Method for the measurement of the reactive molecular species in liquid petroleum and liquid petroleum products

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the direct measurement of corrosive sulfur and other corrosive compounds is provided. The method and apparatus of the current invention provides a rapid, reliable and cost effective method to directly measure the content of corrosive compounds in various fluids, and in particular liquid petroleum and liquid petroleum products such as gasoline. The apparatus can be retrofit to existing analyzers where they exist, or easily installed in locations that require such analysis.

Description

1.0 CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This invention relates and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 815,843, filed on Jun. 23, 2006, entitled “Method For The Measurement Of Reactive Molecular Species In Liquid Petroleum And Liquid Petroleum Products”.2.0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]2.1 Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to the detection of reactive molecular species of a chemical element in liquids. More particularly the invention relates to a method and apparatus to detect and quantify reactive molecular species containing a chemical element, such as reactive molecular species containing sulfur, that are potentially present in a liquid, such as gasoline, and react with a material to which the liquid may be exposed, such as silver.[0004]2.2 Description of Related Art[0005]Copper, silver, brass and other “soft metal” alloys are susceptible to corrosion from reactive sulfur molecules. The occasional presence of reactive sulfur ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The method and apparatus of the current invention provide a rapid, reliable and cost effective means to directly measure reactive molecular species of a chemical element contained in a defined liquid that will react with a defined target material. Suitable reactive molecular species include, in particular, reactive molecular species of sulfur such as elemental sulfur and hydrogen sulfide. Suitable liquids include, in particular, liquid petroleum and liquid petroleum products. Suitable target materials include, in particular, metals such as silver.

[0013]The method and apparatus are particularly well suited to on-line measurement of reactive molecular species of sulfur, that react with metals contained in fuels such as ultra low sulfur gasoline and diesel fuel, at sites that practice simultaneous blending and release (SBR). However, neither the method nor the apparatus are solely limited to measuring reactive sulfur species in fuels and both can easily be adapted to measure different reactive molecular species in any number of liquids.

Problems solved by technology

However, neither the method nor the apparatus are solely limited to measuring reactive sulfur species in fuels and both can easily be adapted to measure different reactive molecular species in any number of liquids.

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