Patent ID: 8181505

Claim:
A method for characterizing a totality of particles, comprising the following steps: a) in a classification step using a classifier, a class of the totality is selected, wherein the particles of the selected class have a prespecified mobility d m ; b) in a counting step using a counter, a number N of the particles of the selected class is determined; c) in a charge determination step using a charge meter, a charge Q of the particles of the selected class is determined; and d) in an evaluation step using a calibrator, at least one morphological parameter is determined from the charge Q, the number N and the mobility d m , wherein the morphological parameter comprises at least one item of information about an agglomerate state of the particles, wherein a line system is used for guiding a flow of the particles, wherein the classifier, the counter and the charge meter are connected to the line system, and wherein the counter and the charge meter are arranged in parallel branches of the line system.