Patent · US Expired

Detecting substances in drinking water reservoirs

US7119891B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
1References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 21, 2004
Grant dateOct 10, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 3, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2021/6421
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The optical properties of water impounded in reservoirs such as large tanks with closed covers and in uncovered reservoirs are monitored to detect harmful substances. The system and method comprises illuminating the water with an artificial light source within the enclosure for monitoring of the reservoir. Radiance and irradiance fluxes are measured by one or more multiband radiometers. Changes in radiance and irradiance are used to calculate spectral attenuation coefficients of the water. Fluorescence spectra are measured. A computer look-up table of known absorption and emission spectra is compared to the spectral attenuation to determine if a substance has been detected.

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