Method and apparatus for separating oil and water and measuring the amount of oil
US4313086A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1979 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/1833
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of measuring relatively small amounts of hydrocarbon oil contained in water, or other immiscible liquids including mixing a solvent and a conductivity additive with the oil and water or immiscible liquid, hereinafter termed "water" as it will be the most prevalent use, to form a mixture. The solvent is water rejecting and extracts the oil from the water. A method of producing a chemo-conductivity additive to render the electrically non-conductive oil of the mixture electrically conductive without rendering the solvent conductive or adding to any existing water conductivity. The amount of oil is electronically ascertained by measuring the conductivity of an electrical current passed through the mixture after the oil has been rendered conductive. A novel apparatus is provided to perform the process. The apparatus comprises all the elements for carrying out the process including a separating funnel, measuring beaker, electrode assembly, electronics assembly and both analog and digital displays. In particular, the unique electrode assembly is specially designed to enable conductivity measurement of the electrically conductive-rendered oil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.