Sensors in Particle Test & Analysis Applications

May 04, 2015

 Pressure Transducers in Test & Measurement:

Particle Test & Analysis

Pressure transducers are commonly used in particle test and analysis applications. Learn how sensors are used within three different scenarios of particle test and analysis.


These products are utilized for grain volume measurements, direct pore volume measurements, and grain density determination. 

They typically can be operated manually without a computer or a computerized option and can be ordered for automatic control, acquisition, and calculation of data. When a computer is utilized for control, the operator can set statistical parameters which allow the computer to determine when pressure equilibrium is reached, this can be quite important when measuring low permeability rock.  An accurate pressure transducer and readout are used to monitor pressure and the system includes a small pressure adjustment regulator for reliable, accurate results.

Gas Sorption Analyzers

Physisorption, or physical adsorption, is the process by which gas and vapor atoms and molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of a solid and relies on weak attractive forces, usually measured at cryogenic temperatures. It is also the experimental means by which one can quantify the surface area of a solid, its pore size and pore volume distribution.

Chemisorption, or chemical adsorption, is the process of gas sorption to specific sites through the formation of chemical bonds. It is the experimental means by which one measures active metal area, and related properties, of catalysts, usually at much higher temperatures tha


n physisorption measurements.  These types of products require a high sensitivity pressure transducer with excellent stability. Most literature across many different competitors makes a point to call out their “ultra-stable” pressure transducers.

Gas Pycnometers

A gas pycnometer compares the change in pressure caused by a measured change in a closed volume containing a refe

rence (usually a steel sphere of known volume) with the change in pressure caused by the sample under the same conditions. The difference in change of pressure represents the volume of the sample as compared to the reference sphere, and is usually used for solid particulates that may dissolve in the liquid medium or for porous materials into which the liquid would not fully penetrate.

  • Pressure range: (transducer dependent) can range from vacuum to >50 psi.
  • Transducer selection: absolute, gauge and barometric.
  • Transducer accuracy: (transducer dependent), typically 0.11%FS with options for 0.073%FS or better.
  • Temperature range sub ambient to 50°C, with parallel relative humidity (RH) data (0-100%).


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Topics: General Industrial OEM, Test and Measurement, General Industrial