Abstract: A process and apparatus therefore in which a sludge treatment stage 24 is controlled in response to the density or solids content of the sludge includes flowing sludge along a flow line 1 towards the treatment stage, taking a sample from the flow line 1, degassing the sample to produce a degassed sample, measuring the density or solids content of the degassed sample, and utilizing the measured degassed density or solids content of the degassed sample for controlling the treatment stage 24.

Abstract: A magnetic toner with a negative polarity for developing latent electrostatic images is made of toner particles, each toner particle containing a binder resin, a magnetic powder, and a charge control agent, the surface of the magnetic toner satisfying the relationship of 2×10−7≦C/Sw≦10×10−7, provided C≦8×10−3, wherein C is an amount (g/g) of the charge control agent dissolved in a solvent comprising water and methanol, and Sw is a specific surface area (cm2/cm3) of the toner particles determined from a weight-average particle diameter of the toner particles. An image forming apparatus has an electrostatic image bearing member, and a unit for developing the electrostatic image with the above magnetic toner, the unit having a developer holding member provided with a magnet, and a developer container.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel includes the steps of fluidizing particles from a position below the settled level of particles, and measuring a static pressure of liquid within the vessel at a position in the vessel below the settled level of particles. The fluidized static pressure is correlated to a level of settled particles within the vessel using an experimentally determined relationship. The apparatus includes an inlet pipe into the vessel at a position below the settled level of particles, and a pump which recirculates liquid from the vessel above the submerged level of particles, remote from the settled level of particles, and a static pressure instrument connected to the inlet pipe. A solids pump can be activated to remove settled particles from the vessel, the operation of the pump being controlled by the measured level of settled particles.

Abstract: A method including: sonicating a liquid suspension of first particles; and analyzing the liquid phase for second particles. An apparatus including: a sonicator adapted to sonicate a liquid suspension of first particles; and a first analyzer adapted to analyze the sonicated liquid phase for second particles. The method and apparatus can be used to analyze the adhesion force relationships between the main or host first particles and guest or surface additive second particles.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of particulate contamination in a fluid power or lubrication system. Between the inlet and the outlet of the device, working fluid passes through a narrow orifice (26) defined between a cylindrical spool (22) and surrounding sleeve (20). As the orifice becomes obstructed by particulate contamination, fluid flow through the device reduces. The contamination level is assessed by measuring the characteristic reduction in fluid flow rate over a period of time. Following the measurement cycle, fluid flow through the device is reversed causing the spool to move relatively within the sleeve to an area of increased bore (40) whereby the enlarged gap allows the release of all trapped contaminants. Following this flushing cycle, the fluid is reverted to the original flow direction, the spool returns to the position within the spool that defines the narrow orifice and another measurement cycle begins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and controlling a property of colloidal substances that undergo at least one of a temperature dependent phase transition and a temperature dependent adsorption-desorption process is disclosed. The colloidal particles are characterized by performing successive measurements of light attenuation or emission by a colloidal mixture at two or more temperatures and at one or more wavelength. The difference or ratio of the measurements at two or more temperatures provides a measure of the colloidal stability with respect to temperature. The amount of certain organic colloids that are unstable to temperature variation may be determined from the magnitude of the measurement change. This method may be specifically applied to determining the tackiness and propensity to deposit of colloidal pitch or wood resin in pulp or paper process water as an indication of the effectiveness of a chemical control program.

Abstract: A device for measuring concentration of a flowing suspension wherein a moveable detector body (3) is arranged for detecting the resistance against movement in the suspension, and including a flow modifying element (4) for bringing a portion of the suspension which is representative of the concentration of the suspension flow to the region of the detector element (3). The invention is distinguished by the flow modifying element being a fixed deflector (4), which is arranged to deflect a boundary layer (7) of the suspension flow closest to the conduit wall (1) such that it is brought away from the region of the detector body (3). The invention also concerns a method for measuring concentration and a deflector.

Abstract: This invention provides microfabricated systems for extraction of desired particles from a sample stream containing desired and undesired particles. The sample stream is placed in laminar flow contact with an extraction stream under conditions in which inertial effects are negligible. The contact between the two streams is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow differential transport of the desired particles from the sample stream into the extraction stream. In a preferred embodiment the differential transport mechanism is diffusion. The extraction system of this invention coupled to a microfabricated diffusion-based mixing device and/or sensing means allows picoliter quantities of fluid to be processed or analyzed on devices no larger than silicon wafers. Such diffusion-based mixing or sensing devices are preferably channel cell systems for detecting the presence and/or measuring the quantity of analyte particles in a sample stream.

Abstract: The present invention cleans contaminants from pipes. The first step may be pulling a vacuum on the pipe to be cleaned. The pipe is then filled with a solvent, which is preferably a fluorocarbon solvent. After the pipe is filled with solvent, a cleaning solution is pumped at a high velocity through the pipe. The cleaning solution preferably comprises the fluorocarbon solvent, and a fluorosurfactant. The pipe is then rinsed with solvent. A particle counter is used to determine whether the solvent rinse contains an acceptably low number of particles. The solvent is then blown out of the pipe by a gas, such as dry air. A vacuum is then pulled on the pipe. Subsequently, a hot dry gas is pumped through the pipe to evaporate and remove any remaining solvent. The gas is preferably hot, dry air. The gas exiting from the pipe is then checked to confirm that it contains an acceptably low level of solvent vapor.

Abstract: A rig and test program for determining the amount, if any, of contamination that will collect in the passages of a fluid flow system, such as a power plant fluid delivery system to equipment assemblies or sub-assemblies, and for establishing methods and processes for removing contamination therefrom. In the presently proposed embodiment, the rig and test programs are adapted in particular to utilize a high-pressure, high-volume water flush to remove contamination from substantially the entire fluid delivery system, both the quantity of contamination and as disposed or deposited within the system.

Abstract: In this invention, a cell parameter, for example cell volume, is determined by subjecting one or more aliquots of a sample cell suspension to one or more alterations of at least one parameter of the cell environment to identify a point at which the cells achieve a particular shape to obtain a sample specific shape compensation factor. Preferably, the environmental parameter change is a reduction in osmolality.

Abstract: Agglomerates 20 in a mixed phase container 1 are detected by measuring strain in a detecting rod 50 disposed in the mixed phase container 1 in which a mixed phase of gas and powders is formed. The detecting rod 50 is disposed at an insertion angle &thgr; in the range from 20 degrees to 70 degrees with relation to the flow of gas and powders.

Abstract: A disposable sampling device for an apparatus for counting particles contained in a liquid, including a solid block-shaped housing connectable in a defined position to the apparatus. The housing has a member for introducing a sample therein, a device for metering a defined volume of the sample, and a chamber for containing a defined volume (V) of a diluting liquid. A diluting chamber is provided together with a device for simultaneously directing the defined volume of a sample and the defined volume of diluting liquid to the diluting chamber for obtaining therein a diluted sample. A device is provided for directing at least a portion of the diluted sample past a particle detecting member, and a signal transmitting member connects the particle detecting member and terminal member located at an outer boundary of the housing in a position corresponding to a location of a terminal member of the apparatus when the housing is connected thereto in the defined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the propensity of fuel materials to leave deposits in compression ignition engines is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a closed chamber fitted with conduits to supply fuel composition, air, and other test fluids to its interior, and arranged to contain or substantially contain a substrate. Substrate is placed in the chamber to provide interaction between a fluid passing through and the substrate. Substrate may be a monolithic machined element or a collection of discrete bodies. The chamber conduits are connected to at least two metering devices, one controlling fuel and one air flow, whereby the substrate is exposed to measured quantities of fuel compositions and air. Heating devices are in thermal communication with the substrate and the source of air provided to the chamber, thus providing a method of controlling the temperature of the substrate and air flowing through the chamber.

Abstract: A film-type vaporizer in a vaporization enclosure, for example the upper column of a double air-distillation column, is associated with a measurement and analysis box where a polished surface and a spillway reconstruct the flow of liquid in the vaporizer in order to check for the absence of the deposition of impurities in the liquid that is to be evaporated. If deposition occurs, the impurities involved are quantified and analyzed and appropriate action taken on the settings of the machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring suspended substance concentrations, wherein the method includes measuring the concentration of suspended substances mixed with a liquid by detecting pressure difference between two points distantly located in the depth direction of the liquid, calculating the average density of the liquid between the two points from the pressure difference, and then calculating difference between the average density and a predetermined reference density of the liquid as an index for determining the suspended substance concentration, whereby real time, continuous measurement and easy maintenance and control with high accuracy and wide measuring range are attained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring particles in suspension and a measuring instrument. In the solution the length of each fiber-like particle in suspension is one by one optically measured by a line camera in a thin equilateral capillary tube. The fiber-like particles in particular are imaged by two or more cameras in the capillary tube one or more times for measuring such properties as fiber thickness, wall-thickness and fibrillation.

Abstract: A particle signal processing apparatus which processes a particle signal representative of characteristics of particles includes an amplifier having input and output terminals for amplifying a particle signal including serial pulses to output an output signal including the amplified serial pulses, a filter section for extracting a low frequency component from the output signal of the amplifier so that the extracted component is fed back into the input terminal as a negative feedback signal, and a feedback signal control section for allowing the filter section to fix the negative feedback signal when each of the amplified pulses rises and to hold the fixed negative feedback signal while the amplified pulse is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: A dynamic fluid loss cell apparatus and method for measuring filter-cake build-up on a simulated core of the well-bore and for measuring the effectiveness of a spacer fluid to remove filter-cake. There is also provided, a dynamic fluid loss cell apparatus and method for measuring the dynamic fluid loss during the simulated build-up and removal of the filter-cake. The apparatus and method further provides for performing the measurements under various conditions including temperature and differential pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for characterizing colloids by successive measurements of light attenuation or emission of a colloidal mixture at two or more temperatures and at one or more wavelengths. The difference or ratio of the measurements at two or more temperatures provides a measure of the colloidal stability with respect to temperature. The amount of certain organic colloids that are unstable to temperature variation may be determined from the magnitude of the measurement change. In appropriate mixtures, this method provides a means to distinguish components of colloidal substances based. This method may be specifically applied to determining the stability and concentration of colloidal pitch or wood resin in a pulp or paper process water. In this context it may be used to distinguishing colloidal pitch or wood resin from talc, clay, carbon black, or other fillers.

Abstract: A scanning device for semiconductor wafers with which rapid and dependable scanning is permitted. The invention is characterized by a base plate with a guiding pin protruding from it for the manual guidance of a depositing plate which is displaceable on the latter. The depositing plate is intended to receive a semiconductor wafer and is provided on an underside with meandering guiding channels for guiding by the guiding pin. A liquid drop is kept on a surface of the semiconductor wafer by a scanning tube and collects metal and dopant traces from the semiconductor wafer. The liquid drop can then be analyzed for determining a purity of the surface of the semiconductor wafer.