Abstract: A plastic liner pipe penetration adapter designed for sealably penetrating a moisture impervious thermoplastic sheet or liner, particularly suitable for lining reservoirs, hazardous waste disposal sites, outdoor fluid containment areas and other similar applications, without damaging the sealing characteristics of the liner and which also allows field testing of the sealability of the liner after the installation of the adapter. In one embodiment, an inner tubular housing member defining a passage through the liner is inserted through a plate and connected thereto. An outer tubular housing member is coaxially aligned about the inner tubular housing member and sealably welded at a first end to the plate. An annular end piece is inserted over the inner tubular housing member in order to seal a second end of the outer tubular housing member to the inner tubular housing member, thereby creating a pressure test chamber between the tubular housing members and the annular end piece.

Abstract: The ice content of a mixture of ice and liquid water is determined by (a) measuring the electrical conductivity C.sub.i of the original water at a temperature above its freezing point and before any of it has been converted to ice; (b) cooling the water to produce a mixture of ice and a liquid water phase; (c) measuring the electrical conductivity C.sub.n of the liquid water phase; and (d) computing the fraction of ice in the mixture by use of the equationF=1-C.sub.i /C.sub.nwherein F is the fraction of ice in the mixture, C.sub.i is the electrical conductivity of the original water before ice formation therein, and C.sub.n is the electrical conductivity of the liquid water phase in the mixture having the ice fraction F.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating the permeability of membrane articles, particularly condoms and gloves, is designed to quantify physiologic conditions which exist during use of the articles. Permeability is determined by monitoring fluorescent microspheres of approximately the size of HIV which pass through the membrane articles.

Abstract: An instrument for testing the viscoelastic characteristics of fluids, such as blood, exhibits improved temperature regulation of the blood sample under test, includes probe drive circuitry to simplify calibration and signal conditioning, incorporates resonant frequency monitoring to detect mechanical noise disturbances, and provides automated analysis of a graphical signature, over time, of the viscoelastic characteristics of the blood sample, including a visual indication to the user of the activated clotting time period (ACT) and the rate of clot formation (RATE) of the blood sample under test, thereby improving the accuracy of the test results and simplifying operation of the instrument to permit its use by surgical personnel.

Abstract: An in-line detector system for real-time detection of impurity concentration in a flowing gas stream in which purified and unpurified volumes of gas from the flowing gas stream are subjected to concentration sensing, to determine a corrected impurity concentration value for the flowing gas stream. The system in a preferred embodiment employs a manifold in flow communication with a purifier unit, a main flow conduit through which the flowing gas stream is passed, and a sensor port, with a selectively positionable valve to flow gas through a purifier loop of the manifold to the sensing port, and alternately through a bypass loop of the manifold without passage through the purifier unit, for comparative impurity sensing of gas in the respective loops. The system may utilize hygrometric sensors in the case of water as a critical impurity, or surface acoustical wave (SAW) devices coated with suitable impurity-affinity coatings. The system has particular utility in monitoring low impurity concentration levels (e.g.

Abstract: A storage tank system especially useful for storing gasoline has an auxiliary enclosure assembly. The system comprises a storage tank, preferably with a tank cover for gaining ingress into the storage tank, a sleeve positioned on the storage tank, a sleeve cover with an entry cover in a mid-portion thereof, preferably a dirt shield extending from the sleeve cover to ground level, a drip sump compartment positioned on the cover of the sleeve and a fill line extending through the drip sump compartment and sleeve. The assembly allows ready access to the area within the sleeve for inspection and repair purposes and can provide ready access to the interior of the tank. It also provides protection and containment for access lines leading through it.

Abstract: A storage tank system especially useful for storing gasoline comprises a storage tank, a sleeve with sleeve cover positioned on the storage tank, a drip sump compartment positioned on the cover of the sleeve and a fill line extending through the drip sump compartment and sleeve. The storage tank as well as structural accessories such as a dispensing line can have an outer containment wall. The system results in a storage facility which is capable of containing minor spills from a filling operation.

Abstract: A portable counterflow helium leak detector has only one pump. The pump is a secondary vacuum pump including an inlet and an outlet. A gas analyzer is connected to the inlet of the pump. The outlet is connected via an inlet valve to a correction orifice for connection to an installation to be tested, the installation being evacuated or being capable of being connected to a primary pump. The detector further includes electronic power supply and control circuit, a power supply, and a display. The detector further includes a first pressure gauge situated between the inlet valve and the connection orifice and an ON/OFF control switch for controlling detector operation. The electronic control circuits cause the inlet valve to open and the secondary vacuum pump to start whenever the detector is powered. The control switch is in the ON position and the pressure measured by the first gauge is below a determined value.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention can be used to measure sedimentation rate of samples. The samples are placed in a sample rotor and are rotatable about a sample rotor axis. The sample rotor axis can be moved into two positions. In one position the sample rotor axis is substantially horizontal and in the other position the sample rotor axis is substantially vertical. Rotation of the sample rotor about the sample rotor axis causes stirring of the samples when the sample rotor axis is horizontal. When the sample rotor axis is substantially vertical settling of the samples occur. Step rotation of the sample rotor brings the samples to a reading means in order to analyze the samples. An optical signal sensor moves along the sides of the test tubes for measuring the sedimentation rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously testing the permeability of a plurality of core specimens is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reservoir to contain a fluid and a plurality of permeameters in fluid communication with the reservoir. The apparatus also includes valves for individually controlling the supply of fluid to the permeameters and a buret and flask for measuring the amount of fluid passing individually through each core specimen in each permeameter. The apparatus also includes a pressurized gas source for pressurizing the fluid in the reservoir with gas and a pressure regulator to allow multiple permeability tests to be conducted simultaneously but at a different pressure than other concurrent permeability tests.

Abstract: A device detects leaks in a test object (1), which is contained in a test container (2). The device includes a mass spectrometer (14) detecting a noble gas such as helium, and a pump arrangement containing a primary vacuum pump (13) and a spiromolecular pump (11). The noble gas atoms flow through the latter in opposition to the pump direction towards the mass spectrometer. Between the test container (2) and an outlet port (10) of the spiromolecular pump (11), an accumulation chamber (8) is inserted, whose volume is considerably larger than that of the test container (2). The test container is provided with a source of purge gas (3) and a valve (4) for purging the test container with a purge gas under an adjustable overpressure. Closure valve (7) is disposed between the test container (2) and the accumulation chamber (8) and a closure valve (9) between the accumulation chamber (8) and the outlet port (10) of the spiromolecular pump (11).

Abstract: A method and system for detecting leakage in a liquid dispensing system utilizes a diverter. The liquid dispensing system has an underground tank, submersible pump, a control housing and a surface mounted dispenser. The diverter mounts in the control housing, separating the outlet chamber of the control housing into an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The diverter has a diverting passage that diverts fluid flow up through the diverter and back out into the flow line leading to the dispenser. A valve mounts in the diverting passage. One pressure gage mounts on one side of the valve and another pressure gage mounts on the other side of the valve. Closing the valve after the pump has applied pressure to the system will allow pressure drop to be monitored to determine if the leakage exists on one side or the other.

Abstract: A system for continuously measuring the concentration of organic compounds in an aqueous solution utilizes a first non-porous hollow fiber bundle having organic solvent flowing therethrough to extract organic compounds from a water sample into the organic solvent. The extractant can then flow through a second hollow fiber bundle where pervaporation of a fraction of the solvent takes place thereby increasing the concentration of organic compounds in the solvent extractant. The extractant then flows into a control unit which identifies and quantifies the organic compounds therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a change in the amount of liquid in a storage tank. The apparatus comprises a vertical upright standpipe for filling with a liquid to a level that generates a hydrostatic head pressure substantially equivalent to that exerted by the liquid in the storage tank; a sensor for sensing hydrostatic head pressure differential between the liquid in the storage tank and the liquid in the standpipe; a connector for connecting the standpipe to the pressure differential sensor, the standpipe connector being substantially horizontally disposed to the standpipe; and a connector for connecting the storage tank to the pressure differential sensor, the storage tank connector being substantially horizontally disposed to the storage wherein the standpipe connector and the tank connector are in substantial axial alignment with each other. Any change in the liquid pressure in the tank as a result of leakage from the tank will change the differential pressure measured by the pressure transducer.

Abstract: An electronic system for detecting and tracking the resonant frequency of a photoacoustic cell is described. The system includes and makes use of inherent signal acquisition properties. The detection and tracking circuitry promotes acoustic oscillation at the cell resonant frequency while the amplitude of the acoustic oscillation is automatically controlled at a specific reference level. Under normal operation, a change in system oscillation amplitude with respect to the reference level is considered to be the result of additional acoustic excitation other than that provided by the electronic system. Changes in the oscillation amplitude, as compared to a reference level, produce an error signal which is directly related to the additional acoustic excitation. The system is particularly useful in measuring gaseous phase materials over a wide dynamic range of concentrations.

Abstract: The apparatus for determining volatile gases and/or vapor components in a flowing liquid consists basically of a gas analysis instrument (8) which is charged via a sampling tube (9) with the components to be measured which have been freed from the liquid. A carrier gas (17) is passed through a gas inlet tube (11) into the flowing liquid and liberates the gas components to be measured, which are then passed together with the carrier gas (13) through the sampling tube (9) to the gas analysis instrument (8). For this purpose the sampling tube (9) is connected to a dip tube (3) which projects into the liquid and surrounds a porous distributor body (12) for introducing the carrier gas (13) in the form of finely disperse gas bubbles, which distributor body is connected to the gas inlet tube (11) and is subjected to the flow of liquid from the side.

Abstract: Current state-of-the-art requires welded seams between adjacent sheets of material, e.g. polyethylene to be tested for leaks using vacuum, ultrasonic or low pressure air techniques. In general, the devices used are somewhat complicated and consequently expensive. A relatively simple method of determining the strength and integrity of a welded seam between layers of plastic, which are interconnected by welding to form a sealed passage including the step of injecting air or another gas into the passage under sufficient pressure that any weakness in the seam results in a visible distortion or total separation of the plastic in the area of such weakness.

Abstract: Various embodiments of respirometers are used to determine the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of samples. The respirometer includes chamber walls formed from a membrane permeable to oxygen, thereby allowing reoxidation of the contained sample. In order to ensure reliability in the computed BOD values, the respirometer preferably incorporates a framed structure, and the fluid containing chamber has a predetermined volume and repeatable configuration. The present invention is particularly directed to an improved method of determining oxygen demand for respiring liquid samples, utilizing the dissolved oxygen data and the rate of oxygen transfer through the respirometer walls.

Abstract: A sensor system has a two-housing arrangement, each housing of which contains a transducer. One housing includes the transmitter transducer and a flat engaging surface for pressing against the fluid line and deforming it. The other housing includes the receiver transducer mounted so that it is coupled to the bottom of a rectangular U-shaped channel for receiving the fluid line. A spring biases the flat surface of the first housing into contact with the fluid line and deforms the fluid line into the shape of the channel so that the fluid line fills the channel. The channel is shaped to force the fluid line into a general rectangular shape as it is pressed into the channel by the flat surface. Two walls of the deformed fluid line are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the flat engaging surface of the first housing and provide an opposing force to the flat surface.

Abstract: A pressure tester (50) is provided for safely and efficiently buckle testing a container (120). A housing (52) encloses a test chamber (54) and the related operating equipment. The chamber (54) includes a neck block (80) and a cradling assembly (82) for holding the container (120) therein. Upon activation of a test cycle, the container (120) is punctured on a domed end (124) by a hollow needle (100) which fits within a domed pedestal (94). The container (120) is pushed into the neck block (80) where an outwardly sloping surface (130) generally matches a neck (126) of the container (120). A flexible seal (134) is fitted within a groove (132) in the surface (130) which provides flex without support if the container (120) expands during the test.