US3831085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reactor vessel lining testing method and apparatus
Assignee: F Hoffmann La Roche AG
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Filing: 1973-04-12
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Protectively lined reactor vessels may be monitored for lining damage by measuring the potential which develops between a tantalum reference electrode and any exposed steel resulting from lining damage. The reference electrode is preferably tantalum which is insulated in part to insure that it is not grounded to the vessel. The reference electrode is connected to a voltmeter which in turn is connected to the conductive reactor body to complete the passive DC electrical circuit. A background potential is normally observed even in a vessel having no lining damage. The presence of damage in the lining causes a substantial increase in the observed potential.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kratavil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/20; G01N27/205; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/02; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/02; B01J2219/0204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A protective lining fault detecting system useful in conjunction with a reaction vessel provided with one or more tantalum plugs and having a non-conductive, protective lining which vessel contains a corrosive electrolytic reaction medium and having external structural walls formed of electrically conductive materials said system comprising: a metallic, corrosion resistant electrode means insulatedly mounted within said vessel and in conductive contact with said medium; a passive electrical DC circuit comprising circuit parameter measuring means having one terminal connected to said electrode and the other terminal to the electrically conductive walls of said vessel; wherein a fault within said protective lining results in a substantial change in the circuit parameters measured by said circuit parameter measuring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A protective lining fault detecting system useful in conjunction with a reaction vessel provided with one or more tantalum plugs and having a non-conductive, protective lining which vessel contains a corrosive electrolytic reaction medium and having external structural walls formed of electrically conductive materials said system comprising: a metallic, corrosion resistant electrode means insulatedly mounted within said vessel and in conductive contact with said medium; a passive electrical DC circuit comprising circuit parameter measuring means having one terminal connected to said electrode and the other terminal to the electrically conductive walls of said vessel; wherein a fault within said protective lining results in a substantial change in the circuit parameters measured by said circuit parameter measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said metal electrode means comprises a tantalum electrode and said circuit parameter measuring means comprises a millivolt meter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of cLaim 1 wherein a resistor shunt is employed across asid terminals.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of determining faults during operation in a non-conductive protective lining of a reaction vessel provided with one or more tantalum plugs and having structural outer walls of electrically conductive materials wherein said reaction vessel contains a corrosive electrolytic reaction medium which method comprises: introducing an insulated metallic, corrosion resistant electrode into the interior of said vessel and into conductive contact with, said medium; providing a passive electrical DC circuit between said electrode and the electrically conductive walls of said vessel and monitoring changes in the circuit parameters within said passive electrical DC circuit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of determining faults during operation in a non-conductive protective lining of a reaction vessel provided with one or more tantalum plugs and having structural outer walls of electrically conductive materials wherein said reaction vessel contains a corrosive electrolytic reaction medium which method comprises: introducing an insulated metallic, corrosion resistant electrode into the interior of said vessel and into conductive contact with, said medium; providing a passive electrical DC circuit between said electrode and the electrically conductive walls of said vessel and monitoring changes in the circuit parameters within said passive electrical DC circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said metallic electrode is a tantalum electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said electrolytic reaction medium comprises a strong mineral acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said circuit parameter being monitored is the voltage between said metallic electrode and said electrically conductive walls of said vessel.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |