WO2020099113A1

WO2020099113A1 - Side stream oil in water analyser

Info

Publication number: WO2020099113A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/079441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Khalid Thabeth; Raymond Acheson
Original assignee: Inov8 Systems Limited
Priority date: 2018-11-12
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: GB201818354D0

Abstract

An oil in water analyser comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample to be analysed, a sensor head coupled to the sample chamber and containing an illumination source arranged to illuminate a fluid sample contained in the sample chamber, and an optical receiver arranged to receive light from the illuminated sample and to produce a corresponding electrical output, an enclosure coupled to the sensor head, said enclosure containing electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the sensor head and for processing signals produced by the sensor head, wherein at least a portion of the sample head incorporates heat dissipating means for minimising heat transfer between the sample chamber and the enclosure.

Description

Side Stream Oil In Water Analyser

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a side stream oil in water analyser, and in particular to an improved side stream oil in water analyser which reduces the risk of damage to the electronics of the analyser by heat transfer from the sample being analysed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many applications that require the determination of the presence of, and amount of, oil or other substances, contaminants or additives present in a liquid. For example, in pipes leading from oil production or refining facilities it may be required to identify and measure the amount of oil that is present in the liquid flowing in the pipes.

Many hydrocarbon compounds and other substances have a natural fluorescence. Therefore it is known to measure the amount or concentration of a particular oil or other fluorescent substance in a liquid by the detection of fluorescence. Devices that detect and/or measure fluorescence are commonly referred to as fluorometers. A fluorometer usually includes a light source for causing excitation of a target substance and a detector for measuring the resultant fluorescence of the target substance at a predetermined wavelength. Other devices utilise microscopy, absorption and/or light scatter to determine the properties (such as identity and/or concentration) of substances, in particular oils and solids, in water. Generally such devices are referred to as oil in water analysers.

A typical oil in water analyser comprises a sensor head that is capable of detecting the presence, identity and/or amount of oil, and/or other substances, in water, the sensor head typically comprising an optical sensor head, comprising an illumination source (for example one or more lasers and/or LEDs) arranged to illuminate a fluid to be analysed and an optical receiver arranged to receive light from the illuminated fluid and to produce a corresponding electrical output. The sensor head is typically provided with a window to physically isolate the analyser from the fluid to be sampled while allowing the transmission of light.

A side stream oil in water analyser comprises a sample chamber having couplings for coupling the sample chamber to a source of water to be analysed, the sample chamber having a measurement window coupled to or forming part of the sensor head. The sensor head is typically coupled or integrally formed with an enclosure within which is mounted a user interface and electronic components and circuitry (usually including a programmable processor with associated circuitry for communicating with the sensor head and the user interface). The user interface usually includes a display screen. The sensor head may be fully or partly located within the enclosure.

In a side stream oil in water analyser the sample chamber may contain samples at high temperature. Such high temperature samples heat the body of the sample chamber and, where the sample chamber is coupled to the enclosure, such heat may be transferred to the enclosure by conduction, increasing the temperature within the enclosure, which may lead to damage to the sensitive electronic circuitry and components contained therein. However, locating the sensor head further from the enclosure to avoid this problem leads to an increase in the overall size, weight and complexity and thus cost of the equipment.

The term oil in water analyser as used herein is intended to embrace analysers that are capable of detecting oil but also any other contaminants or substances that may be present. It will be understood that oil in water analysers may be configured to detect contaminants (especially those that are suspended and/or in particulate or discrete form) in a liquid, and are not limited to detecting oil in water. More generally, the invention may adapted for use with analysers that detect substances in a liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an oil in water analyser comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample to be analysed, a sensor head coupled to the sample chamber and containing an illumination source arranged to illuminate a fluid sample contained in the sample chamber, and an optical receiver arranged to receive light from the illuminated sample and to produce a corresponding electrical output, an enclosure coupled to the sensor head, said enclosure containing electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the sensor head and for processing signals produced by the sensor head, wherein at least a portion of the sample head incorporates heat dissipating means for minimising heat transfer between the sample chamber and the enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment said heat dissipating means comprises heat dissipation fins provided on an outer surface of the sensor head. Said heat dissipation fins may be integrally formed on a body of the sensor head. The heat dissipation fins may be provided adjacent the sample chamber.

Preferably a window is provided between the sensor head and sample chamber for transmitting light therethrough. An ultrasonic transducer may be provided in the sensor head for cleaning the window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An oil in water analyser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an oil in water analyser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the sensor head and measurement chamber of the oil in water analyser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front view of the sensor head and measurement chamber of the oil in water analyser of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 is a side view of the sensor head and measurement chamber of the oil in water analyser of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Figure 1 , an oil in water analyser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a sensor head 2 coupled to a sample chamber 4 adapted to receive a sample to be tested. The sample chamber 4 includes couplings 8,10 for coupling the sample chamber to a source of water or other liquid to be analysed

The sensor head 2 is preferably an optical sensor head, comprising an elongate body, within which is provided an illumination source (not shown), for example one or more lasers and/or LEDs, arranged to illuminate a fluid sample contained in the sample chamber 4, and an optical receiver (not shown) arranged to receive light from the illuminated sample and to produce a corresponding electrical output. A window is preferably provided between the sensor head 2 and the sample chamber 4 for transmitting light therebetween.

The sensor head 2 may also incorporate an ultrasonic vibration device, such as an ultrasonic transducer, for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the body of the sensor head 2, more preferably to the window of the sensor head, in order to keep the window clean.

The sensor head 2 is coupled to an enclosure 12 of the analyser, said enclosure 12 housing electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the sensor head 2 and for processing signals produced by the sensor head 2. The circuitry may include a charger for the light source, an ultrasonic controller, a signal processing unit, an interface unit, a mains supply conditioning unit and a valve controller (for controlling values that allow water samples into and out of the sample chamber). The enclosure may also house a programmable processor, typically a microprocessor, programmed to control the sensor head and analyse signals produced by the sensor head. A user interface, including a display screen 14, is provided in an outer wall of the enclosure 12. It will be understood that the electronic circuitry may differ from embodiment to embodiment.

The enclosure 12 defines an enclosed space for housing and protecting the relevant components of the oil in water analyser (or other items) which, in use, is closed to the external environment and may be substantially air-tight. The enclosure 12 may be formed from a metal, such as stainless steel. Similarly the body of the sensor head 2 defines an enclosed space for housing and protecting the optical and associated components of the sensor head. The body of the sensor head 2 may be formed from a metal, such as stainless steel.

In order to minimise conductive heat transfer between the sample chamber 4 and the enclosure 12 via the body of the sensor head 2, the outer surface of the body of the sensor head 2 is provided with a plurality of cooling fins 16, greatly increasing the surface area of the body of the sensor head 2 and thus increasing heat dissipation therefrom. The cooling fins 16 are preferably provided adjacent the sample chamber 4. The cooling fins 16 are preferably integrally formed on the body of the sensor head 2. Alternatively the cooling fins 16 may be provided on a heat sink clamped around or otherwise mounted on the sensor head 2. For example, the heat sink may be formed in two halves clamped around the sensor head and secured thereto using suitable fasteners.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An oil in water analyser comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample to be analysed, a sensor head coupled to the sample chamber and containing an illumination source arranged to illuminate a fluid sample contained in the sample chamber, and an optical receiver arranged to receive light from the illuminated sample and to produce a corresponding electrical output, an enclosure coupled to the sensor head, said enclosure containing electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the sensor head and for processing signals produced by the sensor head, wherein at least a portion of the sample head incorporates heat dissipating means for minimising heat transfer between the sample chamber and the enclosure.

2. An oil in water analyser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said heat dissipating means comprises heat dissipation fins provided on an outer surface of the sensor head.

3. An oil in water analyser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said heat dissipation fins are integrally formed on a body of the sensor head.

4. An oil in water analyser as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said heat dissipation fins are provided adjacent the sample chamber.

5. An oil in water analyser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a window is provided between the sensor head and sample chamber for transmitting light therethrough.

6. An oil in water analyser as claimed in claim 5, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the sensor head for cleaning the window.