Improved control of continuous processes that handle liquids. Data generated
by this invention is used to control gas contents of liquids within optimum ranges,
for instance in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products
(ketchup), personal care products (shampoo), paints, and in any industry where
information on entrained and/or dissolved gases, and related parameters such as
true density of and gas solubility in process liquids, is employed to optimize
processing. The amount of gas in a liquid is determined by subjecting a mixture
of an incompressible liquid sample and a compressible gas to three or more different
equilibrium pressure states, measuring the temperature and volume of the mixture
at each of the pressure states, determining the changes in volume of the mixture
between at least two different pairs of pressure states, and calculating the amount
of gas in the liquid sample. The inventive apparatus includes: a reservoir for
process fluid; piping through which fluid may be pumped, the piping being under
the control of a pressure regulator which is capable of setting at least three
different pressures P1, P2, and P3 in the apparatus; at least
three fluid control valves V1, V2, and V3; a pressure gauge;
a temperature gauge; and a density gauge.