Patent ID: 7739902

Claim:
A method for identifying unknown chemical solutions following chemical spills, comprising: providing a specific gravity detector comprising a detector column having an inlet end operable to collect a sample of an unknown solution, said detector column formed of an optically transparent material to allow visual observation of said sample in said detector column, at least a first plurality of specific gravity floats comprising a first specific gravity float located and moveable within said detector column, said first specific gravity float having a density to float in liquids having a specific gravity of greater than a first density level, and at least a second specific gravity float located and moveable within said detector column, said second specific gravity float having a density to float in liquids having a specific gravity greater than said first density level; introducing a sample of an unknown solution from a site of a chemical spill into said detector column; observing a float response of said first plurality of specific gravity floats, and identifying a presence or absence of at least one chemical solution in said unknown solution based on results of said observing.