Wet Sieving

What is wet sieving?

Wet Sieving is a procedure used to evaluate the particle size distribution or gradation of granular materials. It is mainly used to deal with materials that are easy to agglomerate, sticky or contain moisture. Unlike dry sieving, wet sieving assists sieving by adding liquid (usually water) to make the material pass through the screen more easily, thereby improving sieving efficiency and accuracy.This process not only reduces the probability of material clogging the sieve holes, but also reduces mutual interference between particles, improving the efficiency of screening operations. At the same time, it ensures that the final particle size analysis results are more in line with the actual grading of the material, providing accurate data support for subsequent production processing, quality control and other links.

Common wet sieving sieves range from 20 to 400 mesh (approximately 850 µm to 38 µm), with the specific choice depending on the sample particle size distribution and experimental requirements. Typically, 20–100 mesh is used in coarse sieving, while 200–400 mesh is commonly used in fine sieving or sediment analysis to ensure sufficient particle dispersion and accurate sieving results.

Wet sieving Information Summary

Aspects	Details
Use	Analyze materials that are difficult to screen dry (e.g., high moisture, fine particles)
Process	Rinse the sample with water until the liquid runs clear, ensuring that the sample remains unchanged
Benefits	Increase accuracy, adaptability to various conditions, and effective sample cleaning
Equipment	Accessories such as wet screens, stainless steel options, and aggregate washers
Applications	Construction, aggregate processing, and laboratory analysis
Notes	Select the appropriate liquid, adapt to environmental conditions, and maintain the equipment

Video of wet sieving

How does the wet sieving work?

Wet Sieving uses the pore size of the screen to separate materials of different particle sizes. Liquid is added to disperse the materials in the liquid, reducing particle agglomeration. Liquid can disrupt the aggregation of fine particles caused by static electricity or van der Waals forces, improving screening efficiency. The liquid can also wash away impurities adhering to the surface of the particles, improving screening accuracy. Furthermore, wet sieving effectively avoids the problem of screen clogging that can easily occur during dry sieving of fine particles, making it suitable for screening operations involving such materials.

Detailed analysis parameter table for wet sieving

Item	Parameter Description	Typical Range / Value	Remarks
Equipment Model	Common instrument models	Fritsch ANALYSETTE 3 PRO	Functionality varies slightly by model
Sieving Method	Vibration + water-wash wet sieving	Vertical or 3D vibration combined with water flow	Improves separation efficiency and prevents clogging
Screen Diameter	Standard screen diameter	Φ75 mm, Φ100 mm, Φ200 mm, Φ300 mm	Selected based on sample particle size and capacity
Screen Material	Stainless steel / brass / nylon mesh	SUS304 / SUS316L	Must be corrosion-resistant and easy to clean
Aperture Size Range	Minimum/Maximum	20 μm – 4 mm	Custom apertures available
Sample Load	Sample amount per run	50 g – 3 kg (depending on screen diameter)	Uniform loading prevents bias
Vibration Frequency	Adjustable vibration rate	3,000 – 10,000 rpm	High frequency promotes fine particle separation
Vibration Amplitude	Vertical / horizontal amplitude	0.5 – 3 mm (digital adjustable)	Adjusts sieving precision and speed
Water Flow Rate	Controlled water flow	0.2 – 1.5 L/min (adjustable)	Prevents screen clogging
Time Control	Electronic timer	1 – 99 min (digital setting)	Automatic stop function
Control System	Touchscreen / knob control	Digital display of frequency, time, water flow	Integrated smart control
Sample Type	Applicable materials	Soil, fly ash, mineral powders, metal powders, building materials, pharmaceutical granules, etc.	Especially suitable for cohesive materials
Protection Rating	Water resistance	IP54 – IP65 (depending on model)	Suitable for wet environments
Power Supply	Voltage / Power	AC 220 V / 50 Hz / 250 W	Optional 110 V version
Dimensions	Device footprint	400 × 350 × 650 mm	Portable or floor-standing design
Weight	Net weight	25 – 60 kg	Depends on number of screens
Optional Accessories	Accessories	Water recirculation unit, vacuum filtration bottle, sample divider, collection tray, etc.	Improves test accuracy and efficiency
Compliance Standards	International standards	ISO 3310 / GB/T 6003 / ASTM E11	Screen precision standards

What is dry vs wet sieving?

Features	Wet sieving	Dry sieving
Applicable materials	Materials that are easy to agglomerate, sticky, and contain water	Dry materials with good fluidity
sieving medium	Liquid (such as water)	None
Equipment requirements	Corrosion resistance, spraying device, drainage device	Ordinary vibrating screen
Subsequent processing	Drying or liquid recovery is required	No additional processing is required
sieving efficiency	High, especially suitable for sticky materials	Suitable for dry materials

When should wet sieving be used?

Wet sieving can be used to remove fine particles that are difficult to separate by dry sieving before routine drying and sample testing. Wet sieving is particularly suitable for solid materials that are insoluble in water and unaffected by water (for example, solids that swell when exposed to water are not suitable) and remain stable when heated to 110°C.

Materials and applications

Wet sieving is an ideal pre-treatment method when dealing with samples that contain a lot of particulate matter and fines that are sufficient to prevent sieving. This is because fines tend to clump together, causing inaccurate sieving results. Wet sieving is also suitable for direct measurement of particle size in certain specific materials, including:

Soils and mineral aggregates rich in fine particles; friable but water-insoluble materials such as coal or other minerals; lightweight foundations; sludges and glazes; kaolin and fillers; abrasives and micronized materials.

What is wet sieving uesd for?

In construction scenarios, wet screening is often used to determine the fineness of cement and other raw materials. In aggregate processing, this method is used to clean rock and other aggregates to remove clay and silt and ensure accurate particle size measurement. In laboratory analysis, wet screening is also used to analyze fine powders and materials that are difficult to dry screen.

How do testing procedures work?

Wet sieving usually has two purposes: one is to determine the amount of material remaining on a specific sieve, and the other is as a sample pretreatment step to facilitate easier or more accurate particle size analysis. In simple terms, wet sieving can be used to directly measure how many particles of different sizes there are; wet sieving can also be used to pre-treat samples to make subsequent particle size analysis more accurate; which wet sieving method you choose depends on what results you ultimately want to achieve.

Wet sieving precautions

There are six points to note when wet screening. Avoiding possible errors can make the screening effect more accurate and improve efficiency.

Initial weight: Before you begin wet sieving, be sure to record the total weight of the dry sample, as this data will be used in subsequent calculations.

Soaking: If time permits, it is best to soak the sample for a period of time first. This helps soften lumps and makes the wet sieving process smoother.

Spraying water: During sieving or stirring, use a nozzle or sprayer to evenly spray water on the sample to ensure that the sample is fully wetted.

Water pressure: Control the water pressure and use a gentle, steady stream of water to avoid washing away the sample.

Sample loss: A small amount of sample may be lost during wet sieving, such as being washed away during stirring or decanting, or getting stuck in the gaps of the sieve.

Trade-offs: Despite the small amount of loss, wet sieving is generally more accurate and efficient than dry sieving, especially when dealing with certain special samples.

Wet Sieving Equipment

Conventional wet screening equipment usually consists of three parts: wet-wash filter screen, stainless steel mesh and accessories. The relevant equipment can be replaced according to the actual characteristics of the screened material.

Wet Wash Screens: These screens have a deep screen frame to prevent overflow and have drainage holes to handle wash water. Some models also come with replaceable screen assemblies for convenience.

Stainless Steel Options: Stainless steel screens are durable and corrosion-resistant, suitable for repeated use in the wet sieveing process.

Accessories: Aggregate washers and other accessories are available to automate the washing process, increasing efficiency and consistency.

Wet Sieving is a method of sieveing with the aid of liquids, which is particularly suitable for materials that are prone to agglomeration, sticky or contain water. Although wet sieveing equipment is expensive and the subsequent processing is complicated, its efficient sieveing effect and wide applicability make it widely used in the fields of food, chemical industry, mining, etc.