System and method for particle stream characterization

A system for characterizing the particles in a particle stream, said system comprises:

• removal means for taking a sample out of the particle stream;
• a presentation section for conveying and presenting the sample taken;
• acquisition means for detecting the sample conveyed through the presentation section;
• analyzing means for analyzing the detected sample,
• said detection means having a camera with a visual field for detecting electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic frequencies, such as optical frequencies;
• opposing walls of the presentation section being permeable to electromagnetic radiation detectable by the camera, including optical frequencies;
• said camera being situated downstream on one side of a gap on one of two permeable walls;
• and
• an electromagnetic radiation source, such as a light source, for the electromagnetic radiation detectable by the camera being situated downstream on the other side of the gap on the other of the two permeable walls, so that the sample particles conveyed through the gap can be radiated by the electromagnetic radiation, and the shadow or projection of the sample particles gets into the visual field of the camera.