Abstract An apparatus for measuring the sulfur content of hydrocarbons by detecting the dose of gamma-rays which penetrate through a hydrocarbon whose sulfur content is to be determined. A first counting means is provided for counting the dose of gamma-rays which penetrates through the hydrocarbon whose sulfur content is to be measured, a second counting means for counting the number of pulses which have a constant period which are generated from a pulse generator and a display means which directly displays the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon. The first counting means and the second counting means both begin to count simultaneously and both stop simultaneously when the value counted by the first counting means reaches a preset value which is required to display the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon to be measured with n decimal figures of accuracy. The sulfur content is provided by the count in the second counter and is displayed by the display means to thereby enable the sulfur content to be directly read.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said gamma-rays emitted from said radiation source have an energy substantially in the range between 13 Kev to 29 Kev.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, in which a subtracting circuit is connected between said second counting means and said display means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
368 words
An apparatus for measuring the sulfur content of hydrocarbons comprising: a radiation source for directing gamma-rays upon a hydrocarbon the sulfur content of which is to be measured; means for detecting the portion of said gamma-rays which penetrates through said hydrocarbon to be measured and for converting the same into corresponding electrical signals; an amplifier coupled to the output side of said detecting means; a first gate coupled to output side of said amplifier; a first counting means connected to the output side of said first gate for counting the portion of gamma-rays which have penetrated through said hydrocarbon; a pulse generator for generating pulses having a constant period; a second gate connected to the output side of said pulse generator; a second counting means connected to the output side of said second gate for counting the number of pulses generated from said pulse generator; means connected to the output side of said second counting means for displaying the sulfur content of said hydrocarbon to be measured; a gate control means for controlling said first gate and second gate, the input side of said gate control means being connected to said first counting means and second counting means through respective first switch means and second switch means and the output side of said gate control means being respectively connected to said first gate and second gate and wherein said gate control means controls said first counting means and second counting means through said first gate and second gate in such a manner that said second counting means counts said pulses from said pulse generator until said first counting means counts the portion of gamma-rays which penetrates through said hydrocarbon to be measured up to a calculated value which corresponds to a time which has been preset in said first counting means in accordance with a standard hydrocarbon whose sulfur content is known in order to obtain the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon to be measured with n decimal figures of accuracy, such that the sulfur content of said hydrocarbon to be measured is displayed on said display means when a value which relates to said preset time is subtracted from the value counted by said second counting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, in which a pulse height discriminator is connected between said amplifier and said first gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said gamma-rays emitted from said radiation source have an energy substantially in the range of 13 Kev to 29 Kev.