Dye solutions for use in methods to detect the prior evaporation of anhydrous ammonia and the production of illicit drugs

Abstract

Systems and methods providing for the introduction of a dye, particularly a xanthene dye, and more particularly a rhodamine dye, to liquid anhydrous ammonia to discourage theft of the anhydrous ammonia and provide for leak detection in storage vessels. The dye will stain objects which come into contact with the liquid anhydrous ammonia allowing for the detection of such contact. Generally, the staining will be visible to the naked eye, but may also fluoresce when exposed to a particular light source such as ultra violet (UV) light.

1 . A solution for detecting the prior presence of liquid-state ammonia the solution comprising: 
 liquid anhydrous ammonia; and    a rhodamine dye dissolved in said liquid anhydrous ammonia to form an ammonia solution;    wherein said rhodamine dye will leave a stain on materials which were in contact with said ammonia solution upon conversion of some of said ammonia to a gas.    
     
     
         2 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said stain is a predetermined color visible to the human eye under illumination by visible light.  
     
     
         3 . The solution of  claim 2  wherein said solution is not said predetermined color.  
     
     
         4 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said anhydrous ammonia is stored under pressure.  
     
     
         5 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a colored dye.  
     
     
         6 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a fluorescing dye.  
     
     
         7 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a xanthene dye.  
     
     
         8 . The solution of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a rhodamine dye.  
     
     
         9 . A method of enabling the detection of the prior presence of liquid-state ammonia comprising: 
 introducing a dye into liquid-state ammonia to create a blend, said dye creating a stain on materials in contact with said blend upon the conversion of said ammonia from a liquid to a gas; and    storing said ammonia and dye in a pressurized tank.    
     
     
         10 . A method of deterring the theft of anhydrous ammonia comprising: 
 providing a sealed container of anhydrous ammonia; and    affixing a label to said sealed container, said label indicating that said anhydrous ammonia includes a dye that will leave a detectable stain on objects that contact the anhydrous ammonia but which is not readily visible in said anhydrous ammonia;    wherein said anhydrous ammonia does not include said indicated dye.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said label indicates that said anhydrous ammonia includes a dye that will stain a controlled substance produced using said anhydrous ammonia.