NON-CONTACT OIL SPILL DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a targeted group of hydrocarbons, such as diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil and crude oil in a highly reliable manner even though present at only extremely low concentration. A high power, pulsed light source is focused into a collimated beam that is reduced by a set of filters to a band of pulsed light within a precise set of wavelengths and directed vertically onto a target surface, such as a body of water. All but a precise band of light wavelengths returning to the apparatus are blocked so that substantially all light which then reaches an internal photodetector is within such precise band of wavelengths; as a result receipt of such light programmed intervals following such pulses is indicative of the presence of a member of the targeted hydrocarbon group.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the essential operation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown mounted above a cooling water spillway or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing how a plurality of remote detection stations can be used and linked to a base station by radiotelemetry.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing use of a detection station to monitor an underground flowing stream through a metal grate or the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a pipeline station where a detection system is installed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting pollutants of a targeted class of organic materials, which apparatus comprises: a structure for mounting above a target surface,a pulsed light source supported by said structure,means supported by said structure for directing said pulses of light from said source downward toward a target surface, and for filtering said pulses to produce a beam of light, limited to wavelengths between about 225 and 300 nm,sensor means supported by said structure for detecting fluorescent light that would be emitted from the underlying target surface,filter means supported by said structure that allows the passage to said sensor means of only light having a wavelength between about 320 to 400 nm,means for analyzing data detected by said sensor means to determine the presence of even small quantities of floating pollutants within the targeted class, andmeans for promptly reporting and/or producing a signal or alarm when said analyzed data indicates the presence of any significant amount of such a targeted pollutant.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said directing means includes means to focus said pulsed beam into a collimated cone of light.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cone has an apex angle of about 13° to about 15°.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said focusing means comprises a parabolic reflector.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said structure is an enclosure in which said parabolic reflector and said pulsed light source are located.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the enclosure is mounted such that the centerline of said cone is aligned at an angle of not more than about 7° from vertical.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pulsed light source is a high power Xenon strobe lamp.

8. A method for detecting pollutants of organic material, which method comprises: mounting a structure above a target surface,activating a light source carried by said structure to produce pulses of light,directing said pulses of light downward toward the water surface through filtering means to produce a pulsed beam of light that is limited to a first set of wavelengths between about 225 and 300 nm,detecting fluorescent light emitted from the underlying target surface using a sensor in combination with filter means that allows the passage of only light having a wavelength within a second set of wavelengths between about 320 to 400 nm, andanalyzing data generated by said sensor to determine the presence of even small quantities of pollutants within a targeted class that when so activated by such pulsed light will emit fluorescent light within said second set of wavelengths.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein a signal or alarm is produced when said analyzing shows detection of any significant amount of such a pollutant in such targeted class.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein said light pulses are focused into a collimated cone of pulsed light.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said collimated cone has an apex angle of about 13° to about 15°.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the centerline of said cone is aligned within about 7° of vertical.

13. The method according to claim 10 wherein said light pulses are focused by a parabolic reflector.

14. The method according to claim 8 wherein said target surface is a body of water.