PVM-FBRM Experimental Apparatus

The PVM-FBRM experimental apparatus consists of two particle size analyzer probes in a high pressure cell (up to 1200 psi) that has an internal diameter of 4 inches and a height of 9-10 inches (depending on whether the false bottom is inserted). The cell is mixed via a 6-blade Rushton type flat blade impeller. Temperature, pressure and continuous phase conductivity are all measured inside the cell.

(a) The Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) probe from Mettler-Toledo®, model D600X, has a Class I, 3 mW laser with wavelength 791.8 nm transmitted through fiber-optics to the probe tip. When the probe is inserted into a system of droplets or particles, the laser emitted is reflected if it scans across the surface of a particle, measuring the reflectance time and determines the chord length by the product of the time and the laser scan speed.

(b) The Particle Video Microscope (PVM) also from Mettler-Toledo Lasentec® consists of 6 lasers which illuminate a small area in front of the probe face. The probe creates digital images of the illuminated area with a field of view of 826 μm x 619 μm. The image provides clear resolution to approximately 20 μm.

The cell is inserted into a cooling bath and can be either operated with constant pressure or constant volume operation for hydrate formation. Dissociation can also be performed under constant pressure.