Atmospheric distillation apparatus and method
AssigneeAD Systems S.A.S.
InventorsMartial Lépinay, Bruno Galliot
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for distillation testing of a liquid sample at atmospheric pressure for the improved prediction of the heating necessary to reach the initial boiling point (IBP) and ensure the IBP is observed within certain time constraints, and regardless of sample composition. This monitors the sample by the camera during different heating phases of the test to obtain visual images of the sample and a computer analyzes image data observed to regulate the optimal distillation process.
Claims19
A testing apparatus for distillation of a liquid sample at atmospheric pressure, the testing apparatus comprising:
- a glass flask having a round bottom, a neck portion and a top opening;
- a stopper for covering the top opening of the glass flask;
- a heating element in thermal communication with the flaskround bottom for heating the glass flask;
- a temperature sensor traversing the stopper;
- a condenser connected to the flask at one end of the condenser;
- a cooling source surrounding the condenser;
- a receiver in communication with the condenser for receiving distillate from the condenser;
- a sensor for monitoring of a level and/or amount of the distillate collected in the receiver during a distillation test,
- a digital camera positioned to monitor behavior of the liquid sample within the glass flask in visible spectrum to obtain successive images of the liquid sample and vapors emitted from the liquid sample, during the distillation test,
- a backlight panel located behind the glass flask and opposite the camera;
- and
- an image analyzer to automatically control the heating element based on analysis of the successive images fed by the digital camera.
A method for distillation of a liquid sample at atmospheric pressure using a testing apparatus, at defined conditions by a standard test method, said method comprising steps of:
- selecting a group of products to be analyzed as the liquid sample;
- regulating temperatures of a condenser and receiver;
- introducing a predefined quantity of the liquid sample to a glass flask;
- initiating testing with an initiating trigger;
- heating the glass flask containing the liquid sample with a heating element;
- monitoring behavior of the liquid sample within the glass flask with a digital camera to obtain successive images in visible spectrum of the liquid sample and vapors emitted from the liquid sample, during the distillation test,
- analyzing the images fed by the digital camera with an image analyzer;
- automatically detecting initial boiling of said liquid sample with the image analyzer;
- measuring with a temperature sensor a temperature of vapors in the glass flask;
- measuring a recovered volume of a distillate, produced from the liquid sample, that is received in the receiver;
- adjusting the heating element based on the analyzing of the images to control the distillation within the defined conditions by the standard test method;
- and
- stopping heating when an end point of the distillation test is reached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.