Method and composition for testing for the presence of an alkali metal

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863768

Guon, Jerold ^[1]

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1. Canoga Park, CA

A method and composition for detecting the presence of an alkali metal on the surface of a body such as a metal plate, tank, pipe or the like is provided. The method comprises contacting the surface with a thin film of a liquid composition comprising a light-colored pigment, an acid-base indicator, and a nonionic wetting agent dispersed in a liquid carrier comprising a minor amount of water and a major amount of an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of the lower aliphatic alcohols, ketones and ethers. Any alkali metal present on the surface in elemental form or as an alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal carbonate will react with the acid-base indicator to produce a contrasting color change in the thin film, which is readily discernible by visual observation or automatic techniques.

• DOE Contract Number: AT(04-3)-824
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4244693
• OSTI ID: 863768
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
composition
testing
presence
alkali
metal
detecting
surface
plate
tank
pipe
provided
comprises
contacting
film
liquid
comprising
light-colored
pigment
acid-base
indicator
nonionic
wetting
agent
dispersed
carrier
minor
amount
water
major
organic
solvent
selected
consisting
aliphatic
alcohols
ketones
ethers
elemental
form
hydroxide
carbonate
react
produce
contrasting
color
change
readily
discernible
visual
observation
automatic
techniques
color change
metal plate
major amount
comprises contacting
composition comprising
method comprises
organic solvent
alkali metal
metal hydroxide
minor amount
liquid carrier
wetting agent
metal carbonate
visual observation
aliphatic alcohol
method comprise
solvent selected
metal carbon
liquid composition
aliphatic alcohols
/436/