Radioactive radiation-type fluid interface detection system

Claim 2

Interface sensing apparatus for use and in combination with a closed vessel containing at least two interfaces between three superimposed liquid phases in direct mutual contact, said phases including an upper hydrocarbon phase, an intermediate mineral acid-hydrocarbon emulsion phase and a lower mineral acid phase, which apparatus comprises:

Claim 3

A substantially vertical conduit supported within the vessel and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior of the vessel, at least that portion of the conduit which is within the vessel being imperforate and fluid-tight; 2. a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel; 3. a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom; 4. drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector meAns in parallel paths of travel; 5. control means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and, 6. readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 4

A substantially vertical conduit supported within the vessel and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior of the vessel, at least that portion of the conduit which is within the vessel being imperforate and fluid-tight; 2. a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel; 3. a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom; 4. drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector meAns in parallel paths of travel; 5. control means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and, 6. readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 5

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel;

Claim 6

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel;

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said radiation source is a capsulated point source.

Claim 8

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel;

Claim 9

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardly through the conduit and a wall of the vessel;

Claim 10

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardLy through the conduit and a vertical wall of the vessel;

Claim 11

a vertically translatable radiation source within said conduit arranged to emit radiation outwardLy through the conduit and a vertical wall of the vessel;

Claim 12

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 13

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 14

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 15

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of the vessel and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept transmitted radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in tht said radiation source comprises radium.

Claim 17

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of said vertical wall and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 18

a vertically translatable radiation detector means disposed exteriorly of said vertical wall and substantially horizontally of said source in a position to intercept radiation emitted therefrom;

Claim 19

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector means in parallel paths of travel;

Claim 20

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector means in parallel paths of travel;

Claim 21

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector meAns in parallel paths of travel;

Claim 22

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector meAns in parallel paths of travel;

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in the provision of detector guide means disposed along the exterior of said vessel and engaging said detector means for preventing movement of said detector means in all directions except along its path of travel.

Claim 24

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector means in parallel paths of travel independent of changes in interface level;

Claim 25

drive means coupled to said source and to said detector means for synchronously raising and lowering the source and detector means in parallel paths of travel independent of changes in interface level;

Claim 26

means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and

Claim 27

means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and

Claim 28

control means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and,

Claim 29

control means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and,

Claim 30

detector guide means disposed along the exterior of said vertical wall and engaging said detector means for preventing movement of said detector means in all directions except along its path of travel;

Claim 31

detector guide means disposed along the exterior of said vertical wall and engaging said detector means for preventing movement of said detector means in all directions except along its path of travel;

Claim 32

Interface sensing apparatus, for use and in combination with a closed cylindrical vessel containing at least two interfaces between three superimposed liquid phases in direct mutual contact, said phases including an upper hydrocarbon phase, an intermediate mineral acid-hydrocarbon emulsion phase and a lower mineral acid phase, which apparatus comprises:

Claim 33

Interface sensing apparatus, for use and in combination with a closed cylindrical vessel containing at least two interfaces between three superimposed liquid phases in direct mutual contact, said phases including an upper hydrocarbon phase, an intermediate mineral acid-hydrocarbon emulsion phase and a lower mineral acid phase, which apparatus comprises:

Claim 34

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 35

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 36

means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and

Claim 37

means connected to said drive means operative to cause said source and detector means to periodically traverse at least a portion of the height of said vessel including the two planes of contact between said three phases and independently of the elevation of said planes of contact; and

Claim 38

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 39

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said vertical tubular conduit is centered on a line parallel to and radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis of said cylindrical vessel.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said vertical tubular conduit extends through the lower endwall of said vessel to the exterior thereof.

Claim 42

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 43

readout means electrically coupled to said detector means.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that the lower end portion of said vertical tubular conduit is enclosed by a lead shield.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said radiation source is a capsulated point source.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said radiation source comprises radium.

Claim 47

Interface sensing apparatus, for use and in combination with a closed vertically elongated cylindrical vessel containing at least three superimposed liquid phases in direct mutual contact, said phases including an upper hydrocarbon phase, an intermediate mineral acid-hydrocarbon emulsion phase and a lower mineral acid phase, which apparatus comprises:

Claim 48

Interface sensing apparatus, for use and in combination with a closed vertically elongated cylindrical vessel containing at least three superimposed liquid phases in direct mutual contact, said phases including an upper hydrocarbon phase, an intermediate mineral acid-hydrocarbon emulsion phase and a lower mineral acid phase, which apparatus comprises:

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that said vertical tubular conduit extends through the lower endwall of said vessel to the exterior thereof.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that the lower end portion of said conduit is enclosed by a lead shield.