Electrostatic varnish and precursor detection in lubricants

US10942161B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Walter D. Vann · Nazareth, US
• Kathleen K. Cooper
• Spyridon KORRES · Hamburg, DE
• Samuel Flores-Torres · Burlington, US
• Bhaskar Prabhakar · Houston, US
• Erik Herz · Ithaca, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 6, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 9, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10N2030/72
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods are provided for in-situ detection of varnish and/or deposit precursors in a lubricant in a lubricating environment. An electrostatic accumulator can be used within a lubricating environment to enhance accumulation of varnish and/or deposit precursors on portions of the electrostatic accumulator. The deposits accumulated on the electrostatic accumulator can then be characterized in-situ. The potential difference across portions of the electrostatic accumulator can cause an enhanced rate of deposit accumulation on the electrostatic accumulator, which can facilitate characterization of the tendency of a lubricant to accumulate deposits in the lubricating environment.