Real time determination of gas solubility and related parameters in manufacturing processes

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for determining entrained and/or dissolved gas content of gas-liquid mixtures. Data generated is used to control the True (air-free) or Apparent (air-containing) Density or Entrained Air content of liquids within optimum ranges, e.g. in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, paints, petroleum blends, etc. For example, an indirect method of continuously determining the amount of gas entrained in a liquid, by: continuously measuring the temperature, flow rate, and apparent density of the mixture at two different pressure states, and calculating the volume percentage of the gas in the liquid by using equation (28) wherein V is the volume of the gas-free liquid calculated by equation (23) in which Pand Pare two different ambient pressures and ΔP=P−P, ρand ρare apparent densities of the liquid sample measured at Pand P, respectively, R is the constant of the Ideal Gas Law, T is the liquid temperature, Q is the flow rate, g(ΔP/Q) is a function for determining the amount of gas being dissolved between Pand P, and Vis determined by equation (27) in which Pand Tare standard pressure (1 atm) and temperature (0° C.), and is a function for determining the amount of gas being dissolved between Pand P.