AU741819B2 - Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system - Google Patents
Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU741819B2 AU741819B2 AU80612/98A AU8061298A AU741819B2 AU 741819 B2 AU741819 B2 AU 741819B2 AU 80612/98 A AU80612/98 A AU 80612/98A AU 8061298 A AU8061298 A AU 8061298A AU 741819 B2 AU741819 B2 AU 741819B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- light
- detector
- light source
- electronic signal
- probe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/38—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using light
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
Description
WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 OPTICAL DETECTION OF ENTRAPPED GAS IN A COOLING SYSTEM Field of the Invention: The invention relates in general to the field of cooling systems and, more particularly, to pressurized cooling systems and the optical detection of leaks within such systems. Specifically, the invention relates to an optical leak detector for use in a pressurized cooling system for a gasification unit.
Background: Gasification is a partial oxidation process that generates gases from the injection of carbonaceous feed, steam, and oxygen. Feed, steam, and oxygen are injected into io the gasification chamber through a feed-injector. Typically, the feed-injector has a feed channel and one or two oxygen channels so that the feed remains isolated from the oxygen until exiting the feed injector at the feed-injector tip. Because gasification is an exothermic process, the temperatures within the gasification chamber typically range from approximately 2000 "F (1093 to approximately 2700 'F (1482 One knowledgeable in the art should appreciate that the operation of the gasification chamber depends upon the condition and design of the feed-injector. For example if the feedinjector tip is burned or thermally deformed, the slurry and oxygen may mix prematurely which may create inefficient operation of the unit or unsafe operating conditions. In order to reduce the likelihood of damaging the feed-injector tip, a cooling system coupled to a cooling jacket or cooling coils around the tip of the feed injector is used to keep the temperature of the feedinjector tip within a given tolerance range. The presence of a leak in the cooling system, may allow carbon monoxide, synthesis gas or other gases to enter the cooling system because the gas pressure of the reactor is significantly higher than the pressure in the cooling system. As a result of even a very fine leak, significant gas may enter the cooling system and lead to improper cooling of the feed-injector tip and poor reactor performance. Further, the presence of synthesis gas in the cooling system may lead to the build-up of hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas which in turn may lead to explosion within the cooling system. For this reason it should be recognized by one of skill in the art that a detection system to detect entrapped gas caused by leaks in the cooling system is important to the safe and efficient operation of a gasification unit.
One type of conventional gas detection system that attempts to detect leaks utilizes gas WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -2sensitive probes to monitor the presence of gases, such as carbon monoxide, air, and so forth in the cooling system. In such a system, the coolant, typically water or treated cooling water, travels through a coolant supply channel and encounters the feed-injector tip and becomes hot and in turn travels through a coolant return channel. The hot coolant is routed back to a heat exchanger where the heat is removed and the coolant is returned to the coolant supply channel for further use. A leak in the system may cause gases to be entrapped into the cooling system, especially if the leak occurs at the feed injector. When gas is entrapped in the cooling system, the gas bubbles can be caused to naturally float upward into a leak detection channel which is an alternative branch of the return channel. Ideally the amount of gas is detected by a gas sensor io located at a high point or at the top of the leak detection channel. In the presence of gas, the gas sensor generates an electronic signal that could be routed to a control system; the control system could activate an alarm if the amount of gas present indicates that a leak has occurred within the cooling system and corrective action may be taken.
Under ideal circumstances, such a gas detection system would detect a leak in the coolant system before the feed-injector tip becomes damaged. In reality, the above described gas detection system has difficulty detecting a leak because it is extremely difficult to remove all of the gas from the cooling system. Thus, it is not uncommon that the gas sensor becomes saturated even when there are no leaks in the cooling system. One of skill in the art should understand that the saturation of the gas sensor makes the detection of gas entrapped by leaks in the cooling system very difficult.
Alternatively one can carefully monitor the pH of the coolant for changes that may be due to the entrapment of gas and thus leaks. However, the use of such a system is limited to situations in which acidic gas, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc.. are being entrapped in the cooling system. An additional limitation is that coolant solutions, especially aqueous coolants, are often treated with basic compounds so as to minimize corrosion. One of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the entrapped acidic gases may react with the corrosion prevention treatments and thus the leak may go undetected for a considerable amount of time.
Thus, it would be beneficial to have an apparatus and method for detecting leaks in a 3 cooling system that is capable of overcoming the shortcomings of conventional detection methods.
Summary of the Invention: The present invention is generally directed to an optical gas detector for use in cooling systems, particularly cooling systems associated with a gasification unit.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an optical leak detector for a pressurised cooling system, the cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak including: a light source, the light source being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber connecting the light source to a first 6 15 probe, and the first probe being functionally effective to transmit light; oa light detector, the light detector being oooo o: coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical oo fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive 0: light from the light source; a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the light detector, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in S• 25 response to the light emitted by the light source and g.
received by the light detector, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector; and a control system for receiving the adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device, the control system functionally responding to the electronic signal to provide an indication of at least one leak in the pressurised cooling system.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides an optical leak detector for a low-pressure H: I sabelFl\Spec i \36256 .doc cooling system, the low-pressure cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak detector including: a light source, the light source being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber connecting the light source to a first probe, and the first probe being functionally effective to transmit light; a light detector, the light detector being coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive light from the light source; an escape tube, the escape tube being operatively 15 coupled to the coolant channel and functionally effective to receive coolant and any entrapped bubbles from the coolant channel, the escape tube being positioned between the first and the second probes; e• a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the light detector, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to light emitted by the light source and received by the light detector, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in V 25 the coolant across an optical path formed between the S. light source and the light detector; and a control system for receiving the adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device, the control system functionally responding to the electronic signal to provide an indication of at least one leak in the lowpressure cooling system.
The detection of the leak is due to the variability of the adjusted electronic signal with traversal of a gas bubble across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector.
Preferably, at least one of the probes is selected from the group consisting of a high-pressure \B I S i\iloe \I sabe I H\S: c i 3 62 56 doc 3b probe, a high-temperature probe and a high-pressure hightemperature probe. More preferably, at least one of the probes is a sapphire probe. The light source may be a coherent light source or it may be a collimated light source that is not coherent. The light detector may be selected from the group including a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a chargedcoupled device. Preferably, the conversion device includes an amplifier coupled to the first light detector, the amplifier being functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the light detector; and a transducer coupled to the amplifier, the transducer being functionally effective to receive the electronic signal from the amplifier and generate the adjusted electronic S: "15 signal for the control system.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides o an optical leak detector for a high-pressure cooling o system, the cooling system including at least one coolant oooo channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak detector including: a first light source, the first light source
C
being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the -ofirst optical fiber connecting the first light source to a first probe, and the first probe being functionally oo•• S• 25 effective to transmit light; o a first light detector, the first light detector being coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the first light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive light from the first light source; a second light source, the second light source being operatively coupled to a third optical fiber, the third optical fiber connecting the second light source to a third probe, and the third probe being functionally effective to transmit light; a second light detector, the second light detector being coupled to a fourth optical fiber, the \\BR IS1\ homeS\ I sabeli Spec i \3626 .doc 3c fourth optical fiber connecting the second light detector to a fourth probe, and the fourth probe being functionally effective to receive light from the second light source; a channel pipe, the channel pipe defining the coolant channel, the channel pipe having four threaded orifices, and the threaded orifices being operatively coupled to the probes; a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the both the first and the second light detectors, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to light emitted by the light sources and received by the light detectors, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an 15 optical path formed between the light sources and the light detectors; and ga control system for receiving the adjusted :oo electronic signal from the conversion device, the control oool system functionally responding to the electronic signal to provide an indication of at least one leak in the highpressure cooling system.
Preferably, the conversion device of the optical leak detector according to the third aspect of the present invention includes at least two amplifiers coupled to the first and second light detectors, the amplifiers being S. functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the first and second light detectors; an adder being functionally effective to generate a combined electronic signal in response to adding an electronic signal from the first light detector to an electronic signal from the second light detector; and a transducer coupled to the adder, the transducer being functionally effective to receive the combined electronic signal from the adder and generate the adjusted electronic signal for the control system.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for optically detecting leaks in a \B\R 1 SthoneS isab cf 1! i 3 G 2 5 6 doc 3d cooling system, the method including the steps of: transmitting light from a light source; detecting light from the light source; generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to the detected light; and analysing the adjusted electronic signal to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for optically detecting leaks in flowing coolant of a pressurised cooling system, the method including the steps of: transmitting light through the flowing coolant from a light source to a light detector; generating an adjusted electronic signal from the S: 15 light detector in response to the transmitted light, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with the traversal of a bubble in the flowing coolant ooo across an optical path formed between the light source and o the light detector; and analysing the adjusted electronic signal to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system.
Description of the Drawings: o Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with S 25 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates some of the components in a optical gas detection system in accordance with the present invention.
\BR S oneS\ I sabe I H\ Spec i 36256 .c oc WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -4- Figure 2 illustrates a exemplary embodiment of the invention for a high-pressure cooling system.
Figure 3 illustrates a conversion device used in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 illustrates another illustrative embodiment of the invention for a low-pressure cooling system.
Description of Illustrative Embodiments: Figure 1 illustrates some of the components of an optical gas detector 200 in accordance with the invention. Light source 203 is aligned with light detector 205 such that an optical path 210 is formed between them. The optical path 210 transverses a coolant channel 211, which is i0 defined by a coolant channel pipe through which coolant flows. The coolant may be any fluid that is suitable for such use including aqueous solutions in which corrosion treatment compounds have been dissolved. Light source 203 may be any type of coherent or incoherent source of electromagnetic radiation a laser or a xenon lamp). If an incoherent light source is used, it is preferred that it be collimated by conventional collimating means such as lenses or is apertures. Light detector 205 may be any type of conventional light detector a photodiode, a phototransistor, a photomultiplier tube, or a charge coupled device). Light detector 205 generates an electronic signal corresponding to the amount of light received from light source 203. Conversion device 215 converts the electronic signal received from light detector 205 into an adjusted electronic signal 4-20 mA electronic signal) which is routed to a control system 220.
If a leak develops within a cooling system, gases can enter the cooling system when the pressure of the gas is greater than the pressure of the cooling system. For example, the pressure of the gas in a gasifier reactor is much higher than the pressure in the cooling jacket or cooling coils employed to cool the feed injector tip. The presence of gas in the cooling system generate bubbles in the coolant and thus in the coolant channel. Thus, the detection of bubbles within the coolant channel can indicate the presence of a leak in the cooling system. For example, the present invention utilizes the detection of bubbles in the coolant as an early indicator of a leak in the cooling jacket or cooling coils of the feed injector tip. If bubbles are detected, the control system compares the difference between the received signal to a reference signal to determine if WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 there is a leak. If the comparison indicates a leak, the control system activates an alarm to alert operations personnel to the presence of a leak.
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention used in a high-pressure cooling system 300. High pressure as used in this application means pressures from approximately 400 to approximately 1000 psig. The high-pressure system includes channel pipe 303, power supply 305, light source 310, light source 315, detector 320, detector 325, and conversion device 340.
Channel pipe 303 encloses the coolant channel through which coolant flows in the cooling system. Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the channel pipe. The channel pipe is designed with four threaded orifices (not shown) in which the light probes, or alternatively the io light sources and detectors themselves, are connected.
A light source/light detector pair 310 and 320) are connected in opposing orifices such that they form optical path 330. Similarly, light source 315 and light detector 325 form optical path 335. Any object that traverses an optical path will scatter the light in multiple directions. One skilled in the art will realize that the number and the placement of the pairs of orifices in Figure 2 has been done for illustrative purposes.
The light sources and light detectors of Figure 2 are connected to the channel pipe via four conventional optical fibers. The interface between the channel pipe and the optical fibers are probes should be conventional connectors used for such purposes and are not shown. The probes are conventional sapphire probes that can be selected to have either a high-pressure, hightemperature, or high-pressure, high-temperature tolerance. High-temperature as used in this application relates to temperatures greater than the atmospheric boiling point of water and preferably values greater than approximately 500F (260 The use of probes and optical fibers allows the remote placement of the light sources and light detectors. However, an alternative embodiment could result from directly connecting the light sources and detectors to the channel pipe. In another alternative embodiment, a laser diode is utilized as the light source and a feedback loop including a beam-splitter and detector may be used to prevent the attenuation of the laser diode overtime. In such an arrangement, the initial laser beam generated from the laser diode is split and part is used to detect leaks while the other part is reflected back to a detector. The signal from the detector may be amplified and used in a feedback system to WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -6the laser diode power supply so as to maintain a constant intensity of light. In this manner, the attenuation of the light source overtime may be reduced. A band pass filter in front of the light detector may also be utilized in the present invention to prevent stray or scattered light from reaching the detector.
Each of the detectors detector 320 and detector 325) is connected to conversion device 340 which receives signals corresponding to the amount of light detected. Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of conversion device 340. The conversion device receives a signal from detector 320 along line 400 and a signal from detector 325 along line 405. Conversion device 340 includes amplifiers 410 and 415, adder 420, and transducer 425.
Amplifier 410 amplifies the electronic signal received from detector 320 along line 400; similarly, amplifier 415 amplifies the electronic signal received from detector 325 along line 405. The two amplified signals are sent to adder 420. Adder 420 combines the two amplified signals to generate a combined electronic signal which is routed to transducer 425. although shown with two amplifiers, one of skill in the art would understand that depending on the signal Is received from the light detectors, that less than two amplifiers may be used. The transducer generates an adjusted electronic signal a 4-20 mA signal) which can be routed to a control system (not shown). The control system can analyze the signal received from the transducer to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system. If the control system has determined that a leak is present, an appropriate alarm can be activated before the feed-injector tip becomes damaged.
Leaks in the cooling system cause bubbles to form in the coolant channel. If bubbles are present within channel pipe 303, it becomes likely that they will traverse either optical path 330 or optical path 335. When optical path 330 is unobstructed there are no bubbles in the path), the majority of the light emitted from light source 310 is received by detector 320. If bubbles traverse optical path 330, they will scatter the light emitted from light source 310.
Scattering causes the emitted light to travel in multiple directions; thus, detector 320 will receive less light because only a small portion of the light will be in the direction of detector 320.
Similar results occur when a bubble traverses optical path 335.
The detection of a smaller amount of light causes the electronic signal generated by WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -7detector 320 to be smaller. Thus, a smaller signal is amplified and a smaller signal is generated by the transducer. The difference between signals from an unobstructed optical path and signals from an obstructed optical path can be compared by a control system. If the signal differential is greater than a specified value, the bubbles indicate the presence of a leak in the cooling system.
The control system activates an alarm in response to the detection of a leak.
The previous example was given for illustrative purposes. Thus one skilled in the art will realize that both light source/light detector pairs could be used simultaneously to indicate if a leak is present in the cooling system. Simultaneous use of both light detectors 320 and 325) would provide better resolution enabling more efficient detection of a slow leak which io generates fewer bubbles.
A second embodiment of the invention which can be used in a low-pressure cooling system 500 is illustrated in Figure 4. Low pressure as defined in this application relates to pressures less than approximately 400 psig. The low-pressure system includes coolant channel 505, escape path 510, power supply 305, light source 310, light detector 320, conversion device 500, and sight tube 515.
The low-pressure system functions similarly to the high-pressure system. A portion of coolant channel 505 is shown in Figure 4 with escape path 510 which allows some fluid to leave the coolant channel. A sight tube 515 is connected to escape path 510. Light source 310 and light detector 320 are placed on opposite sides of the sight tube such that optical path 520 is formed; a portion of optical path 520 is within sight tube 515. Conversion device 500 includes an amplifier and a transducer. When the electronic signal generated by detector 320 is received by conversion device 510, the electronic signal becomes amplified and converted into an adjusted electronic signal a 4-20 mA signal) that can be received by the main control system (not shown).
Leaks in the cooling system cause bubbles to form in the coolant channel. If bubbles are present within coolant channel 505, it becomes likely that a portion of them will be within the liquid in escape path 510. Any bubbles within escape path 510 will pass through sight tube 515 and traverse optical path 520. As mentioned above, traversal of the optical path varies the amount of light received by detector 320 and alters the corresponding electronic signal WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -8generated. A control system analyzes the signal differential corresponding to the amount of light received with bubbles in the optical path to the amount of light received without bubbles in the optical path. If the signal differential is greater than a specified value, the control system activates an alarm because a leak has been detected.
The present invention uses bubbles as indicators; the detection of bubbles provide early detection of leaks in a pressurized cooling system for a gasification unit. As previously noted very small leaks within a cooling jacket or coils of a feed injector enable gas to enter the cooling system. The resulting bubbles in the coolant will significantly affect the transmission of light through the coolant. Thus, slow and/or very small leaks can be detected which results in a safer io operation of the gasification system. The present invention also allows the detection of various types of gases carbon monoxide and hydrogen) which may have entered the coolant channel through the feed-injector tip or in the synthesis gas cooling heat exchangers.
One of skill in the art would appreciate and understand, however, that the gas detection system of the present invention need no be limited to use on cooling systems associated with synthesis gas reactors. As previously noted, in any situation in which the gas surrounding the cooling coils, heat exchangers, cooling jackets, etc.. is greater than the pressure inside the cooling system, gas will be entrapped in the cooling system. Not only does the entrapment of gas in the cooling system reduce the efficiency of the cooling system, depending on the gas it may cause other safety issued to arise. Thus one of skill in the art should appreciate and understand that the gas detection system of the present invention may be used in any of these situations in which cooling systems are at a lower pressure than the surrounding gas..
In addition, the present invention does not require significant amounts of additional piping. In each of the disclosed embodiments, the invention utilizes pre-existent piping.
Finally, the components of the present invention are common and relatively inexpensive. The cost associated with the light sources and light detectors reduces the equipment cost of the cooling system by more than five percent over conventional cooling systems equipped with gas monitoring equipment.
In view of the above disclosure, one of skill in the art should appreciate that one illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an optical leak detector for use in a WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -9pressurized cooling system in which the cooling system includes at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows. The detector includes a light source, a light detector, a conversion device and a coritrol system. The light source should be operatively coupled to a first optical fiber which connects the light source to a first probe, the first probe being functionally effective s to transmit light. Preferably the light source is a coherent light source such as a laser, but it may also be a non-coherent light source that is collimated to form a beam of light. The light detector should be coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe which should be functionally effective to receive light from the light source.
Preferably the probes may be selected from a group including a high-pressure probe, a highi0 temperature probe and a high-pressure high-temperature probe, more preferably the probe may be a sapphire probe resistant to high pressure and temperature and the other properties of the coolant. The light detector may be selected from the group including a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a charged-coupled device. The conversion device should be operatively coupled to the light detector. The conversion device generates an adjusted i s electronic signal in response to the light emitted by the light source and received by the light detector. The adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector. In one preferred embodiment, the conversion device includes an amplifier coupled to the first light detectors, the amplifier being functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the light detectors. The conversion devise further includes a transducer coupled to the amplifier, the transducer should be functionally effective to receive the electronic signal from amplifier and generate the adjusted electronic signal for the control system. The adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device is received by the control system which functionally responds to the electronic signal to provide an indication of a leak in the cooling system.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an optical leak detector for a low-pressure cooling system, the low-pressure cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows. The optical leak detector includes a light source, a light detector, an escape tube, a conversion device and a control system. The light source should be operatively coupled to a first optical fiber which connects the light source to a first probe which WO 98/55849 PCTIUS98/I 1793 is functionally effective to transmit light. Preferably the light source should be a coherent light source, however it may also be a non-coherent light source which has been collimated. The light detector should be coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe. The second probe should be functionally effective to receive light s from the light source and transmit it to the light detector. Preferably, the light detector should be selected from the group including a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a charged-coupled device. The escape tube is coupled to the cooling channel and functionally effective to receive coolant and any entrapped bubbles from the coolant channel. Further the escape tube should be positioned between the first and the second probes and intersecting at least io part of the optical path formed between the two probes. Preferably the escape tube is a high-pressure sight tube. The conversion device should be, operatively coupled to the light detector, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to light emitted by the light source and received by the light detector. Preferably the conversion device includes an amplifier coupled to the first light detector, the amplifier should be functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the light detector; and a transducer coupled to the amplifier, the transducer should be functionally effective to receive the electronic signal from amplifier and generate the adjusted electronic signal for the control system. Because the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector, entrapped air or gas may be detected. The adjusted electronic signal is sent to the which functionally responds to the adjusted electronic signal to provide an indication of a leak in the low-pressure cooling system.
The control system may then trigger an alarm and take automated and preprogrammed corrective action as needed.
Yet another illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an optical leak detector for a high-pressure cooling system, especially such a system as used in a gasification unit. The cooling system should include at least one cooling channel through which coolant flows, however it may contain may such channels. The optical leak detector of the present illustrative embodiment includes: a first light source, a first light detector, a second light source, a second light detector, a channel pipe, which defines the cooling channel, a conversion device and a WO 98/55849 PCTIUS98/I 1793 -11 control system. The first light source should be operatively coupled to a first optical fiber which connects the first light source to a first probe, the first probe being functionally effective to transmit light. The first light detector should be coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the first light detector to a second probe, the second probe being s functionally effective to receive light from the first light source. The first light source is optically coupled to the first light detector by an optical path which is created between the two within the cooling channel. The second light source should be operatively coupled to a third optical fiber which connects the second light source to a third probe. The third probe, like the first probe should be functionally effective to transmit light. The second light detector should be io coupled to a fourth optical fiber, the fourth optical fiber connecting the second light detector to a fourth probe. Like the second probe, the fourth probe should be functionally effective to receive light from the second light source. The second light source is optically coupled to the second light detector by an second optical path which is created between the two within the cooling channel. The second optical path may be parallel, perpendicular or in a different plane that the first optical path described above. The light sources may be coherent light sources such as lasers, or they may be non-coherent light sources that have been collimated into beams of light.
As previously noted, the channel pipe defines the coolant channel, but it also serves to align the light source probes with the light detection probes. Thus the channel pipe has four threaded orifices, the threaded orifices operatively coupled to the probes and aligning the probes as described above. The probes may be selected from a group consisting of a high-pressure probe, a high-temperature probe and a high-pressure high-temperature probe, but preferably the probes are sapphire probes which are capable of withstanding the high pressures and temperatures encountered. The conversion device should be operatively coupled to the both the first and the second light detector. The role of the conversion device is to generate an adjusted electronic signal in response to light emitted by the light sources and received by the light detectors. The adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across one or both of the optical paths formed between the light sources and the light detectors. Preferably the conversion device includes at least two amplifiers coupled to the first and second light detectors, the amplifiers being functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the WO 98/55849 PCT/US98/11793 -12first and second light detectors. Preferably the light detectors are selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a charged-coupled device.
The conversion device further includes an adder which should be functionally effective to generate a combined electronic signal in response to adding an electronic signal from the first light detector to an electronic signal from the second light detector. In addition the conversion device includes a transducer coupled to the adder, the transducer should be functionally effective to receive the combined electronic signal from the adder and generate the adjusted electronic signal for the control system. The control system receives the adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device and functionally responds to the electronic signal to provide an indication of io at least one leak in the high-pressure cooling system. This response may include the triggering of alarms and the automated predetermined actions needed in response.
Further, one of skill in the art should understand and appreciate that the present invention also encompasses a method of optically detecting leaks in a cooling system. Such a method includes: transmitting light from a light source; detecting light transmitted from the light source; generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to detected light; and analyzing the electronic signal to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system. Because the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector, the electronic signal may be analyzed by a control system and if necessary the control system activates an alarm indicating a leak in the cooling system. In the practice of such a method, the light source is a coherent light source or it may be an incoherent light source which has be collimated. The light detector utilized in the method may be a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, or a charged-coupled device.
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that numerous variations from the foregoing illustration will be possible without departing from the inventive concept described therein. Accordingly, it is the claims set forth below, and not merely the foregoing illustration, which are intended to define the exclusive rights claimed.
Claims (10)
1. An optical leak detector for a pressurised cooling system, the cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak including: a light source, the light source being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber connecting the light source to a first probe, and the first probe being functionally effective to transmit light; a light detector, the light detector being coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive 15 light from the light source; a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the light detector, the conversion o device generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to the light emitted by the light source and received by the light detector, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector; and a control system for receiving the adjusted S 25 electronic signal from the conversion device, the control S* system functionally responding to the electronic signal to provide an indication of at least one leak in the pressurised cooling system.
2. An optical leak detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the probes is selected from the group consisting of a high-pressure probe, a high-temperature probe and a high-pressure high- temperature probe.
3. An optical leak detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the probes is a sapphire probe.
4. An optical leak detector for a low-pressure \iii, I IhnmeS Esa IWSpec i 36256 doc- 14 cooling system, the low-pressure cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak detector including: a light source, the light source being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber connecting the light source to a first probe, and the first probe being functionally effective to transmit light; a light detector, the light detector being coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive light from the light source; an escape tube, the escape tube being operatively 15 coupled to the coolant channel and functionally effective to receive coolant and any entrapped bubbles from the coolant channel, the escape tube being positioned between o o:o the first and the second probes; a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the light detector, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in a response to light emitted by the light source and received by the light detector, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in S• 25 the coolant across an optical path formed between the o• light source and the light detector; and a control system for receiving the adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device, the control system functionally responding to the electronic signal to provide an indication of at least one leak in the low- pressure cooling system. An optical leak detector as claimed in claim 4 wherein the escape tube is a high-pressure sight tube.
6. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is a coherent light source. IS I\ i sabe ISpeci S2% .dAoc 15
7. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the light detector is selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a charged- coupled device.
8. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the conversion device includes: an amplifier coupled to the first light detector, the amplifier being functionally effective at amplifying electronic signals from the light detector; and a transducer coupled to the amplifier, the transducer being functionally effective to receive the electronic signal from the amplifier and generate the 15 adjusted electronic signal for the control system.
9. An optical leak detector for a high- pressure cooling system, the cooling system including at oooo r least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak detector including: a first light source, the first light source being operatively coupled to a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber connecting the first light source to a first probe, and the first probe being functionally "effective to transmit light; ooo S• 25 a first light detector, the first light detector being coupled to a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber connecting the first light detector to a second probe, and the second probe being functionally effective to receive light from the first light source; a second light source, the second light source being operatively coupled to a third optical fiber, the third optical fiber connecting the second light source to a third probe, and the third probe being functionally effective to transmit light; a second light detector, the second light detector being coupled to a fourth optical fiber, the I fourth optical fiber connecting the second light detector S\ r s 1 \ho;neS\ I sabeIH\Spec 36235 c
16- to a fourth probe, and the fourth probe being functionally effective to receive light from the second light source; a channel pipe, the channel pipe defining the coolant channel, the channel pipe having four threaded orifices, and the threaded orifices being operatively coupled to the probes; a conversion device, the conversion device being operatively coupled to the both the first and the second light detectors, the conversion device generating an adjusted electronic signal in response to light emitted by the light sources and received by the light detectors, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with traversal of a bubble in the coolant across an optical path formed between the light sources and the 15 light detectors; and a control system for receiving the adjusted electronic signal from the conversion device, the control system functionally responding to the electronic signal to ooeoprovide an indication of at least one leak in the high- 20 pressure cooling system. An optical leak detector as claimed in claim 9 wherein the conversion device includes: at least two amplifiers coupled to the first and oooo second light detectors, the amplifiers being functionally 25 effective at amplifying electronic signals from the first S"and second light detectors; an adder being functionally effective to generate a combined electronic signal in response to adding an electronic signal from the first light detector to an electronic signal from the second light detector; and a transducer coupled to the adder, the transducer being functionally effective to receive the combined electronic signal from the adder and generate the adjusted electronic signal for the control system. 11. An optical leak detector as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein at least one of the light sources is a coherent light source. \BR IS I\ home Isabe I I I \Spec i 3 62 5-6 .doc 17 12. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of claims 9-11 wherein at least one of the light detectors is selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube, and a charged-coupled device. 13. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of claims 9-12 wherein at least one of the probes is selected from the group consisting of a high-pressure probe, a high-temperature probe and a high-pressure high- temperature probe. 14. An optical leak detector as claimed in any one of claims 9-12 wherein at least one of the probes is a sapphire probe. An optical leak detector for a cooling 15 system, the cooling system including at least one coolant channel through which coolant flows, the optical leak detector being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16. A method for optically detecting leaks in a 20 cooling system, the method including the steps of: transmitting light from a light source; a detecting light from the light source; ~generating an adjusted electronic signal in •o0 response to the detected light; and 25 analysing the adjusted electronic signal to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system.
17. A method for optically detecting leaks in flowing coolant of a pressurised cooling system, the method including the steps of: transmitting light through the flowing coolant from a light source to a light detector; generating an adjusted electronic signal from the light detector in response to the transmitted light, wherein the adjusted electronic signal functionally varies with the traversal of a bubble in the flowing coolant across an optical path formed between the light source and the light detector; and BR IS! rsabe I H\ Spec i\36256.doC 18 analysing the adjusted electronic signal to determine if a leak is present in the cooling system. Dated this 22 ndday of October 2001 TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK 3 fS1 \hiomeS\[sabeIH\Spec\3'2563.cIoc
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US4879997P | 1997-06-06 | 1997-06-06 | |
| US60/048799 | 1997-06-06 | ||
| PCT/US1998/011793 WO1998055849A1 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1998-06-05 | Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU8061298A AU8061298A (en) | 1998-12-21 |
| AU741819B2 true AU741819B2 (en) | 2001-12-13 |
Family
ID=21956507
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU80612/98A Ceased AU741819B2 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1998-06-05 | Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0990132A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002505003A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20010013495A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1264469A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU741819B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2292561A1 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL337214A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998055849A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2847670B1 (en) * | 2002-11-26 | 2005-06-10 | Sc2N Sa | OPTICAL DETECTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GAS BUBBLES IN A LIQUID |
| CN102141499A (en) * | 2010-12-20 | 2011-08-03 | 中国石油大学(北京) | High-pressure aerosol detection conduit |
| CN102128771A (en) * | 2010-12-20 | 2011-07-20 | 中国石油大学(北京) | High-temperature aerosol detection guide tube |
| CN102539091A (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2012-07-04 | 合肥工业大学 | Filter bag breakage detector for bag type dust remover |
| CN105424331B (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2019-07-05 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | The device and method of the mechanical seal evaluation of cement sheath when for massive hydraulic fracturing |
| CN106197896B (en) * | 2016-08-10 | 2018-11-23 | 怡维怡橡胶研究院有限公司 | A kind of tube or liner layer air tightness detecting apparatus and determination of gas tightness method |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3935876A (en) * | 1974-11-15 | 1976-02-03 | Renal Systems, Inc. | Air leak detector |
| US5241368A (en) * | 1991-01-07 | 1993-08-31 | Custom Sample Systems, Inc. | Fiber-optic probe for absorbance and turbidity measurement |
| US5263361A (en) * | 1988-08-22 | 1993-11-23 | Gates Donald C | Apparatus for leak testing a fluid containing chamber utilizing a laser beam |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS56112626A (en) * | 1980-02-11 | 1981-09-05 | Toshiba Corp | Detecting device for leakage of fluid in nuclear power plant |
| JPS5755769A (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1982-04-02 | Toshiba Corp | Detector for leakage of water from water-cooled type thyristor valve |
| JPS5875041A (en) * | 1981-10-30 | 1983-05-06 | Showa Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd | Detection for leakage of water |
| JPH0311955A (en) * | 1989-06-06 | 1991-01-21 | Toshiba Corp | Cooling device |
| JPH0989422A (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1997-04-04 | Hitachi Bill Shisetsu Eng Kk | Method and apparatus for monitoring leakage of liquid enclosed in sealed circulating system |
| JPH1048064A (en) * | 1996-08-08 | 1998-02-20 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Temperature sensor of water cooling electrical equipment |
-
1998
- 1998-06-05 WO PCT/US1998/011793 patent/WO1998055849A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-06-05 EP EP98928926A patent/EP0990132A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-06-05 CA CA002292561A patent/CA2292561A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-06-05 PL PL98337214A patent/PL337214A1/en unknown
- 1998-06-05 JP JP50301799A patent/JP2002505003A/en active Pending
- 1998-06-05 KR KR1019997011501A patent/KR20010013495A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-06-05 CN CN98807307A patent/CN1264469A/en active Pending
- 1998-06-05 AU AU80612/98A patent/AU741819B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3935876A (en) * | 1974-11-15 | 1976-02-03 | Renal Systems, Inc. | Air leak detector |
| US5263361A (en) * | 1988-08-22 | 1993-11-23 | Gates Donald C | Apparatus for leak testing a fluid containing chamber utilizing a laser beam |
| US5241368A (en) * | 1991-01-07 | 1993-08-31 | Custom Sample Systems, Inc. | Fiber-optic probe for absorbance and turbidity measurement |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| PL337214A1 (en) | 2000-08-14 |
| KR20010013495A (en) | 2001-02-26 |
| EP0990132A1 (en) | 2000-04-05 |
| AU8061298A (en) | 1998-12-21 |
| CN1264469A (en) | 2000-08-23 |
| WO1998055849A1 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
| JP2002505003A (en) | 2002-02-12 |
| EP0990132A4 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
| CA2292561A1 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN109186895B (en) | Distributed passive gas transmission pipeline leakage multi-parameter fusion early warning detection device and method | |
| US6552355B1 (en) | Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system | |
| AU741819B2 (en) | Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system | |
| US11823805B2 (en) | Acousto-optic leakage monitoring system for nuclear power plant main steam pipeline | |
| CN111795829A (en) | TDLAS technology-based gas turbine combustion state parameter monitoring system | |
| CN111189592A (en) | Distributed optical fiber detection system for leakage of acidic medium conveying pipeline and detection method thereof | |
| CN111751948B (en) | Pressure self-balancing type optical lens packaging structure of deep sea instrument | |
| CN104083841A (en) | Fire prevention and control system and method for mine and underground pipe network | |
| CN113588280A (en) | System suitable for monitoring combustion state parameters of gas turbine | |
| CN107764774B (en) | Device and method for simultaneously measuring nitric oxide and ammonia in flue gas denitration | |
| MXPA99011279A (en) | Optical detection of entrapped gas in a cooling system | |
| CZ9904298A3 (en) | Optical detection of gas entrapped in a cooling system | |
| CN114607944A (en) | Natural gas pipeline leakage monitoring device and method | |
| CN209461163U (en) | Main steam line leakage monitoring system in a kind of containment | |
| CN211477522U (en) | Leakage distributed optical fiber detection system for acidic medium conveying pipeline | |
| CN209747139U (en) | Acousto-optic combined leakage monitoring system for main steam pipeline of nuclear power plant | |
| US5059383A (en) | Sodium leak detection system for liquid metal cooled nuclear reactors | |
| CN209624385U (en) | A kind of fiber gas sensor laser wavelength precision monitoring device | |
| GB2438724A (en) | Gas monitoring system | |
| CN215640147U (en) | System suitable for monitoring combustion state parameters of gas turbine | |
| CN216870300U (en) | Be used for buggy concentration measuring device of thermal power plant | |
| RU2315230C1 (en) | System for detecting gas leakage from the main pipeline | |
| CN212083225U (en) | Optical fiber gas detection device and optical fiber sensor | |
| CN110132864A (en) | Gas in Oil of Transformer detection method | |
| CN211205688U (en) | Flue economizer leakage detection device based on TD L AS |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |