Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring the amount of water in vapor has been developed. The process begins with adjusting the level of water in a vessel housing a capacitance probe so as to immerse from about 5 to about 15 percent of the probe and measuring and recording an initial capacitance, CI. A measured amount of vapor is passed through a condenser, the condensed water is conducted to the vessel and a final capacitance, CF, is measured and recorded. The change in capacitance is calculated, &Dgr;C=(CF−CI), and the difference, &Dgr;C, along with a calculation correlation is used to determine the amount of water condensed. With the amount of water condensed and the measured amount of vapor passed through the vessel, the amount of water in the vapor may be readily calculated. The vapor to be analyzed may be at a temperature as high as about 1000° C.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the amount of water in the vapor of multiple zones of a calcination or oxidation operation have been developed. The process begins with calibration of a vessel housing a capacitance probe. The level of water in a vessel housing the capacitance probe is adjusted so as to immerse from about 5 to about 15 percent of the probe and measuring and recording an initial capacitance, CI. A measured amount of vapor is passed through a condenser, the condensed water is conducted to the vessel and a final capacitance, CF, is measured and recorded. The change in capacitance is calculated, &Dgr;C=(CF−CI), and the difference, &Dgr;C, is used along with the calibration to determine the amount of water condensed. With the amount of water condensed and the measured amount of vapor passed through the vessel, the amount of water in the vapor may be readily calculated.