Method of characterizing particles
First Claim
1. A method of characterizing large particles present among a mixture of particles more highly concentrated with small particles, the method comprising:
- (a) preparing a suspension of the mixture in an electrolyte;
(b) passing the prepared suspension, and a plurality of the particles therein, through an aperture of a device capable of characterizing particles according to the Coulter principle to obtain data on the particles; and
,(c) deriving a particle size distribution from the obtained data, wherein the suspension comprises at least one small particle per aperture volume, and wherein the large particles have an average diameter that is at least five times greater than the average diameter of the small particles, and the aperture has a diameter that is (i) at least 50 times greater than the average diameter of the small particles, and (ii) about 1.2 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles to less than about 50 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mixtures containing homogeneously-sized particles with a minimum concentration of agglomerates or larger particles are desired in various manufacturing processes such as, for example, in the manufacture and use of chemical mechanical polishing slurries, food emulsions, pharmaceutical products, paints, and print toner. The method disclosed herein provides these industries with an accurate and efficient method of screening such mixtures for such agglomerates and large particles. The method generally includes preparing a suspension of the mixture in an electrolyte, wherein the suspension includes a specified concentration of small particles per unit of electrolyte. The method further includes passing the prepared suspension, and a plurality of the particles therein, through an aperture of a device capable of characterizing particles according to the Coulter principle to obtain data on the particles. Still further, the method includes deriving a particle size distribution of the large particles from the obtained data. The suspension includes at least one small particle per aperture volume. The large particles have an average diameter that is at least five times greater than the average diameter of the small particles. The aperture has a diameter that is (i) at least 50 times greater than the average diameter of the small particles, and (ii) about 1.2 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles to less than about 50 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles.
50 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of characterizing large particles present among a mixture of particles more highly concentrated with small particles, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing a suspension of the mixture in an electrolyte; (b) passing the prepared suspension, and a plurality of the particles therein, through an aperture of a device capable of characterizing particles according to the Coulter principle to obtain data on the particles; and
,(c) deriving a particle size distribution from the obtained data, wherein the suspension comprises at least one small particle per aperture volume, and wherein the large particles have an average diameter that is at least five times greater than the average diameter of the small particles, and the aperture has a diameter that is (i) at least 50 times greater than the average diameter of the small particles, and (ii) about 1.2 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles to less than about 50 times greater than the average diameter of the large particles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification