Application of ultrasonics in the on-line determination of supersaturation

An ultrasonic technique is used to develop a method based on the measuremen t of both ultrasonic velocity and temperature of the supersaturated media f or the on-line determination of the supersaturation. It is demonstrated by the example of aqueous K2SO4 solution in a seeded batch crystallizer. The f easibility of this technique was investigated using a commercial available sensor. The experimental measurements for the desupersaturation versus time trajectory proved that this technique can be successfully employed to meas ure supersaturation with sufficient accuracy and precision. Such sensor is preferred in the on-line application due to its fast response and the avail ability to be applied directly in the slurries without any need to the soli d-liquid separation.