Sediment assessment
First Claim
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1. A method of assessing sediment volume in a liquid-based starch-containing sample comprises:
- a) introducing the starch-containing sample into a tube and, if necessary, treating said starch containing-sample to form sediment;
b) positioning the tube containing the starch-containing sample relative to an opto-electrical device capable of capturing an image of the tube, wherein said starch-containing sample comprises sediment, supernatant, and a sediment-supernatant interface;
c) using the opto-electrical device to capture an image of the tube normal thereto;
d) analysing the captured image to determine the height of the sediment; and
e) using the height measurement to generate a sediment volume measurement.
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Abstract
There are described methods and apparatus for assessing sediments generated in liquid-based systems. The methods involve optically obtaining information to enable height and, thus, volume data relating to sediments to be measured. Although single samples of liquid-based systems may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to sediments at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the sediments.
31 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of assessing sediment volume in a liquid-based starch-containing sample comprises:
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a) introducing the starch-containing sample into a tube and, if necessary, treating said starch containing-sample to form sediment; b) positioning the tube containing the starch-containing sample relative to an opto-electrical device capable of capturing an image of the tube, wherein said starch-containing sample comprises sediment, supernatant, and a sediment-supernatant interface; c) using the opto-electrical device to capture an image of the tube normal thereto; d) analysing the captured image to determine the height of the sediment; and e) using the height measurement to generate a sediment volume measurement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification