Dielectric Permittivity of Eight Gases Measured with Cross Capacitors

Published

March 1, 2003

Author(s)

James W. Schmidt, Michael R. Moldover

Abstract

A 4-ring, toroidal cross capacitor was used to measure accurately the relative dielectric permittivity ε(p,T) of He, Ar, N₂, O₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and CO₂. (ε is often called the dielectric constant. ) The data are in the range from 0 C to 50 C and, in many cases, extend up to 7 MPa. The data for ε(p,T) may be useful for calibrating on-line, capacitance-based instruments that monitor the heating value of natural gas. The data also reveal minor imperfections in certain equations of state. The accurate measurement of ε(p,T) requires a good understanding of the deformation of the gas-filled capacitors with applied pressure. We tested our understanding in two ways. First, we compared the experimental values of ε(p,T) for helium with theoretical values. The average difference was within the noise, expt{-epsilon}_theory> = (-0.05 0.21) 10^-6, demonstrating that the 4-ring cross capacitor deformed as predicted. Second, we simultaneously measured {epsilion}(p,T) of argon on three isotherms using two capacitors: the 4-ring capacitor and a 16-rod cross capacitor made using different materials and a different geometry. The results for the two capacitors were slightly inconsistent: rod {-epsilon}_ring> = (0.161 0.025) 10^-6 (p/MPa). The inconsistency is equivalent to 1 10^-6 of the measured capacitances, or, for argon, 3 10^-5 A_ε, where A_ε is the zero-pressure limit of the molar polarizability P{identical with} (ε - 1)/[(ε + 2)p].

Citation

International Journal of Thermophysics

Volume

24

Issue

No. 2

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

carbon dioxide, cross capacitor, dielectric constant, ethane, methane, molar polarizability, natural gas, nitrogen, propane

Citation

Schmidt, J. and Moldover, M. (2003), Dielectric Permittivity of Eight Gases Measured with Cross Capacitors, International Journal of Thermophysics (Accessed January 3, 2025)