Detection of heavy hydrocarbons in water - by photoelectric measurement of water opacity in self-cleaning detector

摘要

Detection of heavy hydrocarbons in water is performed by photoelectric measurement of water opacity and by reflection of infrared light. The detector can be immersed and the sensitive elements are self cleaning. An oil detector comprises a lamp or light emitting diode mounted in a translucid fork. A photoelectric cell is housed in a second compartment and faces the lamp. A protective grill allows water to circulate and provides screening for ambient light. A compartment houses electronic circuits and batteries and also an electromagnet which operates a piston carrying a plastic wiper which cleans the faces of the fork to allow opacity measurements for transmission to an operator.