Slurry monitor coupling bulk size distribution and single particle detection

A method for characterizing a liquid sample, said method comprising steps of:

• feeding said liquid sample into a particle detection system comprising a first probe and a second probe;
• measuring a first parameter set in said liquid sample with said first probe;
• wherein said first parameter set comprises a first size distribution and a first concentration of a plurality of first particles, said first particles are characterized by a size characteristic selected from a first size range;
• measuring a second parameter set in said liquid sample with said second probe;
• wherein said second parameter set comprises a second size distribution and a second concentration of one or more second particles, said second particles are characterized by a size characteristic selected from a second size range;
• and
• wherein the first size range includes particles having sizes less than or equal to 200 nm and the second size range includes particles having sizes greater than 200 nm.

A particle detection system configured to characterize a liquid sample, said particle detection system comprising:

• a first probe configured to determine a first parameter set of a plurality of first particles in said liquid sample, said first particles being characterized by a size characteristic selected from a first size range;
• wherein said first parameter set comprises a first size distribution and a first concentration;
• and
• a second probe configured to determine a second parameter set of one or more second particles in said liquid sample, said second particles being characterized by a size characteristic selected from a second size range;
• wherein said second parameter set comprises a second size distribution and a second concentration;
• wherein said first probe is configured to measure said first parameter set in a first liquid fraction of said liquid sample, said first liquid fraction having a volume less than a volume of said liquid sample;
• and wherein said second probe is configured to measure said second parameter set in a second liquid fraction of said liquid sample, said second liquid fraction having a volume less than a volume of said liquid sample;
• and
• wherein a flow rate of said second liquid fraction is greater than a flow rate of said first liquid fraction.