Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Konzentration eines in einem Loesungsmittel geloesten Stoffes

NOVELTY - An apparatus for determining the solute concentration or the degree of supersaturation of a solution comprises a mechanical property sensor in contact with the solution, a thermal or pressure element for changing the solution temperature or pressure or the sensor temperature and a sensor signal processor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for: (i) determining the solute concentration or the degree of supersaturation of a solution, using the above apparatus, by subjecting the solution to heating to below saturation and cooling to saturation and then supersaturation while detecting mechanical properties at the sensor surface, followed by evaluating the resulting signals; (ii) equipment for material deposition from solution, including the above apparatus and a system for regulating the degree of supersaturation according to the sensor signal; and (iii) a process for material deposition from solution using the above equipment. USE - For determining the s olute concentration or the degree of supersaturation of a solution, e.g. for controlling recovery of sugar from aqueous solution. ADVANTAGE - The solute concentration or degree of supersaturation of the solution is determined in-situ and with high precision using inexpensive apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows one form of a supersaturation sensor. Solution 1 Sensor surface 2 Peltier element 4 Cooling rib contact 5 Thermal insulation 6 Heat shield 7 Peltier current IP Signal resonance frequency change delta F Signal amplitude change delta