Analyzer for monitoring salt content in high resistivity fluids

摘要

An electrochemical polymerization based salt content analyzer configured to determine salt composition in a direct, fast, and serial manner. The salt content analyzer includes three electrodes: a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. In operation, the current passing through the electrodes as a sweeping voltage is applied may be analyzed to determine the salt content of the analyte. The working electrode includes an access control mechanism to only expose a fraction of the working length of the working electrode to the outside environment at any given time. The access control mechanism is advanced between tests to expose a fresh portion of the working electrode. Thus, testing may be performed in a serial manner.

主权项

1. A salt content analyzer that performs multiple sequential determinations of a salt content of an analyte in a test fluid comprising the analyte and an electro-polymerizable monomer without requiring intermediate cleaning or polishing of a working electrode between determinations, the salt content analyzer comprising:
an analysis vessel; a working electrode assembly comprising the working electrode and an access control mechanism; a voltage source that applies an electrical potential to the working electrode; and a measurement apparatus that measures an electrical current passed between the working electrode and the counter electrode when the electrical potential is applied to the working electrode;wherein:
the working electrode and the counter electrode form an electrochemical cell; the access control mechanism of the working electrode assembly comprises a movable barrier that exposes a measuring portion of the working electrode to the test fluid through an access gap and forms a fluid tight seal around a covered portion of the working electrode, the fluid tight seal preventing exposure of the covered portion to the test fluid; and after a single determination of the analyte in the test fluid, movement of the movable barrier exposes a fresh measuring portion of the working electrode for use in a subsequent determination without requiring intermediate cleaning or polishing of the working electrode.