Acoustic-wave sensor apparatus for analyzing a petroleum-based composition and sensing solidification of constituents therein

Patent · Tue Aug 26 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:527760

Spates, J J; Martin, S J; Mansure, A J

An acoustic-wave sensor apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus for analyzing a normally liquid petroleum-based composition includes at least one acoustic-wave device in contact with the petroleum-based composition for sensing or detecting the presence of constituents (e.g. paraffins or petroleum waxes) therein which solidify upon cooling of the petroleum-based composition below a cloud-point temperature. The acoustic-wave device can be a thickness-shear-mode device (also termed a quartz crystal microbalance), a surface-acoustic-wave device, an acoustic-plate-mode device or a flexural plate-wave device. Embodiments of the present invention can be used for measuring a cloud point, a pour point and/or a freeze point of the petroleum-based composition, and for determining a temperature characteristic of each point. Furthermore, measurements with the acoustic-wave sensor apparatus can be made off-line by using a sample having a particular petroleum-based composition; or in-situ with the petroleum-based composition contained within a pipeline or storage tank. The acoustic-wave sensor apparatus has uses in many different petroleum technology areas, including the recovery, transport, storage, refining and use of petroleum and petroleum-based products. 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia Corporation
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,661,233/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-621,929
• OSTI ID: 527760
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ACOUSTIC TESTING
ALKANES
DETECTION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PETROLEUM
SOLIDIFICATION
SOUND WAVES
WAXES