Method and device for characterisation of multiple samples of one or various dispersions

A method for an automatic determination of a parameter of a sample using a measurement device, by a determination of an attenuation of radiated waves during a segregation of a monodisperse or polydisperse dispersion sample, the method comprising:

• (a) during the segregation, repeatedly determining and recording momentary transmission values IT(t, r), and optionally scattering values IS(t, r), characterizing a current segregation status of the sample using waves radiated with intensity values Io(t, r) as a function of a position r within the sample at a time t, for one or more wavelengths over at least a partial section of the sample, simultaneously for multiple positions r, wherein the repeated determination of momentary transmission values IT(t, r), and optionally scattering values IS(t, r), is conducted with the measurement device;
• (b) calculating extinction profiles ET(t, r) by finding a log of a ratio of Io(t, r)/IT(t, r) for a determination of a particle or droplet concentration for the dispersion sample as a function of the sample position and time;
• (c) from the extinction profiles ET(t, r) determined at different times and a local adjustment made in time segments, calculating segregation speeds for any constant extinction values;
• and
• (d) from a ratio of the segregation speeds determined for specific extinction percentiles, calculating a polydispersity index.