Bettersize - Laser Particle Size and Particle Shape Analyzer - Bettersizer S3 Plus

1. Bettersizer S3 Plus particle size analyzer overview

Bettersizer S3 Plus grain size test instrument is a laser diffraction particle size analyzer additionally equipped with two highspeed CCD cameras (0.5X and 10X magnification) to capture images of the sample being measured. 

During measurement, the particles dispersed in the medium of choice are pumped through two measuring cuvettes. In the first, short-wave laser light (532 nm) passes through the sample and is scattered depending on particle size. The 96 detectors detect optical signals in an angle range of 0.02° - 165°. 

The CCD cameras continuously take pictures through the second cuvette, to provide image analysis of particles in the range of 2 to 3500 µm.

2. Patented dual lens technology - DLOIOS
DLOIOS is a new technology patented by Bettersize based on the Fourier optical system. 

The additional lens between laser and sample cell (Lens 2) converts the divergent laser beam into a parallel beam and allows the detection of backscattered light. 

Using only one laser provides a continuous spread spectrum with a consistent wavelength, oblique light incidence and this special design enables detection in an angular range of 0.02° - 165°. DLOIOS technology guarantees reliable measurement of particles with a size range from10 nm to 3500 microns. 

CCD camera technology 

The optical imaging system of the Bettersizer S3 Plus grain size analysis instrument consists of 2 high-speed cameras and high-precision telecentric lenses, which make it possible to capture and evaluate more than 10,000 particles per minute without optical smearing. Both cameras can be used individually or simultaneously for observation of the sample for image analysis.

3. Laser diffraction method according to ISO 13320 
The particle size distribution of fine particles (nanometer, submicron and micron) is precisely determined with the DLOIOS technique. The wide scattered light measuring range (0.02° - 165°) is achieved together with its large number of detectors (96) .

The evaluation is based on Fraunhofer or Mie theory dependent on particle size and optical properties. 
Helpful tools for particle size measurement include the two cameras as a visual aid for checking dispersion efficiency and the refractive index measurement tool for materials with unknown optical parameters. 

4. Combined method: dynamic image analysis with laser diffraction

For samples with a large range in particle size and containing coarse particles, the combined measurement of laser diffraction with the 0.5X CCD camera is recommended. Bettersizer S3 Plus laser scattering particle size analyzer can even detect large particles less than 3% in the presence of a fine population.

5. Particle shape analysis 

Two high-speed CCD cameras with 0.5X and 10X magnification are available for particle shape analysis. They cover a particle size range of 2 - 3500 µm; particle shape analysis is used when the particle diameter is greater than 4 µm. During the measurement, particles are continuously photographed, evaluated and statistically classified at a rate of 10,000 particles/minute. The cameras can be used individually or in combination. 

In addition to the standard equivalent diameters (surface area, maximum (L) and minimum (D),), special parameters such as aspect ratio, Length/width D, circularity, roundness and particle perimeter are calculated.