Accuracy of size distributions obtained from single particle static digital image analysis

Image analysis has made decisive breakthrough in the recent years to become a reference technique in the field of combined size and shape analysis of particles. Thanks to full automation of the particle dispersion and the individual particle imaging process, productivity of the instrument is no longer a major drawback. However the question of representativity of analyses has not been discussed in statistical terms as should be. Because image analysis is based on the measurement of each individual particle, the accuracy of a size distribution has to be formulated in number of particles and not in terms of sample weight or duration of the analysis. The adequate particle number is linked to the shape of the distribution curve and its extension or range. In this paper, the accuracy of size distributions from image analysis is discussed from a theoretical and practical point of view..