ESTIMATING WATER ACTIVITY IN SYSTEMS CONTAINING MULTIPLE SOLUTES BASED ON SOLUTE PROPERTIES

A water activity (a(w)) model for multicomponent systems expressed as a linear first order sum of moralities and requiring only data from bi nary solutions was tested. The model was developed based on a linear r elationship between aw and molality far each solute. Water activity pr edictions were validated and compared with Ross' equation using a, dat a reported of different complex electrolyte and nonelectrolyte solutio ns. The equation proved to have a good predictive application, was ext remely simple and exhibited comparable accuracy to Ross' equation in t he mixtures considered.