An algorithm for deducing an effective sieve residue from the rate of powder passage through a sieve

The effect of non-ideal aperture distribution of a sieving surface on the sieve residue has been the object of many experimental studies. Unfortunately, the sieving kinetics of many sieving techniques do not result in a simple probability relationship between the size distribution function of the powder and the sieve aperture distribution function. If one specifies a certain type of sieving kinetics, then one can apply probability theory to the rate of movement of powder through the sieve and the size aperture distribution function of the sieve. Under such specified sieving conditions it can be shown that it is possible to deduce a size characteristic parameter of the powder being sieved, which in this publication is described as the kinetic residue of the sieve. An algorithm for the automatic computation of the kinetic residue from the rate of powder sieving is described. The possible implementation of this algorithm to automate sieve analysis is explored.