Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively separating a volatile constituent of a particle from a gas stream for analysis. Particles are separated from bulk flow by inertia and impacted in a cavity containing a small but stable vortex or eddy. Heat is applied to volatilize constituents of the particles. The gas entrained within the vortex, which exchanges only slowly with the bulk flow, is withdrawn for analysis. In this way, a high volume flow containing particles of interest is reduced to a low volume flow containing a vapor concentrate. Advantageously, the apparatus may be operated at very low pressure drops in fully continuous, semi-continuous or batch mode according to the requirements of the downstream analytical unit. The apparatus finds use in active surveillance, such as in use of aerosols to detect explosives or chemical residues on persons, vehicles or luggage in real time.

Abstract: An imaging system with the ability to produce clear images of deposits inside operating high temperature process equipment such as kraft recovery boilers and power utility boilers uses a terahertz/mm-wave imaging system. This system allows direct inspection capability and the ability to directly measure deposit thickness on tubes and other interior surfaces at all locations within the boiler and precipitator. Terahertz and mm-wave imaging systems employ active imaging in which a beam of terahertz or mm-wave radiation generated within the imaging system is used to illuminate a region of the scene under investigation. The reflected radiation is collected by a lens or mirror system and focused onto a detector that converts the collected radiation into an electrical signal. Both the illuminating beam and the receiving optics are scanned across the scene in a raster fashion to produce a time-varying signal that is converted into an image of the scene.

Abstract: An imaging system with the ability to produce clear images of deposits inside operating high temperature process equipment such as kraft recovery boilers and power utility boilers uses a terahertz/mm-wave imaging system. This system allows direct inspection capability and the ability to directly measure deposit thickness on tubes and other interior surfaces at all locations within the boiler and precipitator. Terahertz and mm-wave imaging systems employ active imaging in which a beam of terahertz or mm-wave radiation generated within the imaging system is used to illuminate a region of the scene under investigation. The reflected radiation is collected by a lens or mirror system and focused onto a detector that converts the collected radiation into an electrical signal. Both the illuminating beam and the receiving optics are scanned across the scene in a raster fashion to produce a time-varying signal that is converted into an image of the scene.

Abstract: A sensing system simultaneously obtains images and surface temperatures of processing tubes inside process heaters using an imaging sensor operating in the visible or infrared regions of the spectrum and capable of detecting visible or infrared radiation emitted or reflected from surfaces within the process heater, and of providing an image signal to a display or to an image processor. One or more single element infrared detectors viewing specific regions within the aforesaid image accurately measure the intensity of radiation emitted by surfaces within those specific regions so as to allow the temperature of the surfaces within those specific regions to be inferred.

Abstract: Respirable particles with diameters on the order of 0.05 to 10 microns entrained in an air stream, are concentrated in an aerodynamic lens (FIG. 2) for separation from the air steam. The entire structure is made by microfabrication techniques, such as silicon micro-machining which enables arrays of precisely aligned slit lenses to be made on a silicon chip. At a Reynolds number of 800, a slit 25 microns wide by 1 mm tall will pass a flow of only 0.28 liters per minute, but arrays of lenses (FIG. 4), stacked in parallel banks, multiplies the available flow rate. Placing a skimmer (27) at the exit of each silicon micro-machined lens in the assembly and connecting the skimmer channels in chimneys (55), allows the bulk of the gas flow to be stripped off while allowing the concentrated particle stream to pass into a region of much lower flow rate, thereby producing a highly concentrated aerosol in the low velocity stream.

Abstract: Respirable particles with diameters on the order of 0.05 to 10 microns entrained in an air stream. are concentrated in an aerodynamic lens (FIG. 2) for separation from the air steam. The entire structure is made by microfabrication techniques, such as silicon micro-machining which enables arrays of precisely aligned slit lenses to be made on a silicon chip. At a Reynolds number of 800, a slit 25 microns wide by 1 mm tall will pass a flow of only 0.28 liters per minute, but arrays of lenses (FIG. 4), stacked in parallel banks, multiplies the available flow rate. Placing a skimmer (27) at the exit of each silicon micro-machined lens in the assembly and connecting the skimmer channels in chimneys (55), allows the bulk of the gas flow to be stripped off while allowing the concentrated particle stream to pass into a region of much lower flow rate, thereby producing a highly concentrated aerosol in the low velocity stream.