The size of component particles is one of the most fundamental textural characteristics of all detrital sediments. We can determine size distributions by sieve analysis or with a particle sizer. |
| The classical way to determine the size distribution of particles is by sieve analysis. At PanTerra this can be done with a large variety of sieves. |
 Particle sizers are based on the principle of scattering of low power Helium-Neon laser light. The laser light scattered by the particles and the unscattered remainder are incident on a receiver lens that operates as a Fourier transform lens. A detector generally constructed from a series of angular sectors, gathers the scattered light over a range of solid angles of scatter. Reverse Fourier optics can be used for measurements of scattering at higher angles, which allows small particles to be measured more accurately.
Particle size distribution analyses based on laser diffraction can be conducted on a large variety of sample types such as powders, emulsions, suspensions and particles in liquids. Corrections can be applied for the shape factors of specific sample types, which make it possible to correlate the particle size distribution directly with sieve analyses results. Analyses can be conducted in three size ranges: 0.2-80 µm, 0.2 to 180 µm and 0.5 to 600 µm. A total of 32 size bands are available throughout these ranges. |
 · Engineering: well completion programs in friable and unconsolidated sediments.
· Geological: depositional environment interpretation (facies analyses).
· Petrophysical: aiding interpretation of SCAL data and understanding log responses.
· Geotechnical: soil and sediment characteristics.
· Material processing: quality control.
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