For Petroleum Oils Or Carbonaceous Minerals Patents (Class 436/29)
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Patent number: 7344889Abstract: A method of predicting the composition of hydrocarbon products of a complex carbonaceous material when exposed to specific time and temperature conditions is disclosed. In one embodiment, the material is characterized to obtain elemental, chemical and structural parameters. A representative chemical structure of the material is constructed based on the characterization information. The representative chemical structure is then stochastically expanded to a molecular ensemble chemical structural model that includes heteroatoms. The chemical structural model is coupled to a compositional yield model and the composition of the material products is determined using kinetic modeling.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Exxonmobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Simon R. Kelemen, Howard Freund, Michael Siskin, David J. Curry, Yitian Xiao, William N. Olmstead, Martin L. Gorbaty, A. E. Bence
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Patent number: 7223603Abstract: Ultrasonic spectroscopy, calorimetry, or thermogravimetric analysis provide measures which correlate with properties of asphaltene complex of petroleum residua which can be used to establish or maintain consistent properties of petroleum residua during blending or to determine immediacy of petroleum residuea to deposition phenomena during pyrolytic thermal treatment.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: University of Wyoming Research CorporationInventors: Joseph F. Rovani, Jr., John F. Schabron, Thomas F. Turner
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Patent number: 7223602Abstract: The invention provides a method of online and on-site tracer generation for tagging natural gas stored in underground storage fields wherein feedstock is drawn from a feedstock source. The feedstock undergoes initial analysis to determine hydrocarbon levels. The feedstock then undergoes reaction to produce tracers such as ethylene, propylene, acetylene hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The feedstock is then analyzed to determine post reaction tracer concentration. The feedstock including generated tracers is then introduced back into the feedstock stream. Tracer levels in the pre-reaction or initial analysis of feedstock are compared with tracer levels in the post-reaction feedstock and the rate of flow of feedstock through the system is adjusted to achieve a predetermined level of tracer concentration. The level of tracer concentration will then be used to identify the particular natural gas charge in a storage field.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Inventors: Dennis D. Coleman, Rodney R. Ruch, Shiaoguo Chen, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Patent number: 7208451Abstract: A method and composition for identifying chemically tagged petroleum products can be achieved by adding one or more chemicals to a selected petroleum product wherein the chemical is immune to extraction from the petroleum product by conventional inexpensive absorbents, cannot be removed by extraction with acids, bases, or immiscible solvents, cannot be easily oxidized, reduced or reacted with common agents, is difficult to disguise by masking with other agents, has a low polarity, and has a boiling point in the range of the petroleum product the chemical is being added to. The presence of the chemical is determined by using ion mobility spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Authentic Inc.Inventors: W. Dale Spall, Karen Mehlin
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Patent number: 7160728Abstract: The invention is a method to improve the prediction of the corrosivity of organic acids in petroleum crudes, feedstocks and distillation fractions by providing a more accurate, repeatable, and rapid means of determining the TAN from the IR spectrum of the material. The method can be easily practiced in refinery, terminal, and assay laboratories. It can be used in conjunction with models and hardware to optimize the usage and improve the valuation of corrosive feed stocks. The invention can be implemented on-line for blending optimization. It comprises the steps of irradiating a heated petroleum sample with IR radiation to produce its IR absorption spectrum, and predicting the TAN from the spectrum using a linear, multivariate regression model. The IR TAN value is then used as input to blending, valuation, and corrosion models.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Robert J. L. Chimenti, Gerald M. Halpern, Patricia H. Kalamaras, Michael P. Anderson, Maureen Iannucci
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Patent number: 7153688Abstract: The present invention relates to assays for ascribing catalytic activity to rock samples by virtue of zero-valent transition metals potentially being present within the sample. Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to novel assays for measuring intrinsic paleocatalytic activities (k) of sedimentary rocks for converting oil to gas and projecting the activities to the subsurface based on the measured linear relationship between ln(k) and temperature (T).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Petroleum Habitats, L.L.CInventor: Frank D. Mango
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Patent number: 7108237Abstract: A mounting bracket for a slot machine is disclosed herein, where the slot machine is slid onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket insures proper alignment of the slot machine onto the platform and secures the slot machine into position.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Atronic International GmbHInventor: Michael Gauselmann
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Patent number: 7008793Abstract: The present invention is intended to take a sample of an emulsion circulating in a line. The emulsion is momentarily diverted from the main circulation line 1 thereof to a bypass line 2. By restoring circulation of the emulsion in main line 1, an emulsion sample still present in bypass line 2 is confined under pressure. The emulsion sample is then stabilized according to a well-known method. Since the size and the distribution of the drops no longer evolve with time, the sample can be observed and analyzed after sampling. The invention more particularly applies to the field of petroleum industry and it is notably intended to take a sample of a petroleum effluent in form of an emulsion at wellheads.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Gilbert Duriez, Aurélie Mouret, Christine Noïk, Gérard Papon
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Patent number: 6869803Abstract: A method to quantify the conjugated dienes in a feedstream including the steps of dissolving 4-methyl-1,2,4-trazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD) in said feedstream, and determining the molar concentration of said conjugated dienes and/or the carbon number distribution of said conjugated dienes by GC/MS and GC/NCD (Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detection).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Kuangnan Qian, Kathleen E. Edwards, Frank C. Wang, Michael Siskin
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Patent number: 6828153Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing the accessibility of porous materials with regard to large, often high-molecular weight compounds and correlating said accessibility to the porous material's accessibility under conditions of use, i.e. the application conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.Inventors: Robert Jan Jonker, Paul O'Connor, Hendrikus Nicolaas Johannes Wijngaards
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Patent number: 6773921Abstract: Indicia of stability or thresholds of instability may be used to assess the proximity of hydrocarbon materials such as petroleum residua to deposition of carbon rich materials. The invention may be used to evaluate suitability of such hydrocarbon materials to various types of processing methodologies, or to determine processing parameters, either prior to processing or during processing. Prediction of proximity to deposition of carbon rich materials may result in continuous process parameters or increased output, decreased energy use or decreased amount of emissions per unit of such hydrocarbon materials compared to conventional processing technology. Products produced or products processed with this technology may also have a higher level of purity.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: The University of Wyoming Research CorporationInventors: John F. Schabron, Joseph F. Rovani, Jr.
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Patent number: 6725926Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining the source of treatment fluids being produced from a production formation having multiple zones by introducing a treatment composition having a tracking material into a zone in the subterranean formation, and detecting the tracking material in treatment composition that flows back from the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Johnny A. Barton
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Publication number: 20040033617Abstract: A method of analyzing a substance exhibiting absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region subjects the substance to NIR spectroscopy, processes the data using a partial least squares (PLS) technique and identifies a component of the substance by performing a topological near infrared (TOPNIR) analysis on the processed data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventor: Yaser R. Sonbul
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Patent number: 6662116Abstract: A method for determining a property of an unknown material including the steps of determining the IR spectrum of the unknown material, fitting the IR spectrum to a linear combination of known spectra in a database, wherein a database includes spectra of reference materials whose assay properties are known, and determining the property of the unknown material from the assay properties of the reference materials.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: James M. Brown
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Patent number: 6659175Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into a oil well comprising the steps of: a) preparing a material to be injected into an oil well; b) admixing therewith a chemical tracer compound at a predetermined concentration; c) injecting the admixture into an oil well; d) recovering from the oil well a production fluid; e) analyzing the production fluid for the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and f) calculating the amount of admixture recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation. Fluorinated benzoic acids are disclosed as a preferred tracer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Core Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Scott Malone, Earuch Broacha, Don Shaw, Tom Hampton
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Patent number: 6630357Abstract: A method of determining the composition of a sample including heavy oil or bitumen and water using low-field NMR. The NMR spectrum of the sample is taken at relatively low and high temperatures and the oil or water content is determined from the spectra and differential spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: University Technologies International Inc.Inventors: Konstantin Mirotchnik, Kevin Allsopp, Apostolos Kantzas, Daniel Marentette
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Patent number: 6591702Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing contaminated sources in a site having contaminated soils and sediments in which vapor pressure is measured at a plurality of subsurface soil sampling locations of the site, which measurements are then mapped, resulting in generation of a subsurface vapor pressure map. Contaminant mobility at the subsurface soil sampling locations having a peak vapor pressure is then determined and contaminants in fast release compartments and slow release compartments in the contaminated soils and sediments identified. Thereafter, the fraction of contaminants in the fast release compartments and the slow release compartments is determined. Calibration of the contaminant-specific vapor pressure with laboratory measurements of the rapid release fraction at each site allows a meaningful and rapid estimation of the spatial location and mass distribution of source areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Gas Technology InstituteInventors: Thomas D. Hayes, Vipul J. Srivastava
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Publication number: 20030082632Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided herein for conducting processes, such as biological and biochemical processes, that provide a fluid environment in which such processes can be conducted in the presence of a substantially laminar flow of the fluid through the environment. Elements of the processes, such biological or biochemical entities, can be maintained in the substantially laminar flow of fluid with minimal disruption during the processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: Cytoprint, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Shumate
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Patent number: 6534318Abstract: This invention relates to the selection of a crude oil or crude oil blend for the production of high-performing paving asphalt based on molecular composition of the asphalt and of the parent crude oil or crude oil blend based, at least in part, on high resolution mass spectrometric measurements and relationships to rheological properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Stilianos George Roussis, Barbara Joanne Shannon, Biddanda Umesh Achia, Olga Puzic
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Publication number: 20030006036Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into a oil well comprising the steps of: a) preparing a material to be injected into an oil well; b) admixing therewith a chemical tracer compound at a predetermined concentration; c) injecting the admixture into an oil well; d) recovering from the oil well a production fluid; e) analyzing the production fluid for the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and f) calculating the amount of admixture recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation. Fluorinated benzoic acids are disclosed as a preferred tracer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: CORE LABORATORIES GLOBAL N.V.Inventors: Scott Malone, Earuch Broacha, Don Shaw, Tom Hampton
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Patent number: 6479299Abstract: Microfluidic devices having predisposed assay components for increased throughput and prolonged shelf life are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Luc J. Bousse
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Patent number: 6429025Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention are useful in screening large numbers of different compounds for their effects on a variety of chemical, and preferably, biochemical systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: John Wallace Parce, Anne Kopf-Sill, Luc J. Bousse
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Patent number: 6413782Abstract: Microfluidic devices for analyzing a plurality of compounds are manufactured for performing high throughput screening assays. The methods are used to manufacture devices that screen large numbers of different compounds for their effects on a variety of chemical and biochemical systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Luc J. Bousse
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Patent number: 6365429Abstract: A method for placing nitride laser diode arrays on a thermally conducting substrate is described. The method uses an excimer laser to detach the nitride laser diode from the sapphire growth substrate after an intermediate substrate has been attached to the side opposite the sapphire substrate. A thermally conducting substrate is subsequently bonded to the side where the sapphire substrate was removed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Michael A. Kneissl, David P. Bour, Ping Mei, Linda T. Romano
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Patent number: 6331436Abstract: A process of using a non-radioactive tracer in the monitoring of the flow of a traced fluid is disclosed. The process includes injecting a tracer containing fluid at a first point and analyzing at least one sample from a second point in the flow of the fluid for the tracer compound. In one embodiment heavy oil is traced with a long chain hydrocarbon having a primary chain of more than 25 carbon atoms, the compound preferably being a saturated hydrocarbon. Exemplary tracer compounds include pentacosane (C25H52); hexacosane (C26H54), heptacosane (C27H56), octacosane(C28H58), nonacosane(C29H60), triacontane(C30H62), hentriacontane(C3lH64), dotriacontane(C32H66), tritriacontane (C33H68), tetratriacontane (C34H70) and the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Texaco, Inc.Inventors: William C. Richardson, Kevin D. Kimber
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Patent number: 6321595Abstract: Characterization of organic contaminants in subsurface formation is performed by methods for detecting the presence of nonaqueous phase liquid in a subsurface formation, and for determining the composition and for determining the volume of nonaqueous phase liquids. Generally the methods comprise introducing one or more partitioning tracers and one or more non-partitioning tracers at one or more injection points located in the subsurface formation and measuring separation between the one or more partitioning tracers and the one or more non-partitioning tracers from one or more sampling points located in the subsurface formation to determine presence, composition and/or volume of nonaqueous phase liquid in the subsurface formation. In addition, the methods can be used to assess the performance of an attempted remediation.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Gary A. Pope, Richard E. Jackson
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Patent number: 6319717Abstract: The present invention is a one-step thermal method for analyzing the acid-base content of earth samples, specifically mine overburden samples. By using a low oxygen concentration, preferably about 3%, the transition metal carbonates in the sample decomposed to produce carbon dioxide at a lower temperature than the alkaline earth metal carbonates. In contrast, alkaline earth metal carbonates decompose at approximately the same (higher) temperature regardless of the oxygen concentration. Any oxidizable sulfur forms present in the sample are also oxidized by using this oxygen concentration so that only one experiment is required to obtain the carbonate and sulfur contents of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Inventor: Robert B. LaCount
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Patent number: 6312958Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of marking liquids using at least two markers, wherein said markers absorb in the 600-1200 nm region of the spectrum and reemit fluorescent light and the absorption range of at least one marker overlaps with the absorption range of at least one other marker. The present invention further relates to a method for detecting markers in liquids marked by the method of the invention, which comprises using light sources which emit radiation in the absorption ranges of said markers and detecting the fluorescent light reemitted by said markers, at least one of said light sources emitting radiation in the overlapping absorption range of at least one marker with that of at least one other marker and the number of light sources being less than or equal to the number of markers. The present invention further relates to liquids marked by the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Meyer, Gerhard Wagenblast, Karin Heidrun Beck, Christos Vamvakaris
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Patent number: 6267858Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention are useful in screening large numbers of different compounds for their effects on a variety of chemical, and preferably, biochemical systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Luc J. Bousse
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Patent number: 6117682Abstract: The presence of hydrocarbons in water is detected by contacting a water sample with an adsorbent material to extract hydrocarbons from the water sample and then contacting the adsorbent material with a solvent for the hydrocarbons. A developer such as a miscible nonsolvent liquid is mixed into the solvent to produce a test mixture. The turbidity of the test mixture is observed to determine the presence of hydrocarbons in the water sample. The nonsolvent may contain at least 0.5% salt, e.g., at least 1%, preferably 5% salt, and an emulsifier. Turbidity may be measured quantitatively by measuring light scattered at 90.degree. to a test light beam or by visual comparison to a reference scale.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Dexsil CorporationInventors: Theodore B. Lynn, Keith A. Wright
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Patent number: 5958777Abstract: A device for determining at least one petroleum characteristic of a geologic sediment sample placed in a boat, said device including a first heater heating said sample in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, a measuring component determining hydrocarbon-containing products released after feeding the sample into said first heater, a second subsequent heater heating said sample in an oxidizing atmosphere, a measuring component determining the amount of CO.sub.2 contained in effluents discharged from the two heaters, said CO.sub.2 measuring means include a cell for measuring continuously CO.sub.2 throughout heating of the first and second heaters and a measuring component determining the amount of CO contained in the effluents discharged from the two heaters, and thereby allowing determination of said petroleum characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jean Espitalie, Francois Marquis
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Patent number: 5942444Abstract: In general, the invention features a method of marking a product for identification in which a marker, composed of a print molecule, print molecule analogue, or molecularly imprinted molecule, are added to the product and subsequently measured in a specific binding assay.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Biocode, Inc.Inventors: James H. Rittenburg, Robin Jenkins
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Patent number: 5928954Abstract: Method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: BP Amoco CorporationInventors: Michael J. Rutledge, Robert T. Roginski, George H. Vickers
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Patent number: 5928950Abstract: The presence of hydrocarbons in soil is detected by immersing a soil sample in a water-miscible solvent capable of dissolving the hydrocarbons to extract hydrocarbons from the soil into the solvent. An aqueous developer is mixed into the solvent to produce a test mixture. The turbidity of the test mixture is observed to determine the presence of hydrocarbons in the soil. The aqueous developer may contain at least 0.5% salt, e.g., at least 1%, preferably 5% salt, and an emulsifier. Turbidity may be measured quantitatively by measuring light scattered at 90.degree. to a test light beam or by visual comparison to a reference scale.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Dexsil CorporationInventors: Keith A. Wright, George A. Wheeldon, Theodore B. Lynn
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Patent number: 5922611Abstract: A method of determining a parameter of a physical model representing the electrical behavior of a composition is provided. The method comprises defining said model by a relationship between the electrical properties of the composition, a plurality of physical variables of the composition and said parameter, and measuring an electrical property of the composition. A sample which is representative for said composition is selected, and an electrical property of the sample is measured for various magnitudes of at least one of said physical variables. An incoherence function is selected, defining a difference between the measured electrical properties and the electrical properties as calculated from said relationship, said incoherence function being such that independent measurements are weighted in dependence of their accuracy. The parameter is determined by minimization of the incoherence function.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Johannes Maria Vianney Antonius Koelman, Andre De Kuijper, Robert Karl Josef Sandor
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Patent number: 5919710Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of dissolved oxygen in a liquid fuel includes the steps of doping a sample of the fuel with a preselected concentration of a probe material including a luminophor which exhibits luminescence of wavelength which is quenched by oxygen dissolved in the fuel, illuminating the fuel with light from a coherent light source, such as a laser, of a wavelength which induces the luminescence in the luminophor, and thereafter measuring the change with time of the luminescence from the luminophor in the fuel and determing from the change with time of the luminescence the concentration of oxygen in the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: James R. Gord, Steven W. Buckner, William L. Weaver, Keith D. Grinstead, Jr.
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Patent number: 5905043Abstract: A water-immiscible organic fluid is tagged and identified by tagging the organic fluid with between about 0.25 and about 100 ppm of a marker compound having the formula: ##STR1## where the OH groups are either ortho or para to the diazo moieties, and the Xs are the same or different and are selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkyl, Cl, Br, F, NH.sub.2, CN, NO.sub.2, NH(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl) and N(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl).sub.2, and the fluid is identified by extracting the tagged fluid with an alkaline aqueous extractant having a pH above about 12 and containing, based on 100 parts by weight of said extractant, between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight of an organic cosolvent having the formula:R.sup.1 --O--R.sup.2 --NH.sub.2 (II)where R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl, and R.sup.2 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 -alkylene.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1998Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Morton International, Inc.Inventor: Peter J. Heffron
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Patent number: 5854012Abstract: Compositions, methods and apparatus (kits) for treating petroleum and petro-chemical based contaminants within expended filtration components, wherein the filtration components are exposed to water and a small concentrated volume of dormant bio-oxidizing medium comprising freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: William M. Lasky, James H. Cornwell
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Patent number: 5843787Abstract: A method allowing fast assessment of at least one petroleum characteristic of geologic sediments from a sample of these sediments, said method comprising heating the sample in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and which method comprises different temperature rise stages; determining at least three magnitudes S.sub.1r, S.sub.2a and S.sub.b representative of the quantity of hydrocarbons contained in said sample, and deducing at least one petroleum characteristic of the geologic sediment from these three magnitudes.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Khomsi Trabelsi, Jean Espitalie
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Patent number: 5843783Abstract: A method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the rear infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Michael J. Rutledge, Robert T. Roginski, George H. Vickers
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Patent number: 5834655Abstract: A method for testing petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in which method a sample is mixed with an alkyl halide extraction solvent. Subsequently the solvent extraction phase is separated, and a Friedel-Crafts Lewis acid catalyst is added thereby obtaining a colored reaction product in the solvent extraction phase, the color of which being indicative of the petroleum hydrocarbon contamination.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1995Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Shell oil CompanyInventors: Devji Dalubhai Lad, Gordon Lethbridge, Paul Eric Linnett
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Patent number: 5811308Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one petroleum characteristic of a geologic sediment sample heated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and an oxidizing atmosphere. The sample is heated to a first temperature value below 200.degree. C. for a predetermined period of time and then to a second temperature value ranging between 600 and 850.degree. C. according to a temperature gradient between 0.2.degree. C. and 50.degree. C./min. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are continuously measured during the temperature stages in order to determine at least one petroleum characteristic, wherein said petroleum characteristic comprises a quantity of organic oxygen, inorganic oxygen, total organic carbon, or inorganic carbon.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Jean Espitalie, Francois Marquis
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Patent number: 5786225Abstract: A method of evaluating at least on type of pollution characteristic in a soil sample contaminated by hydrocarbon compounds, a method wherein the soil sample is first heated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, then in an oxidizing atmosphere. The method comprises several temperature rise stages from which at least five quantities Q.sub.0, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 and Q.sub.4 are measured, wherein the quantities represent concentrations of hydrocarbon compounds in the soil sample. At least one type of pollution characteristic of the sample is determined from quantities Q.sub.0, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 and Q.sub.4.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Eric Lafargue, Jean Ducreux, Fran.cedilla.ois Marquis, Daniel Pillot
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Patent number: 5776713Abstract: In general, the invention features a method of marking a product for identification in which a marker, composed of a low molecular weight hapten covalently bound to a compound, is associated with the product. Where the marker is non-deleterious to the product, inert with respect to the product, and not already associated with the product. The invention also features hapten markers produced by covalently binding a hapten to a functional monomer and subsequently polymerizing the hapten-labeled monomer to form a hapten-labeled polymer.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Biocode Ltd.Inventors: Ronald Colin Garner, David J. Phillips, Timothy G. Wilkinson, Frank G. Angella, Erwin R. Dorland, Martin W. Stow
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Patent number: 5756357Abstract: The presence of hydrocarbons in soil is detected by immersing a soil sample in a water-miscible solvent capable of dissolving the hydrocarbons to extract hydrocarbons from the soil into the solvent. An aqueous developer is mixed into the solvent to produce a test mixture. The turbidity of the test mixture is observed to determine the presence of hydrocarbons in the soil. The aqueous developer may contain at least 0.5% salt, e.g., at least 1%, preferably 5% salt, and an emulsifier. Turbidity may be measured quantitatively by measuring light scattered at 90.degree. to a test light beam or by visual comparison to a reference scale.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Dexsil CorporationInventors: Keith A. Wright, George A. Wheeldon, Theodore B. Lynn
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Patent number: 5723338Abstract: A method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Michael J. Rutledge, Robert T. Roginski, George H. Vickers
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Patent number: 5710046Abstract: A method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1994Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Michael J. Rutledge, Robert T. Roginski, George H. Vickers
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Patent number: 5699269Abstract: A method for predicting the properties of crude oils or their boiling fractions which comprises selecting a chemical or perceptual or physical or performance property or groups of properties of the crude oil or its boiling fractions and creating a training set from reference samples which contain characteristic molecular species present in the crude oil or its boiling fractions. The reference samples are subjected to GC/MS analysis wherein the often collinear data generated is treated by multivariate correlation methods. The training set produces coefficients which are multiplied by the matrix generated from a GC/MS analysis of an unknown sample to produce a predicted value of the chemical, performance, perceptual or physical property or groups of properties selected.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Terrence Rodney Ashe, Stilianos George Roussis, James Wade Fedora, Gerald Felsky, William Patrick Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 5679574Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of oil in a soil matrix is provided, in which the method involves: extracting a soil sample with a solvent in the presence of a drying agent to provide an extract containing oil, if present in the soil sample, wherein the solvent is capable of complete solvation of oil and is completely miscible with water; filtering the extract; combining the filtered extract with water in the presence of an emulsifier to form an assay sample; and determining the amount of oil in the soil sample by measuring the turbidity of the assay sample to provide a turbidimetric response for the assay sample which correlates to concentration of oil present in the assay sample and comparing the turbidimetric response to a standard curve prepared from performing the methods on soil samples of known oil content. A kit for performing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Ensys Environmental Products, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Friedman, Thomas N. Stewart, Patrick Mize
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Patent number: 5525516Abstract: This invention provides a method for imparting invisible markings for identification purposes to petroleum hydrocarbons by incorporating one or more infrared fluorescing compounds therein. Certain infrared fluorophores from the classes of squaraines (derived from squaric acid), phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines are useful in providing invisibly marked petroleum hydrocarbons such as crude oil, lubricating oils, waxes, gas oil (furnace oil), diesel oil, kerosene and in particular gasoline. The near infrared fluorophores are added to the hydrocarbons at extremely low levels and are detected by exposing the marked hydrocarbon compositions to near infrared radiation having a wavelength in the 670-850 nm range and then detecting the emitted fluorescent light via near infrared light detection means.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: James J. Krutak, Michael R. Cushman, Max A. Weaver