# US 10,481,099 B2 · Detecting moisture proximate to insulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,099 B2 - Document ID: US10481099B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/155,513 - Filed: 2016-05-16 - Published: 2017-01-05 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-02 - Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Applicants: William N. Yunker; Wayne S. Pon; Patrick M. Moore; Michael T. Matheidas - Inventors: William N. Yunker; Wayne S. Pon; Patrick M. Moore; Michael T. Matheidas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481099B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/81: Indicating humidity - G01M 3/04: by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point - G01M 3/042: {by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid (G01M3/12 takes precedence)} - G01M 3/045: {with electrical detection means} - G01M 3/165: {by means of cables or similar elongated devices, e.g. tapes} - G01M 3/18: for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; {for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators} - G01M 3/20: using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material - G01N 31/222: {for investigating moisture content} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A system and method for determining the presence of water proximate to insulation. A system provided includes an enclosure, and insulation disposed over the enclosure. A moisture reactive compound indicates water proximate to the insulation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: an enclosure; insulation material disposed over the enclosure, wherein the insulating material comprises a mineral fiber, a glass fiber, a polymeric foam, or any combinations thereof; and a moisture reactive compound, wherein the moisture reactive compound indicates water proximate to the insulation; and wherein the moisture reactive compound is incorporated into the insulation material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a process unit, a field unit, a cylinder, a vessel, a tank, a chamber, a container, a receptacle, or a pipe, or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a transparent layer disposed over the insulation material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the transparent layer comprises a polymer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture reactive compound changes color in the presence of the water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture reactive compound expands in size as it adsorbs or absorbs water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture reactive compound comprises a desiccant. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture reactive compound comprises an acid base indicator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture reactive compound comprises a super-adsorbent polymer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a barrier layer disposed between the moisture reactive compound and the enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a layer comprising the moisture reactive compound disposed over the insulation material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising disposing the moisture reactive compound in locations with a highest probability of water accumulation. ### Claim 14 A system, comprising: an enclosure; insulation disposed over the enclosure; a moisture reactive compound, wherein the moisture reactive compound indicates water proximate to the insulation; and stingers comprising the moisture reactive compound, wherein the stingers penetrate through the insulation to a surface of the enclosure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the stingers comprise a cap selected to rupture as the moisture reactive compound expands. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the stingers comprise a dye cell under a cap, wherein the dye cell is selected to rupture as the moisture reactive compound expands to spill a dye. ### Claim 17 A method for detecting water proximate to an insulation layer, comprising: disposing the insulation layer over an enclosure; and disposing a moisture reactive compound proximate to the insulation layer, wherein the moisture reactive compound indicates the presence of water proximate to the insulation layer; further comprising: selecting the moisture reactive compound to expand upon contact with water to create a visible change in the insulation layer, or placing stingers comprising the moisture reactive compound through the insulation layer over the enclosure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the insulation layer comprises the moisture reactive compound. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the enclosure comprises a process unit, a field unit, a cylinder, a vessel, a tank, a chamber, a container, a receptacle, or a pipe, or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 20 An insulation system for a pipe, comprising: an insulating material disposed over the pipe, wherein the insulating material comprises a mineral fiber, a glass fiber, a polymeric foam, or any combinations thereof; and a moisture reactive compound, wherein the moisture reactive compound indicates the presence of water proximate to the insulating material; wherein the moisture reactive compound is incorporated into the insulating material during production of the insulating material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The insulation system of claim 20, wherein the insulating material comprises the moisture reactive compound.