Estimation of particle size distribution from cross-sectional particle diameter on the cutting plane (original) (raw)

A particle size distribution (PSD) estimation method based on light-scattering properties was validated on experimental visible/near-infrared scattering spectra of polystyrene suspensions, with a nominal particle size ranging from 0.1 to 12 μm in diameter. On the basis of μ s and g spectra extracted from double integrating sphere measurements, good PSD estimates were obtained for particles ≥1 μm. The particle volume fraction estimates in the case of μ s were close to the target concentrations, although influenced by small baseline fluctuations on the spectra. For submicrometer particles, on the other hand, the non-oscillating μ s spectra lack discriminating power, resulting in erroneous PSD estimates. The reduced scattering coefficient spectra (μ s ′) were found less useful for particle size estimation as they lack a characteristic shape, causing an over-or underestimation of the distribution width. In summary, the estimation routine proved to deliver PSD estimates in line with the reference measurements for micrometer-sized or larger particles based on their μ s and g scattering spectra. Additional validation on more polydisperse samples forms the next step before going to bimodal PSD estimates.