Method of measuring and monitoring conductivity in-situ in high temperature aqueous systems
View Patent ↗Monitoring of conductivity within a steam generating system may proceed in real time and without interruption of the steam generating system by use of a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor placed within the steam generating system. The boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor has a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body. At least a portion of each of the plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes is doped with boron to provide metallic conduction.
1. A method of monitoring conductivity in a steam generating system comprising:
(a) contacting fluid flow in a steam generating system with a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor, the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor comprising a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body, said sensor having a front surface adapted to be oriented with respect to the flow of the fluid; and
(b) measuring the conductivity of the fluid at a temperature in excess of 900° F. by applying voltage to the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor,
wherein the steam generating system is either (a) a boiler system and the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within the boiler or heat exchanger of the boiler system, or (b) a steam turbine.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the following conditions exist:
(a) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within a flash tank; or
(b) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed inside of a probe.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the probe is placed inside a flash tank.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a condensate generated in the steam generating system.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the steam generating system is a boiler.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the boron doped diamond band sensor is used continuously during blowdown of water from the boiler.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the boiler is in a petrochemical plant, oil refinery or a power generation station.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the boiler is in a multi-unit residential facility.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the boiler is in an educational facility.
10. A method of monitoring conductivity in real time in a steam generating system without interruption of the steam generating system, the method comprising:
(a) contacting fluid flow in a steam generating system with a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor, the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor comprising a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body, said sensor being curved in the form of a cylindrical surface and having a cylindrical axis capable of being oriented with the cylindrical axis substantially parallel with the flow direction of the fluid; and
(b) measuring the conductivity of the fluid over time by applying voltage to the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the following conditions exist:
(a) when the steam generating system is a boiler system the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within the boiler or heat exchanger of the boiler system; or
(b) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within a flash tank; or
(c) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed inside of a probe.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the probe is placed inside a flash tank.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fluid is a condensate generated in the steam generating system.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the steam generating system is a boiler.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the boron doped diamond band sensor is used continuously during blowdown of water from the boiler.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the boiler is in a petrochemical plant, oil refinery or a power generation station.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the boiler is in a multi-unit residential facility.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the boiler is in an educational facility.
19. A method of monitoring conductivity in a steam generating system comprising:
(a) contacting fluid flow in a steam generating system with a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor, the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor comprising a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body, said sensor having a front surface adapted to be oriented with respect to the flow of the fluid; and
(b) measuring the conductivity of the fluid at a temperature in excess of 900° F. by applying voltage to the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the following conditions exist:
(a) when the steam generating system is a boiler system the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within the boiler or heat exchanger of the boiler system; or
(b) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed within a flash tank; or
(c) the boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor is placed inside of a probe.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the probe is placed inside a flash tank.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the fluid is a condensate generated in the steam generating system.
23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the steam generating system is a boiler.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the boron doped diamond band sensor is used continuously during blowdown of water from the boiler.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein the boiler is in a petrochemical plant, oil refinery or a power generation station.
26. The method of claim 23 , wherein the boiler is in a multi-unit residential facility.
27. The method of claim 23 , wherein the boiler is in an educational facility.