TECHNOLOGY: EPISODE 10 LASER DIFFRACTION SYSTEM VS HYDROMETER FOR GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
LASER DIFFRACTION SYSTEM Vs HYDROMETER FOR GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS This Article was aimed to validate the usage of the LDS method as a reliable replacement of the hydrometer method for grain size analysis of fine-grained geo materials. The findings of this study indicated that the LDS method could be a standalone technique for particle size analysis of fine geo materials and can reproduce the hydrometer results with appreciable precision. Using the Microtrac S3500 LDS instrument with samples prepared at a concentration of 1.4 g/l in a distilled water solution, a default refractive index value of 1.75, and without the addition of a dispersing agent or sonication, the results were proven to be satisfactory. Based on the liquid limit of the samples, a mathematical model was provided to select the distribution method (either volume or number) to yield the closest results in comparison to the hydrometer method. Based on the provided equation; any sample with LL >= 180% will result in th...