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Sieve Analysis

Sieve analysis is accurate for measuring particle sizes down to #100 mesh (150μm) but is less accurate for finer materials. Wet sieve analysis can be more effective than dry sieving for fine particles, as suspending the particles in liquid transports them through the sieve more efficiently. Sieve analysis also assumes spherical particles and may not yield reliable results for elongated or flat particles. Sieving is commonly used in pharmaceutical production to remove oversized particles or break up agglomerates to ensure quality. Particle size, distribution, and shape impact the properties of materials and products containing particles.

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5K views

Sieve Analysis

Sieve analysis is accurate for measuring particle sizes down to #100 mesh (150μm) but is less accurate for finer materials. Wet sieve analysis can be more effective than dry sieving for fine particles, as suspending the particles in liquid transports them through the sieve more efficiently. Sieve analysis also assumes spherical particles and may not yield reliable results for elongated or flat particles. Sieving is commonly used in pharmaceutical production to remove oversized particles or break up agglomerates to ensure quality. Particle size, distribution, and shape impact the properties of materials and products containing particles.

Uploaded by

nerox87
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Limitations of sieve analysis

Sieve analysis has, in general, been used for decades to monitor material quality based on
particle size. For coarse material, sizes that range down to #100 mesh (150μm), a sieve analysis
and particle size distribution is accurate and consistent.

However, for material that is finer than 100 mesh, dry sieving can be significantly less accurate.
This is because the mechanical energy required to make particles pass through an opening and
the surface attraction effects between the particles themselves and between particles and the
screen increase as the particle size decreases. Wet sieve analysis can be utilized where the
material analyzed is not affected by the liquid - except to disperse it. Suspending the particles in
a suitable liquid transports fine material through the sieve much more efficiently than shaking the
dry material.

Sieve analysis assumes that all particle will be round (spherical) or nearly so and will pass
through the square openings when the particle diameter is less than the size of the square opening
in the screen. For elongated and flat particles a sieve analysis will not yield reliable mass-based
results, as the particle size reported will assume that the particles are spherical, where in fact an
elongated particle might pass through the screen end-on, but would be prevented from doing so if
it presented itself side-on.

Importance of sieving

The grain size analysis is widely used in classification of soils. The data obtained from grain size
distribution curves is used in the design of filters for earth dams and to determine suitability of
soil for road construction, air field etc. Information obtained from grain size analysis can be used
to predict soil water movement although permeability tests are more generally used.

 
Sieving is typically used when the drug substance is close to the particle size specification, and it can be
met by removing the oversized particles. Sieving can also be used to break agglomerates or "de-lump".

A sieve or screener is an essential part of every pharmaceutical production process, particularly as


product quality and integrity are so important. The use of a sieve gets rid of oversized contamination to
ensure that ingredients and finished products are quality assured during production and before use or
despatch.

Importance of particle distribution

Particle size measurement has become a critical application for chemicals, foods, paints, cosmetics,
coatings, materials, and many other industries. Particle size, shape, density, and distribution affect the
physical properties and chemical behaviors of all products comprised of particles or that use them as
ingredients: The size of stationary phase particles affects chromatography retention time, pigment
particles dictate hue and finish in paints, and physical dimension imparts mechanical, optical, and
electronic properties to nanomaterials. Within critical size domains from nanometers to about 10
microns, the physical state can be as important as chemical composition.

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