Patent US4579457A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4579457A
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Apparatus for measuring optically and continuously the hydrocarbon content in a liquid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-03-14
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2004-03-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a process and apparatus for measuring, optically and continuously, the hydrocarbon content in a liquid. An apparatus according to the invention is placed on board an oil tanker comprising a partition which separates a front compartment of inherent safety from a rear compartment. A continuous sample of deballast water from the tanks is taken via a conduit. This sample is clarified in a centrifuge, driven by a motor, which eliminates the particles in suspension. The liquid leaving the centrifuge is emulsified then it passes into an optical measuring cell comprising two optical fibers which connect the cell to an electronic cabinet placed in the rear compartment. One application of the invention is the monitoring of the hydrocarbon content of the deballast water in oil tankers.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic Guigues
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N33/1826; G01N33/1833; G01N21/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In an optical apparatus for continuously measuring the hydrocarbon content in a liquid, particularly deballast water in oil tankers containing particles in suspension, said apparatus being of the type comprising means for continuously sampling a quantity of said liquid, and an optical measuring cell equipped with a light source and a light receiver between which said quantity of said liquid circulates, the improvement which comprises a centrifuge disposed upstream of said measuring cell, which centrifuge comprises a bowl driven in rotation at high speed about a vertical axis and a truncated convergent portion topping said bowl, and a fixed chamber which collects all liquid emerging from said bowl, and includes at least one outlet, said truncated convergent portion defining an open neck which opens into said fixed chamber, and an emulsifier which mixes hydrocarbons and water contained in said liquid, and which is connected to said at least one outlet of said fixed chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In an optical apparatus for continuously measuring the hydrocarbon content in a liquid, particularly deballast water in oil tankers containing particles in suspension, said apparatus being of the type comprising means for continuously sampling a quantity of said liquid, and an optical measuring cell equipped with a light source and a light receiver between which said quantity of said liquid circulates, the improvement which comprises a centrifuge disposed upstream of said measuring cell, which centrifuge comprises a bowl driven in rotation at high speed about a vertical axis and a truncated convergent portion topping said bowl, and a fixed chamber which collects all liquid emerging from said bowl, and includes at least one outlet, said truncated convergent portion defining an open neck which opens into said fixed chamber, and an emulsifier which mixes hydrocarbons and water contained in said liquid, and which is connected to said at least one outlet of said fixed chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an optical apparatus for continuously measuring the hydrocarbon content in a liquid, particularly deballast water in oil tankers containing particles in suspension, said apparatus being of the type comprising means for continuously sampling a quantity of said liquid and an optical measuring cell equipped with a light source and a light receiver between which said quantity of said liquid circulates, the improvement which comprises a centrifuge disposed upstream of said measuring cell, which centrifuge comprises a bowl driven in rotation at high speed about a vertical axis, a truncated convergent portion defining an open neck which tops said bowl, and fixed deflectors contained in said neck, and being placed across said neck to define therebetween centripetal conduits having inlet orifices located on the periphery of said deflectors so that rotating liquid flowing out of said bowl penetrates through said inlet orifices into said centripetal conduits to be finely emulsified therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an optical apparatus for continuously measuring the hydrocarbon content in a liquid, particularly deballast water in oil tankers containing particles in suspension, said apparatus being of the type comprising means for continuously sampling a quantity of said liquid and an optical measuring cell equipped with a light source and a light receiver between which said quantity of said liquid circulates, the improvement which comprises a centrifuge disposed upstream of said measuring cell, which centrifuge comprises a bowl driven in rotation at high speed about a vertical axis, a truncated convergent portion defining an open neck which tops said bowl, and fixed deflectors contained in said neck, and being placed across said neck to define therebetween centripetal conduits having inlet orifices located on the periphery of said deflectors so that rotating liquid flowing out of said bowl penetrates through said inlet orifices into said centripetal conduits to be finely emulsified therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
The improved apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measuring cell comprises two diametrically opposite channels, two chambers each of which communicates with a respective one of said channels, a first blind bore into which said liquid flows and which is placed in communication with said two chambers by said channels, respectively, two transparent cases each of which terminates in a spherical cap located in a respective one of said two chambers opposite the opening of a respective one of said channels, and two optical fibers which are placed in said two transparent cases, respectively, and in alignment with said channels, and of which one connects said measuring cell to said light source and the other connects said measuring cell to said light receiver, said light receiver comprising a photoelectric receiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a second blind bore which lies in alignment with said first blind bore, and conduits communicating said two chambers with said second blind bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |