Patent ID: 6509553
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: F25B,G01N

Abstract:
A method of providing an indication of the composition of an examined fluid, comprising:immersing an electrical resistor within the examined fluid; applying electrical current through the electrical resistor to heat it to a temperature above that of the examined fluid; controlling the electrical current applied through the electrical resistor to maintain the electrical resistor substantially at a predetermined temperature while the electrical resistor is immersed in said fluid; measuring the electrical current applied through the electrical resistor to maintain it substantially at said predetermined temperature, to provide a measurement of the rate of heat dissipation from the electrical resistor via said examined fluid and, thereby, a measurement of the thermal conductivity of the examined fluid; and comparing the measured thermal conductivity of the examined fluid with the known thermal conductivities of different fluid compositions to provide an indication of the composition of the examined fluid.