Methods Of Determining Oil Presence, Contamination Or Concentration Patents (Class 250/301)
  • Patent number: 4649711
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for infrared qualitative analysis of a fluid independent of the temperature of the fluid. A first signal is generated in response to detected infrared energy passing through the fluid, and a second datum signal is provided for comparison with the first signal, wherein the second signal indicates a non-radiating state. The energy difference between the two signals is provided to a microprocessor control system for computing the fluid quality as a function of the energy difference independent of the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Howard W. Sibley, Karl Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4624133
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the concentration of oil in another liquid has an oil extracting apparatus for mixing a sample of oil containing liquid and an oil-extracting solvent, a source of solvent, a solvent pump having the intake side connected to the source of solvent and the discharge side connected to the oil extracting apparatus for pumping oil extracting solvent from the source of solvent along a solvent flow path into the oil extracting apparatus, a water pump for pumping a liquid containing oil therein into the oil extracting apparatus, a separator for receiving the mixture of oil, water and solvent from the oil extracting apparatus and separating the oil-containing solvent therefrom, and an analyzer for analyzing the oil-containing solvent for oil content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Iwashita
  • Patent number: 4622465
    Abstract: A simple and sensitive arrangement for determining the presence of specific substances in a liquid is provided for determining the presence of oil in water. The arrangement comprises a light source which emits diffused UV light through the liquid to be tested, a detector which receives the UV light, and a processing circuit which is driven with a measured signal from the detector. The processing circuit generates an alarm signal if the measurement signal which increases with intensity of the detected UV light becomes smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Egon H. A. Harig, Gerd H. Martens
  • Patent number: 4609821
    Abstract: In order to provide a reliable test for the presence of native hydrocarbons down a borehole during drilling with an oil-base drilling mud, a sample of the rock cuttings brought up from the vicinity of the drill bit by the circulating mud flow is collected, the sample or a fluid prepared from the sample is then placed in a spectrometer and is excited with electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths. The radiation absorbed and/or emitted by the excited sample or sample preparation is sensed, and a plot is produced of the excitation and/or emission wavelengths against intensity, or in certain circumstances of the emission wavelengths against the excitation wavelengths. It can then be determined from the characteristic profile so obtained whether the hydrocarbon content of the sample incorporates only the oil base of the drilling mud or a combination of this oil-base and native hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Summers
  • Patent number: 4570069
    Abstract: An on-board oil quality monitor includes a tube for recirculating oil from an engine, which tube has a transparent portion located within an infra red generator and detector that produces a signal indicating excessive oil contamination when the generated infra red that is transmitted to the detector is below a certain threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Inventor: Dennis J. Gager
  • Patent number: 4551627
    Abstract: Optical transmittances of a combination of a liquid to be detected and a container wall are measured in order to select two optical pass-bands, one of which is relatively high transmittance level while the other of which is relatively low transmittance. The light transmission quantities of the container at the selected two pass-bands are measured by one or more detecting elements. The light transmission quantities are converted into two electric signals, one of which is divided by the other in a signal process circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Frederich R. Reich
  • Patent number: 4446370
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting oil in water. A plurality of oil sensors are maintained at selected positions in a body of water. Each sensor includes a limited wavelength light source for inducing fluorescence in oil which may be present and a light detector for detecting such induced fluorescence. Each sensor is connected to a computer which receives and stores information generated by each light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Gergely
  • Patent number: 4434364
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environment such as marine life, turbidity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Aderbal C. Correa, John S. Gergely, Andrew J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 4394573
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environmentsuch as marine life, turbidity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Aderbal C. Correa, John S. Gergely, Andrew J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 4365154
    Abstract: Fluid containing free gas and in a pipeline or container at a refinery or at any of various petroleum producing operations is bombarded with neutrons and high energy gamma rays resulting from capture of thermal neutrons are detected. The spectra of the detected gamma rays are then analyzed to determine the concentration of the elements chlorine and hydrogen. The counting rate for thermal neutron gamma rays for hydrogen permits a measure of the hydrogen index (HI) of the fluid to be obtained. The hydrogen index and the relative concentrations of chlorine and hydrogen are used to obtain an indication of the presence and concentration of chlorine or salt water in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Dan M. Arnold, Hans J. Paap
  • Patent number: 4361035
    Abstract: Combination of a nonionic oxyalkylated alcohol surfactant and an engine fuel, e.g. a 50--50 mixture, by volume, of such surfactant and an aircraft engine fuel such as JP-4 jet fuel, consisting essentially of a mixture of gasoline and kerosene, which is miscible both with water-based and oil-based liquids, for removing water or water-based leak tracer solution entrapped in a fuel tank system, e.g. of an aircraft. When employing, for example, an aqueous leak tracer solution introduced into a fuel tank, e.g. of an aircraft, for locating any leaks therein, after inspection and removal of the main body of leak tracer solution from the tank, in order to remove any residual leak tracer solution which remains entrapped in the tank, the invention composition, hereinafter termed a "depuddling agent", is introduced and blends with the residual leak tracer solution, and the resulting miscible mixture is drained from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Orlando G. Molina
  • Patent number: 4321465
    Abstract: A method for determining kerogen content in oil shale is disclosed. The kerogen content of oil shale is measured by transmitting light of the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum through a sample containing comminuted oil shale and determining the amount of light absorbed by the kerogen in such sample. The amount of light of a selected wave number absorbed by the sample of comminuted oil shale is proportional to the Fischer Assay determination of kerogen content of such a sample. An internal standard having an absorbance within the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum at a wave number other than wherein oil shale has an absorbance is integrated into the sample of oil shale for providing an indication of the kerogen content within the oil shale sample upon comparison of the relative absorbance at the respective wave number of selected infrared light for the internal standard and the kerogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Occidental Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carole S. Stover, Leslie E. Compton
  • Patent number: 4289020
    Abstract: A microwave-gamma ray water-in-crude monitor measures the percent quantity of water in crude oil flowing in a pipe line by causing the crude oil to flow through a measuring cell. A microwave transmitter and a gamma ray source are arranged with the measuring cell and transmits microwave energy and gamma rays through the measuring cell. A microwave receiver and a gamma ray detector receive the energies transmitted through the measuring cell and provides signals in accordance with the received energies. Apparatus connected to the microwave receiver and to the gamma ray detector provide a display of the water content of the crude oil in accordance with the signals from the microwave receiver and the gamma ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Hans J. Paap
  • Patent number: 4283128
    Abstract: A photomicrographic system for measuring the number, size distribution and movement rate of foreign matter, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Raymond A. Meyer, Frank J. Freestone
  • Patent number: 4256985
    Abstract: A gas sensor unit designed to indicate the presence of hydrocarbon vapors but be insensitive to carbon monoxide. The unit comprises two TGS sensors, one covered by a semi-permeable membrane and the other uncovered; the uncovered sensor responds to both crude oil and carbon monoxide, the covered sensor responds only to carbon monoxide. In one embodiment, the two sensors are connected in series; the total response of both sensors and the difference in response between the two sensors are measured, and changes in the parameters indicate the presence of an oil spill. In another embodiment, each sensor's output is compared with its reference voltage; if the uncovered sensor has an output that is higher than its reference while the covered one does not, the presence of an oil spill is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Louis H. Goodson, William B. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4213044
    Abstract: A test kit and method for determining in a semiquantitative manner the amount of oil mist in a compressed-air stream, which method comprises bleeding a small sample from the compressed-air stream containing oil mist whose concentration is to be determined; directly impinging the compressed-air stream so bled for a defined time period through a defined orifice onto the surface of a coated plate containing an ultraviolet radiation indicator to capture the oil-mist particles in the compressed-air stream, thereafter comparing the test plate with a standard plate of known concentration of oil mist under ultraviolet radiation to determine the degree of flourescent quenching as an indication of the amount of oil mist in the compressed-air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Whatman Reeve Angel Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Perrotta
  • Patent number: 4209695
    Abstract: Fluid in a pipeline or container at a refinery or at any of various petroleum producing operations is bombarded with neutrons, and high energy gamma rays resulting from capture of thermal neutrons are detected. The spectra of the detected gamma rays are then analyzed to determine the concentration of the element chlorine, which gives an indication of the presence and concentration of salt water in the fluid. The concentration of sulfur and the percentage gas in the fluid may be determined simultaneously with the concentration of chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Dan M. Arnold, Harold E. Peelman, Obie M. Langford, Hans J. Paap, Irwin R. Supernaw
  • Patent number: 4207450
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously monitoring the concentration of oil in a stream f water meters carbon tetrachloride through a first infrared analyzer to generate a reference signal, mixes the carbon tetrachloride with a sample stream of oily water to extract the oil, then separates and passes the oil containing carbon tetrachloride through a second infrared analyzer that is zeroed by the reference signal. The sample water stream is returned to the main flow and the carbon tetrachloride is reclaimed and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John Mittleman
  • Patent number: 4164653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solvent primarily composed of a low polymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene for the extraction of an oil fraction in water and measuring the concentration of the oil fraction in water by solvent extraction in the infrared absorption method. The low polymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene contemplated as a solvent herein may be a single polymer or a mixture of polymers of different degrees of polymerization as shown in the following formulae: ##STR1## WHEREIN BOTH ATOMS REPRESENTED BY X in the first chemical formula are the same or different from each other and X is a chlorine or fluorine atom, and n is 2 or 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignees: Horiba, Ltd., Daikin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Syozo Matumoto, Mitsuhiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 4103162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuously measuring the concentration of oil in a water sample by the infra-red absorption method. The apparatus comprises a supplying device which supplies an oil-containing water sample and a supplying device which supplies a solvent for extracting the oil in the sample, each of said water sample and solvent being supplied in a controlled and continuous amount, an extractor connected to said supplying device having an agitator therein, which extractor receives said oil-containing water sample and solvent and serves to extract the oil component in the water sample with the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michinori Iwamoto, Toshiyuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 4084091
    Abstract: The approximate concentration of a carburetor additive in a motor fuel is determined by a paper chromatographic method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Stephen P. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4057721
    Abstract: An oil-contaminated water stream is monitored by continuously exciting and measuring fluorescence in the stream at a monitoring point and producing a continuous monitoring indication accordingly, recurrently withdrawing from the stream samples of the contaminated water, determining the oil content of each sample by an infra-red absorption procedure, comparing each oil determination with the monitoring indication pertaining to the appropriate part of the stream and correcting or recalibrating the monitoring indication accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Bailey Meter & Controls Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Michael deVial, Philip Maurice Taylor
  • Patent number: 4034219
    Abstract: Oil and/or other material on the walls of a sample tube of an oil-in-water monitoring device is washed with a cleaning solution. In operation, a water sample is directed into the sample cell. Ultra-violet light is directed through the sample tube to the water sample. A detector detects energy emanating from the sample tube characteristic of oil. Valve means channels the cleaning solution through the sample tube to remove oil and/or other material that has accumulated on the walls of the sample tube. The valve means may be operated manually or by a programmable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester Richard Louden, Clement Auguston Blessington, Jerry Lon Beatty
  • Patent number: 3961187
    Abstract: A method of determining the presence of hydrocarbon seeps in the sea from an aircraft or other moving vehicle wherein an intense beam of light from an artificial source such as a laser is directed towards the sea and reflections and/or bioluminescence attributable to said beam occurring in the near surface of the sea are observed in the vehicle. Means is provided for discriminating between responses attributable to reflections from the surface of the sea and reflections and/or bioluminescence occurring below the surface of the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: Barringer Research Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Rene Barringer
  • Patent number: 3947125
    Abstract: In analysing a sample by atomic absorption or atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, the cloud of free atoms which interact with incident radiation is produced by heating a graphite body, disposed below the interaction region, on which the sample has been deposited. The body is heated in an inert atmosphere by passing electric current through it. Compact forms of apparatus which may replace the burner system of a conventional spectrometer utilise a horizontally disposed graphite rod around which flows a stream of inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Summers West