Rapid determination of particle size distribution of microbead catalysts

Abstract

The authors have developed a rapid method for the determination of the particle size distribution of microbead catalysts by a photosedimentation method. This method is based on a determination of the settling velocity of the particles according to the change in optical density of the suspension as the particles settle. The design of the instrument was modified for application to the analysis of microbead cracking catalysts and microbead zeolites; it was originally developed for studies of particle size distribution in other materials. The measuring part of the AFS-2M photosedimentograph is shown schematically. For the high-zeolite catalysts, the results obtained by photosedimenation analysis are somewhat different from those obtained by the pipette method. The photosedimentation method can also be used in the analysis of microbead zeolites that are intended for use in the fluid-bed recovery of liquid paraffins.