JPH063229A - Detecting method of halogen gas in liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To precisely detect an extremely slight amount of a halogen by providing a vaporized solution of the halogen and the liquid by heating a halogen- containing liquid to the evaporation temperature, which is a character relevant to the solubility of the liquid in the halogen, providing a sample vapor by removing a part of the liquid by condensation, and detecting a prescribed amount of the halogen in the sample vapor. CONSTITUTION: A liquid body containing a suspicious amount of a halogen to be detected is led to a fluid intake 12. The liquid 14 is passed through a fluid manifold 18 by a valve 14 and the liquid reaches a fluid tank 26. A heating element 30 controls the temperature of the liquid solution corresponding to the solubility of the liquid in the gas. The heating element 30 heats the solution to the temperature, which is the minimum limit to vaporize the solution of water and the halogen. After remaining water is removed, the vaporized solution is led to a dehumidifier 36 to provide a sample valor for detection. A halogen gas detecting apparatus 40 detects a halogen led out of the dehumidifier 36. An output signal indicating the detected halogen amount is provided through an on-line 44.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to detection devices and methods. In particular, the invention relates to devices and methods for detecting the presence of halogen gas dissolved in a liquid such as water.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In industrial systems, especially refrigeration systems, the mixing of liquid refrigerant and water is undesirable. For example, in the presence of excess water in the liquid refrigerant, it freezes at low temperatures, expansion valves,
It can restrict or even completely obstruct the flow of capillaries and the like. In addition, the solubility of the refrigerant in a liquid such as water is
It is of great interest in refrigeration systems such as drinking water, water cooled condensers where a small amount of refrigerant is introduced with water or other liquids due to equipment failure or in some cases poor design. The presence of excess water in the halogen can cause corrosion in the system. In particular, such water can cause hydrolysis of leaky halogenated refrigerants with acid formation. These acids tend to corrode the metal as well as insulation and non-metal parts of the system. This condition is especially problematic during the filling of the refrigeration system. Therefore, the detection of halogen pollutants is extremely important to the operation and maintenance of these systems.

In a standard refrigeration system, there are at least first and second loops. The first loop is a closed loop for circulating a halogen refrigerant, which is well known as a refrigerant standard. The first refrigerant loop includes a prime mover driven compressor for compressing the injected halogen, thus converting the halogen refrigerant from a gas to a liquid state to produce a heated halogen liquid.

The heated halogen liquid is supplied to a condenser, which cools the halogen liquid. Typically, such a condenser will have a serpentine tube, typically made of copper, for receiving and circulating warm liquid halogen, as well as surrounding the serpentine tube with water to circulate the liquid halogen and thus liquid halogen. Includes a shell for cooling. The cooled liquid halogen is then directed through an expansion valve into the evaporator.

This valve expands the liquid halogen, changing it from a liquid state to a gas state in the evaporator. As the halogen changes state from gas to liquid, it absorbs heat and thus provides significant cooling. The cooled halogen gas returns from the evaporator to the compressor through the first loop, thus continuing the cycle. The problem with such a refrigeration system is that the water that circulates throughout the small copper pipes wears due to the friction between the water holes in the small pipes and the resulting mixing of halogen and water. It is generated in the condenser. Most (if not all) refrigerants circulate in the first refrigeration loop under pressure, thus allowing halogens to enter the cooling water in the event of a leak in the condenser's small pipe. It flows in and decomposes water in the pipe.

The second loop through which the cooling water flows is
Depends on refrigeration system. In some systems, cooling water is drawn from the river and returned to the river after cooling. In other systems, cooling water may be transferred to a cooling tower and allowed to fall over a series of baffles. Typically, such cooling towers are open to the atmosphere, so in the event of a halogen leak, a solution of water and halogen is exposed to the atmosphere and the halogen is released to the atmosphere, especially the ozone. May cause damage to layers.

In refrigeration systems where the refrigerant is maintained under negative pressure, water will be drawn through the holes into the first refrigerant loop. The water and halogen solution is then returned from the evaporator to the condenser. Sufficient cooling of this solution takes place in the evaporator, thus converting the water into ice. The ice damages the compressor and its prime mover as soon as it is introduced into the compressor, thus deactivating the refrigeration system.

Alternatively, there is a refrigeration system containing an evaporator that acts as a heat exchange device, whereby the expanding halogen gas is taken up by a shell to receive the liquid to be cooled, typically water. It will pass through an evaporator in the form of an enclosed meandering coil. Water circulating throughout the evaporator tubes can abrade the tube holes therein, thus causing a mixture of halogen and water.

In such an embodiment, chilled water is typically circulated through a second closed loop to cool the environment and then return and recool by the evaporator. As mentioned above, the presence of water and halogen is highly corrosive. If the refrigerant is under positive pressure, the halogen will be forced through the bore into the second closed loop for cooling, thus contaminating the circulating water. In some cases, there is a high probability that the second loop will corrode to the point that there is a hole in it so that the halogen-contaminated water leaks directly into the surrounding environment. Here too, the possibility of environmental pollution is high.

In any of the refrigeration systems described above,
Wear and contamination can occur, which can result in water being contaminated with halogen. Therefore, it is important to be able to detect the presence of water dissolved in the halogen so that the contaminated refrigeration system can be shut down and the detected halogen leak can be repaired. Prior art approaches to this type of similar problem require heating suspected contaminated sample water to a temperature such that the water can be expanded and introduced into the sensing device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,0 to Button et al.
No. 86 describes such an approach for the detection of volatile organic compounds such as hydrocarbons in aqueous solutions used in petrochemical systems, in which a carrier gas such as nitrogen is introduced into an aqueous solution containing hydrocarbons. To be done. The aqueous solution is then heated to a high temperature of 150 ° F or higher,
A steam solution containing the carrier gas and the hydrocarbon is thus formed. After the condensation stage, the remaining hydrocarbons are applied to the detector.

However, in general, the solubility of halogenated refrigerants in water is an important consideration in detecting the amount of halogen present. At extreme temperatures, the solubility of halogens in water and other liquids increases, making it increasingly difficult to condense the vapor solution to separate the halogens from the water for accurate detection. Therefore, while the prior art approaches may provide a satisfactory solution for their intended use, they do not address the problem of halogen detection in liquids.

[0012]

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved method for detecting halogenated gases in liquids. Another object of the present invention is to accurately detect an extremely small amount of halogen gas in a liquid.

Another object of the invention is to minimize the solubility of the liquid in the halogen in order to improve the accuracy in the detection of the subsequently emitted halogen. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for detecting halogenated gas in a liquid for continuous monitoring of such gas. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for detection which allows more accurate and quantitative measurements than previously known.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description and the initial claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015]

These objects are achieved by a method of discovering halogens in a solution of a halogen and a liquid, using a minimum evaporation temperature of the solution to reduce the solubility of the liquid in the halogen. It The method according to the invention achieves this by providing a sample of the liquid in the tank. The tank is heated to the evaporation temperature which is a property of the solubility of the liquid in the halogen to provide a vapor solution of the halogen and the liquid. The vapor solution is then condensed to remove a portion of the liquid and provide sampling vapor. In this way, a certain amount of halogen in the sampling vapor can be detected.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, which are described below by way of example of the invention.

[0017]

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It should be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented using various configurations with appropriate modifications. Furthermore, it should be understood that in certain cases, details not necessary for an understanding of the invention have been omitted.

In general, the invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of halogen in a solution of halogen and a liquid. The present invention uses information about the solubility of the liquid dissolved in the halogen to set the proper evaporation temperature of the solution. By doing so, the amount of the evaporated liquid is controlled. Moreover, the halogen detecting means used in the present invention can detect a small amount of halogen with relatively high accuracy. The apparatus and method according to a preferred embodiment samples a liquid solution containing water. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that other liquids such as saline or glycols can be sampled with equal minority as well.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a halogen detection device 10 according to the present invention. A liquid, such as water, with a suspected amount of halogen gas to be detected is directed from a source (not shown) to the fluid inlet 12. In an application, this inlet 12 may be connected to receive water from the discharge side of a condenser located in the first refrigerant loop of a refrigeration system as described above.

An activatable valve 14 in communication with the fluid inlet 12 directs liquid through the fluid manifold 18.
A control mechanism 22 provides the appropriate control signals to activate or deactivate valve 4 to control the amount of liquid supplied to fluid manifold 18. Upon receipt of liquid, the fluid manifold 18 provides a passageway for the fluid tank 26.

A heating element 30 associated with the fluid tank 26 controls the temperature of the liquid solution depending on the solubility of the liquid in this gas. The heating element 30 heats the solution to a minimum temperature to release a vapor solution of water and halogen. The vapor solution removes residual water from it and then provides a dehumidifier 36 to provide sampling vapor for detection.
Be led to. This dehumidifier 36 likewise has a control mechanism 22.
It also receives control signals provided by.

The halogen gas detecting device 40 is used in the dehumidifier 36.
Is detected on line 44 and an output signal representative of (amount of) detected halogen is provided on line 44. Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of the detection device 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection device 10 may be conveniently placed on a mobile industrial cart 46 or other suitable means for facilitating portability.

The liquid source is received from a water cooled condenser, chiller barrel or other industrial refrigerant container (not shown) suspected of containing halogenated gas. Refrigerant stored in such cylinders, receivers, condensers, etc. achieves one equilibrium between liquid and gas states. For most halogenated refrigerants, the concentration of water in the gas portion is greater than in the liquid phase. Therefore, the refrigerant becomes damper as the vapor is removed.

However, for some refrigerants the situation is reversed. The concentration ratio of water between vapor and liquid is higher at low temperatures than at high temperatures. This distribution of water results in the remaining liquid being relatively dry when the vapor is removed from the container. Due to the relatively high concentration of water removed with the removal of steam, the refrigerant thus modified will have a higher concentration than that in the original container.

The liquid suspected of containing a halogenated refrigerant enters the fluid inlet 12 which communicates with a plurality of activatable valves 16a-16f. Preferably valve 1
6a to 16f are solenoid valves suitable for most types of industrial applications, used for water, light oil, air lines, etc. By using multiple valves, a large number of sampling liquid sources can be introduced to the detection device 10.

Of course, the present invention can be operated just as easily with one valve receiving liquid from a single source. A stainless steel insert (not shown) may be used for protection if the liquid source contains a glycol type solution that would otherwise corrode activatable valves 16a-16f. For example, one valve 16a may control the input of water from the discharge side of the condenser and the second valve 16b may control the input of liquid from the discharge of the evaporator of the refrigeration system described above.

In the preferred embodiment, valve 16a.
.About.16f are attached to a manifold 18 which includes a single manifold body 19 having a number of inlets 18a to 18f configured to house valves 16a to 16f, respectively. In this way, the valves 16a-1
The output of 6f is directed into the manifold 18. Programmable control mechanism or sequencer 22 allows valve 16
A control signal is given to a to 16f to activate the desired valve and control the liquid (amount) introduced into the detection device 10. In the preferred embodiment, programmable control 22 is an SLC 100 processor unit manufactured by Allen-Bradley with a central processing unit, RAM memory, power supply and battery backup power supply, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

It is possible to use a timer / counter access terminal in conjunction with the control mechanism 22 to access programmed timer, counter and sequencer data. This mechanism advantageously allows the production, supervision and maintenance personnel to monitor the data produced by the detection device on a real time basis. Preferably, the control mechanism 22 accommodates various process or component changes.
To provide the appropriate software changes for
Input / output addresses are also accessible. Further, a key switch 50 may be provided to gain access to the functionality of the control mechanism 22 and thus prevent unauthorized modification.

Upon receipt of the control signal provided by control mechanism 22, valves 16a-16f direct fluid from manifold 18 to sampling tank 26. This tank is preferably about 9 inches high and 5 inches wide x
It is housed in a sampling tank 52 made of 0.08 gauge stainless steel with a bottom surface 60 measuring 10 inches in length.

A float assembly 54, including a float valve 56, is positioned within the sampling tank 52 to prevent the liquid tank 26 from overflowing. If the amount of liquid exceeds a threshold level as determined by float valve assembly 54, float valve 56 closes to prevent excess liquid from entering liquid tank 26. Robert Va
The Robert Valve Action Float assembly from lves is preferred.

Liquid tank 2 in sampling tank 52
6 maintains a flow rate of about 1/2 gallon per minute. Liquid exits the sampling tank via an open drain 58.
A submersible heater 30 is attached to the bottom surface 60 of the sampling vessel 52 and is preferably controlled using a thermostat 92. The thermostat 92 is, for example, 70 °
Maintain the liquid tank 26 at a selected temperature above F.
As will be explained below, the selected temperature is carefully set in order to be able to accurately detect trace amounts of halogen depending on the solubility of the liquid in the refrigerant, typically water, such as halogen.

Those skilled in the art will understand that "R- A table detailing the solubilities in water of commercially available halogen refrigerants designated as "" is shown in the table below. Table Solubility of water in liquid refrigerant Solubility in weight ppm ────────────────────────────── Temperature F ° R-11 R -12 R-22 R-113 R-114 R-502 ────────────────────────────── 100 168 165 1800 168 168 148 740 80 113 98 1350 113 95 560 60 70 58 970 70 57 440 40 44 32 690 44 33 300 20 26 17 470 26 18 185 0 15 8 308 15 10 120 −20 8 4 195 8 5 70 −40 4 2 120 4 2 40 −60 2 1 68 2 1 20 −80 ＞ 1 ＞ 1 37 ＞ 1 ＞ 1 12 ───────────────────────────── If the solubility values of water in these halogen refrigerants, expressed in ppm from the above table, were plotted as a function of temperature, each of the listed halogen refrigerants would have a single point or bend. First slopes upwards at a first rate until
It can be seen that one would have a curve with a second part that extends upwards from this bend at a second part that is larger than the first part and a second part that is larger than the first part.

By observing the charts above, it can be seen that the bends in these curves generally fall between 70 ° F and 100 ° F. The selected temperature at which the water in the tank is heated is determined based on the solubility of the water in the halogen and is typically set to within 70 ° F and 100 ° F and optimally set to 75 ° F. . It can be seen that when the evaporation temperature increases above this range, the ppm of water increases significantly as a function of temperature. Thus, at such high temperatures, the vapor solution of water and halogen released contains a relatively high percentage of water vapor, which means that subsequent detector 40
May interfere with halogen measurements by.

On the other hand, if the temperature falls below this range, a significantly lower amount of halogen will be released, and measurement of such a minimum amount can be inaccurate. Therefore, the process of detecting halogens is by setting the selected evaporation temperature of the solution in tank 30 to the optimum temperature at or just below the bend in the solubility curve of water in the refrigerant as a function of temperature. , Optimized.

As long as liquid tank 26 is a standard volume of liquid in an open container (sampling tank 52), temperatures above 70 ° F have been found to provide better escape wet vapor. It has been found that for halogen and water solutions, the evaporation temperature should not be above 100 ° F, and preferably not above 75 ° F. As the temperature increases, the halogen to be detected dissolves better in water, making it more difficult to condense the vapor solution to separate the halogen from the water in the subsequent condensation step. The device according to the invention advantageously minimizes the solubility of halogens in water, thus allowing most of the water vapor to condense, and the relatively pure halogen gas to be detected during the subsequent condensation of the vapor solution. Will be left.

As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the detection device 10
Is placed on an industrial cart 46 which includes a horizontally arranged table surface 29. Sampling tank 26
The tank for storing the is mounted below the surface 29 and in communication with the opening therein. An enclosure 62 is attached to the top as shown in FIG.
This includes the first chamber 63 and the second chamber 6
A partition 61 arranged at the center that is divided into five is included.

The first chamber 63 has an opening 27 for receiving the vapor displaced from the sampling tank 26.
It is aligned with. These vapors are emitted from the chamber 63, for example EBAC Industrial Humidi.
The dehumidifier 36, such as the fier CD-30 type, is pulled out. An evaporator coil 64 is mounted adjacent to the condenser 66, as is standard in such dehumidifiers. The evaporator coil 64 evaporates about 50% of the water present in the sampling vapor supplied by the liquid tank 26. An additional 5% to 10% of the water in the steam is removed by the heat generated by condenser 66.

As exemplarily identified above, the dehumidifier 62 includes a compressor 78 for circulating the refrigerant through the output line 57 to the condenser, where the refrigerant is in the evaporation coil 64. The steam introduced in the first chamber 63 is cooled to a temperature set to, for example, 37 ° or 38 °. At such temperatures, the condenser coil 64 removes about 50% of the water vapor from the solution vapor. The refrigerant is then heated to a temperature of about 110 ° F.

The steam is withdrawn by a fan 68 over the condenser 66, and thus the steam is further subjected to a second dehumidification stage, thus further removing about 5% to 10% of the steam. Refrigerant is returned to compressor 78 through line 55, thus continuing the cycle. The vapor is drawn into the condenser 66 utilizing the condenser fan 68 in the direction indicated by arrow 70. As those skilled in the art can evaluate,
An air filter 72 is placed at the entrance of the enclosure 62. The fan 68 can draw the atmosphere into the first chamber 63 through the filter 72 and thus detect the presence of halogens in the atmosphere as well as vapors expelled from the tank 26. The velocity of the ambient (air) flow over the tank sampling vessel 52 is about 50 feet per minute in the preferred embodiment.

The halogen gas molecules in the vapor are extremely stable. Therefore, these molecules do not evaporate in the dehumidification process. The sampling air expelled from the condenser 66 maintains a relative humidity of about 40-50%. That is, about 40-50% of the water in the steam does not condense. As a result, a sampling vapor is provided containing any halogen gas that may be present.

The evaporation rate by ASHRAE is 3.5 focus per day and can be expressed by the following equation:

[0042]

[Equation 1]

Where W = 1 lb / hr vaporized A = surface area (2 square feet) v = velocity on the surface (50 feet / second) Y = latent heat of vapor (1045 BTU / 16) Pw = H ₂ O vapor pressure (1.213 inches Hg) Pa = ambient vapor pressure (0.522 inches Hg) A relative humidity transmitter 72 is positioned downstream of the dehumidifier 36. The transmitter 72 continuously monitors and displays the relative humidity of the sampling air. In the preferred embodiment, transmitter 72 is preset to 80% relative humidity. If the relative humidity is above 80%, the transmitter 72 will provide an override signal to the control mechanism 22. If the relative humidity exceeds 80%, the gas detector is highly likely to malfunction.

The detector 40 of the preferred embodiment is described in co-pending U.S. Pat.
S. S. N. 134, 293, (currently USPN
491.463). The detector 40 noted therein utilizes a sensor that detects halogen based on its increased ionization in the presence of halogen. In particular, halogen is passed between the anode and cathode elements of this sensor.

Halogen is detected by an increase in the ionizing current drawn from the cathode element. If such a halogen sensor is used, it is quite possible that vapors with a relatively high humidity of 80% or more will cause the sensor to malfunction and, in particular, will cause a discharge between the cathode and anode elements. Such discharges, due to the presence of relatively low conductive paths between the elements of the sensor, can give false readings and can even cause damage to the sensor itself.

As disclosed in the aforementioned patent application,
When the detector 40 detects halogen above a predetermined level, it will automatically shut off power from the sensor to prevent damage to it. Upon receiving such information, the control mechanism 22 can provide an appropriate signal to sound an alarm or to indicate that the dehumidifier 36 has malfunctioned due to some other device.

The above-described disabling signal provided by detector 40 can also be used as a control signal to turn off fan 68. It will be appreciated that the relative humidity transmitter 72 may also have display means such as an LED display for visual monitoring by the operator. However, if the relative humidity of the sampling vapor is within the limits set by the relative humidity transmitter 72, the sampling vapor will be directed towards the halogen gas leak detector 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 62 seals the dehumidified vapor and directs it to the detector inlet 71. Instead, the vapor is directed to a sensor (not shown), which operates as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application to detect the presence of halogen.

The detector 40 analyzes the sampled vapor in ppm and contains a variable trip point setting that can be preselected. Therefore, based on the detection of the concentration of halogen gas in the sampling air, if the desired trip point setpoint is exceeded, the detector 40 is an analog display for displaying the undesirable concentration of halogen gas,
Appropriate signals are sent via digital or dry contact communication.

As long as the detector 40 includes a resident microprocessor, the detector 40 will include the activation valves 16a-16f.
Signals can be given simultaneously to. In this way, the activation valves 16a-16f can be de-energized and the valves 16a-16f are closed to further prevent liquid from entering the detection device. Under this condition, the fluid tank 26 drains through an open drain 58. It is also possible that the dehumidifier 36 is simultaneously given a suitable signal for its deactivation.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a simplified electrical schematic diagram of the present invention. A conventional power supply 76 supplies power to the control mechanism 22, heater 30, actuated valves 16a-16f, compressor in dehumidifier 36 and halogen leak detector 40. The thermostat 92 is
The temperature of the heater 30 is controlled via the line 94. Humidity transmitter 72 applies a signal to shut down halogen leak detector 40 and dehumidifier 36 via lines 96 and 98, respectively, upon detecting excess humidity.

In particular, the fan 78 is deactivated when excessive humidity is detected to prevent possible damage to the detector 40 and its sensors. The control mechanism 22 is
Provision is made to the activated valves 16a-16f via line 24. Halogen leak detector 40 is line 44
To activate an appropriate alarm device (not shown) via
Give a signal. In addition, the detector 40 signals via line 93 to open the relay switch 95, thus opening the circuit formed by line 24 to the solenoid valve 16 and closing the valve 16.

Thus, when the halogen leak detector 40 detects a preset level of halogen depending on the refrigerant used, this detector 40 causes the solenoid 16 to close, thus allowing further liquid to be collected in the sampling tank 26.
Will be prevented from being brought to. EPA standards have been set for each refrigerant. As disclosed in the aforementioned patent application, the threshold level of halogen gas can be variously set to be detected and thus the device 10 is available for various refrigerants.
For example, refrigerant R12 has a toxicity level of 1000 ppm, while refrigerant R23 has a threshold level of 100 ppm.

During use, the cart 46 and device 10 can be moved to selected locations with environments that require halogen level monitoring. In one application, the device can be suitably placed in the compressor chamber of a large refrigeration system as described above. At least one of the solenoid valves 18 may be connected to the discharge side of a condenser such as is located in the refrigerant loop of this system.

In the event of a halogen leak from the refrigerant loop, the water and halogen solution is directed via the selective valve 16 to the sampling tank 26 where it is heated, vapor is released and the opening is completed. It is drawn into the dehumidifier 36 through the part 27. After the two-step process of water vapor removal, the relatively water-free halogen vapor is converted into gas detector 40.
Be led to.

In addition, the device 10 of the present invention can also measure the presence of halogens in the surrounding atmosphere. In such applications, the air flow indicated by arrow 71 passes through filter 72 into first chamber 6
It is drawn into 3. This airflow is directed by the condenser fan 68 to the detector 40, which can likewise detect halogens in this stream.

Initially, when the detector 40 responds to a halogen level above a set threshold, the operator indicates that the indicated halogen leak is from the atmosphere within the compressor prime mover chamber or is drawn from the condenser. I don't know if it comes from drained water. After the first alarm, the operator shuts down the associated valve 16 (or this can be done automatically) and the monitoring process continues. If the halogen detector 40 again indicates the presence of halogen above the threshold, the second detection indicates the presence of halogen in the air stream.

On the contrary, the detector 40 is the solenoid valve 18
If the presence of halogen is not indicated again after the closure of, there is an indication that the leak of halogen was from the condenser. A novel detection apparatus and method that fulfills the above objectives has been described above. The present invention detects the amount of halogen in a liquid by controlling the temperature of the solution according to the characteristic physical properties of the halogen gas to be detected which are related to its solubility in the liquid.

Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the structure and process evaluations and arrangements described herein for purposes of illustrating the invention without departing from the principles of the above teachings. Can be understood. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the limitations set out in the opening claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a halogen leak detection device according to the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of the halogen leak detection apparatus of FIG. 1 showing its components in one aspect of the invention.

3 is a schematic diagram of electrical circuit elements in the leak detection device of FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4, 16a to 16f ... Valve 10 ... Detecting device 12 ... Fluid inlet 16 ... Solenoid 18 ... Manifold 19 ... Manifold main body 22 ... Control mechanism 26 ... Liquid tank 29 ... Table surface 30 ... Heater 36 ... Dehumidifier 40 ... Halogen leak Detector 46 ... Industrial cart 50 ... Key switch 52 ... Open container (sampling tank) 54 ... Float valve assembly 55 ... Line 56 ... Float valve 57 ... Output line 58 ... Drain 61 ... Partition 62 ... Enclosure 63 ... First chamber 64 ... Evaporator coil 65 ... Second chamber 66 ... Condenser 68 ... Fan 71 ... Detector inlet 72 ... Transmitter 78 ... Fan 92 ... Thermostat 93, 94 ... Line 95 ... Relay switch

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A method of finding the amount of halogen in a solution of liquid and halogen-providing a sample of this solution, -solubility of the liquid in the halogen to provide a vapor solution of the liquid and halogen. Heating the sample to an evaporation temperature that is an attribute of; a further treatment of the vapor solution to remove a portion of the liquid in the vapor and provide sampling vapor therefrom; Monitoring the sampling vapor to detect the presence of 2. The halogen has a solubility curve of the liquid in the halogen as a function of temperature, the curve having a first rate slope and extending to a bend. The first part and the second greater than this first rate
2. The method of claim 1 having a second portion with a slope of the rate that optimizes the evaporation temperature at or slightly below the bend. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises water. 4. The step of treating further comprises: evaporating the vapor solution to provide an intermediate vapor comprising -40 percent to 50 percent water; and-adding about 5 percent to 10 percent from the vapor solution. 4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises the step of condensing the water. 5. The processing step further comprises: controlling the temperature of the sample within the range of 75 ° F. to 100 ° F. to minimize the solubility of the liquid in the halogen. The method of claim 1, wherein 6. An apparatus for detecting a preselected level of halogen in a solution of liquid and halogen, comprising: -means for receiving a sample of this solution; -providing a vapor solution of said liquid and halogen. Means for heating said containment means to an evaporation temperature which is an attribute of the solubility of said solution in halogen; for condensing said vapor solution to remove a portion of said liquid in said vapor and to provide sampling vapor therefrom. And a means for detecting the halogen in the sampling vapor. 7. The halogen has a solubility curve of the liquid in the halogen as a function of temperature, the curve having a first rate slope and extending to a bend. The first part and the second greater than this first rate
Control means for setting the evaporation temperature at a point on the curve at or slightly below this bend, further comprising a second portion having a rate gradient of
The device according to claim 6. 8. An apparatus for selectively discovering trace amounts of halogen in a plurality of solutions containing trace amounts of halogen each suspected of being liquid, each in communication with each one of said solutions. A plurality of actuatable fluid inlets for receiving the solution and for guiding the solution through a fluid outlet at its point of activation, each activatable with a fluid inlet connected to one of the fluid inlets; A valve; a fluid manifold associated with each of the valve output ports for transporting the fluid to the manifold output port; a temperature of the liquid depending on the solubility of the liquid in the halogen, and the liquid and the halogen. A fluid tank in communication with the manifold outlet having a heater therein for providing a vapor solution of the vapor; A dehumidifier having a passageway positioned in relation to the vapor solution for providing vapor; positioned in relation to the dehumidifier output for receiving the sampling vapor and providing an output signal indicative of halogen detection Halogen detection means, and-control means including means coupled to the activatable valve for selectively activating the valve and means coupled to the dehumidifier for activating the dehumidifier. apparatus. 9. A thermostat is coupled to the heater for manually adjusting the temperature of the fluid within the range of 75 ° F. to less than 100 ° F. for the minimum solubility of the liquid in halogen. 9. The device of claim 8, which is: 10. The dehumidifier further comprises: -an evaporation coil for removing about 40 to 50 percent of the liquid present in the vapor; -present in the vapor to provide the sampling vapor. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a condenser for removing an additional 5 to 10 percent of the liquid. 11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control means further comprises: a timer counter access terminal for continuously monitoring the data produced by the control means. 12. Relative humidity detection means positioned in relation to the output of the dehumidifier to detect the relative humidity of the sampling vapor and provide an output signal when the relative humidity exceeds a predetermined threshold. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: -display means responsive to the humidity detection output signal for monitoring the dehumidifier. 13. The predetermined threshold is a relative humidity of 8.
13. The device of claim 12, which is 0 percent. 14. The control means includes means for activating (stopping) the valve and activating (stopping) the dehumidifier when the humidity detection output signal is received. The device according to. 15. A device for detecting halogen and a predetermined level of halogen in a liquid solution of a liquid, comprising: a) a container for receiving a sample of the liquid solution; b) the liquid in the container. Activatable valve means for selectively controlling the flow of the solution; c) the vessel at an evaporation temperature that contributes to the solution temperature dependent solubility in the halogen to obtain a vapor solution of the halogen and the liquid. D) means for condensing the vapor solution to remove a portion of the solution in the vapor and then obtain a sample of the vapor; e) output indicating detection of halogen. Means for detecting the halogen in the vapor sample to provide a signal; and f) the activatable bar for selectively activating the valve means. Control means including means coupled to the rubbing means; 16. The relative humidity detection means of claim 15, further comprising relative humidity detection means for detecting the relative humidity of the vapor sample and providing an output signal when the relative humidity is above a predetermined limit value. apparatus. 17. A means for monitoring the condensing means,
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising display means responsive to the humidity detection output signal. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the predetermined limit value is 80% relative humidity. 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control means includes means for deactivating said valve means and said condensing means after receipt of said humidity detection output signal. 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said control means is responsive to said halogen detection output signal for shutting down said valve means for preventing further flow of said liquid solution into said container. . 21. An activatable fan means for transporting the vapor solution from the vessel to the condensing means is further included, and the control means includes the halogen detection output signal for shutting down the fan means. 16. The device of claim 15, responsive to. 22. A housing containing the container and the condensing means adapted to detect a predetermined halogen level in the solution and the air surrounding the solution, and further comprising a housing inside the housing. 16. The device of claim 15, including an inlet portion for receiving air. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the control means is responsive to the halogen detection output signal to stop the valve means to stop further flow of the liquid solution to the vessel. 24. A device for detecting the presence of a given gas in a plurality of fluids, comprising: a) a plurality of fluid inlets, each inlet being in communication with a corresponding one of the fluids. B) a plurality of activatable valves, each of said fluid inlets for receiving one of said plurality of fluids and for directing said one fluid through a fluid outlet after activation of said valve; And c) selectively activating one of the plurality of valves to enable flow of the one fluid to the fluid manifold to be detected. Control means including means coupled to one of the valve capable valves; d) a fluid manifold coupled to each of said valve outlets for receiving said one fluid flow; and e) said given gas. To accept and above 1 Control means including a; operably disposed gas detector with respect to said fluid manifold for providing the output signal indicative of the detection of a given gas in the fluid. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the control means includes means for turning off the one activated valve in response to a gas detection output signal. 26. Activable means disposed within the manifold for carrying the given gas to the gas detection means, and the control means including the gas detection means for stopping the fan means. 25. The device of claim 24, responsive to an output signal. 27. Each of the plurality of fluids is a liquid,
25. The device of claim 24, further comprising a liquid reservoir in communication with the manifold for receiving a sample of liquid from the selectively activated one of the plurality of activatable valves. 28. Means operatively disposed in relation to the liquid reservoir for releasing gas from the liquid in the liquid reservoir and for capturing gas emitted from the liquid in the liquid reservoir. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising a housing of, wherein said housing is in operative relationship with said gas detection means to enable detection of evolved gas present in said housing. 29. An apparatus for monitoring a plurality of fluids taken from separate spaces for the presence of a given gas therein, comprising: a) a plurality of activatable valves, each valve being a fluid. In communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of spaces for collecting); b) in communication with the plurality of valves for receiving fluid from an activated one of the plurality of valves. A fluid reservoir; c) gas detection means arranged in relation to the fluid reservoir for receiving the given gas and for providing an output signal indicative of detection of the given gas;
And d) selectively activating one of the plurality of activatable valves to temporarily introduce sampled fluid from the corresponding one of the plurality of spaces into the fluid reservoir and the one of the plurality of spaces. A monitoring device comprising means associated with each of said plurality of activatable valves enabling detection of a given gas in a sampled fluid by said gas detection means. 30. The monitoring device of claim 29, further comprising a housing disposed in association with the fluid reservoir to capture gas released from the fluid introduced into the fluid reservoir. 31. The monitoring device of claim 30, further comprising means disposed in operative relationship with the fluid reservoir for releasing gas from the fluid introduced into the fluid reservoir. 32. Activating each of the plurality of activatable valves to enable a corresponding series of samples of fluid from each of the plurality of spaces to be introduced into the fluid reservoir. 3. The activation means is activated sequentially.
9. The monitor device according to item 9. 33. Further comprising means for releasing a sample of fluid from said one space from said fluid reservoir, and said activation means further activating an activation valve to be activated next. 33. The monitoring device of claim 32, further useful for controlling said ejection means for previously ejecting a sample of fluid from said reservoir means. 34. A monitoring device for monitoring the presence of a given gas in the atmosphere surrounding the device and in the fluid supplied thereto, comprising: a) a fluid reservoir for receiving said fluid; b). An activatable valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir; c) an inlet connected to the fluid reservoir for receiving the gas and for introducing ambient atmosphere therein. A housing having; d) a gas detection means arranged in operative association with said housing for receiving a given introduced gas, and for providing an output signal indicative of the detection of said gas; e) associated with the activatable valve for selectively activating the activatable valve to determine whether the detected gas originated from a liquid or the ambient atmosphere. Control means including a stage; monitoring device having a. 35. The fluid is a liquid, and further comprising means operably disposed in the fluid reservoir to expel gas from the liquid introduced into the fluid reservoir to the housing. Monitoring device according to. 36. A first indication that the gas originated from ambient atmosphere in response to a first gas detection output signal to shut off the valve and then in response to a second subsequent gas detection signal. 35. The monitor of claim 34, wherein the control means further comprises means for providing a second indication that gas has evolved from the fluid in the absence of the second gas detection output signal. apparatus. 37. A method of monitoring the presence of a given gas in a plurality of fluids, each fluid being held in its own space, the method comprising: a) selectively accessing said space of fluids at one time; B) bringing the fluid to a common location in the accessed space; and c) detecting the presence of gas in the carried fluid at the common location. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of separating the gas from fluids carried to the common location. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the fluid carried to the common location is removed before the next sample from another fluid is carried.