Liquid Flow Rate Research Articles

Integrating neural network in advanced flow sensors for enhanced fluid flow characterization in conduit using carbon black

The proposed work involves the use of a carbon black coated sensor to measure the flow rate in a circular pipe and to monitor the pressure developed therein using a novel system with the change in electrical resistance. The carbon black coated sensor was made using the dip coating method in various proportions such as 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt%. The pressure measurements were taken using the working model and the data acquisition module. When a liquid flows through the pipe, it causes a change in the electrical resistance of the carbon black coating, which is then detected by the electrodes connected to the sensor. The actual water flow rate is determined using the general equation and the electrical resistance is also noted simultaneously. A mathematical model was developed to monitor the flow in real time between the actual flow rate and the electrical resistance. It was found that 5 wt% carbon black has the highest sensitivity of 3.06 compared to the other proportions 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt% which are 2.24, 1.71, and 1.15 respectively. The sensor with 5 wt% carbon black was further used to calculate the predicted water flow rate using the regression model. The obtained R2 value is 0.98, which confirms the strong correlation between the actual water flow rate and the calculated water flow rate. Then the prediction modeling is performed using the neural network, and the obtained data points were trained and tested. With a prediction error of less than 6%, the proposed approach provides exponentially cost-effective monitoring of the liquid flow rate.

Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Flow Modes in Flow Focusing/Blurring Nozzle

The flow mode of the flow focusing/blurring nozzle was studied through experimental and numerical simulation methods. The experimental results indicate that the flow mode of the nozzle can be classified into flow focusing, transition, and flow blurring based on the location of the liquid jet breakup. Numerical simulation studies have found that the transformation of flow mode is mainly related to viscous shear force, gas pressure on the jet surface, and liquid inertia force. The increase in the gas flow rate changes the flow mode by affecting the viscous shear force. The increase in the liquid flow rate changes the flow mode by affecting the liquid inertial force. When the liquid flow rate is high, the increase in the liquid flow rate affects the flow mode by affecting the gas pressure on the jet surface. The study also found that excessive gas flow rates can hinder the flow of liquid inside the nozzle, while excessive liquid flow rates can hinder the breakup of liquid inside the nozzle. Therefore, the normal operation of the flow focusing/blurring nozzle requires ensuring that the gas and liquid flow rates are within the normal range.

Characterization of Particle Fluidization in a New Type of Fluidized Bed Flotation Unit

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the hydrodynamics of the bed layer in a fluidized bed is essential for optimizing and improving fluidized bed flotation units. This study proposes a fluidized bed flotation column that incorporates auxiliary particles into the gas–liquid two‐phase system to address the shortcomings of traditional flotation units. Stainless steel particles (glass beads), tap water, and compressed air were used as the solid, liquid, and gas phases, respectively. Key factors affecting the bed hydrodynamics (such as bed fluctuation, minimum fluidization velocity, bed expansion, and porosity) in the fluidized column include gas and liquid flow rates as well as the initial bed height. Experimental results show that selecting appropriate filling particles can effectively enhance the fluidization performance of the bed, while appropriately increasing the gas flow rate can achieve fluidization at lower liquid velocities, thus reducing energy consumption during the flotation mineralization process. Theoretical analysis combined with extensive data reveals that the expansion characteristics of the fluidized bed and the use of high‐density filling particles can effectively mitigate bed layer fluctuations and stabilize the flow field environment. Additionally, based on a wide range of data, this study employs model factor analysis, dimensionless analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis to propose a standard dimensionless parameter model for the fluidized bed flotation column, which can effectively predict bed layer fluctuations and expansion characteristics.

Experimental investigation on gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns and vibration characteristics of an inducer pump

Inducers typically enhance centrifugal pump performance in two-phase flow regimes by producing more uniform mixtures and increasing pressure before the impeller. Their impact is most pronounced under part-load conditions compared to overload situations. This study experimentally investigates air-water two-phase flow behavior within a pump inducer. Using high-speed photography and grayscale image processing, five distinct gas-liquid flow patterns were identified: bubble flow, strip bubble flow, agglomerated bubble flow, gas pocket flow, and segregated flow. The inducer's head and vibration characteristics were also measured. Results show that flow pattern transitions significantly affect performance degradation and vibration. Specifically, the head decreases as the liquid flow rate increases at a constant gas volume fraction (λ) and generally follows a downward trend as λ increases at a constant liquid flow rate. Bubble flow, representing minimal λ, has a negligible effect on performance. However, with higher λ, a sharp decline in head occurs within the agglomerated bubble flow range, followed by a gradual decrease during gas pocket flow under both optimal and overload conditions. In part-load conditions, the head decreases sharply during strip bubble and segregated flow. While bubble flow mitigates vibration fluctuations, increasing GVF leads to higher vibration amplitude, particularly in the range of 2–8 times the inducer's rotational frequency, due to flow pattern instability.

Optimization of Process Design and Operating Parameters of H2S Removal Unit to Reduce Lean Amine Inlet Temperature of Amine Contactor at Upstream Oil and Gas Subsidiary SI

Upstream Oil and Gas Subsidiary SI is a natural gas processing company that operates an H2S removal unit to convert natural gas rich in CO2 and H2S into sweet gas. The main problem of this unit is the high temperature of lean amine entering the Amine Contactor. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors of high lean amine temperatures, evaluate the lean amine cooler, amine regenerator overhead cooler, and plate exchanger performance, and determine the optimal process design configuration and operating parameters. The method used is the simulation of the H2S removal unit with Aspen HYSYS, followed by a comparative analysis between simulation data and equipment design data. The independent variables of this study include Reboiler duty, reflux ratio, and heat transfer area in the Plate Exchanger, with the main dependent variable being lean amine temperature. The results showed that the high lean amine temperature was caused by a decrease in the performance of the Lean Amine cooler and amine regenerator overhead cooler, as seen from the UA and LMTD values of the simulation results which were smaller than the design. In contrast, the Plate Exchanger still functions well with a UA value greater than the design. Optimization was carried out by adjusting the process design and operating parameters of the H2S removal unit. The optimized design involves bypass reflux from the regenerator to the rich amine stream entering the rich/lean amine exchanger and increasing the heat transfer surface area of the plate exchanger to 62.17 m². The influential operating parameters are reboiler duty, liquid flow rate to the mixer, and plate exchanger heat transfer surface area. Optimal operating conditions were achieved at a Reboiler duty of 1,642 kW, a liquid flow rate of 1.4 m³/h, the reflux to Mixer ratio is 100%, and a heat transfer surface area of 62.17 m². In addition, it can be concluded that the optimization of process design and operating parameters successfully reduced the lean amine inlet temperature of the Amine Contactor.

Assessing the Efficacy of the Plasma Spinning Disc Reactor (PSDR) in Treating Undiluted Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs)

This work used pulsed electrical discharge plasma to treat undiluted Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) solution that contained significant quantities of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The plasma was generated within a plasma spinning disc reactor (PSDR), which utilizes the electric breakdown of argon gas to create plasma over a thin liquid film generated on a spinning disc.The PSDR performance toward degradation of AFFF constituents such as fluorotelomers, perfluorinated C2–C7 alkyl acids, and unidentified precursors was investigated. The PSDR performance sensitivity to the process parameters, such as reactor electrode design, disc rotational speed, liquid flowrate across the disc, and discharge voltage, was explored. The results indicate degradation of all quantified PFAS with chain length ≥ 4 to below detection limit within a 250mL sample after 86hours of treatment on a 6.5cm disc rotating at 200rpm. The overall PSDR performance was insensitive to the tested process parameters. A direct comparison with a UV/H2O2 process revealed the superior performance of the plasma-based treatment toward degradation of perfluorinated compounds, evidenced by higher precursor removal rates and lower energy consumption. The energy efficiency of the UV/H2O2 system was approximately 100 times lower than that of the plasma process under all conditions. This study confirms that PSDR is a promising technology for effectively remediating PFAS in undiluted AFFF.

Dual effects of pressure difference for long-wave stratified flow in horizontal microchannels

In this work, the linear stability analysis combining with energy balance theory is performed to clarify the suppressing and boosting long-wave instabilities driven by pressure difference in horizontal microchannels as well as its corresponding physical meanings. It is found that, for a specific fluid combination, there exists a certain relative liquid film thickness (hN,c) at which the disturbance work done by interfacial shear stress over unit wavelength (denoted by ISS) is exactly equal to the total viscous dissipation rate over unit wavelength within both phase bulk flows (denoted by DIStot). When the liquid film thickness (hN) exceeds hN,c, ISS is smaller than DIStot, indicating that the initial disturbance energy cannot be replenished from the primary flow until its completely disappear due to the viscosity dissipation. Conversely, ISS is larger than DIStot, indicating that the initial disturbance can acquire energy from the primary flow and grow up. The strength of suppressing and boosting effect can be influenced by liquid film thickness, flow rate, and channel height. However, the demarcation of the dual effects remains unchanged. An analytical expression of hN,c with respect to the viscosity ratio is established by means of long-wave approximation method, which matches well with the numerical results. The energy balance mechanisms revealed in the present study provide a new insight into the wave mode in the confined space and help the design of microfluidic systems.

A method for measuring the critical pore diameter of a homogeneous microchannel separator based on image analysis and a simulation comparison of CFD-DEM

Fine particles being captured or escaping from particle beds (microchannel separator) is a widespread phenomenon, with the size and distribution of pores (microchannel) significantly affecting these phenomena. However, due to the complexity of the pore structure, accurately measuring and validating it poses challenges. This paper introduces a new method to calculate the critical pore diameter of homogeneous microchannel separators (three types of homogeneous separation media with particle sizes of 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm). Initially, particle bed units with a thickness twice the diameter of the separation media were captured from multiple orthogonal projection directions to obtain high-resolution images of the pore structure. Then, the Feret diameter distribution of the pores were analyzed to quantify pore size and distribution. Next, unresolved CFD-DEM method was used to simulate the capture of fine particles to optimize and supplement the results. The results show that the average Feret diameter of the pores differs by only 0.85 μm, 1.70 μm, and 2.46 μm from the simulation results, and it is noted that the critical pore diameter is approximately 0.153 times that of the separation media diameter, the numerical difference from the critical dimension ratio is only 0.0017. Additionally, when the diameter of the fine particles is 0.155 to 0.165 times the diameter of the separation media, the homogeneous microchannel separator exhibits the highest efficiency during the deep bed filtration process. The study also examines the separation of homogeneous fine particles at varying inlet liquid flow rates, which can offer theoretical guidance for analyzing the porosity of microchannel separators and the efficient removal of solid pollutants, thus contributing novel ideas to deep bed filtration research.

Analysis of CO2 bubble growth detachment kinetics in direct methanol fuel cell flow channels

CO2 bubbles flow in the anode flow channel is an important issue in the commercialization process of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). A T-channel model is built in COMSOL using the phase field method to investigate the CO2 bubbles flow at the anode side of the DMFC. The factors and mechanisms of single bubble detachment are discussed by analyzing the methanol inlet velocity (Ul), CO2 inlet velocity (Ug), contact angle of the diffusion layer, and the Weber number during bubble detachment. The research findings indicate that increasing the liquid flow rate leads to the generation of smaller bubbles that detach more rapidly due to the increases of drag force (FD) and the shear-life force (FSL) to overcome the surface tension on the bubble. The CO2 inlet velocity can promote the bubble detachment due to the increase in FSL, but also leads to a larger detachment diameter. Compared to hydrophobic surfaces, hydrophilic surfaces are more conducive to bubble detachment and removal. In all case We (Weber number) is significantly less than 0.6, indicating that liquid momentum dominated the bubble detachment process. Once the ratio of the gas momentum to the liquid one is greater than 1, the bubble is hard to detach. The contour map of bubble flow patterns and the bubble detachment diameters distribute with the ratio of Ug/Ul can further indicate that the bubble detachment is connected with the ratio of Ug/Ul closely, which will have guiding significance for the selection of inlet velocity of DMFC.

Numerical analysis and experimental study for removal of copper and zinc from groundwater by dielectric barrier discharge

ABSTRACT Conventional methods of treating zinc and copper have the disadvantages of secondary contamination and complex control processes. This paper investigates the removal characteristics of gas–liquid mixed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in high-concentration copper–zinc groundwater. The study combines numerical simulation and experimentation to analyze the effects of discharge power, initial pH, gas flow rate, and liquid flow rate on copper and zinc removal rates. The results show that a better gas–liquid mixing distribution can be achieved when the inlet flow rate is 40 L/min and the inlet flow rate is below 200 mL/min. The removal of Cu can be up to 98.68% and Zn up to 96.28% when the discharge power is 56 W and the initial pH is 11. The optimum treatment time for Cu2+ is 3–6 min, while the best copper removal occurs at a gas flow rate of 20–30 L/min and a liquid flow rate of 100 mL/min. It was found that the optimum treatment time for Zn2+ was different for different process parameters, mainly in the range of 9–12 min, which needs to be noted in future production applications. Therefore, DBD can efficiently eliminate copper and zinc ions from groundwater to meet environmental discharge standards.

Performance study of lithium ion sieve composite in high gravity for Li+ adsorption

The demand for lithium-ion batteries in new energy vehicles and energy storage technologies is rapidly increasing, making the efficient extraction of lithium resources from salt lakes, which are rich in lithium reserves, crucial. To address the issues of slow adsorption rate and low adsorption capacity of lithium ion sieves in the adsorption column, In this paper, the high-gravity rotating packed bed (RPB) is utilized for the first time to enhance the adsorption process of Li+ on lithium ion sieve composite material(CTS/L-HMO), thereby investigating its adsorption mechanism. Specifically, CTS/L-HMO was prepared by combining manganese-based lithium ion sieves with chitosan, and used as the filler for the RPB to adsorb lithium containing solution. The research showed that chitosan successfully coated the manganese-based lithium ion sieves and the distribution of various elements was uniform. In the RPB, the adsorption capacity of CTS/L-HMO increased first and then decreased with the increase of liquid flow rate and high gravity factor. Compared to a fixed bed, the adsorption capacity and adsorption rate in the RPB increased by 43.30 % and 33.33 %, respectively. After 10 cycles of regeneration experiments, the adsorption capacity of CTS/L-HMO remained as high as 30.19 mg/g, and it exhibited high selective adsorption for Li+.

Flow characteristics of gas and liquid in pipeline revealed by machine learning on distributed acoustic sensing data

The two-phase flow rates of gas and liquid in a pipeline are crucial parameters for optimizing gas-oil production strategies and ensuring the reliability of gas-oil transportation systems. Although available measurement techniques, such as various flow meters, offer accurate flow rate data, they might face limitations in providing distributed and real-time information at multiple points. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) offers a viable alternative for long-term, multipoint dynamic monitoring of the flow. However, the data acquired through fiber optic monitoring techniques are often difficult to analyze and process in real-time, while machine learning offers automatic identification of complex patterns and relationships within the data, enabling more precise predictions and classifications. To evaluate the feasibility of DAS technology combined with machine learning methods to estimate the gas-liquid flow rate in pipelines, an experimental loop that utilized DAS was developed to measure gas-liquid two-phase flow signals in pipelines. The machine learning method was then applied to analyze the DAS signals, based on which models were established to predict flow rates and regimes. Furthermore, validation experiments were conducted to assess the predictive performance of these models. Compared to the actual flow rates measured by electronic flowmeters, the results by integration of DAS and machine learning show the predictive accuracy of two models reach 97%. In the subsequent validation experiments, both the goodness of fit for the flow rate prediction model and accuracy for the flow regime prediction model exceeded 85%. Thus, compared to current flow measurement methods, the integration of DAS and machine learning not only provides accurate flow rate estimations but also offers available prediction of flow regimes, enhancing the measurement capabilities and technology insights.

Compartmental modeling of CO2 absorption in a rotating packed bed

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2), i.e., the primary greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, from CO2 containing gas mixtures in various industrial sectors, e.g., natural gas processing and treating refinery off-gases, is necessary. Rotating packed beds (RPBs) have shown great efficiency in CO2 capture from flue gases with an appreciable intensification in the absorber size compared to the conventional packed bed absorbers. Successful commercialization of an RPB technology requires a comprehensive understanding of its performance under various operating conditions, process configurations, and for different solvents. In this study, we presented a mathematical model describing the performance of an RPB absorber for CO2 capture by aqueous amine solutions. We established the compartmental model based on two plug-flow reactors for gas and liquid phases. We validated this model adopting two sets of experimental data from literature. We considered reaction rates of all compounds in the system in the model. We, subsequently, employed the validated model to highlight the potential parameters in enhancing the overall CO2 recovery by an RPB absorber. The developed model takes advantage of acquired knowledge and data from literature based on years of numerical studies on RPBs. We studied the effects of operating conditions, such as inlet gas and liquid flow rates, amine fraction, rotating speed, and inlet liquid and gas temperatures on the performance of an RPB by the validated model. Although we initially developed the model for the CO2-monoethanolamine (MEA) solvent, we also studied the effect of changing the solvent to methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) and piperazine (PZ) on the overall absorption performance of an RPB absorber. We further adopted the developed model as a design tool to assist us in replacing a pilot- and an industrial-scale packed bed absorber with corresponding single RPB absorbers.

Experimental evaluation of solitary slugs in a horizontal pipe

In this work the existence of a bi-stable flow regime in a horizontal gas-liquid two-phase flow was experimentally confirmed. In this regime, both stratified and slug flows were found to be stable, and the occurrence of either regime depended on the inlet conditions imposed on the flow. When operating in the bi-stable flow condition, two types of slugs can occur. The first type was obtained by forcing a regular slug flow at the inlet of the horizontal pipe using an uphill section before the inlet. In this case, slugs in the uphill and horizontal sections have similar frequencies. The second type was obtained by forcing a stratified flow at the inlet, and then introducing a short pulse in the liquid flow rate. This triggered a solitary slug in the pipe, which grew linearly with the distance from the inlet. The behavior of the solitary slugs observed experimentally confirms the explanation and the model provided by Belt et al., 2024. The existence of such slugs can represent a threat in operations, since in long flowlines they can become extremely large and flood the downstream process installations. For instance, the experiments showed solitary slugs more than 200 pipe diameters long at a distance of 460 pipe diameters from the inlet. In order to evaluate the conditions under which the solitary slug phenomenon might occur, the extent of the bi-stable flow regime was experimentally determined. Its lower and upper boundaries match reasonably well with the stability conditions for slug flow and stratified flow, respectively, which were calculated within a 1D modeling framework.

Determination of the gas-liquid reaction kinetic for sulfur dioxide absorption in sodium chlorite aqueous solutions

This study is part of the research activities devoted to the development of new gas-cleaning technologies required to minimize the emissions factors of sulfur compounds in chemical industries and power plants. Among flue gas desulfurization (FGD) processes, wet scrubbing with oxidizing chemicals, e.g. sodium chlorite (NaClO2) has appeared as a viable option for different applications. The present work aims to study the absorption kinetics of the gas-liquid reaction between sulfur dioxide (SO2) and NaClO2, in a lab-scale falling-film absorber, investigating the effects of the main process parameters: liquid and gas flow rates, SO2 gas-phase concentration, NaClO2 liquid-phase concentration, solution pH and process temperature. The experimental activity aims to determine the Enhancement Factor (EL) to develop a kinetic model for reactive absorption. To this end, kinetic parameters are calculated from experiments using the Danckwerts equation for a pseudo-second-order reaction kinetic, determining a maximum prediction error of ±20% compared to the experimental data. Experimental data available in the literature on pilot-scale oxidative FGD scrubbers using chlorite are used to test the validity and robustness of the kinetic model. The kinetic model is able to predict the data with good accuracy within a prediction error range of ±30%.

Liquid holdup of gas–liquid two‐phase flow in micro‐packed beds reactors

AbstractLiquid holdup is a crucial factor in the study of hydrodynamic behaviors in the micro‐packed bed reactor (μPBR). In this work, the values of liquid holdup are studied with the weighing method with good accuracy. The packed bed is a tube made of stainless steel with a length of 20 cm and an inner diameter of 4 mm, packed with 177–250 μm or 350–500 μm microbeads. The gas and liquid flow rates vary from 5 to 20 mL/min and 0.25 to 2 mL/min, respectively. A new hypothesis of the flow regions is proposed based on the experimental results. Furthermore, a new set of empirical correlation is built with great agreement, particularly for viscous liquids, whose viscosity ranges from 0.99 to 5.98 mPa·s, showing an atypical tendency.

IMPROVING METHODS FOR PREDICTING THE STRUCTURE OF GAS-LIQUID FLOW IN HORIZONTAL PIPES

Analysis of existing research on the hydrodynamics of two-phase mixtures allows us to trace the main trends in the development of engineering calculation methods, as well as identify the most promising approaches for developing algorithms for predicting the patterns of gas-liquid flows in horizontal pipes. Predicting the patterns of two-phase flows is necessary to solve a number of applied problems related to the design of field pipeline systems, monitoring of operational parameters during the transportation of well products, calculation of hydraulic pressure drop in pipes, etc. Conventionally, in creating methods for predicting flow regimes in horizontal pipes, there are stages based on empirical approaches, mechanistic modeling and unification of hydrodynamic criteria for assessing the processes of patterns transformations of two-phase flows. Approaches based on the unification of hydrodynamic models of gas-liquid flows are noted as promising directions in the development of hydrodynamic forecasting criteria. The principles of unification consist in bringing to uniformity a mathematical apparatus capable of predicting all possible patterns of gas-liquid flow in vertical, inclined and horizontal pipes based on known volumetric flow rates of liquid and gas. The article proposes the improvement of known unification approaches in the development of criteria for predicting the annular and dispersed-bubble patterns of gas-liquid flow in field pipes. The verification of the obtained algorithms for pattern prediction of annular and dispersed-bubble modes of horizontal gas-liquid flow was carried out.

Modeling of the discharge coefcient of diferential pressure fowmeters: approximation by using radial-basis function neural networks

The discharge coefficient of flow transducers of liquids and gases of differential pressure flowmeters plays an important role in flow rate measurement. The problem of modeling and calculating the discharge coefficient of differential pressure flowmeters directly affects the accuracy of flow rate measurement of these devices. The results of modeling the discharge coefficient of the differential pressure flowmeter in the form of radial-basis neural networks are presented. The described structure of the neural network calculates the values of the discharge coefficient with an angular pressure tapping method. The article evaluates the error of approximation of the discharge coefficient by radial-basis function networks and provides recommendations for building such networks to solve problems of modeling the characteristics of differential pressure flowmeters. The article discusses the main advantages and disadvantages of using such networks as discharge coefficients of the differential pressure flowmeters. The research showed that the use of such networks is justified by their properties to approximate the discharge coefficient and their efficiency in measuring gas and liquid flow rates.

Electrospray modes of liquids in electrohydrodynamic atomization: A review

Liquid is sprayed from a capillary tube and further disperses into fine drops in various means, when subjected to an externally electric field, where the process of liquid jet formation and breakup into drops is usually named as electrohydrodynamic atomization or electrospray (ES). Electrospray has been extensively applied into many fields because uniform and highly charged drops, easy controllability in size and motion, and various ES modes are available to match the requirements of various applications. In present work, recent progresses in theory and numerical work to explain electrospray structure and drop formation were summarized. According to the geometry of liquid ejection and its further disintegration, main ES modes including dripping, micro-dripping, spindle, cone-jet, multi-jet, and simple-jet have been designated. The transformation of ES modes due to variation of electric potential, liquid flow rate, and physical parameters, the formation of curved liquid surface, and jet fragmentation behavior in these ES modes were also reviewed, as well as generated drops dynamics. In a rational range of flow rate, dripping, micro-dripping, spindle, cone-jet, multi-jet modes successively emerge with an increase in electric potential, and otherwise, an irregular instability may occur. In addition, the simple jet mode occurs in a relatively large flow rate. The insight into ES modes may fully understand mechanism and technology of electrospray and further promote more extensive application in industrial fields.

Characterization of highly conducting Ionic Liquid (EMI-BF4)mEMIn+ nanoclusters injected into dielectrics to produce compound electrosprays.

Electrospraying of dielectric liquids presents unique challenges compared to conducting liquids, as it requires external charge injection. This manuscript further explores the Charge Injection Atomization (CIA) technique, which employs two concentric capillaries to create a compound electrospray. The inner liquid is an ionic liquid (IL), which injects nanodrops and perhaps also ions into the dielectric. The evaporation of the dielectric liberates these charged particles into the gas phase, where they are analyzed with a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA). The mobility spectra show very narrow peaks of high mobility (corresponding to ions) and broader, lower mobility peaks representing IL nanodrops. In this work, the effects of both the ionic liquid and dielectric flow rates on droplet diameter and charge are thoroughly studied. Through a simple assumption that the mobility of the droplets agrees with Stokes-Millikan and the condition that the droplets are spherical of known density, the diameter and mass over charge, are determined, revealing average values ranging from 7 to 90 kDa and diameters from 3 to 35 nm. The charge density of the droplets seems to suggest that they are charged to a fraction between 50-100% of the Rayleigh limit and are affected mostly by the ionic liquid flow rate as expected. Given the broad interest of IL, the controlled size production of nanoclusters in dielectrics can have important implications in synthesis and catalysis, polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, microemulsions and biotechnology.