A new automatic particle trapping system, “TSUBUTRA” for observation of grain composition with grain size analyzer

Abstract

We had developed a new particle trapping system, “TSUBUTRA”, to collect coarse grains (>67 micrometer) with measurement of grain size analyzer. Eventually, maximum 30 series of coarse grain fraction automatically collected with grain size distribution at one sequence. The system is consisted of controller unit, auto sampler unit, and trapping tubes with mesh sheets. An optical sensor generates a start trigger signal from a movement of auto sample changer of the grain size analyzer, and another optical sensor generates a stop trigger signal from the auto sampler unit, to separate individual trapped samples linked to sequential measurements of grain size distribution. Mesh sheet equipped in the auto sampler unit certainly traps >67 micrometer particles from drain of the grain size analyzer subsequently to the measurement. The TSUBUTRA enable us to observe and identify the grain composition with the size distribution.