Electrical profiling of vibration-induced dewatering of sand.

Abstract

Electrorresistive profiling of moisture inside a quartz sand bed on a pilot-scale vibrating screen was treated here. As electrode or probe configuration for resistivity measurement is concerned, the classical Wenner α array was used, requiring equal electrode spacing, and correct penetration depth and alignment. Here, the influence of small variations in penetration depth and lack of probe collinearity on the moisture readings, using a digital earth resistance tester and copper wires as probes, was evaluated. The penetration depths studied were 50 mm and 55 mm. In turn, the electrode misalignment tested was 10 mm. The only factor that has caused statistically significant effect in measurements was probe penetration depth, at least under the range tested here.