Patent ID: 6298724
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus suitable for use in detecting the formation of, and/or the onset of dissociation of, clathrate hydrates, the apparatus comprising:a pressure vessel defining a chamber for holding a rear sample,a piezoelectric crystal sensor which is formed and arranged to resonate at a variable frequency which is dependent upon a mass loading on a surface of the crystal, the crystal sensor being mounted in the chamber such that a test sample in the chamber may be in direct contact with the surface of the crystal; andsignal analyzer means formed and arranged for monitoring, in use of the apparatus, directly or indirectly, change in the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal sensor while one of the temperature and pressure of the test sample in contact with the surface of the crystal is varied, so as to detect a substantial change in said resonant frequency occurring upon the formation or dissociation of a clathrate hydrate in the rest sample in contact with the surface of the crystal, whereby the formation or dissociation of said clathrate hydrate may be detected.