Accurate oxygen measurement is critical for maintaining beer quality and preventing oxidation. The BrewOps Purge sensor provides precise monitoring of oxygen concentration during the purging process, ensuring that breweries can effectively remove dissolved oxygen (DO) and protect beer flavor stability.
Gas-Phase vs. Dissolved Oxygen Measurements
When measuring oxygen levels, it is important to distinguish between gas-phase oxygen and dissolved oxygen:
- Gas-phase oxygen is measured in the headspace or purge gas of a tank.
- Dissolved oxygen refers to the oxygen content in the liquid beer, which can impact flavor and shelf life.
The BrewOps Purge sensor measures gas-phase oxygen and uses scientific principles to estimate dissolved oxygen levels, helping brewers ensure effective purging.
How Henry’s Law Applies to Brewing
Henry’s Law describes how gases dissolve into liquids based on temperature and pressure. In brewing, it helps convert gas-phase oxygen readings into dissolved oxygen (DO) levels:
CDO=kH×PO2C_{DO} = k_H \times P_{O_2}
Where:
CDOC_{DO}= dissolved oxygen concentrationkH= Henry’s constant (temperature-dependent)PO2P_{O_2}= partial pressure of oxygen in the gas phase
This calculation allows brewers to assess DO levels accurately and optimize their purging process.
Example Calculation
If the BrewOps Purge sensor detects 17109 ppm (1.7109%) oxygen in the gas phase:
- Convert gas concentration to pressure: P_{O_2} = 1.7109% × 1 atm = 0.017109 atm
- Apply Henry’s Law (using k_H ≈ 1.3 × 10⁻³ mol/L/atm): C_{DO} = (1.3 × 10⁻³) × (0.017109) = 2.224 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L
- Convert mol/L to ppb: 2.224 × 10⁻⁵ × 32,000 = 712.75 ppb
Thus, 17109 ppm oxygen in the gas phase corresponds to approximately 713 ppb dissolved oxygen.
Ensuring Accurate Oxygen Monitoring
- Always measure oxygen levels at key purge stages to track efficiency.
- Consider tank temperature and pressure variations when interpreting readings.
- Use the BrewOps Purge sensor to monitor real-time oxygen reduction and optimize CO₂ usage.
By leveraging the BrewOps Purge sensor and understanding gas-phase vs. dissolved oxygen, brewers can precisely control oxygen levels, improve beer stability, and ensure superior quality in every batch.
