A comprehensive method for measuring the air transfer efficiency of pressure saturators

This paper proposes an explicit and comprehensive method for measuring the efficiency of pressure saturators used in dissolved air flotation. It is based on a review of methods suggested by other researchers in this field, but several improvements to existing methods are made. The degree of nitrogen enrichment in the saturator air is accounted for, and the actual air composition in the measuring unit and the degree of supersaturation of air in the water leaving the measuring unit are taken into consideration. A complete mathematical description for determining the saturator efficiency from the measured data is given based on Henryʹs law and molar or mass balances across the measuring bottle. The calculation procedure provides a clear picture of how the concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen in air and water change through the whole saturation and measuring system.