# US 2014/0151577 A1 · Fluorescence Method for Determining Occlusion in Enclosed Spaces

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- Number: US 2014/0151577 A1
- Document ID: US20140151577A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/692,574
- Filed: 2012-12-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03
- Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC
- Inventors: Thomas E. Kreschollek; Rida S. Al Horr; Steven R. Erskine
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151577A1

## CPC

- G01N 21/643: {non-biological material}
- G01N 2021/6432: {Quenching}
- G01N 2021/6434: {Optrodes}
- G01N 2021/7786: {Fluorescence}
- G01N 2021/855: {Underground probe, e.g. with provision of a penetration tool}
- 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)

## Abstract

A method of sensing scale build up on piping exposed to wellbore fluids, which includes the steps of sensing the build up of scale on the wall an injector pipe using fluorescence detection, generating a signal representative of the relative scale build up on injector pipe wall, and communicating that signal to a remote location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting the buildup of sediment on a substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
a. sensing the build up of sediment on a substrate through fluorescence, and
b. generating sensed information representative of that sediment build up.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

This method of claim 1, wherein the sediment build up on the substrate is sensed by the quenching of a fluorophore fluorescence agent.

### Claim 3

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the sediment comprises a salt.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the salt comprises a cation selected from the groups consisting of sodium, calcium, potassium, barium, strontium, magnesium, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 5

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the build up of sediment is sensed by a fluorescence probe.

### Claim 6

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensed sediment is built up on a membrane.

### Claim 7

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane is fixed adjacent said probe.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said membrane floats freely adjacent said probe.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said membrane comprises a polymeric material.

### Claim 10

A method of sensing scale build up on piping exposed to wellbore fluids, said method comprising the steps of:
a. sensing the build up of scale on the wall an injector pipe using fluorescence detection;
b. generating a signal representative of the relative scale build up on injector pipe wall; and
c. communicating that signal to a remote location.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the magnitude of said signal is proportionate to the amount of fluorophore which has been quenched by the scale formed in the pipe.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10, 11)

The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein said scale is forming on the internal wall of said injector pipe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10, 11, 12)

The method of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the sediment comprises a salt, and said salt comprises a cation selected from the groups consisting of sodium, calcium, potassium, barium, stroutium, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the fluorescence probe sensed the sediment build up on a membrane.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the scale is a fluorophore.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the magnitude of said signal is proportionate to the amount of fluorophore from the scale formed in the pipe.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the fluorophore is deposited on a substrate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the substrate is of material similar to material of construction of the surrounding pipe.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the substrate is of material dissimilar to material of construction of the surrounding pipe.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein said substrate is temperature controlled.