Patent ID: 7871194

Claim:
A dilution apparatus for particle characterization, suitable for use with particles suspended in a fluid, comprising a first batch diluter and a second continuous diluter; the first diluter comprising a vessel having at least one inlet, and an outlet, the at least one inlet being arranged to receive a sample to be diluted and the at least one inlet being arranged to receive diluent so as to mix said sample with said diluent; the second diluter comprising a sample input tube, a housing having a diluent input and a mixing conduit having a first end which is within the housing and into which the sample input tube is partially inserted, and a second end extending outwardly from the housing to form an output, the mixing conduit having a throat section between the first and second ends; and the outlet of the first diluter being arranged to be in communication with the sample input tube of the second diluter such that a sample that has been pre-diluted in the first diluter is arranged to be further diluted in the second diluter.