Acquisition Of A Laser Particle Analyzer

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, Norman OK

Investigators

Abstract

0111510 Dewers Particle size distribution of aggregates influences many material properties, such as strength, friction, porosity and permeability. Grain-size distributions of fine-grained sediment yield important paleoclimate proxy data. Temporal and spatial resolution of particle size distributions can be used to infer growth and nucleation rates in crystallite suspensions, and sediment sorption properties, as well as aridity and wind strength from sediment cores to name a few applications. In contrast to more traditional methods, e.g. sieving, settling, or optical microscopy, laser light scattering has emerged as an efficient, accurate, and rapid method for particle size and volume distribution of aggregates and suspensions. We propose to purchase a state-of-the-art Coulter LS230 Laser Particle Analyzer, which has an unparalleled sensitivity over the range of 0.04 to 2000 microns in a single analysis. We will use two different sample introduction modules, allowing measurements in water, organic solvents, oils, or as a dry aggregate. This instrument will be used in sedimentological, geochemical, rock mechanics, and reservoir characterization studies that include: strength and permeability evolution in fault gouge, microbial influenced nucleation and growth of carbonate and sulfate minerals, calibration and quantification of grain-size distribution information from borehole image well logs, climate interpretations of lacustrine sediment and loessite, and "sanding potential" of seafloor boreholes among others. ***