Overview
ISO/TS 11899-1:2023 specifies a laboratory test method to evaluate ultrafine bubble (UFB) concentration loss that occurs when ultrafine-bubble water is conveyed through long-distance plastic pipes. The Technical Specification defines the required test setup, equipment, environment, sampling and measurement procedures, and data-analysis approach. Test outcomes are analysed and expressed as an empirical formula linking UFB concentration loss to flow parameters, pipe length, flow velocity and number of circulations - information intended to support the design of long-distance transport systems for industrial agro- and aqua-cultural applications. The document is informative and is not intended for conformity assessment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and objective: Measure reduction in the number concentration index of UFBs during circulation through a long winding plastic pipe and derive an empirical predictive equation.
- Test system components:
- Reservoir for stagnant/mixed UFB water with sampling access and transparent observation window.
- Long winding plastic pipe (small inner diameter, wound on a bobbin) to simulate long-distance pipeline behaviour.
- Gear pump with controllable flow velocity and pressure (document cites operating range examples: 5–120 m/min flow velocity and 5–250 kPa pressure drop).
- Flow meter, pressure gauges, needle valve, thermometer, stopwatch, sampling pipette and airtight glass bottles.
- Measurement method: Particle-tracking analysis to determine the UFB number concentration index and size distribution (measurement method aligned with referenced ISO measurement standards).
- Test parameters: Inner diameter (d), pipe length (L), flow velocity (ud), number of circulations (np), and elapsed time. The standard defines the surviving rate (Φ) and a loss factor (k) used in data analysis.
- Procedure and data analysis: Homogenize reservoir, baseline sampling, controlled circulation, timed sampling at planned circulation counts, sealing and labeling samples, measurement of concentration and size indices, and empirical model derivation from aggregated results. Annex A provides an illustrative example.
Applications and users
- System designers and engineers developing long-distance UFB transport and dispensing systems for agriculture and aquaculture.
- Equipment manufacturers (pumps, piping, UFB generators) validating design impacts on UFB stability.
- Testing laboratories and researchers studying UFB stability under flow, mass transport loss and pipeline effects.
- Farm operators and consultants planning distribution networks where maintaining UFB concentration is critical for effectiveness (e.g., irrigation, nutrient delivery, sterilization).
Practical outcome: use empirically derived formulas from the standard to predict UFB loss and size system capacity, flow rates and pipe layouts accordingly.
Related standards
- ISO 20298-1 and ISO 21255 - referenced for UFB generation and handling procedures.
- ISO 20480-2 and ISO 19430 - referenced for particle tracking analysis and measurement principles used to determine UFB number concentration and size.