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US 5,979,227 AGranted
Fugitive emissions detection systems and components thereof
AssigneeFedd Systems, Inc.
InventorsRick A. Lawson, Michael S. Kelly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for detecting fugitive emissions including emissions from valves and bolted flange connections. The system may include: (1) enclosures, for example, for valves and pipe flange connections, and (2) a detector in communication with said enclosures.
Claims100
A system for the detection of fugitive emissions comprising:
- a set of enclosures for emission sites including pipe flange connections for receiving and collecting said emissions for detection by detectors of the system wherein the pipe flange connection enclosures encompass the flange connections, said flange connections comprised of two joined pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said pipe flange 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 non-pressure containing enclosures around said gasket areas by relieving any pressure 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 area.
1 more element
An enclosure for two connected pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said enclosure comprising:
- a set of members having centrally located internal channels, wherein upon joiner of the members around a pipe flange connection, a single enclosure channel is formed around the gasket area between the flanges, said channel having at least one vent or port disposed therein to provide a non-pressure containing enclosure around said gasket area between the flanges.
A detector for the detection of emissions comprising:
- a set of enclosures for emission sites including pipe flange connections and valve stuffing boxes, and
- a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a layer of material on said electrode elements, said layer comprising adsorbent particles of substantially uniform size, wherein said detector is capable of detecting substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of less than about 9 in a non-current saturated mode.
A detector for use in a fugitive emissions detection system comprising:
- a substrate;
- electrode elements on said substrate;
- and
- a material on said electrode elements, wherein said material comprises adsorbent particles of substantially uniform size mixed throughout said material such that when the detector is operated in a linear region it detects substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of less than about 9.
1 more element
A detector for use in fugitive emissions detection systems comprising:
- a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a mixture comprised of from about 35% to about 60% by weight silicone, from about 15% to about 35% carbon particles, and from about 25% to about 35% metal oxide, wherein the particles and metal oxide are dispersed throughout the mixture.
A non-pressure containing enclosure and system for collecting and detecting fugitive emissions of a valve stuffing box, said enclosure and system comprising:
- first and second valve stuffing box enclosure members having an inside and an outside, each member having a receiver on the inside;
- said receivers being constructed for accepting the other member such that upon joiner of the two members a mechanical non-pressure containing seal is formed on the inside of the members;
- and
- a detector in communication with the non-pressure containing enclosure for detecting fugitive emissions from said valve stuffing box.
1 more element
A non-pressure containing system for the detection of emissions comprising:
- a set of enclosures for valve stuffing boxes comprising first and second joined members each having an inside and an outside, wherein the inside of each member has a receiver, said receiver being constructed for accepting the other member such that upon joiner of the two members around a valve stuffing box a mechanical connection is formed on the inside of the members;
- and
- a set of detectors in communication with the inside of the joined members of the enclosures.
A non-pressure containing system for the detection of fugitive emissions from pipe flange connections and valve stuffing boxes, said system comprising:
- a set of pipe flange connection enclosures comprised of a set of members having centrally located internal channels wherein upon joiner of the members around a pipe flange connection, a single enclosure channel is formed around a gasket area between the flanges, wherein the channel is non-pressure containing;
- a set of valve stuffing box enclosures comprised of first and second members having an inside and an outside, each member having a receiver on the inside constructed for accepting the other member such that upon joiner to the members, wherein the enclosures are non-pressure containing, a mechanical connection is formed on the inside of said members, wherein the enclosures are oil-pressure containing;
- a set of adsorption detectors in communication with the enclosures, said detectors comprised of a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a material superjacent said elements, said material comprising adsorbent particles;
- and
- a set of signalers in communication with said detectors.
2 more elements
A system for the detection of fugitive emissions comprising:
- a set of enclosures for emission sites including pipe flange connections for receiving and collecting said emissions for detection by detectors of the system wherein the pipe flange connection enclosures encompass the flange connections, said flange connections comprised of two joined pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said pipe flange 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 non-pressure containing enclosures around said gasket areas by relieving any pressure therein;
- 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 area, said detectors comprised of a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a layer of material permeable to said emissions disposed on top of said elements, said layer comprising particles;
- and
- a set of signalers in communication with the detectors.
2 more elements
A detector for use in a fugitive emissions detection system comprising:
- a substrate;
- electrode elements on said substrate;
- and
- material on said electrode elements, wherein said material comprises adsorbent particles of substantially uniform size, and non-adsorbent particles mixed throughout said material such that when the detector is operated in a linear region it can detect substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of less than about 9.
1 more element
A system for the detection of fugitive emissions comprised of:
- at least one pipe flange enclosure for a pipe flange connection wherein said pipe flange enclosure encompasses the flange connection, said flange connection comprised of two joined pipe flanges with a gasket in the area between the two flanges, said pipe flange enclosure having an internal channel such that when the enclosure encompasses the pipe flange connection, the channel forms a non-pressure containing enclosure around the gasket area between the joined pipe flanges;
- at least one valve stuffing box enclosure wherein said enclosure is comprised of first and second members each having an inside and an outside, each member having a receiver on the inside, said receivers being constructed for accepting the other member such that upon joiner of the two members a mechanical non-pressure containing seal is formed on the inside of the members;
- at least one detector in communication with either the pipe flange enclosure or the valve stuffing box enclosure, wherein said detector is comprised of a substrate, electrode elements on said substrate, and a layer of material disposed on top of said elements, wherein when the detector is operated in a linear region it can detect substances having a Van der Waals "a" constant of less than about 9;
- at least one other detector selected from the group consisting of pressure detectors, temperature detectors, gas detectors and level detectors;
- and
- at least one transmitter in communication with at least one detector, wherein said transmitter sends signals to a central processing location.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.