Optical flash point detection on an automated open cup flash point detector
AssigneePetroleum Analyzer Company, LP
InventorsMichael Brosseau, Thomas Herold, Simon Blass, Oezkan Oguz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An open cup flash point detector is shown that rapidly increases the temperature of the substance being tested until temperature is close to a theoretical flash point. Thereafter, as temperature is slowly increased, an igniter flame moves in an arc over the upper lip of the test cup while simultaneously a UV sensor senses a wedge-shaped area, also immediately over the upper lip of the test cup. The arc of the igniter flame and the wedge-shaped area do not overlap. By incremental increases in temperature and repeating the arc movement of the igniter flame, the flash point can be detected by the UV sensor.
Claims20
A flash point detector, comprising:
- a stand having an upper surface with an opening in the upper surface;
- a test cup located in the opening;
- a heater configured to heat the test cup and a substance contained within the test cup;
- an igniter configured to generate a flame above the test cup, wherein the flame is configured to periodically move within a first area above the test cup;
- and
- an ultraviolet (UV) detector located on the upper surface of the stand, wherein the UV detector is configured to:
- monitor a second area above the test cup, wherein the second area does not overlap the first area, and
- detect when the substance reaches the flash point.
A method of determining a flash point of a substance, comprising:
- placing a substance in a test cup;
- inserting the test cup in an upper opening of a stand;
- continuously measuring a temperature of the substance in the test cup;
- increasing the temperature of the substance in the test cup until the substance approaches a flash point;
- periodically moving a flame in a first area above the test cup;
- monitoring a second area located above the test cup with an ultraviolet (UV) detector to detect when the substance flashes, wherein the second area does not overlap the first area;
- and
- detecting, via the UV detector, the temperature of the substance when the substance flashes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.