METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MOISTURE ON METAL AND OTHER SURFACES, INCLUDING SURFACES UNDER THERMAL INSULATION
First Claim
1. A system for detecting the presence of water on or in a structure with metal components subject to corrosion, comprising:
- two dissimilar, spaced-apart metals coupled to the structure; and
apparatus for detecting a potential difference between the two dissimilar metals, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of water on or in pipelines, tanks, equipment and other structures, including insulated structures which may be subject to corrosion under insulation, or CUI. Two dissimilar, spaced-apart metals are coupled at least indirectly to a structure to be monitored, and apparatus for detecting a potential difference between the two dissimilar metals, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte. In CUI applications, at least one of the dissimilar metals is attached to, or embedded within, a water-absorbing insulator or other material coupled to or surrounding the structure. The water-absorbing material may be provided in the form of a tape attached to the surface of a metal component fanning the structure. In some embodiments, the structure to be monitored may itself incorporate a ferrous metal component which is used as one of the dissimilar metals.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the presence of water on or in a structure with metal components subject to corrosion, comprising:
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two dissimilar, spaced-apart metals coupled to the structure; and apparatus for detecting a potential difference between the two dissimilar metals, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting the presence of water to prevent corrosion, comprising:
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an elongated steel structure; a non-ferrous metallic electrode disposed on or embedded within a water-absorbing insulator or other material attached to the structure such that the electrode is spaced apart from and not in direct electrical contact with the steel structure; and apparatus for detecting a potential difference between the steel structure and the non-ferrous metallic electrode, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of detecting the presence of water on or in a structure with metal components subject to corrosion, comprising the steps of:
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placing a dissimilar metal on or in the structure such that the dissimilar metal and the metal components are spaced apart and not in direct electrical contact; and detecting a potential difference between the metal components and the dissimilar metal, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte;
orplacing two dissimilar metals on or in the structure such that the dissimilar metals are spaced apart and not in direct electrical contact; and detecting a potential difference between the two dissimilar metals, thereby indicating that water is present as an electrolyte;
orplacing one or more electrically conductive materials on or in the structure such that they are spaced apart and not in direct electrical contact with one another; placing a voltage between two of the electrically conductive materials or between one of the electrically conductive materials and a metal component of the structure; and using the change in the voltage, if any, to detect the presence of water acting as an electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification