Method and device for detecting odorants in hydrocarbon gases
US9581574B2 · kind B2 · utility
12Cited by
9References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/0426
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is disclosed for use in a hand-held detection device for detecting the presence of an odorant in hydrocarbon gaseous fuels. The odorant is a thiol-based compound, such as ethanethiol. The QCM is coated with a coating typically containing a reagent that specifically reacts with the thiol of the odorant and alters its oscillation frequency as a result of mass gained in the reaction. Signal measurement and processing circuitry is provided for monitoring the change in oscillation frequency, for nulling out the effect of interfering compounds, and for reporting out the result.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.