Fugitive emissions indicating device
AssigneeFugitive Emissions Detection Devices, Inc.
InventorRick A. Lawson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A monitoring device and system for detecting fugitive emissions including emissions from valves and bolted flange connections. The monitoring device includes (1) an enclosure with gaskets to seal the air space around the valve or between the members of the flange, and (2) an indicating cartridge installed contains material which will register a change if emissions leak into the enclosed air space.
Claims14
A system for the detection of fugitive gas and liquid emissions comprising:
- a set of enclosures for emissions sites including pipe flange connections for receiving and collecting said fugitive emissions for detection to detectors of the system, wherein the pipe flange connection enclosures encompass the flange connection, said flange connection comprised of two joined pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said enclosures having an internal channel such that when the enclosure encompasses the pipe flange connection, the channel forms an enclosure around the gasket area between the joined pipe flanges, said pipe flange enclosures having at least one vent or port to provide nonpressure containing enclosures around said gasket areas by relieving any pressure build-up therein;
- and
- a set of detectors for said enclosures, wherein the detectors for the pipe flange connection enclosures are attached such that they are in communication with the enclosed gasket areas.
A leak detection enclosure for two connected pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said enclosure comprising:
- a set of members having internal channels constructed such that when the members are joined around the pipe flanges, the channels enclose the gasket area between the flanges, said channels having at least one vent or port disposed therein to provide a non-pressure containing enclosure around said gasket area between the flanges.
A system for the detection of fugitive gas and liquid emissions from pipe flange connections and valve stuffing boxes comprising:
- an enclosure, and
- an adsorption detector for said enclosure, said detector comprised of a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a layer permeable to said fugitive emissions disposed superjacent said elements having mixed therein particles of substantially uniform size, wherein said detector exhibits a measurable electrical resistance change upon exposure to said fugitive emissions collected within said enclosure, and is capable of detecting substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of less than about 9 during operation in a non-current saturated mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.