Device and method for detecting deposition on an inner surface of a pipe
US7839969B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/076
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and device for detecting mercury or other material deposits on an inner surface of an enclosed passage are provided. The device includes a detection unit that is adapted to be transported through the passage, and the detection unit includes a radiation source and an x-ray fluorescence detector. The radiation source is configured to emit a radiation emission toward the inner surface of the passage to excite a portion of the inner surface, and the x-ray fluorescence detector is configured to detect a resulting x-ray emission from the portion of the inner surface to identify a material deposit on the inner surface. The detection unit can identify material deposits at successive positions along a length of the passage and thereby generate a plurality of data points, each data point providing an indication of a material deposit existence for a corresponding position along the length of the passage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.