Sensing element compositions and sensor system for detecting and monitoring structures for hydrocarbons
AssigneeDirect-C Limited
InventorsSimon Park, Kaushik Parmar
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Abstract
Carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or metal oxides are incorporated in a polymer to form a sensing element that may be applied on to a surface for sensing hydrocarbon leakage, mechanical stress, and/or temperature change of a hydrocarbon transportation and/or storage structure. Electrical signals from the sensing element are processed to check for indicators of leakage, stress and/or temperature change.
Claims18
A composition for use in a sensing element for one or more of:
- (i) monitoring leakage, (ii) a structural change, and (iii) temperature change in a hydrocarbon transportation or storage structure, the composition comprising:
- a polymer;
- and conductive nanoparticles that are one or both of:
- (a) carbon nanotubes, and (b) graphene nanoplatelets.
A sensor system for one or more of:
- (i) monitoring leakage, (ii) a structural change, and (iii) temperature change in a hydrocarbon transportation or storage structure, the sensor system comprising:
- one or more sensing element comprising a polymer and conductive nanoparticles that are one or both of:
- (a) carbon nanotubes, and (b) graphene nanoplatelets, wherein each sensing element has a positive electrode and a passive electrode, the passive electrode being connected to ground;
- and
- a data acquisition system in communication with the positive electrode, for receiving electrical signals from the one or more sensing elements.
A system for collecting and processing signals from a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensing elements, each of the sensing elements exhibiting a change in resistance in response to one or more of:
- presence of hydrocarbon, a change in vibration signature, and temperature change, each of the sensing elements having an electrode, the system comprising:
- a voltage divider circuit connected to each of the sensing elements for converting the change in resistance therein into a voltage signal, the voltage divider circuit comprising a current limiting resistance connected in series to sensing element;
- a multiplexer microswitch in communication with the voltage divider circuit, for detecting and recording the voltage signals;
- and
- an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in communication with the multiplexer microswitch, the ANFIS calibrated to process the voltage signals and provide information relating to the status of the sensor network's surroundings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.