Particle Size Analysis II - Hydrometer Analysis: GEL 324 Sedimentology

Particle Size Analysis II Hydrometer Analysis
GEL 324 Sedimentology
Introduction
Hydrometer analysis provides an approximate particle-size distribution for
particles whose median diameters smaller than 4 (0.0625mm), which includes silt
and clay size particles. The procedure utilizes Stokes Law of settling velocity for
spherical particles in a fluid;
2 g( s f ) D
2
V = (1)
9 2
where;
V = settling velocity ( cm s ) ;
s = density of the solids ( g cm ) ;
3
f = density of the fluid ( g cm ) ;

3
= dynamic viscosity of the fluid ( dyn s cm ) ;

2
2
g = acceleration due to gravity (980.7 cm s ) ;
D = particle diameter (cm )
Solving this equation for D yields;
18V
D= (2)
g( s f )
The equation is valid for the range of particle diameters;
0.002mm D 0.02mm
Larger particles cause turbulence in the fluid and finer particles are subject to
Brownian motion (i.e. particles that are subject to interparticle forces). The irregular
shape and density of natural particles and temperature variations, which affect fluid
density and viscosity, may contribute to analytical errors.
To solve equation 2 the settling velocity, particle and fluid densities, and fluid
viscosity must be known. A hydrometer is used to measure settling velocity and the
remaining variables can be measured or estimated.
Analysis
The sediment to be analyzed is thoroughly dispersed in 1000ml solution of
distilled water and dispersing agent. The dispersing agent, such as sodium
hexametaphosphate (or Calgon), is needed to neutralize the particle charges on fine
clay particles and prevent flocculation. The hydrometer is inserted at varying time
intervals and the depth to which it sinks is recorded. These data are used to
calculate settling velocity (V ) according to the formula;
L
V = (3)
t
where;
V = settling velocity ( cm s )
L = distance ( cm ) particles fall in time t
t = time interval
The hydrometer used is an ASTM Type 152H (Figure 1), which reads grams of
sediment in 1000ml of suspension. The percent finer is read directly from the
hydrometer when the particle density is 2.65 g/cm3 and fluid density is 1.00 g/ cm3
(see Table 1 for water density and viscosity at different temperatures). These
conditions, however, are rarely met and corrections must be made for deviation from
the standard conditions. The correction factors are available in the tables attached
to this laboratory exercise.
Figure 1. Dimensions of the ASTM 152H hydrometer (from:

Bowles, J.E., 1992, Engineering Properties of Soils and Their
Measurement, Fourth Edition: McGraw-Hill, New York, 241p.
Calculations
1. Hydrometer Correction ( Rc )
Rc = Ra Z c + CT (4)
where;
Ra = actual hydrometer reading

Z c = zero correction
CT = Temperature correction (from Table 3)
2. Percent Finer (assume s = 2.65 g/cm3)

aRc
% Finer = 100 (5)
Ws
where;
Rc = corrected hydrometer reading (g/1000ml)

Ws = original dry mass (g)
a = correction factor for particle density (a = 1.00 for
s = 2.65 g cm 3 ) (from Table 2)
3. Settling Velocity (V )
The settling velocity can be computed as the distance (L) a particle of

diameter D falls in time t (Equation 2). The value of L (or effective depth)
can be determined for a standard ASTM Type 152H hydrometer from the
meniscus-corrected hydrometer reading ( R ) by the equation;
L = 16.3 0.1641R
Note that the distance L changes throughout the course of the test as
particles settle and the hydrometer sinks deeper into the solution.
4. Particle Diameter ( D )
The particle diameter from Equation 2 can be written using L in cm and t

in minutes as shown below;
18V 30 L
D= =
g( s f ) 980.7( s f ) t
which can be further simplified to:
L
D=K
t
The value K is a function of temperature and particle density and can be

obtained from the Table 4 provided. The value of effective depth (L) for the
ASTM 152H hydrometer can be found on Table 5.
Procedure
1. Obtain 15 to 40 grams of oven-dried sample. For clayey samples use a less
sample, for siltier samples use more. The sample should be wet-sieved to
remove sand-size particles prior to the test.
2. Transfer the sample to a 250 ml beaker, add 1 gram of sodium
hexametaphosphate and approximately 150 to 200 ml of deionized water, and
let the solution stand overnight.
3. Carefully transfer the sediment and solution to a blender jar and agitate the
sample on the lowest setting for several minutes.
4. Carefully transfer the content of the blender jar to a 1000 ml graduated
cylinder and bring the cylinder to full volume with deionized water at room
temperature.
5. Thoroughly mix the sediment suspension using the long-handled stirring rod
provided. Be careful not to introduce air into the suspension during the
stirring.
6. Begin timing the test immediately after stirring. Insert the hydrometer into
the solution according to the following schedule;
Elasped Time
1 min
2 min
4 min
8 min
15 min
30 min
1 hr
2 hr
4 hr
8 hr
16 hr
1 day
2 days, etc
It is important to insert and remove the hydrometer carefully when taking
each reading. Inserting or removing the hydrometer too quickly will create
turbulence in the column and disrupt the free fall of particles. Do not leave
the hydrometer in the cylinder between readings because particles will adhere
to the sides of the bulb. You may resuspend the sediment and restart timing
at any time during the test. You may wish to repeat the first few readings
since these are the most difficult to obtain accurately.
7. At the conclusion of the experiment, pour the contents of the graduated
cylinder through a pre-wetted 4 sieve. Transfer the contents of the sieve
into an evaporating dish, oven dry the sample and record its mass.
8. Complete the data sheet provided and calculate the Folk and Ward graphical
moments of the particle size distribution.
All tables are from Bowles, J.E., 1992, Engineering Properties of Soils and Their
Measurement, Fourth Edition: McGraw-Hill, New York, 241p.

Particle Size Analysis II - Hydrometer Analysis: GEL 324 Sedimentology

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Particle Size Analysis II Hydrometer Analysis

GEL 324 Sedimentology

f = density of the fluid ( g cm ) ;

= dynamic viscosity of the fluid ( dyn s cm ) ;

Solving this equation for D yields;

The equation is valid for the range of particle diameters;

Figure 1. Dimensions of the ASTM 152H hydrometer (from:

Ra = actual hydrometer reading

2. Percent Finer (assume s = 2.65 g/cm3)

Rc = corrected hydrometer reading (g/1000ml)

The settling velocity can be computed as the distance (L) a particle of

The particle diameter from Equation 2 can be written using L in cm and t

The value K is a function of temperature and particle density and can be

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