Patent · US Expired

Device and method for passively measuring fluid and target chemical mass fluxes in natural and constructed non-porous fluid flow system

US7284448B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
27References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 16, 2004
Grant dateOct 23, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2030/009
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the fluid flux and the target chemical mass fluxes in fluid flow systems is provided comprising the use of a body or shell that is inserted into the flow field. Inside or outside this body is a bundle of one or more permeable sorptive columns. The extremes of each column are hydraulically connected to the outside flow field around the body of the device through a pair of small openings in the body. The known non-uniform flow velocity distribution around the body of the invention causes a pressure difference between pairs of openings used to connect internal or external column units. A preferred shape of the body is a hydrofoil. Alternatively, instantaneous measurement of the fluid flux and contaminant composition is possible using pressure transducers and a chemical sensor. The method of monitoring comprises placing the invention in contact with the contaminated flow field, thereby allowing target chemicals in the fluid to be transported through internal column units and be sorbed on the insoluble sorbent matrix. The permeable sorptive column unit is then removed and the sorptive matrix is analyzed directly or visually …

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