method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas include mass flow controllers configured to deliver a controllable mass flow of a carrier gas and adsorptive gas to vary concentration of the adsorptive gas flowing through at least one measurement channel containing a sample cell. A concentration detector downstream of the sample cell provides a signal indicative of the adsorptive gas concentration to a controller that determines the amount of adsorptive gas adsorbed and/or desorbed to characterize the surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, etc. of the sample material. The detector may include a housing, heat exchanger, thermal conductivity detector, and a temperature regulator.

Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A particle image analyzer is disclosed that includes a transparent moving structure with a load surface and an opposite surface, where a portion of the load surface is constructed to adhere particles. A particle discharge nozzle deposits particles on the load surface and an image sensor positioned adjacent to the load surface takes images of the particles as they move past the image sensor. A light source positioned adjacent to the opposite surface illuminates the particles imaged by the image sensor. The light from the light source defines an illumination path that travels from the light source, through the opposite surface, through the load surface and to the image sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas include mass flow controllers configured to deliver a controllable mass flow of a carrier gas and adsorptive gas to vary concentration of the adsorptive gas flowing through at least one measurement channel containing a sample cell. A concentration detector downstream of the sample cell provides a signal indicative of the adsorptive gas concentration to a controller that determines the amount of adsorptive gas adsorbed and/or desorbed to characterize the surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, etc. of the sample material. The detector may include a housing, heat exchanger, thermal conductivity detector, and a temperature regulator.

Abstract: A system for calculating the volume of a plurality of particles is disclosed. The system includes three optical assemblies, each with a light source directing a beam of light of a wavelength along an optical axis at a specimen chamber, a filter positioned along the optical path after the chamber, and a sensor positioned along the optical path after the filter. The wavelength of each beam of light is different from the other wavelengths, and each optical axis is orthogonal to the other optical axes. A processor is connected to the sensors in each of the optical assemblies, and the processors perform the following steps: (a) capture an image from each of the three sensors; (b) based on the images, calibrate each sensor; (c) after calibration, capture an image from each of the three sensors; and (d) determine a volume of the plurality of particles, based on the images captured in step (c).

Abstract: A dry particle supplying device for a particle-size measuring apparatus for providing an elementary dispersion of dry particle samples into an elementary particle state during the initial introduction of the dry particle sample into the measuring apparatus. The device comprising a feeder unit, a separation unit, and a retention device. The feeder unit vibrating due to a vibration force which allows the separation unit adjacent the retention device to pulverize samples in aggregated groups into an elementary particle state.