A system for analyzing particles including: a source of solid particles; a sampler
apparatus attached to and integral with the source of solid particles which apparatus
is adapted to enable removal of small amounts of sample material from the source;
a sonication cell connected to the sampling apparatus which sonication cell receives,
optionally conditions, and sonicates the small amounts of sample material; a sample
analysis apparatus connected to the sonication cell which sample analysis apparatus
is adapted to receive, optionally further condition, and analyze the resulting
sonicated sample received from the sonication cell; and a liquid pump and liquid
carrying lines adapted to: withdraw aliqouts from the source; convey a withdrawn
aliqout to the sonication cell and sample analysis apparatus; and flush the system
free of residual aliqout contamination.