Micromeritics Elzone II 5390 Operator's Manual page 15

System Description
System Description
The Elzone 5390 Particle Size analyzer uses the electrical sensing method for measuring
particles. It is capable of measuring particles (organic and inorganic) ranging from 0.4 to
240 m in diameter. The Elzone's ability to measure low-concentration samples allows it
to produce accurate data where other techniques are limited.
Operation
The Elzone's operation is based on a simple, yet efficient process. The sample, dispersed
at a low concentration in an electrolyte solution, is placed in a sample beaker and onto the
sample stand of the analyzer. When the sample stand is raised, a tube containing a pre-
cision-drilled orifice becomes submerged in the sample beaker. An electrode in the tube
provides a current which passes through the orifice by way of the electrolyte to a second
electrode in the sample beaker. The dispersed sample is pulled through the orifice. As
each particle passes through, it displaces a volume of electrolyte equal to its own volume.
This disturbs the electrical field between the two electrodes, producing an electrical pulse
for each particle. The Elzone counts and sizes these pulses and reports the data.
539-42822-01 (Rev B) - Nov 2017
Elzone II 5390 Confirm
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