Method and apparatus for measuring a component in a flow stream

A method of measuring the concentration of a particular component in a two-component liquid flow stream, said method comprising:

• generating a first signal representative of an electrical property of said particular component at the pressure and temperature of said flow stream;
• generating a second signal representative of the same electrical property of the other component of said two-component flow stream at the pressure and temperature of said flow stream;
• generating a third signal representative of the same electrical property of said two-component flow stream;
• establishing a scale having said first signal representative of a liquid having 100% of said particular component and having said second signal representative of a liquid having 100% of said other component;
• and
• relating said third signal to said scale to determine said concentration of said particular component in said two-component flow stream.

Apparatus for use in measuring the concentration of a particular component in a two-component liquid mixture, said apparatus comprising:

• a first means responsive to the temperature and pressure of said two-component liquid mixture for generating a first signal representative of an electrical property of said particular component;
• a second means responsive to the temperature and pressure of said two-component liquid mixture for generating a second signal representative of the same electrical property of the other component of said two-component liquid mixture;
• and
• a third means responsive to the temperature and pressure of said two-component liquid mixture for generating a third signal representative of the same electrical property of said two-component liquid mixture.

Apparatus for use in measuring the concentration of a particular component in a two-component liquid mixture, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a first set of electrodes extending through said housing and having their lower ends adapted to be positioned within said two-component liquid mixture when said housing is in an operable position, said first set of electrodes adapted to generate a signal representative of an electrical property of a liquid in contact with said first set of electrodes;
• first means for enclosing said lower end of said first set of electrodes in a fluid tight relationship, said first means being responsive to the temperature and pressure of said two-component liquid mixture when said housing is in an operable position and adapted to be filled with said particular component whereby said lower end of said first set of electrodes will be totally immersed in said particular component when said first means is filled;
• a second set of electrodes extending through said housing and having their lower ends adapted to be positioned within said two-component liquid mixture when said housing is in an operable position, said second set of electrodes adapted to generate a signal representative of said electrical property of a liquid in contact with said second set of electrodes;
• second means for enclosing said lower end of said second set of electrodes in a fluid tight relationship, said second means being responsive to the temperature and pressure of said two-component liquid mixture when said housing is in an operable position and adapted to be filled with the other component of said two-component liquid mixture whereby said lower end of said second set of electrodes will be totally immersed in said other component when said second means is filled;
• and
• a third set of electrodes extending through said housing and having their lower ends adapted to be positioned within and in direct contact with said two-component liquid mixture when said housing is in an operable position, said third set of electrodes adapted to generate a signal representative of said electrical property of said two-component liquid mixture.

Apparatus for use in measuring the concentration of a particular component in a two-component liquid flow stream, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a first sensor support on said housing;
• a first set of electrodes extending through said housing and said first sensor support, the lower ends of said first electrodes terminating below said first sensor support whereby said lower ends are exposed below said first sensor support, the upper ends of said first electrodes adapted to be electrically coupled to a processing unit;
• a first elastic sac secured to said first sensor support and enclosing said lower ends of said first set of electrodes in a fluid tight relationship;
• a passage means through said first sensor support for filling said first elastic sac with a liquid;
• a second sensor support on said housing;
• a second set of electrodes extending through said housing and said second sensor support, the lower ends of said second electrodes terminating below said second sensor support whereby said lower ends are exposed below said second sensor support, the upper ends of said second electrodes adapted to be connected to a processing unit;
• a second elastic sac secured to said second sensor support and enclosing said lower ends of said second set of electrodes in a fluid tight relationship;
• a passage means through said second sensor support for filling said second elastic sac with a liquid;
• and
• a third sensor support on said housing;
• a third set of electrodes extending through said housing and said third sensor support, the lower ends of said third electrodes terminating below said third sensor support whereby said lower ends are exposed below said third sensor support, the upper ends of said third electrodes adapted to be electrically coupled to a processing unit.