A new optical method for control in visible light of volatile hydrocarbon media and their mixtures using data from light-shadow boundary images

We substantiate a need for developing an optical method for the rapid analysis of mixtures of volatile hydrocarbon media. Problems that arise during the express-evaluation of the state of mixtures composed of volatile hydrocarbon media using refraction-based techniques are outlined. A new optical method for determining the state of volatile hydrocarbon media and their mixtures is developed. As well as being able to detect variations of the medium from a standard state, the proposed method also enables determining its composition and the percentage of constituent hydrocarbon components in the mixture. For the practical implementation of the new optical method, a new design of a mobile refractometer is developed. Specific features of measuring the refractive index of mixtures composed of volatile hydrocarbon media using the proposed refractometer design are described. Results of experimental studies of various volatile hydrocarbon media and their mixtures are presented.