GB1232581A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,232,581. 581. Photo-electric detection of contaminants by fluorescence. BAILEY METERS & CONTROLS Ltd. April 19, 1968, Jan. 19, 1967], No.2985/67. Heading G1A. [Also in Division G2] The presence of oil contaminating water is detected and its quantity measured by directing ultraviolet radiation at a jet of water and detecting any fluorescence produced therein. The apparatus shown is mounted around an aperture in the bulk head 1 between the pumproom P and the engine room E of a ship. Light from a mercury arc lamp 20 is directed through a glass or transparent plastics light guide 5 towards a jet of water passing through an enclosure 3a mounted on the pumproom side of the bulk head 1. Fluorescent radiation from the oil is transmitted by a similar light guide 6 to photo-cell 21, whose output is amplified, indicated or recorded and used, if necessary, to operate an alarm. The photo-cell may be especially sensitive to the blue/green fluorescence of crude and fuel oils and the lamp 20 provided with a filter to remove visible and any unwanted u.v. wavelengths. Instead of the curved light guide shown, two straight parallel guides, one provided with a mirror at 45 degrees to its axis, may be used. Alternatively, two hollow parallel tubes, closed at their ends by transparent plates may be used, one of these having a right angle bend at which is located a mirror. In each case the guide with the mirror acts to transmit light to the jet. The use of a jet of water avoids deposition of oil on the walls of a transparent tube, which would give inaccurate measurements.