Abstract: A method of modeling phase characteristics of thermodynamic systems utilizing pseudo-properties strategy and a reduced number of variables is disclosed herein. The method describes a means of determining the probability of phase splitting of mixtures of materials at a given temperature, pressure, and composition by characterizing the functions that describe the system via pseudo-properties, and also by describing the system in n?1 or fewer variables, where n represents the number of components in the system of interest. In an embodiment, a multi-component system is characterized in one variable, thereby providing simplified thermodynamic models in a time-efficient manner. In addition, the information generated by this reduced-variable calculation can further be used as a starting point for calculations of equations of state.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement 10 for mounting a utility 26 to an end 16 of a post 17. The mounting arrangement 10 includes an attachment member 11 for attachment to the post 17 fixed against rotation when attached to the post 17. A rotatable member 12 is connected to the attachment member 11 and is rotatable relative to the attachment member 11 about the axis of the post 17. The rotatable member 12 includes a connection arrangement 13 for connecting a utility 26 to the rotatable member 12, so that the utility 26 can rotate with the rotatable member 12. The rotatable member 12 is rotatable between first and second positions. A cooperating arrangement comprising at least one abutment 35, 37, 38, 42 is provided for cooperation with the rotatable member 12 to facilitate accurate return of the rotatable member 12 from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal. In a digital synthesis mode of operation, the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal. The digital flowmeter may revert to a previous mode to regain stable and desired oscillation of the flowtube, such as might be required during a recovery operation associated with a disturbance to an operation of the digital flowmeter.

Abstract: A system and method are described that simplify defining/designing graphical display interfaces for graphically displaying related data elements. The displays provide both depictions of the data elements and the relationships between the data elements in accordance with a pre-defined data element display scheme including both element template (for particular data element types) and relationship view (spatial relationships within a display) definitions. A relationship view displays a set of provided data elements of specified type according to the element template and relationship view definitions.

Abstract: An anti-tamper device in the form of a collar fitted about a housing is provided. The ends of the collar are formed into lock tabs, one of which is formed into a U-shaped portion, or V-shaped portion, to permit capture of the end of the other lock tab. Movement of the captured tab is prevented to resist tampering with the housing. Embodiment of the invention find application, in particular, to a housing for a bell at a railroad level crossing, and prevents loss of the bell due to vandalism.

Abstract: A pH half-cell method and apparatus includes an electrode, a pH sensitive glass membrane and an electrolyte in electrolytic contact with the electrode and membrane. The membrane includes at least about 15 mole percent lithium, and the electrolyte includes a lithium salt as the predominant monovalent cation. The pH half-cell is used with a reference half-cell and meter to provide an electrochemical potential measurement sensor, optionally with both half-cells disposed within a single housing. The lithium salt electrolyte is also used in a method for storing, conditioning, preserving and/or rehabilitating a pH half-cell.

Abstract: Closed-loop control of a hydrocarbon process is provided by an analyzer including an instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentrations of one of the components, independent of concentrations of others of the components. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid mixture, and a processor captures data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and uses the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the components while the liquid mixture flows continuously through the analyzer. A process control module including a process model of the hydrocarbon process, is coupled to the analyzer and is couplable to the hydrocarbon process, to receive the temperature compensated concentration and to generate at least one output configured to affect operation of the hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: A control network carries information between nodes in a control system. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a control network includes first and second nodes, each of which is associated with at least one device in a control system, such as a controller, actuator, sensor, or otherwise. The first node is configured to wirelessly transmit information for simultaneous, or substantially simultaneous, transfer to the second node over at least two pathways. Those pathways can be made up of one or more network segments that interconnect nodes in the control network. In some cases, at least one of the at least two pathways is through a third and/or further nodes. Further, the first node can employ different radio channels, e.g., using different frequencies from one another, over at least one of the at least two pathways to transmit information to the second node.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating simulations for a distributed control system is disclosed herein. A programmed process model generator automatically incorporates a variety of process model data from pre-defined model libraries into descriptions of process equipment including control devices to render simulation models of various degrees of fidelity.

Abstract: A method of modeling a fermentation process comprises providing a first principles model of a fermentation process; determining the concentration of at least one substrate in a fermentation composition at a first time; and predicting the concentration of at least one component of the fermentation composition at a second time using the first principles model, wherein the second time is after the first time.

Abstract: A production information reporting/recording system is disclosed herein including a number of features to ensure efficient, flexible and reliable recording of production data in a manufacturing system. Such features include validating the content of event messages to ensure compliance of event report information with a standard. The system also supports caching IDs associated with particular aspects of an event message (e.g., a production request, a process segment) as well as a unique ID corresponding to the ID assigned by the production event database to reduce the need to access the database when assigning unique database IDs to received events. The production event messaging system also supports both asynchronous and synchronous transactional messaging between the sources of events and the production database service.

Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface includes a number of features that enhance the accessibility of system status information to users. Such enhancements include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining concentration of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture including hydrocarbons and water flowing through an alkylation process. A fluid flow path conveys the liquid continuously from the alkylation process through a first instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentration of the components, which are independent of the concentration of the water. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid, and a second instrument measures another property of the liquid mixture. The instruments have mutually distinct responsivities to concentrations of the components.

Abstract: An optical communication system including an optical communication fiber and a plurality of modules. Each of the modules has an optical transceiver that is optically coupled to the optical communication fiber by a corresponding optical drop. And each of the transceivers is configured for transmitting and/or receiving one or more optical signals via the optical communication fiber. The optical signals represent a plurality of individual data streams formatted according to one or more different communication protocols. In this manner, optical communication is enabled among the modules via the optical communication fiber.

Abstract: A DCS protocol message addressed to a remote DCS station is generated at a local distributed control system (DCS). The DCS protocol message is received at a local tunneling device. The local tunneling device packages the DCS protocol message into a SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is transmitted from the local tunneling device to a remote tunneling device. The remote tunneling device receives the SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is unpackaged into a DCS protocol message at the remote tunneling device, and the DCS protocol message is placed on to a remote DCS such that it flows to the remote station. The DCS protocol message is received at the remote station.

Abstract: In a network coupling redundant controllers to a control system, an electronic device is provided. The device comprises a first interface coupled to the control system addressed using a unique medium access control (MAC) address, a second interface coupled to a first redundant controller, and a third interface coupled to a second redundant controller. The device receives a first message via the first interface and transmits the first message via the second interface and via the third interface. The device receives a second message via the second interface and transmits the second message via the first interface. The device receives a third message via the third interface and transmits the third message via the first interface.

Abstract: A system and method is pro vided for predicting a physical quality such as temperature, the measurement of which tends to be hindered by a time-related impediment. A single sensor is configured to detect, in real time, the physical quality Qdetect, and one or more infinite impulse response filters are configured with time constants correlated to the time-related impediment. The infinite impulse filter(a) are configured to filter Qdetect to output a filtered quality measurement (Qfiltered). A processor is configured to calculate, in real time, the estimated or predicted quality Qestimate using Qdetect and Qfiltered.

Abstract: A terminal board is part of a terminal board assembly for terminating and testing of railroad wires. The board includes a first terminal block with a front post and a back post installed on a plane, along with a plurality of terminal blocks with front posts. A control test link, with an insulating material lining one of three holes, is installed on the front posts of terminal blocks. A test nut, connectable to the front post of the first terminal block, has a face with a depression formed therein to contact the test link when installed on the front post of the first terminal block over the insulating material. First wiring is attached on the plane's front, and second wiring is terminated on the plane's back. A surge protection component and the control test link are pre-installed on the front of the plane, providing for easy removal.

Abstract: A system for lossless sequence of events data streaming in a scan based process control system is provided. The system comprises a digital interface component, the digital interface component configured to receive a plurality of sequence of events data collected during one scan period, to produce a sequence of events data buffer comprising a plurality of sequence of events data, and to make the sequence of events data buffer available to at least one system component. The digital interface component comprises a storage component, the storage component configured to store a sequence of events data buffer. The system further comprises a processing component that accesses the sequence of events data from the storage component and processes the sequence of events data.

Abstract: A method comprises heating a feedwater stream in a feedwater heater, boiling the feedwater stream in a boiler to produce a steam stream, superheating the steam stream in the boiler to produce a superheated steam stream, producing power using the superheated steam stream to produce an outlet steam stream, using a first portion of the outlet steam stream to provide heat for the heating step, and modulating the flow of the first portion of the outlet steam stream below a full flow to allow the superheated steam stream to meet a superheated steam set point.