BI-XDC Particle Size Analyzer

By providing both centrifugal and gravitational sedimentation in one instrument the BI-XDC brings these well established methods of particle sizing up to date for today’s fine particle technology.

High Resolution Particle Size Analysis

The BI-XDC has been discontinued and is no longer available. Support is available for customers that currently own a BI-XDC. For any service and support inquires please contact us.

To see our other products, please check our Particle Characterization page.

NOTE: The Brookhaven BI-DCP is available, which is a digitally controlled, high resolution, particle size distribution analyzer. It yields high-resolution results in the size range from 0.01 to 30 microns with typical analysis times ranging from 5 to 30 minutes.

Overview

Features at a glance

Accurate and quantitative
Resolves mixtures
X-ray detection – no optical corrections
Range 10 nm to 100 µm
Scanning head for high speed
Simple operation
Clear text and graphical reports

Measurement Principles

Q_ext is a strong function of the particle size but it is not easy to calculate accurately for high density particles. The key difference is the use of µ_abs which is the x-ray absorption efficiency instead of Q_ext. It is not a function of particle size or refractive indices. There is no optical correction. Notice that the decay function includes µ_abs. At time 0, there is 100% absorption and therefore no signal. As time progresses and absorption declines the signal is generated and produces a cumulative size distribution.

I_t = I_o×exp(-µ_abs×c×L) I_o, I_t = Transmitted, Incident Intensity
µ_abs = X-ray absorption efficiency ≠ f(d_p, n_p/n_f, λ)
c = Mass concentration
L = Path length (width of fluid segment in disc)

When X-rays are absorbed, they are absorbed in proportion to mass without any dependence on particle size or refractive indices. There is no optical correction. For high density materials with normally high refractive indexes, the mass weighted size distribution is quantitative.

Read our article comparing our two disc centrifigues for more information.

Typical Applications

The versatile BI-XDC offers high resolution results to particle sizing problems where the particles are dispersed in a liquid and cover the size range from 0.01 to 30 microns. This range is useful for a variety of materials and many applications:

Abrasives
Inorganic pigments
Catalysts
Metal oxides
Cements
Metal powders
Ceramics
Minerals
Clays

Specifications

Size Range	0.01-100 microns, depends on particle and liquid density and liquid viscosity
Centrifuge Speed	500-6000 rpm, +/-0.01%, high speed disc available see options
Disc	PMMA construction, 10-30 mL volume, solvent resistant disc available see options
Scanning Speed	0.05-10 mm/min, 1 mm/min typical
Measurement Time	3-30 min, typically 8 min/decade in particle diameter,
Data System	High-performance Windows™ system with color printer. Contact factory for latest specifications
Software	Written for Windows™, control, archiving and data analysis,
Power Requirements	100/115/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 300 Watts,
Dimensions	230(H) x 460(W) x 600(D), mm
Weight	35 kgs
Certifications	CE Marked