For a given bulk solid how can the particle size distribution be determined?

In order to determine particle size distribution the simplest method is to make use of a sieve stack. In this approach a stack is created of with various mesh sizes at every stack level. Structure is such that biggest mesh size is at the top and the smallest at bottom. Once this setup is created before beginning the weight and other values of solid is noted down.

Once this is done solid is placed at the topmost cylinder and entire setup is exposed to a combination of horizontal and vertical movements. This will make solid pass through different mesh sizes in the process separating various particles according to their sizes. There are other more advanced methods of determining the particle size distribution as well like video imaging and laser diffraction as well.