Patent US3873271A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873271A
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Method and apparatus for detecting free water in hydrocarbon fuels
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of free water in hydrocarbons in which the water reacts with freshly ground fuchsia dye and calcium carbonate having an average particle size of less than 10 microns and a surface area of 5-8 square meters per gram. The reagents are prepackaged in an evacuated glass vial. A sample of the hydrocarbon is admitted to the interior of the evacuated vial by a cannula mounted in a special receptacle adapted to receive the vial. The sample is drawn into the vial by the vacuum and reacts with the dye and carbonate to indicate the presence or absence of free water in the hydrocarbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale A Young
- 👤 Alfred H Miller
- 👤 Jr John F Coburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N31/00; G01N31/22; G01N31/222; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2835; G01N33/2847
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
AN APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF FREE WATER IN HYDROCARBONS WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION: A. AN EVACUATED TUBE CONTAINING CHAMICALS SENSITIVE TO THE PRESENCE OF SAID FREE WATER, SAID TUBE BEING CLOSED AT ONE END AND SEALED AT THE OTHER END BY A PIERCEABLE CLOSURE TO MAINTAIN SAID VACUUM; B. A RECEPTACLE MEANS FOR RECEIVING SAID TUBE OF (A);
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
AN APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF FREE WATER IN HYDROCARBONS WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION: A. AN EVACUATED TUBE CONTAINING CHAMICALS SENSITIVE TO THE PRESENCE OF SAID FREE WATER, SAID TUBE BEING CLOSED AT ONE END AND SEALED AT THE OTHER END BY A PIERCEABLE CLOSURE TO MAINTAIN SAID VACUUM; B. A RECEPTACLE MEANS FOR RECEIVING SAID TUBE OF (A);
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a container for a sample of said hydrocarbons adapted to receive said tube receptacle means whereby said cannula is enabled to admit hydrocarbons from said container into said tube as urged by the vacuum therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means is a cylidner open at both ends and having a transverse partition intermediate said ends for mounting said cannula whereby said cannula serves as a passageway through said partition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein one of said cylinder ends extends beyond the inlet end of said cannula, thereby preventing said cannula from touching the bottom of said container when said receptacle is inserted therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cylindrical wall adjacent the inlet end of said cannula contains openings in the sides thereof to admit said hydrocarbon sample when said receptacle is in contact with the bottom of said container and thereby to prevent sampling from the bottom of said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chemicals for detecting the pressure of free water comprise: a. a finely-divided anhydrous solid having a surface area of 5-8m2/gm selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, barium carbonate, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and combinations thereof; b. freshly ground fuchsia dye having a particle size between 44 and 74 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of said solid to fuchsia dye is within the range of 20:1 to 10,000:1.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for detecting free moisture in hydrocarbons comprising: a. obtaining a sample of said hydrocarbons in a container; b. placing in said container a receptacle for receiving a means for withdrawing a portion of said sample, said receptacle being adapted to receive an evacuated sample vial containing moisture sensitive chemical reagents, said sample vial being closed at one end and sealed at the other end with a pierceable closure; c. piercing said closure with a cannula mounted on said receptacle and admitting a portion of said hydrocarbon through said cannula into said vial as urged by the vacuum therein; d. reacting said hydrocarbon portion drawn into said vial with said moisture sensitive chemical reagents and thereby producing a color proportional to the free water present in said hydrocarbon portion; e. comparing the color produced in said hydrocarbon portion drawn into said vial with known standards and thereby determining the amount of free water contained in said hydrocarbon portion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for detecting free moisture in hydrocarbons comprising: a. obtaining a sample of said hydrocarbons in a container; b. placing in said container a receptacle for receiving a means for withdrawing a portion of said sample, said receptacle being adapted to receive an evacuated sample vial containing moisture sensitive chemical reagents, said sample vial being closed at one end and sealed at the other end with a pierceable closure; c. piercing said closure with a cannula mounted on said receptacle and admitting a portion of said hydrocarbon through said cannula into said vial as urged by the vacuum therein; d. reacting said hydrocarbon portion drawn into said vial with said moisture sensitive chemical reagents and thereby producing a color proportional to the free water present in said hydrocarbon portion; e. comparing the color produced in said hydrocarbon portion drawn into said vial with known standards and thereby determining the amount of free water contained in said hydrocarbon portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said moisture sensitive chemicals comprise: a. a finely-divided anhydrous solid having a surface area of 5-8m2/gm and selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, barium carbonate, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and combinations thereof; b. freshly ground fuchsia dye having a particle size between 44 and 74 microns and in a weight ratio to said solid within the range of 1:20 and 1:10,000.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A packaged liquid useful for tHe detection of free water in a liuqid hydrocarbon which comprises a mixture of: a. a finely divided anhydrous solid having a surface area of from 5 to 8 square meters per gram, said solid being selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, barium carbonate, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and mixtures thereof; and b. freshly ground fuchsia dye having a particle size between 44 and 74 microns; the weight ratio of said dye to said solid being within the range of 1:20 to 1:10,000; said mixture having been both prepared and sealed off from contact with moisture and air at the time of grinding said dye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A packaged liquid useful for tHe detection of free water in a liuqid hydrocarbon which comprises a mixture of: a. a finely divided anhydrous solid having a surface area of from 5 to 8 square meters per gram, said solid being selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, barium carbonate, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and mixtures thereof; and b. freshly ground fuchsia dye having a particle size between 44 and 74 microns; the weight ratio of said dye to said solid being within the range of 1:20 to 1:10,000; said mixture having been both prepared and sealed off from contact with moisture and air at the time of grinding said dye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Packaged composition as defined by claim 10 wherein said mixture is maintained in a vacuum.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |