US3614433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for determining the amount of free water in hydrocarbons
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1969-11-17
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the amount of water above the saturation value in a hydrocarbon liquid, such as a jet fuel, includes passing a known quantity of liquid having an unknown quantity of undissolved water through a test element having a sensitive area, which will fluoresce in the presence of ultraviolet light in proportion to the amount of undissolved water collected by the sensitive area. The test element and a standard element having a known fluorescent intensity are subjected to the ultraviolet light, whereupon the intensity of the ultraviolet light striking the surface of one of these elements is varied to match its fluorescent intensity with the reflected fluorescent intensity of the other of the elements. Thus, the intensity level of the varied fluorescent light can be correlated to a known predetermined quantity of undissolved water in the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A Caldwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid is jet fuel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the intensity consists of reducing the intensity of the ultraviolet light striking said standard element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the intensity consists of increasing the intensity of the ultraviolet light striking the test element.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for determining the quantity of free water in a jet fuel comprising the steps of passing a known quantity of fuel having an unknown quantity of free water through a test element having a sensitive portion which will fluoresce in the presence of ultraviolet light in proportion to the amount of free water upon said portion, subjecting the test element and a standard element having a fluorescent intensity representative of a known predetermined amount of free water to ultraviolet light and varying the intensity of the ultraviolet light striking the surface of said standard element to match its reflected fluorescent intensity with the reflected fluorescent intensity of the test element, while maintaining the intensity of ultraviolet light striking said test element substantially constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 5 including the further step of correlating the intensity of said ultraviolet light striking said standard element when its fluorescent intensity is matched to said test element to a known predetermined quantity of free water in said liquid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for determining the amount of water above the saturation value in a liquid, such as a hydrocarbon liquid, comprising the steps of providing at least one source of ultraviolet light having a uniform intensity output level, placing in operable relation adjacent said source of ultraviolet light a test element having a sensitive portion which will fluoresce in the presence of ultravioLet light in proportion to the amount of undissolved water collected by said sensitive portion, placing in operable relation adjacent said source of ultraviolet light a standard element having a fluorescent intensity representative of a known predetermined amount of undissolved water, passing a known quantity of liquid through the test element, varying the intensity of said ultraviolet light striking one of said elements to match its reflected fluorescent intensity with the reflected fluorescent intensity of the other of said elements, while maintaining the intensity of the ultraviolet light striking the other of said elements substantially constant and providing a diaphragm for correlating the intensity of the varied ultraviolet light at the point of matched reflected fluorescent intensity to said known predetermined quantity of undissolved water, whereby there is obtained an exact quantitative indication of the amount of undissolved water in said liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |