Patent ID: 9322779
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method to determine a stability of at least one foulant within a hydrocarbon-based fluid sample comprising: centrifuging a hydrocarbon-based fluid sample comprising a hydrocarbon-based fluid and foulant particles, wherein the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample has a viscosity ranging from about 0.5 cSt to about 5000 cSt; applying a laser light to the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample, wherein the laser light has a wavelength in the near-infrared region ranging from about 800 nm independently to about 2000 nm; measuring a first transmittance of the laser light through the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample with a detector; and comparing the first transmittance measurement to a second transmittance measurement of a non-centrifuged hydrocarbon-fluid sample to determine a distribution of foulant particles within the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample.