Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for monitoring cloud point or like transition temperature

US5088833A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
21References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 1989
Grant dateFeb 18, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N33/2811
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring the cloud point of a liquid, or the temperature at which any light scattering phase occurs therein, comprising a light-proof and light-absorbing chamber, and a liquid sample-receiving receptacle within the chamber having a bottom formed by a non-light-scattering surface; this surface being in thermal contact with a heating or cooling device, such as a thermoelectric cooler, and with a temperature measurement device. The chamber can be opened to allow access to the receptacle so that sample liquid can be placed therein. A light beam source is located to direct a beam of light onto the surface at an incident angle so that light from the beam is reflected or absorbed by the surface. A light detector including a lens and an array of detection cells is arranged so as to detect scattered light which is produced when solid material forms in the liquid as it is cooled or disappears on heating. The melting point of a solid, or the boiling point of a liquid, can be detected, in additoin to cloud points.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.