Method for the measurement of water and water-soluble components in non-aqueous liquids

Abstract

A method for assigning a grade to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in relation to the potential for a water or water-based phase to form is provided, comprising sensing the electrical resistance and the capacitance of the fuel, determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds in the fuel based on comparing the electrical resistance of the fuel to a plurality pre-determined values of electrical resistance corresponding to a plurality of concentrations of water or water-soluble compounds in the fuel; identifying which water-soluble compound or compounds are present based on comparing the capacitance to a plurality of pre-determined values of capacitance corresponding to a water or a plurality of water-soluble compounds that may be present; sensing the temperature of the fuel, and calculating the potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form during temperature conditions of transportation or storage.

1 . A method for assigning a grade to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in relation to the potential for a water or water-based phase to form in said fuel during transportation or storage of said fuel, said method comprising the steps of: 
 sensing the electrical resistance of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel;    sensing the capacitance of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel;    determining the composition of the fuel and identifying any water-soluble compound or compounds are present in said hydrocarbon fuel wherein the step of identifying which compound or compounds are present includes the step of comparing the capacitance to a plurality of pre-determined values of capacitance corresponding to a water or a plurality of water-soluble compounds that may be present;    determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds in said liquid hydrocarbon fuel wherein the step of determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds includes the step of comparing the electrical resistance of the hydrocarbon fuel to a plurality pre-determined values of electrical resistance corresponding to a plurality of concentrations of water or water-soluble compounds in the hydrocarbon fuel;    sensing the temperature of said liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and    calculating the potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form in said liquid hydrocarbon fuel during anticipated temperature conditions of transportation or storage.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assigning a grade to said liquid hydrocarbon fuel based on said calculated potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises gasoline.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises diesel fuel.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises fuel oil.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises marine diesel fuel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises bio-diesel fuel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising assigning a grade to said liquid hydrocarbon fuel based on said calculated potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises gasoline.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises diesel fuel.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises fuel oil.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises marine diesel fuel.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprises bio-diesel fuel.