Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to the evaluation of lithology, mineralogy and organic content of earth materials. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to evaluating lithology, mineralogy and organic content of earth materials using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS).

Abstract: The object of this invention is a method for determining ore contents of drill cuttings by irradiating and by detecting fluorescence radiation and scattering radiation. According to the method, drill cuttings being essentially immediately retrieved from the drill hole is arranged as a layer, the upper surface of which is at least partly free from water, a statistically sufficiently representative defined area of the layer is irradiated and the fluorescence of the irradiation is measured for element-characteristic intensities and for Compton-scattering or coherent scattering intensities. The element-characteristic intensities are corrected using coefficients empirically defined from Compton-scattering and/or coherent scattering in order to compensate for the damping due to the coverage effect of water.

Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and displays an effect image concerning a game; a lamp body unit which includes a lamp body which is a formed object and a sensor configured to detect the player's gesture with respect to the lamp body and is provided at a position different from the upper image display panel when viewed from the front surface of the cabinet; and a controller used to start the game, and the controller detects the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game and displays an effect image corresponding to the detected player's gesture on the upper image display panel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining a mass spectrum of a sample and determining a concentration of a component of the sample by utilizing a model of chemical and electron ionization and the obtained mass spectrum.

Abstract: In various embodiments is described a device and method for rapidly analyzing compositions of gases liberated from drilling fluid using spectral absorption analysis. Specifically the invention describes flowing the sample gas thru a closed path gas cell, irradiating the sample gas with a wide band infrared emitter in the 2 to 5 ?m wavelength range, measuring the infrared absorbance spectrum in the range of 2 to 5 ?m using a spectrometer and determining the composition of the gas sample using multivariate analysis of the spectrum. The composition includes the concentration of any one or more, either singularly or in combination, of hydrocarbon gases containing one to eight carbon atoms and carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient, to detect the differentiated gas components, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Determining weight concentration of clay in a sample of a porous material, a water-soluble salt of a metal is selected that enters in a selective ion exchange reaction with clay, with the general formula R+M?, where a metal R+ is selected from the group {Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . }, M? is selected from the group {Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . } in accordance with the table of solubility of inorganic substances in water. Clay is marked by means of mixing the clay with a water solution of the selected salt of the metal, residues of the salt of the metal that have not interacted with the clay are removed. X-ray fluorescent spectrometry of the marked clay and of the sample is conducted and content of the metal in the marked clay and natural content of the metal in the sample are determined. A water solution of the marked clay is pumped through the sample, the sample is dried and X-ray fluorescent spectrometry of the entire sample or of its individual segments is conducted.

Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool or tool body, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient in a receiving section, to detect the differentiated gas components with a detector, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. A reaction section and a vacuum section may be used for waste consumption and/or absorption.

Abstract: A method for calculating the volume of various predetermined organic end-members in samples of rock at various depths in oil reservoir rock is utilized to produce one or more graphic displays that are use to interpret the data to identify, e.g., tar mats, in order to improve the efficient production of hydrocarbons from the well. Data is collected from the samples by known pyrolysis and compositional modeling methods; additional data is obtained by elemental analysis to determine weight percentages of C, H, N, S and O in the selected end-members and characterization of physical properties of representative samples of the reservoir rock, e.g., from core samples; the data is then processed in accordance with the method to provide a series of data points used to produce the graphic displays for visual interpretation.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool or tool body, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient in a receiving section, to detect the differentiated gas components with a detector, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. The receiving section may comprise a diffusion section. A reaction section and a vacuum section may be used for waste consumption and/or absorption.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an indicator precursor composition for determining the hardness of a wellbore fluid filtrate, where the composition includes a colorimetric indicator and a buffer, where the buffer may include a salt of a weak acid and a strong base, and where the indicator precursor may be a dry solid. Also disclosed is a method for determining the hardness of a wellbore fluid filtrate.

Abstract: A wellbore tool has an electrochemical sensor for measuring the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in a fluid downhole in a wellbore. The sensor comprises a temperature- and pressure-resistant housing containing a flow path for the fluids. The fluids flow over one side of a gas permeable membrane the other side of the membrane being exposed to a chamber containing at least two electrodes and containing a reaction solution which together with the hydrogen sulphide or thiols create a redox reaction resulting in an electrical current dependent upon the amount of hydrogen sulphide or thiols in the fluid. Measurement is made by passing formation fluid along the flow path and repeatedly applying varying potential to one electrode and measuring the peak current flowing between that electrode and a second electrode.

Abstract: The diffusion coefficients and relaxation times of mixtures of alkanes follow simple scaling laws based on the chain length of the constituents and the mean chain length of the mixture. These scaling laws are used to determine chain sizes in a mixture from the distribution of the diffusion coefficients. These scaling laws can be used to determine the mean chain lengths (or chain lengths) of a sample (alkanes or mixtures of alkanes) and therefore the constituents of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for estimating terminal purity or terminal contamination for a fluid during the withdrawal of the fluid from a subsurface formation. The apparatus and method provide for measuring refractive index of the fluid over a time period, fitting a curve through the refractive index measurements or data values derived therefrom and estimating a terminal refractive index or terminal value for the data values from the fitted to curve to estimate the terminal contamination or purity for the fluid.

Abstract: Composition which includes a dye (101) that changes color when contacted with a suitable amount of an organic substance, in conjunction with a matrix (103), past (102), support (104) or web (104), that indicates visually or photometrically the presence of the organic substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a leak of a fluid from a vessel having an inner wall and an outer wall includes: at least one odorant layer adjacent the inner wall or the outer wall; and at least one semi-permeable material layer adjacent the odorant layer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ion beam irradiation device includes a vacuum chamber and a stage on which at least two substrates may be mounted such that each substrate has an inclination angle to a horizontal plane of the vacuum chamber. The stage moves in one direction. An ion gun provided in the vacuum chamber produces ion beams that irradiate the substrates. In a single pass through the vacuum chamber, the alignment layers disposed on multiple substrates may be aligned. The substrates can be aligned such that the ion beam irradiates multiple substrates simultaneously and/or such that the ion beam irradiates the multiple substrates sequentially.

Abstract: Described is a downhole method and apparatus for detecting hydrogen sulphide in formation fluids produced in a hydrocarbon well. The sensor system is located within or in communication with an extraction chamber used to extract hydrogen sulphide in a gaseous state from the formation fluid and preferably equipped with renewable sensing elements.

Abstract: A device is provided for extraction of samples of an aqueous solution in a substratum. A probe made up of a pyrometric capsule of porous porcelain has one end of lesser diameter to which is attached a tube of inert material. The tube is sealed hermetically by a rubber cap with two drilled holes. An adapted pipe is fitted into one of the drilled holes for connection to a vacuum pump, and a suction capillary is placed in the other drilled hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method intended for analysis and measurement on constituents carried by a well fluid during drilling operations, wherein the following stages are carried out:

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extraction, analysis and measuring method and system intended for constituents carried along by a well fluid during drilling operations. The system comprises in combination: draw-off means (4) for taking a volume of the fluid, extraction means (3) for extracting in vapour form the constituents contained in the fluid, comprising a space placed under underpressure, a transport line (14), sampling means (27) comprising a sampling loop allowing to take a determined amount of the vapors circulating in the line, distribution means (40) that inject the amount into analysis and measuring means (31), control means (33) for controlling the temperature of the sampling means so as to prevent condensation of said amount of vapors.

Abstract: A thin film transistor design is described which is not subject to either dark or photo current leakage. The process to manufacture this device begins with the formation of a gate electrode on a transparent substrate followed by its over coating with layers of gate insulation, undoped amorphous silicon, doped amorphous silicon, and a second layer of chromium. The chromium and amorphous silicon layers are then patterned and etched to form a channel pedestal. In a key feature of the invention the vertical side walls of this pedestal are then given a protective coating of oxide or nitride, forming spacers. This is then followed by the deposition of second level metal which is etched to form source and drain electrodes with a suitable gap between them.

Abstract: Use of compounds from the class of the phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, nickel dithiolene complexes, aminium compounds of aromatic amines, methine dyes or azulenesquaric acid dyes which have their absorption maximum in the range from 600 to 1,200 nm and/or a fluorescence maximum in the range from 620 to 1,200 nm, as markers for liquids, a process for detecting markers in liquids, and a detector suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Use of compounds from the class of the phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, nickel dithiolene complexes, aminium compounds of aromatic amines, methine dyes or azulenesquaric acid dyes which have their absorption maximum in the range from 600 to 1,200 nm and/or a fluorescence maximum in the range from 620 to 1,200 nm, as markers for liquids, a process for detecting markers in liquids, and a detector suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sample to determine its mineral composition. The invention combines X-ray diffraction with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to provide a complete spectrum including molecular vibrations, probed by FTIR scans and lattice spacing measured by X-ray diffraction in a single representation. This FX spectrum provides a more complete and accurate mineralogy than either of the techniques alone. In addition, new techniques for independent X-ray diffraction analysis and FTIR analysis are described.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterization of in-situ microbial biofilm populations in subsurface groundwater. The device permits biofilm-forming microorganisms to adhere to packing material while emplaced in a groundwater strata, so that the packing material can be later analyzed for quantity and type of microorganisms, growth rate, and nutrient requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for the determination of water soluble glycols and polyglycols (polyalkoxylates). The apparatus and method are particularly suited for the on-site quantitation of glycols and polyglycols in aqueous drilling fluids.

Abstract: Steam quality is measured by mixing the steam with a small amount of surfactant to convert the steam to a stable foam, passing the stable foam through a capillary tube to determine foam quality (volume of vapor per volume of vapor and liquid) by measuring the streaming potential coupling coefficient of the foam passing through the tube, and converting foam quality (volume per volume) to steam quality (mass of vapor per mass of vapor and liquid) based upon the fluid density of the liquid-water and water-vapor phase of the steam.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of sulfide in a process stream. The method comprises the steps of adding to a process stream a sulfide scavenger (probe) that changes electronic properties when it reacts with sulfide. One can then monitor the electronic properties of the sulfide scavenger in the process stream to determine the concentration of sulfide present. In a preferred embodiment, the sulfide scavenger is either fluorescent and when it reacts with sulfide becomes inactive or is inactive and when it reacts with sulfide becomes fluorescent.

Abstract: A method of quantitative analysis of products, such as barite, bentonite or polymers, in a drilling fluid circulating in a wellbore being drilled is described. The method includes the steps of sampling the drilling fluid, and analysing the sample to determine the density of the fluid and the weight fraction of solids in the fluid. In addition, a known weight of the sample is dried to constant weight so as to obtain the products under the form of solids, which solids are analysed by an infrared spectroscopy technique. The concentration of the products in the drilling fluid is then determined. The method can be applied to the control of the drilling operation by monitoring the quantity of products added to the drilling fluid, such as barite and polymers, or a product coming from the borehole wall or the underground formation being drilled. The invention also applies to the control of the working condition of the mud solids equipment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting leakage of hydrocarbons from and preventing corrosion of underground storage tanks. Soil samples near an underground storage tank are taken and analyzed in the field, preferably using hexane as a solvent to detect the presence of hydrocarbons such as heating and waste oil. The soil-to-tank potential of the tank and the presence of water within the tank are measured and, if warranted, cathodic protection provided to the tank to prevent corrosion or further corrosion.

Abstract: A method is provided for locating non-aqueous phase liquid in an aquifer. An aqueous solution having the capacity to solubilize the contaminating liquid to concentrations greater than the solubility of the contaminant in water is injected and produced through a well. Chemical concentrations in produced fluid samples are interpreted to locate the contaminating liquid. Produced fluid samples are chemically analyzed to determine composition of the contaminant.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a mixture of hydrocarbon oils by using gel-permeation chromatography together with infrared detection. According to the method the signals from the infrared detector are combined to form fingerprints (M) which are characteristic of the samples being analyzed and which represent the molecular size distribution of the various hydrocarbon fractions in the samples. Then, the fingerprints are combined either to determine the concentration and the fingerprints of an unknown oil present in a mixture of two oils, or else the concentrations of n known oils in a mixture of the n oils.

Abstract: A process for extracting and analyzing virtually any sample which may be contaminated with pollutants, toxics or other impurities. The process can be used to extract and analyze one contaminant, such as a volatile compound (gasoline), or the process can be used to extract and analyze several contaminants, including both volatiles and semi-volatiles. The process comprises a vacuum extraction technique followed by a heating/cooling cycle comprising a series of heating and cooling stages.

Abstract: Drift or residual oil saturation within a reservoir around a wellbore is determined by injection of a water-soluble tracer and then producing from the well. This injection is performed twice. The first injection is immediately followed by production in order to create a baseline. The second injection is followed by a soak period, and then production. Production of the tracers is compared to determine drift or residual oil saturation within the reservoir.

Abstract: Method and kit useful in geochemical exploration for petroleum oils. The method involves contacting a soil sample with serum from a rabbit that has not been immunized with petroleum oils, and determining the amount of the bound serum as indicative of the presence of petroleum oils in the geographic region from which the sample was obtained.

Abstract: A simple, on-site, field test method and kit for aromatic contamination in a water sample is provided. In the field test, the water sample is first extracted using an alkyl halide extractant, with a Friedel-Crafts Lewis acid catalyst being added to the resulting extractant phase. A reaction product is thereby produced having a characteristic color indicative of the amount and type of aromatic contamination.

Abstract: A microbiological assay based on bioluminesce employing the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula. An oil well drilling fluid sample is prepared according to E. P. A. procedures to obtain a suspended particulate phase sample. An aliquot of the sample is added to a growth medium containing Pyrocystis lunula in suspension. The mixture is agitated to subject the Pyrocystis lunula to a shear stress. Light emitted as a result of the shear stress on the Pyrocystis lunula is measure and compared with a control to determine if there is diminution of light produced by the Pyrocystis lunula in the mixture. Diminution of light production is an indication of the presence of a toxic substance in the sample.

Abstract: The invention in one aspect provides a method of testing drilling mud in use which comprises periodically sampling the circulating mud and analyzing its aqueous filtrate at the rig site by ion chromatography for selected positive and negative ions; one or more other parameters of the sampled mud and/or mud filtrate (e.g. pH, temperature) may also be measured; preferably the composition of the mud filtrate thus monitored is interpreted to indicate downhole interactions, with the composition of the mud supplied to the hole being adjusted to or towards the optimum as drilling proceeds. The invention also provides a method in which the solids of the periodically sampled mud are analyzed at the rig site, e.g. for sorbed ions and/or for cation exchange capacity; the values so obtained are preferably combined with those for the mud filtrate analysis and used in the diagnosis of downhole conditions for adjustment of the composition of freshly supplied mud.