Abstract: An inlet for a process mass spectrometer, the inlet comprising, a capillary in fluid communication with a sample gas feed; a transfer line in fluid communication to the capillary; a first orifice configured to generate a change in pressure, the orifice comprising at least two measuring ports; a pressure sensor operatively connected to at least one of the two measuring ports; and a second transfer line in fluid communication with the first orifice, the second transfer line also in fluid communication with an external disposal point.

Abstract: A low maintenance reference electrode has a liquid junction body with a multiplicity of micron-sized capillary channels extending through the body for transporting electrolyte to a test solution. A viscosity-increasing agent thickens the electrolyte to limit its flow to a rate on the order of microliters/day so that a few milliliters of electrolyte suffice to provide an extended electrode life.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking inventory. A method of tracking a container of a chemical includes labeling the container with a machine readable code that includes data which uniquely identifies the container and/or its contents. Historical data concerning the shipment and/or use of the container or its contents, or any other data specific to the container may be stored in a database that associates data with the specific container based on the unique identifier. An inventory management system may then automatically track a specific container by scanning the machine readable code to identify the specific container, and then accessing the database to both store and retrieve data related to the scanned container and/or its contents.

Abstract: A plurality of unit pixels in a two dimensional imaging array are arranged in a manner that signal charges along a given row are added to other relevant signal charges of the same row. Signal charges along a given column are added to other relevant signal charges of the same column. Summed charge values are output simultaneously from rows and columns to produce one row and one column of image data. The resulting summed data is temporarily stored in on-chip buffers and then output from the chip during the integration time of the next imaging cycle with no loss in imaging duty cycle.

Abstract: A method for combustion analysing a sample in a combustion analyzer (120,160,180) is provided, where the sample comprises a proportion of sulphur. The sample is supplied to the combustion analyzer and combusted to produce combustion products, comprising a yield of sulphur dioxide for detection. Nitrogen monoxide or a source of nitrogen monoxide is supplied to the combustion analyzer to improve the yield of sulphur dioxide in the combustion products. The yield improver may be supplied before and/or during the combusting step. A proportion of yield improver is preferably greater than the (expected) proportion of sulphur. Ozone may be supplied to the combustion products to convert at least a proportion of any nitrogen monoxide in the combustion products to nitrogen dioxide, before detection.

Abstract: Combustion tube (100,130,150) and method for combusting a sample to form combustion products for analysis. A primary combustion chamber (102) receives and combusts a sample to form first combustion products. A secondary combustion chamber (110) receives and combusts the first combustion products to form second combustion products. The secondary chamber is disposed around the primary chamber and comprises a plurality of—preferably, three—combustion compartments (112-116). Each successive compartment is disposed around the preceding compartment and defines a respective gas flow channel having an inlet opening (108,118,120) and an outlet opening (118,120,122) at opposite ends. Each successive gas flow channel shares its inlet opening with the outlet opening of the preceding channel. The plurality of combustion compartments define a substantially continuous gas flow conduit from the inlet opening of the innermost compartment to the outlet opening of the outermost compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump device 50 which is usable to dilute a sample 52 before analysis. A first pump 54 pumps the sample to a mixing region 58 where it mixes with a diluent 66. A second pump 64 pumps the diluted sample to the analysis instrument. The flow of the diluent to the mixer is equal to the difference of the flow of the sample to the mixer and the flow of the diluted sample to the instrument. Pumps 54 and 64 are independently controllable by a controller unit which is arranged so that data from the instrument can be used to determine the dilution factor of the sample. Thus, the controller can control this dilution factor in real time, upon receipt of such data from the instrument, by change either one of (or both) the pump's flow rate.

Abstract: A particulate monitoring system includes a conduit in which to a pass a fluid sample from an input port to an output port. The particulate monitoring system receives a fluid sample inputted to the conduit through the input port. The fluid sample can include different sizes of particulate matter. The particulate monitoring system controls a flow of the fluid sample through the conduit to age the particulate matter. Gravitational forces cause a portion of the particulate matter in the fluid sample to fall into a basin as opposed to being exhausted through the output port, which is disposed at a vertically higher level of the conduit than the input port. Thus, the particulate monitoring system outputs a portion of the original particulate matter in the fluid sample (e.g., particulate matter that does not drop into the basin out due to gravity) for analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion analysing a sample in a combustion analyzer (120,160,180), where the sample comprises a proportion of sulphur. The sample is supplied to the combustion analyzer and combusted to produce combustion products, comprising a yield of sulphur dioxide for detection. Nitrogen monoxide or a source of nitrogen monoxide is supplied to the combustion analyzer to improve the yield of sulphur dioxide in the combustion products. The yield improver may be supplied before and/or during the combusting step. A proportion of yield improver is preferably greater than the (expected) proportion of sulphur. Ozone may be supplied to the combustion products to convert at least a proportion of any nitrogen monoxide in the combustion products to nitrogen dioxide, before detection.

Abstract: Configurations herein include a novel process and apparatus for generating and maintaining sulfur trioxide gas. The generation system and process operate to provide sulfur trioxide calibration gas for calibrating sulfur trioxide detection devices. The system and process provides a known, concentration of sulfur trioxide gas via a heated catalyst, which enables accurate calibration of measurement equipment. The system functions in part by controlling temperature, amount of moisture, residence time, catalyst selection, diluting generated sulfur trioxide and by locating the sulfur trioxide generator at a point of injection of a sulfur trioxide detection system.

Abstract: A reaction chamber enables a reaction between received elemental mercury gas and an oxidizing agent gas. The reaction chamber includes a porous (or permeable) medium through which to pass the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas. Passing of the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas through the porous medium supports a number of useful functions. For example, the porous medium enhances mixing of the elemental mercury gas with the oxidizing agent gas to enhance a reaction. Also, the porous medium increases an amount of surface area in a reaction chamber on which reactions (e.g., heterogeneous surface reactions) can take place between the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas to form oxidized mercury gas. Accordingly, the reaction chamber configured to include a porous medium enhances a conversion of elemental mercury gas into oxidized mercury gas.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the viability of an electrochemical cell measures the impedance of the cell over a wide range of impedances and with diminished phase shift over prior methods so that a more nearly accurate assessment of the impedance can be made. The system is particularly useful for four electrode systems, but is not so limited. It may advantageously be incorporated in the cell itself to further minimize cabling artifacts.

Abstract: A method to calibrate a flow meter includes passing a predetermined volume of fluid through a flow meter for calibration and determining a time duration of calibration from a start time to a stop time. One or more characteristics of the flow rate of the fluid is measured with the flow meter during the time duration and a plurality of time stamped measurements based on the one or more measured flow rate characteristics are generated. The flow meter is then calibrated based on the start time, the stop time, and the plurality of time stamped measurements.

Abstract: Encapsulated switches are disclosed which substitute non-toxic gallium alloy for mercury. In one embodiment, wetting of the interior surfaces of the housing is prevented by coating the surfaces with an electrically insulative inorganic non-metallic material, such as alumina or boron nitrate. According to another embodiment, a perfluorocarbon liquid is employed as the anti-wetting agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restocking inventory. Machine readable code associated with a product that is part of a stockroom inventory is scanned with a mobile device. Based on data in the machine readable code, the mobile device obtains data relating to the product via a wireless network and displays the data to the user. The data may include product images, details, prices, marketing promotions, regulatory or safety media, inventory rules, and other data that is retrieved from an updated database. The mobile device may also populate an order amount window with a desired amount of the product to be ordered based on known and desired inventory levels. Products may be added to an order and the order placed or saved for later submission though the mobile device based on the displayed data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restocking inventory. Machine readable code associated with a product that is part of a stockroom inventory is scanned with a mobile device. Based on data in the machine readable code, the mobile device obtains data relating to the product via a wireless network and displays the data to the user. The data may include product images, details, prices, marketing promotions, regulatory or safety media, and other data that is retrieved from an updated database. The mobile device may also populate an order amount window with a desired amount of the product to be ordered based on known and desired inventory levels. Products may be added to an order and the order placed or saved for later submission though the mobile device based on the displayed data.

Abstract: In order to mark a laboratory sample cassette (2), dye marks (40, 41) are printed by an inkjet printer head (7) onto a tape (1 1). Rollers (17) move the tape (1 1) from a first location (13) adjacent to the printer head (7) to a cassette receiving location (15). A cassette clamp marker (8) at the cassette receiving location (15) has a shaped member (10) arranged to fold the tape (1 1) when a laboratory sample cassette (2) is in the cassette receiving location (15) so that part of the tape (1 1) covers a marking surface (6) of the cassette (2) and another part of the tape (1 1) covers a side surface (4) of the cassette (2). The shaped member (10) also has heating pads (26, 29) and when an actuator (32) applies the shaped member (10) to the tape (1 1) in the cassette receiving location (15), the heating pads (26, 29) are heated so that dye of the dye marks (40, 41) on the tape (1 1) ingresses into the marking surface (6) and the side surface (4) of the cassette (2) to mark these surfaces.

Abstract: A method for measuring a density profile of a fluid in a process vessel is disclosed. The method includes emitting gamma rays into the fluid and acquiring a backscattered gamma ray counts distribution using at least one position sensitive gamma ray detector disposed proximate the vessel. The method further includes determining the density profile of the fluid contained in the process vessel based on the backscattered gamma ray counts distribution.

Abstract: A method for measuring high-energy radiation flux, comprising applying a low voltage to electrodes in an ion chamber filled with a fluid capable of forming ions through the interaction of the fluid with high energy radiation; measuring an ion current signal related to an ion current induced by the low voltage; determining a leakage current; determining a gain; determining a magnitude of the high-energy radiation flux based on the ion current signal, gain, and leakage current; and outputting the result of the magnitude of the high-energy radiation flux.

Abstract: At least two and up to ten biological dyes, termed a dye blend, that bind nonspecifically to double stranded DNA (dsDNA) for use in both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melt assays for saturation binding profiles.