Lubricant, Grease, Mineral Oil, Hydrocarbon Oil Product, Or Fats Or Lipids For Oxidation (e.g., Breakdown Products Or Contamination, Etc.) Patents (Class 436/60)
  • Patent number: 6331436
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Richardson, Kevin D. Kimber
  • Publication number: 20010041366
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of an analyte indicative of various medical conditions, including halitosis, periodontal disease and other diseases are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Nathan Lewis, Erik Severin, Bernard Wong, David Kelso, Beth Munoz
  • Patent number: 6245571
    Abstract: The invention relates to the study and the manufacture of lubricants used in particular in diesel engines. According to the invention, the neutralization capacity of a lubricant comprising detergent additives is determined by a method which consists in reacting, in a leaktight tank, at a constant temperature, the bases contributed by the additives present in a lubricant film of known mass with a predetermined amount of a liquid acid and in recording, as a function of the time, the values of the pressure within the leaktight tank, and in then determining, from the recorded values of the pressure, at lest one of the following three characterizing parameters: an initiation period for the reaction, a neutralization potential and a reaction rate. The invention finds its application in research and control laboratories of manufacturers of lubricants and in those of engine manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Elf Antar France
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Roman
  • Patent number: 6235532
    Abstract: Sensing the presence of furfuraldehyde (FFA) in oil is effected by a porous solid sensor (10) comprising aniline acetate entrapped in an inert matrix. The matrix may be a sol-gel preferably based on methyltrimethoxysilane. The solid sensor (10) reacts with FFA to form a pink colored complex which has a characteristic which correlates with the concentration of FFA in the oil and which can be measured photo-optically. Photo-optical measurement may be by absorption or fluorescence when the sensor is irradiated with an interrogating beam. The absorption maximum wavelength is about 525 nm and irradiation at that wavelength produces a maximum fluorescent output at about 570 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: University of Strathclyde
    Inventors: Deepak Gulabrai Uttamchandani, Robert George Blue
  • Patent number: 6228650
    Abstract: In an HF alkylation process where an acid catalyst regeneration column separates HF acid from ASO and water to provide regenerated catalyst for a catalyst circulation stream, and where buildup of ASO in the catalyst circulation stream is encountered, an improved control scheme uses an on-line analyzer/controller to maintain desired concentrations of HF acid, or ASO or water in the catalyst circulation stream. In one embodoment, a continuously flowing catalyst slip stream is piped to the analyzer/controller for simultaneously determining concentration of HF acid, ASO and water, and in a preferred embodiment the ASO concentration is maintained at a desired low level by manipulating temperature of a stripping fluid charged to a lower section of the column. An alternate manipulated variable is temperature of the acid catalyst feed to the regenerator column. Alternate controlled variables are the HF acid, and water concentration in the catalyst circulation stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: William P. Moore, Mark A. Clark, Bruce B. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6207462
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing the aggregate content of asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes placing a preheated, preweighed container carrying a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition into a preheated furnace with the preheated furnace being warmer than the preheated sample, continuing to heat the furnace while drawing air through the furnace at a rate that avoids impeding the heating of the furnace or the sample until the sample in the container reaches its combustion temperature and the combustion of the sample becomes exothermic, initiating a second draw of air around rather than through the furnace to moderate the exterior temperature of the furnace, accelerating the draw through the furnace to increase the rate of combustion of the exothermic reaction, and reweighing the container and sample after combustion is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David Allan Barclay, Ali Regimand
  • Patent number: 6194216
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the presence and quantity of an amine-based additive in fluids, particularly aqueous fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery such as drilling fluids, drill-in fluids, completion fluids, and the like. It was discovered that, after isolating the amine-based additive, the amount of clay stabilizer is linearly dependent upon the spectrometric count of its peak fluorescent spectrum. The method is reproducible and is not bothered by the presence of lignosulfonate and/or lignite which interferes with conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nyal S. Walker, Michael A. Jarrett, Dennis K. Clapper
  • Patent number: 6190917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes directing sufficient microwave radiation from a microwave source to a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition to ignite the asphalt in the composition and to thereafter entirely combust the asphalt in the sample. The apparatus includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the microwave source, a sample holder in the cavity for holding a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition during exposure to microwaves from the source, thermal insulation between the sample holder and the remainder of the cavity, and means for minimizing or eliminating any undesired combustion products generated by the burning asphalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David Allan Barclay, Ali Regimand
  • Patent number: 6127185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument and methods for determining stability of oils and fats. The instrument includes a sample reaction vessel for containing a sample of an oil or fat, a moisturized gas source operably connected to the vessel for contacting a moisturized gas with the sample, a compound trap containing water operably connected to the vessel to contact the moisturized gas from the vessel with the water, and an automatic data acquisition and control system for monitoring the electrical conductivity of the water. The method is carried out by heating an oil or a fat, contacting the oil or fat with a moisturized gas, contacting the moisturized gas with water to form a trap solution, measuring the electrical conductivity of the trap solution, and determining the stability of the oil or fat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon L. Melton, Hung-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 6117682
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Dexsil Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore B. Lynn, Keith A. Wright
  • Patent number: 6114177
    Abstract: A method for measuring total antioxidant activity of antioxidants utilizes BODIPY dyes which fluoresce in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum as a fluorescent reporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Phytochem Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yousry Moustafa Aly Naguib
  • Patent number: 6096553
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for on-line determination of concentrations in an HF alkylation process catalyst stream containing HF acid, ASO, water and optionally an additive which suppresses the vapor pressure of HF acid. The method employs near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric data analysis. The data analysis uses a partial least squares regression technique which determines unknown concentrations based on spectral calibration data. In use, an absorbance spectrum of material is obtained, e.g., from a slipstream taken from the process alkylation catalyst stream, and the detected spectrum is mathematically analyzed with the aid of the computer to simultaneously predict concentration of HF acid, ASO, water and optionally the additive which suppresses the vapor pressure of HF acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: Randall L. Heald, Alan Dan Eastman, Bruce B. Randolph, Donald H. Renfro
  • Patent number: 6087662
    Abstract: Asphaltene concentration of a hydrocarbon feed is measured by IR spectroscopy using mid-range IR frequencies between 3800 cm.sup.-1 and 650 cm.sup.-1 (corresponding to wavelengths between 2630 nanometers (nm) and 15,380 nm) together with mathematical techniques and statistical techniques in which measurements of absorption are made, and combines these with multiple regression analysis, or other statistical technique and modeling to determine asphaltene concentration. The output signal can be used to control refinery and chemical processes, e.g., atmospheric crude column, vacuum distillation column, solvent deasphalting and visbreaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Wilt, William T. Welch
  • Patent number: 6054323
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assaying an asphalt-containing composite material by irradiating the sample using a radiation source having a tunable preselected wavelength selected to closely approximate the absorbance wavelength of a particular material or materials found in the composite material to reduce the overall time and temperatures ordinarily needed to combust and assay such samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Troxler Electronics Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, W. Linus Dep, William Finch Troxler, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6040188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to measurements of contaminants in the soil and other organic or environmental materials, using a biologically relevant chemical analysis that will measure the amount of contaminants in a given sample that may be expected to be absorbed by a human being ingesting the contaminated soil. According to the present invention, environmental samples to be tested are added to a pre-prepared physiological composition of bile salts and lipids. They are thoroughly mixed and then the resulting mixture is separated e.g. by centrifugation. The supernatant is then analyzed for the presence of contaminants and these concentrations are compared to the level of contaminants in the untreated samples. It is important that the bile salts and lipids be thoroughly pre-mixed to form micelles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Hoi-Ying N. Holman
  • Patent number: 6027940
    Abstract: A reagent for the acid value determination in oils. The reagent contains a tertiary amine, such as triethanolamine, in a water-alcohol mixture as solvent. Preferred is isopropanol/water. The reagent allows determinations of acid values in oils in a two phase system. The use of the reagent is based on a pH-metric technique with conditional pH-measurement before and after the addition of an oil sample to the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Yakov Tur'Yan, Oleg Berezin, Ilya Kuselman, Shenhar Avinoam
  • Patent number: 5998211
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Albert, Juergen Kipper, Christos Vamvakaris, Karin Heidrun Beck, Gerhard Wagenblast
  • Patent number: 5981288
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for determining the concentration of a surfactant in a transparent hydrocarbon by performing the steps of adding a solid to the hydrocarbon; adding a second masking reagent to the hydrocarbon; mixing to form a dispersion; separating the dispersion from the mixture; and measuring the optical absorption of the dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Wiley L. Parker, Alan E. Goliaszewski, Nancy R. Calvert
  • Patent number: 5981283
    Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbon fuel composition comprises at least one tagging agent and a mixture of hydrocarbon components having boiling points in the range of about 100 degrees F. to about 800 degrees F. The tagging agent is present at a concentration in the range of from about 0.5 ppb to about 500 ppb. The tagging agent is elutable by chromatographic analysis of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel composition apart from the hydrocarbon components of the fuel composition. The tagging agent is formed from an organic compound containing elements found at natural isotopic abundance. Preferably, two or more tagging agents are employed in the fuel so that each fuel composition can be assigned a unique tagging agent composition. Analysis techniques are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Isotag, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David K. Anderson, II, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Nicholas Paul Valenti
  • Patent number: 5958780
    Abstract: Methods for marking a liquid and methods and systems for identifying marked liquids. A liquid can be marked for identification purposes with at least a first marker and a second marker. Each of the markers is miscible with the liquid. The markers are mixed in the liquid so that the ratio of the concentration of the first marker to the concentration of the second marker is substantially equal to a predetermined value. Thus, when a system according to the invention measures the concentrations of the first and second markers, the system can compare the ratio of the measured concentration of the first marker to the measured concentration of the second marker with a look up table of the predetermined values to provide information concerning the identity of the liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the markers is measured using an absorption spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Boston Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Asher, Richard H. Clarke, Mohammad S. Farahat
  • Patent number: 5935863
    Abstract: A method of determining or predicting a value P.sub.x of a property of a feed X to a steam cracking process or yield of said process, which method comprises measuring the absorption D.sub.ix of said material at more than one wavelength in the region 600-2600 nm, comparing signals indicative of said adsorptions or a mathematical function thereof with signals indicative of absorptions D.sub.im or mathematical function thereof at the same wavelength for a number of standards S in a bank for which the said property or yield P is known, and choosing from the bank at least one standard S.sub.m with property P.sub.m said standard having the smallest average value of the absolute difference at each wavelength i between the signal for the material and the signal for the standard S.sub.m to obtain P.sub.x, with averaging of said properties or yields P.sub.m when more than one standard S.sub.m is chosen. If desired the method can be used as such to control the steam cracking process by comparison of P.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignees: BP Chemicals Limited, Naphtachimie S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Descales, Didier Lambert, Jean-Richard Llinas, Andre Martens, Claude Granzotto
  • Patent number: 5928950
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dexsil Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Wright, George A. Wheeldon, Theodore B. Lynn
  • Patent number: 5919707
    Abstract: The concentration of the active ingredient in a rolling oil emulsion can be rapidly determined, and correction of the concentration of the active ingredient can be undertaken by measuring the measuring the amount of light reflected from the emulsion at the peak absorbing wavelength of the dye to obtain a first reflectance value and measuring the amount of light reflected from said emulsion at a wavelength other than the peak absorbing wavelength of the dye to obtain a second reflectance value for at least two different concentrations of the rolling oil in the rolling oil emulsion, establishing a calibration curve, and then monitoring the rolling oil emulsion in like manner. The results may be utilized to feed additional additive to the emulsion, or may be used to feed water into the emulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rodney H. Banks, Charles C. Payne
  • Patent number: 5885838
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying the source of a transported chemical shipment. The method employs either a chemical element or an organic compound with one or more atoms that are non-radioactive isotopes generally not found in nature. A small quantity of the isotopic compound is introduced into the storage vessel containing the chemical to be transported prior to shipment of the chemical. Upon arrival at its destination point, a sample of the chemical shipment is analyzed. Matching the isotopic compound found in the chemical with the isotopic compound introduced into the storage vessel prior to shipment is indicative that the shipped chemical is identical to the chemical received. Non-radioactive materials may further be employed for detecting the source of a newly introduced contaminant in a water supply. The chemical substance may be a non-radioactive isotope of the chemical shipment being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: David K. Anderson, II, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Nicholas Paul Valenti
  • Patent number: 5879946
    Abstract: A method for allowing authentification of a bulk liquid e.g. petrol or another mineral oil based product, comprises introducing into the liquid a small amount of a chemiluminescent substance. Samples for authentification are subjected to the conditions required to trigger the chemiluminescent reaction and monitored for chemiluminescent emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Molecular Light Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ian Weeks, Sian Aerona Herbert
  • Patent number: 5861228
    Abstract: An apparatus for on-line measuring physical property data of hydrocarbon products such as octane number, cetane number, density, vapour pressure and the like or gasoline/alcohol ratio, comprising means for providing (N)IR radiation in a predetermined spectral range; means for transmitting light at selected wavelengths in the (N)IR spectral region; means for delivering light from said transmitting means to a hydrocarbon product line; means for allowing an optical path length in the hydrocarbon product line; means for detecting the light transmitted through the said optical path; means for providing the obtained signal to be input to processing equipment for spectral analysis and correlating the spectral data to the physical property data of hydrocarbon products such as octane number, cetane number, density, vapour pressure and the like or gasoline/alcohol ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignees: BP Chemicals Limited, Naphtachimie S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Descales, Claude Granzotto, Didier Lambert, Jean-Richard Llinas, Andre Martens
  • Patent number: 5840582
    Abstract: In a first embodiment of the invention, a method for determining the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of a liquid hydrocarbon fraction is presented. A sample of the liquid fraction is subjected to an ultra-violet absorption analysis. The results of the analysis correlate directly to the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the hydrocarbon fraction and, with a knowledge of this correlation, the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the sample under analysis may be determined. Another embodiment provides a method for monitoring the performance of a process for the preparation of olefins by the thermal cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock. A liquid fraction is recovered from the product of the thermal cracking and subjected to an ultra-violet absorption analysis. The result of the analysis correlates directly to the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the product, which in turn correlates to the cracking severity being applied in the thermal cracking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Danny Yuk-Kwan Ngan
  • Patent number: 5817517
    Abstract: The present invention is a method to determine the chemical concentration of one or more of a number of the constituent classes of a feed to a catalytic cracking process. These constituent classes which are referred to as "lumps", include 14 different molecular types in 4 different boiling range fractions. A specific lump will include all individual molecular components which are expected to react in a similar way in the catalytic cracking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce N. Perry, James Milton Brown
  • Patent number: 5804447
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Albert, Juergen Kipper, Christos Vamvakaris, Karin Heidrun Beck, Gerhard Wagenblast
  • Patent number: 5800782
    Abstract: The total base number of an oil sample of measured volume is determined by solvating the oil sample, adding a predetermined amount of acidic species to the solvated sample to react the acidic species with any basic species contained in the oil sample, extracting the remaining acidic species into an extractant phase, separating the extractant phase from the oil sample, and measuring the acidic species content of the extractant phase to determine the quantity of basic species in the oil sample. The same technique may be used to determine the total acid number of an oil sample by adding a predetermined amount of basic species to the sample and measuring the basic species content of the extractant phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Dexsil Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Hagstrom, Stephen R. Finch, Timothy D. Lynn
  • Patent number: 5773295
    Abstract: A method for determining the acid value of oilseeds. A reagent kit for the rapid extraction of the free fatty acids from oilseeds which consists of reagents: "A" and "B". Reagent "A" contains a tertiary amine (such as triethanolamine) in water and an alcohol--hydrocarbon mixture as solvent. Preferred is water/isopropanol/heptane. Reagent "A" allows rapid (1-2 min) solid-liquid extraction of the free fatty acids and some other acids from oilseeds. Reagent "B" contains a strong acid and an inorganic salt in water. Reagent "B" enables the rextraction (liquid-liquid; about 5 min) of the free fatty acids only into a separate hydrocarbon phase, which can be used for the acid value determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Yaakov I. Turyan, Oleg Yu Berezin, Ilya Kuselman, Avinoam Shenhar
  • Patent number: 5770150
    Abstract: A process and test kit for the rapid qualitative determination of fat oxidation based on an iodometric method for peroxide value and employing ready-made test solutions is disclosed. A visible color change is used to determine whether a fat sample contains an amount of fat peroxides in excess of a predetermined amount, and is therefore unacceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Kemin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Thornton, Lawrence Keith Schlatter, Douglas Howard Catron
  • Patent number: 5756357
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Dexsil Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Wright, George A. Wheeldon, Theodore B. Lynn
  • Patent number: 5738693
    Abstract: A method for detecting naphthylamines which are present as tracers in mineral oils, wherein the naphthylamine is extracted by treating the mineral oil with an aqueous medium, and is coupled in the aqueous phase with a diazonium salt to form an azo dye, the use of specific naphthylamines as tracers in mineral oils and mineral oils containing these specific naphthylamines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Dyllick-Brenzinger, Ulrike Schlosser, Walter Kurtz, Gunther Lamm
  • Patent number: 5712165
    Abstract: Systems and methods for material analysis are disclosed in which an organic sample (e.g., a foodstuff, tissue sample or petroleum product) is illuminated at a plurality of discrete wavelengths which are absorbed by fatty acid and fatty acid oxidation products in the sample. Measurements of the intensity of reflected or absorbed light at such wavelengths are taken, and a analysis of absorbance ratios for various wavelengths is performed. Changes in the reflection ratios are correlated with the oxidative state of fatty acids present in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Beth Israel Hospital Administration
    Inventors: Juan G. Alvarez, Mark Modell
  • Patent number: 5707871
    Abstract: Both a method and a kit for testing the fitness of a polyolester lubricant of the type used in a refrigerant compressor are provided. In the method of the invention, a solution for indicating an excess acidity of the polyolester lubricant is obtained by mixing a color acidity indicator, such as alizarin, with a sufficient amount of an alkaline to neutralize the inherent acidity of the lubricant. The resulting solution changes color only upon the presence of an excess acid condition associated with a compressor malfunction, such as burn out. Both the method and the kit are particularly well adapted to determine the fitness of polyolester lubricants of the type prepared by the reaction of trimethylolpropane with a mixture of a branched and a linear acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Rajender Kumar Sadhir, Margaret L. Fowkes, Jeffrey Blaine Berge
  • Patent number: 5700447
    Abstract: The in vivo oxidation of lipids and lipid-containing molecules has been discovered to be initiated by the concurrent reaction of such lipid materials with reducing sugars such as glucose, advanced glycosylation endproducts such as AGE-peptides, or a compound which forms advanced glycosylation endproducts, to form materials or particles known as AGE-lipids. AGE-lipids have been implicated in the aging process, the abnormal formation of lipofuscin and in various disease states such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. Diagnostic methods are contemplated, extending in utility from the detection of the onset and course of conditions in which variations in lipid oxidation, AGE-lipid levels, LDL levels, apolipoprotein levels, apolipoprotein receptor binding the like, may be measured, to drug discovery assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Picowder Institute for Medical Research
    Inventors: Richard J. Bucala, Helen Vlassara, Anthony Cerami, Kevin J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 5699269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Terrence Rodney Ashe, Stilianos George Roussis, James Wade Fedora, Gerald Felsky, William Patrick Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 5670374
    Abstract: A process and test kit for the rapid qualitative determination of fat oxidation based on an iodometric method for peroxide value and employing ready-made test solutions is disclosed. A visible color change is used to determine whether a fat sample contains an amount of fat peroxides in excess of a predetermined amount, and is therefore unacceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Kemin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Thornton, Lawrence Keith Schlatter, Douglas Howard Catron
  • Patent number: 5646047
    Abstract: This invention relates to power transformers. More particularly, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus for detecting the degree of degradation of paper insulation in a transformer by determining the concentration of furaldehyde in the transformer oil. A reagent for detecting the presence of furaldehyde in transformer oil comprising: (a) a primary amine selected from the group consisting of aniline, toluidine, anisidine, aminophenol or an amine; (b) a second component having about 3 mL of about 15 to 33 (weight to volume) percent of acetic acid alone, or in combination with citric acid; from about 67 to 85 (volume) percent of a halogenated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene; about 4 (weight to volume) percent of salicylic acid; and about 1 (weight to volume) percent of an anti-oxidant; and (c) a third component having about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Powertech Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick John Bird, Nicola Dominelli, Gordon R. Ashby
  • Patent number: 5629212
    Abstract: A chloride analyzer includes an inlet valve and filters for process water to be analyzed, as well as a pH electrode to verify the pH value of the incoming liquid before further treatment. A stripper bubbles stripping air through the process water to remove hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide therefrom, and the discharge line from said stripper feeds a reaction vessel to which also reagent from a supply vessel is passed. After a suitable reaction time, optionally followed by a further air stripping operation through air supply line, the reaction products are fed via line to an ionometry measuring cell where chloride analysis is carried out using a specific ion selective electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Patrick Herman, Jean M. Faure, Philippe Engelberg, Michel Mercusot
  • Patent number: 5627076
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nyal S. Walker, Patrick L. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5627077
    Abstract: Anilines of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl orR.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the nitrogen atom linking them are a heterocyclic radical or R.sup.1 may furthermore be unsubstituted or substituted hydroxyl or unsubstituted or substituted amino,R.sup.3 and R.sup.7 are each hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl, cyano, nitro, acyl, acylamino, unsubstituted or substituted hydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted carboxymethyl, unsubstituted or substituted amino, unsubstituted or substituted mercapto or unsubstituted or substituted sulfamoyl or, together with R.sup.2, are alkylene, alkenylene or phenylalkenylene,R.sup.4 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted hydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted amino, unsubstituted or substituted carboxyl or unsubstituted or substituted sulfamoyl andR.sup.5 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Dyllick-Brenzinger, Friedrich-Wilhelm Raulfs, Ulrike Schlosser
  • Patent number: 5594327
    Abstract: A method for determining the degree of deterioration of oils or fats for deep-frying or frying foods is disclosed. The specific ohmic resistance of the oils or fats is measured and the extent of the fall of this resistance with increasing deep-frying time or frying time is used as a correlation for the degree of deterioration of the oils or fats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Wamsler Grosskuechentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Angelos N. Sagredos, Ilmar Neumeister
  • Patent number: 5589138
    Abstract: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) can be regenerated and stabilized by the controlled addition of a chelating agent. The resulting sequestration of the dissolved metals in the MWF has been found to reduce incidence of dermatitis, to control the growth of microbes including bacteria and fungi, and to reduce the generation of odors, all without the further addition of fresh (virgin) MWF or a conventional biocide. Apparatus useful for this control includes monitoring means for determining the presence of free metal ions in the MWF, testing means for determining the concentration of free metal ions if present, and addition means for adding, in a controlled manner, a chelating agent for sequestering the free metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Peter H. Drechsler
  • Patent number: 5583049
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an HF alkylation system comprising a reactor, a settler, an HF acid regenerator and a source of fresh HF acid wherein a stream of olefins and a stream of isobutanes are contacted in the reactor in the presence an HF acid catalyst. At least the reactor feed is sampled, and the sample is passed to an analyzer using an attenuated total reflectance cell. Signals are generated which are representative of infrared spectra of the samples in a range providing information on the amount of at least one of HF, water, ASO and sulfolane. These signals are simultaneously determined and generated because all absorb in the same spectral region. This aspect provides for viewing these distortions of the main HF absorption band to quantify these three components. The infrared spectra signals are compared with stored signals to generate control signals; and at least one of HF, water and sulfolane fed to the reactor feed is adjusted in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Altman, Rafi Jalkian
  • Patent number: 5573952
    Abstract: A process for measuring and controlling the concentration of a solution at an aim point of an amide solvent and aramid polymers having aromatic and aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds that overlap using a near-infrared analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Moessner
  • Patent number: 5569842
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants is provided. The apparatus includes a spectrometer for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant, a computer for processing the spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant, and a display for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Man-Gill Chemical Company
    Inventor: Regan L. Silvestri
  • Patent number: 5567618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Karl Fischer reagent for the determination of water, characterized in that it contains tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) as alcohol component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Riedel-De Haen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eugen Scholz
  • Patent number: 5561052
    Abstract: There are disclosed a process for detecting and determining an oxidized lipid in a specimen, which is capable of readily and accurately determining a specimen as containing an oxidized lipid, and a process for forming a water-soluble oxidized lipid having a hydroperoxide group which has specific influence on a living body. A specimen is detected and determined to contain an oxidized lipid by adding a lanthanide shift reagent to a specimen, followed by spectroscopic analysis thereof. An oxidized lipid is formed by adding superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CuSO.sub.4 to (1) an emulsion prepared by dissolving linoleic acid or arachidonic acid in deuterated methyl alcohol and adding the solution to a deuterated phosphate buffer under stirring, or to (2) a low density lipoprotein solution sufficiently dialyzed against an undeuterated phosphate buffer; followed by irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Katsumasa Koike