A Composite Microwave Cavity for Liquid Volume Fraction and Simultaneous Phase Permittivity Measurements

Microwave resonators are a technology with the potential to automate the rapid acquisition of vapour-liquid equilibrium data in multicomponent mixtures. However, the re-entrant resonators commonly used for fluid characterization have limited ability to mix or drain adequately due to the bulbs and narrow gaps used within the sample volume to spatially distribute the sensing regions with intense electric fields. This work describes a novel composite cavity combining two toroidal split-ring resonators and a cylindrical resonator, each sealed and partially filled with the polymer PEEK, to spatially separate sensing regions whilst maintaining an unobstructed sample volume. This unique design also allows for the total sample volume to be an order-of-magnitude smaller than conventional microwave cavities, without significantly increasing the resonant frequencies. Mass transfer between phases is facilitated by mechanical agitation, reducing equilibration time. Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to model how the dielectric interfaces within the cavity perturb electric field distributions. This model is used to interpret measurements of two-phase propane to quantify liquid volume fraction and phase dielectric permittivities.