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LPC

What Is LPC (Liquid Particle Counting)?

LPC (Liquid Particle Counting) is a method used to measure the number and size distribution of particles suspended in liquids. It is widely applied to evaluate cleanliness, filtration performance, and contamination control in high-purity and process-critical liquids. Depending on the instrument and method, LPC can report results as particle counts per volume across multiple size bins (e.g., ≥2 µm, ≥5 µm, ≥10 µm—bins are project- and standard-dependent).

LPC is especially valuable when you need to answer: “How clean is this liquid?” “Are particles increasing over time?” “Is filtration effective?”

Key advantages

  • Fast cleanliness screening with size distribution output

  • Supports trending (lot-to-lot, time-series, before/after filtration)

  • Useful for root-cause investigations (particle spikes, filter breakthrough)

  • Can be paired with particle ID tools (SEM-EDS/FTIR) when “what are the particles?” matters

What LPC Is Used For

LPC testing is commonly used for:

  • Incoming QC of high-purity liquids (process chemicals, solvents, UPW-related streams—project-dependent)

  • Filter validation and monitoring (before/after filtration performance checks)

  • Process change verification (new supplier, new container, new cleaning method)

  • Contamination troubleshooting (unexpected particle spikes, haze, sediment, clogging)

  • Packaging/handling studies (particle generation from containers, caps, dispensing—project-dependent)

  • Clean manufacturing support where particulate control impacts yield/reliability (project-dependent)

Why LPC (and What It Doesn’t Do)

What LPC tells you

  • How many particles are present

  • How particle counts distribute by size

  • Whether a sample is trending cleaner or dirtier

What LPC does not tell you

  • Particle identity (composition). If you need “what are the particles,” we typically pair LPC with:

    • Filtration + SEM-EDS (inorganic/metallic particles)

    • FTIR/Raman (organic particles/fibers)

    • Microscopy for morphology and source clues

Sample Types We Support

LPC can be applied to many liquids (project-dependent), including:

  • High-purity chemicals and solvents

  • Process liquids: cleaners, etchants, rinse solutions (matrix-dependent)

  • Water-based samples: UPW-related streams, process water, DI water (project-dependent)

  • Formulations (project-dependent): coatings, inks, additives—when viscosity/opacity allow measurement

  • Fuel and oil samples (project-dependent): when method compatibility and optics allow (often requires special handling)

Typical Workflows

Cleanliness Check (Single Sample)

Best for: quick QC screening

  • Particle counts reported across defined size bins

  • Summary interpretation vs your internal limit (if provided)

Lot-to-Lot / Supplier Comparison

Best for: supplier qualification, incoming control

  • Same method plan across lots

  • Trend and variability summary, outlier flagging

Before/After Filtration or Process Step

Best for: validating filtration or cleaning effectiveness

  • Compare counts and size distribution before vs after

  • Identify whether particle reduction matches expectations

Root Cause (Particle Spike Investigation)

Best for: unexpected failures, clogging, haze

  • LPC to quantify severity and size range

  • Optional particle capture + ID (SEM-EDS/FTIR/Raman) for source attribution

What You Receive

  • Particle count table with counts per volume by size bin (scope-dependent)

  • Optional graphs of size distribution and comparison overlays (project-dependent)

  • Clear comparison summary (reference vs suspect; before vs after)

  • Practical next-step recommendation if particle ID or additional testing is warranted

Sample Submission Guidelines

Please provide

  • Liquid type and matrix notes (solvent/water-based, viscosity, surfactants, opacity)

  • Your goal (QC screening, trending, filtration check, root-cause)

  • Any acceptance limits or required reporting bins

  • Lot/batch IDs and sampling/handling history

  • Reference/control sample whenever possible

Typical sample amounts

  • Liquids: 100–500 mL (depends on method, repeats, and flush volume; project-dependent)

Packaging tips (very important for particle control)

  • Use clean bottles (pre-rinsed / particle-clean containers if available)

  • Avoid shedding caps/liners; seal tightly

  • Minimize agitation/shaking before sampling

  • Label clearly (reference vs suspect; before vs after filtration)

FAQs

Some instruments can, but capability depends on the counter type and optics. Tell us your required size threshold and we’ll confirm feasibility.

Possibly, but LPC performance depends on optical clarity and flow behavior. We may recommend dilution, alternative particle methods, or filtration-based capture (project-dependent).

No—LPC quantifies how many and how big. If you need what the particles are, we recommend pairing with SEM-EDS/FTIR/Raman.

Strongly recommended for troubleshooting and “what changed?” comparisons.

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