A new method for the measurement of gas solubility.

A novel technique for the measurement of gas solubility and gas content in liquids and suspensions is described. Saturation of the liquid and subsequent extraction of the test gas both took place in a specially modified gastight syringe. The test gas was extracted from the saturated liquid by bubbling an inert carrier gas through the liquid ("sparging"). All gas exiting the apparatus was directed toward a mass spectrometer that measured the volume of extracted test gas in the presence of the carrier. The technique was used to measure the solubilities of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide in olive oil at 37 degrees C. The Bunsen solubility coefficients so obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by classic techniques.