Patent ID: 11953458
Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A method for characterizing a process fluid comprising:
applying electrical power to a first resistance temperature detector (RTD) in contact with a fluid to increase the temperature of the first RTD, the first RTD having a first coating;
allowing the first RTD to cool toward a fluid equilibrium temperature;
analyzing the temperature decay profile of the first RTD over time as it cools toward the fluid equilibrium temperature to determine thermal characteristics of the first RTD;
applying electrical power to a second RTD in contact with the fluid to increase the temperature of the second RTD, the second RTD having a second coating different from the first coating;
allowing the second RTD to cool toward the fluid equilibrium temperature;
analyzing the temperature decay profile of the second RTD over time as it cools toward the fluid equilibrium temperature to determine thermal characteristics of the second RTD;
comparing the thermal characteristics of the first RTD and the second RTD;
determining one or more characteristics of the fluid based on the comparison; and
performing a corrective action in response to the determined one or more characteristics.