Dipyrromethenes and Azadipyrromethenes as Markers for Petroleum Products

• US 20110069307A1
• Filed: 09/20/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Authentix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Authentix, Inc.
• Inventors: Hundt, Greg R., Conroy, Jeffrey L., Forshee, Philip B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,222,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/300
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/003 Marking, e.g. coloration by addition of pigments
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/1824 mono-hydroxy
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/1852 Ethers; Acetals; Ketals; Orthoesters
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/232 containing nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring C10L1/221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/303 boron compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/28 Oils , i.e. hydrocarbon liquids edible oils or edible fats G01N33/03

Abstract

Marking a petroleum product includes adding a covert dye selected from the group consisting of azadipyrromethene dyes, dipyrromethene dyes, and any combination thereof to the petroleum product and distributing the dye in the petroleum product. A petroleum product selected for analysis may be spectroscopically analyzed for the presence of an azadipyrromethene dye, a dipyrromethene dye, or a combination thereof. A concentration of at least one azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye present in the portion of the petroleum product may be determined to identify the petroleum product as counterfeit, adulterated, or authentic based on the determined concentration of the azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye.

Claims

1. A method of marking a petroleum product comprising adding a covert dye to the petroleum product, wherein the covert dye is selected from the group consisting of boron azadipyrromethene dyes, boron dipyrromethene dyes, and any combination thereof.

4. The method of any of the above claims, wherein the petroleum product comprises an oxygenate.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the oxygenate is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, gasoline grade t-butanol, methyl t-butyl ether, and any combination thereof.

7. The method of any of the above claims, wherein the petroleum product is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, diesel fuel, biodiesel fuel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, ethanol, industrial solvents, and any combination thereof.

2. A method of identifying a petroleum product comprising spectroscopically analyzing a portion of the petroleum product for the presence of a boron azadipyrromethene dye, a boron dipyrromethene dye, or a combination thereof.

3. A method of detecting a counterfeit or adulterated petroleum product, the method comprising:

spectroscopically analyzing a portion of the petroleum product for the presence of a boron azadipyrromethene dye, a boron dipyrromethene dye, or a combination thereof;

determining a concentration of at least one boron azadipyrromethene or boron dipyrromethene dye present in the portion of the petroleum product;

comparing the determined concentration with a target concentration; and

identifying the petroleum product as counterfeit, adulterated, or authentic based on the determined concentration of the boron azadipyrromethene or boron dipyrromethene dye.

6. A marked petroleum product comprising a mixture of a fluid petroleum product and a dye selected from the group consisting of boron azadipyrromethene dyes, boron dipyrromethene dyes, or any combination thereof.

8. A method of detecting an adulterated petroleum product comprising spectroscopically analyzing a portion of the petroleum product for a presence of a marker, wherein the presence of a boron azadipyrromethene dye or a boron dipyrromethene dye is indicative of adulteration of the petroleum product.

9. A method of detecting an adulterated petroleum product, the method comprising:

mixing a boron azadipyrromethene dye, a boron dipyrromethene dye, or any combination thereof with a substance; and

spectroscopically analyzing a portion of a petroleum product for a presence of the boron azadipyrromethene dye or the boron dipyrromethene dye, wherein the presence of the boron azadipyrromethene dye or the boron dipyrromethene dye is indicative of adulteration of the petroleum product with the substance.