Method and apparatus for monitoring the paraffinicity characterization of hydrocarbon mixtures

Claim 1

Apparatus for generating a signal representative of the Watson-Nelson characterization factor of a hydrocarbon mixture from a source thereof wherein said mixture is at a temperature in the range of about 100° F. to about 210° F., comprising: (a) first means operatively coupled with said source of said hydrocarbon mixture for sensing a physical property thereof representative of the absolute viscosity thereof and for providing a first signal representative of said absolute viscosity; (b) second means operatively coupled with said source of hydrocarbon mixture for sensing a physical property thereof representative of of the specific gravity thereof and for providing a second signal representative of said specific gravity; and (c) third means operatively coupled with said first and second means for combining said first and second signals to provide a third signal representative of said characterization factor, said combining means including computing means for combining said first and second signals substantially in accordance with the following equation: K = A + B/S.sub.2 + C 1n 1n (V/S.sub.1) where: K = the Watson-Nelson characterization factor of said hydrocarbon mixture, V = the absolute viscosity of said hydrocarbon mixture, S 1 = the specific gravity at the temperature of said hydrocarbon mixture, S 2 = the specific gravity of said hydrocarbon mixture adjusted to sixty degrees F., and A, b and C are predetermined constants related to the temperature of said hydrocarbon mixture.