Method for measuring chemical emissions

• US 6,553,810 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gas Technology Institute (GTI Energy)
• Original Assignee: Gas Research Institute (GTI Energy)
• Inventors: Webb, Michael, Lott, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/054,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 73/407, 73/405.R, 73/46, 738/618.5, 738/643.3, 73/232, 73/300.3, 73/310.3, 738/617.7, 738/630.3, 738/643.4, 422/68.1, 422/83
• US Class Current: 73/40.7
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/20 using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/223 for pipe joints or seals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2226 Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2241 purpose-built sampling enclosure for emissions

Abstract

A test device for measuring chemical emissions to the atmosphere from a leaking component that includes a housing containing an air mover for drawing ambient air directly into the housing. The air mover is capable of operating at a high flow rate and a low flow rate depending upon a switch state or valve position. A detector for detecting the presence of a chemical emission is positioned within the housing as well as a calculator for measuring the concentration of the chemical emission. Air is drawn directly into a housing at a low flow rate in a survey mode and once a leak is detected air is drawn directly into the housing at a high flow rate in a quantification mode. During the quantification mode the calculator determines a leak rate from the leaking component or alternatively indicates that the calculated leak rate is unreliable.

Claims

1. A method for measuring chemical emissions to the atmosphere, the method comprising:

drawing air directly into a housing at a low flow rate in a survey mode, whereby one of a presence and an absence of a chemical emission is detected;

drawing air directly into the housing at a high flow rate in a quantification mode upon detection of the presence of said chemical emission; and

detecting the concentration of the chemical emission within the housing.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the leak rate of the chemical emission.

3. A method for measuring chemical emissions to the atmosphere, the method comprising:

drawing air directly into a housing;

detecting the concentration of the chemical emission within the housing;

generating a test result; and

signaling whether the test result is sufficient.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the test device signals if interference is present in the test result.

5. A method for measuring chemical emissions to the atmosphere comprising the steps of:

drawing Fir proximal to a potential chemical emission source into a housing at a survey mode flow rate using an air mover disposed within the housing, thereby determining one of a presence and an absence of a chemical emission;

drawing said air into said housing at a quantification mode flow rate using said air mover upon determination of the presence of the chemical emission, said quantification mode flow rate being higher than said survey mode flow rate; and

quantifying the chemical emission in said housing, producing a test result.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said chemical emission is quantified by determining the concentration of said chemical emission in said housing.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising determining a leak rate of said chemical emission.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising determining a reliability of said test result.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said reliability of said test result is determined by determining one of a presence and an absence of interference from one of a second potential chemical emission source and background air.

10. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said survey mode flow rate is increased to said quantification mode flow rate upon said presence of said chemical emission in said housing reaching a threshold emission concentration level.

11. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said quantification mode flow rate is sufficient to capture an entire leak from said potential chemical emission source.