METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING A SAMPLE OF PARTICULATE MATERIAL

摘要

An apparatus for dispersing a sample of particulate material, includes a carrier (31; 35; 37; 38; 39) having a sample- bearing surface on which to place the sample, and a housing (10; 44; 48) for forming a dispersion chamber (17), at least when closed off at a base (46; 51). The carrier is arranged such that the sample-bearing surface is removed from contact with the sample upon application of a sufficient pressure differential across the carrier between the sample-bearing surface and an opposite side of the carrier. The housing (10; 44; 48) has an inlet (26) at least partially facing the base (46; 51). The apparatus includes an apparatus (15; 16) for passing a volume of fluid past the carrier (31; 35; 37; 38; 39) through the inlet (26) by subjecting the carrier (31; 35; 37; 38; 39) to a pulsed positive pressure differential relative to the dispersion chamber (17).