Soil particle size analysis traditionally had only two options--the extremely archaic option or the extremely expensive option. The hydrometer (or pipette) method is a painstaking, manual process that's prone to error. The ultra-expensive laser method has accuracy issues because flat soil particles like clay can confound the measurement. Both methods can lead to hours of wasted time. Now there's a new way. Introducing PARIO.
PARIO uses automation to shrink the time and effort needed for soil particle size analysis. It calculates the particle size distribution by Stokes' law, with a range spanning from 63 um to 2 um, finally making it easy to obtain a complete particle size distribution curve, instead of just a few measurements at discrete time points. It allows for unattended, automated operation (with the exception of opening the valve after completion). Just set it up and come back later to a finished measurement with all the data you need.
adopts the same sample prep your lab already uses, so it fits perfectly into your existing workflow. It reduces errors by replacing and automating the lengthy "hydrometer" portion of the process using the new, more accurate "Extended Integral Suspension Pressure Method" (ISP+). This method does not require the insertion of a hydrometer or sampling of suspension volume with a pipette, which disturbs the sedimentation process. Being automatic, it also avoids manual reading or calculation errors. This results in an overall error rate of an incredible
0.5% -lower than any conventional particle size analysis method.