Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile pipe testing system. The system carries its own supply of a test fluid and an independent power source. During operation, a pipe is lifted by an inbound conveyor and is delivered to a pre-test station, from which it is lifted by the arm and deposited into a testing cradle. The ends of the pipe are sealed by test plugs which are moved into engagement with the pipe ends, and a pressure is applied to the interior of the pipe to test the pipe for possible leakage. Once the test is complete, the test plugs are moved away from engagement with the pipe, and the lifting arm moves the pipe segment into a holding station, wherein the pipe is allowed to drain, while the fluid is filtered, collected and recycled back into a fluid container. The lifting arm then transports the pipe to the outbound conveyor which off loads the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining mercury vapor content of a body of earth for the purpose of ascertaining the mercury vapor content and correlating to the expected degree of mineralized character of the body of earth which includes the use of a strip of silver placed within a pocket in the body of earth involved and then after an appropriate exposure time analyzing the silver to determine the mercury vapor content by reason of absorption of vapor therefrom by the silver and the subsequent driving off and measuring thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a fouled fluid filter are disclosed in which the fluid pressure at the outlet of the fluid filter is corrected by a correction pressure to determine a corrected pressure drop. Such a corrected pressure drop has a mathematical function which passes through a maximum magnitude before the fluid flowing through the fluid filter reaches a maximum value. The corrected pressure drop is monitored during the operation of the fluid filter and when the corrected pressure drop reaches a predetermined threshold value, before the engine with which the fluid filter is associated reaches its maximum power, an alarm will be actuated.

Abstract: The effect of barometric pressure variation on the retention time stability of a chromatographic analytical system is compensated by active control of the amount of fluid flow by way of a fluid flow controller, preferably in the form of an electronic pressure control system. Control signals are derived by: receiving data representative of a desired operating condition parameter, such as column inlet pressure; sensing actual operating condition parameters such as inlet pressure p.sub.i and barometric pressure p.sub.

Abstract: A leak-sensing apparatus comprises a gas module, at least one liquid inlet module, a sensor module, and a base module in fluid flow communication and air and liquid-tight attachment with one other. The gas module comprises means for accommodating a predetermined volume of gas and leaking liquid and means for ensuring the containment of gas and leaking liquid therein. Each liquid inlet module comprises at least one liquid inlet port for accommodating the passage of gases and leaking liquids from a fluid handling device to an internal chamber, and means for ensuring one-way passage of gases and liquids into the apparatus. The sensor module comprises a sensing chamber and means for detecting the presence of leaking liquid therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for tracing leaks in vivo which occur in an electrode device, such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator, the electrode device including an electrode cable containing an elongate, flexible conductor having an exterior covered with a layer of insulation and having an interior channel. A leakage tracing device which is simple in structure, and therefore inexpensive to make, and with which one or more leaks in an electrode cable implanted in a patient is/are readily detectable, has a tubular, flexible body within an external diameter smaller than inner diameter of the interior channel of the electrode cable. The tubular body can be inserted into the electrode cable's interior channel all the way to the channel's distal end, and the proximal end of the tubular body is connected to a container for a fluid.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuous monitoring of the composition of a fluid mixture traveling through a conduit. The relative component concentration of the fluid mixture of a liquid/liquid or solid/liquid mixture is monitored with a non-intrusive ultrasonic apparatus. The relative component concentration of the fluid mixture is determined by measuring ultrasonic propagation parameters and temperature and comparing these measured parameters to calibrated data based on analytical measurements of samples of the process fluid mixtures. The calibrated data is obtained by measuring propagation parameters and analyzing process fluid mixtures at a different time from the measurements of process fluid mixtures.

Abstract: The efficiency of hydrocarbon vapor recovery installations used in gas stations is measured. A system for measuring a yield of recovery for hydrocarbon vapors emitted from the tank of a vehicle as it is being filled comprises at least one box for carrying a nozzle inside and for placement over a filler neck of the tank. The nozzle is connected through a conduit to a device for evaluating the recovered hydrocarbon vapor, wherein the recovered vapor evaluation device is a gas meter and a following orifice.

Abstract: A device for the characterization of the foaming properties of a product at least partially soluble in a liquid comprising a transparent analysis column (1) provided at its base with a porous allowing filter (2) to homogeneously introduce a gas flow through the column to effect foaming of the product (3) located at the base of the analysis column (1) characterized in that it further comprises an automatic measuring system (28) to determine the foam height in column (1), an automatic measuring system (24, 24', 25) to determine the volume of product (3) to form the foam, means to visualize and/or to process the measured data and a pressure compensation system to avoid drainage and percolation of product (3) through filter (2) when gas injection is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for studying the migration of a gas in a cement slag comprises a cell 21 filled at least partially with a slag 22 to be used during the cementation of a well pipe. A first strainer 23 made of a sintered material which simulates a formation is disposed below a second strainer 24 made of a sintered material and connected to a gas-detection apparatus, the levels at which the two strainers are positioned being such that they are embedded in the slag being studied. A pressurized gas source 27 is connected to the first strainer, and to a tank 28 partially filled with water 29, the water-gas interface being located at a level lower than that of the first strainer 23. A line 30 is connected between the bottom of the tank and the upper part of the cell, above the upper level of the slag 22, and actual formation conditions can be simulated by suitably adjusting the vertical height H1 between the water-slag interface in the cell and the water-gas interface in the tank.

Abstract: The process mainly consists in placing a sample previously imbibed with a first fluid into a vessel or bucket containing another fluid of different density and in applying a centrifugal force by rotating the bucket at the end of an arm, so as to study the displacements of the fluids in the sample during at least two distinct phases. During the first phase, the rotational speed is increased so as to drain the first fluid from the sample. During the second phase, the rotational speed is progressively decreased. In order to avoid a discontinuity and to allow an imbibition of the sample, it is important to keep the two fluids in permanent contact with the sample. The amount of fluid produced in the bucket by centrifugation may be determined. The fluid produced may also be transferred into a variable chamber, for example inside the same bucket or a second rotating bucket.

Abstract: Equipment and techniques test the integrity of one or more seals within an oilfield tubular threaded connection 12. A test fixture 74 may be utilized including three axially spaced sensors 92, 86 and 88 which are each responsive to radial deformation of an outer surface of an internally pressurized threaded connection. Excessive radial deformation indicates a failure of at least one of the threaded connection seals. A relatively simple yet highly reliable technique is provided for quickly and easily determining the sealing integrity of a threaded connection made up at a well site. If any one of the multiple seals fails during the test, the operator may either break out and re-test the connection, or may make up and test a new threaded connection. The present invention may be used for substantially increasing the integrity of oilfield tubular connections and thereby reducing the overall cost of hydrocarbon exploration and recovery operations.

Abstract: In a flue gas scrubber for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gas and having a spray dryer vessel inlet duct defined by a duct wall, the apparatus may be used to measure in situ the wet bulb temperature of the flue gas in the dryer vessel inlet duct. A water nozzle and a temperature sensor are both located in the dryer vessel inlet duct. The nozzle sprays water on the sensor and the wet bulb temperature of the flue gas is continuously measured. The apparatus gathers wet bulb temperature data which may be used for process control or for determining whether a leak has occurred within the tubes of a coal-fired steam boiler.

Abstract: A method for detecting trapped air in an engine cooling system includes the steps of delivering a volume of test air pressure under pressure to the radiator of the cooling system, measuring the volume of test air delivered, measuring the pressure of test air delivered, and calculating the volume of trapped air in the cooling system using Boyle's law and the measured volume and pressure of test air. A device for carrying out the method comprises a pump for delivering test air to the radiator, a motor for driving the pump, a pressure gauge or pressure switch for sensing the pressure of test air delivered, and means for determining the volume of test air delivered.

Abstract: A humidity measurement process and humidity measurement scale are derived from the physics of relative humidity. Absolute moisture content is determined independent of any measurement or knowledge of the source temperature. The humidity measurement is equivalent to the volumetric fraction of water vapor in the measured gas mixture, expressed as a percentage in a fixed range from 0 to 100%. The operating principles of the measurement process and measurement scale are described for use with an instrument suitable for humidity measurements in process ovens, product dryers, exhaust stacks, and similar environments operating at temperatures to 1250.degree. F. and near atmospheric pressure. The instrument is a point-source sampling system. A continuous sample of process air is induced to flow through the instrument for humidity measurement.

Abstract: A method determining the extensional elasticity of a fluid includes the step of determining the shear viscosity of a fluid in a flow field where the shear rate of the fluid is substantially uniform. A valve indicative of the shear viscosity and extensional elasticity is obtained by performing measurements in a flow field where a portion of the body of the fluid is accelerated. The two values are then compared to obtain an indicator of the extensional elasticity.

Abstract: A heating sensor capable of generating heat and measuring its own temperature is placed in a fluid and a thermometric sensor is placed in the fluid and inside a temperature boundary layer formed around the heating sensor upon heat generation therefrom. A temperature of the heating sensor and a temperature of the fluid are measured. A relationship between thermal conductivity of the fluid and a differential value between the temperature of the heating sensor and the temperature of the fluid is used to determine the thermal conductivity of the fluid. Then, the heating value of the heating sensor is adjustably increased so that the thermometric sensor is positioned outside the temperature boundary layer. A temperature of the heating sensor and the temperature of the fluid are measured. The relationship between kinematic viscosity of the fluid and a differential value between the temperature of the heating sensor and the temperature of the fluid is used to determine the kinematic viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: An accelerometer has a piezoelectric transducer which produces electrical signals in response to its deflection and comprises an elongated, continuous beam of generally flat configuration and narrow cross section to provide a bending axis which facilitates deflection of the free ends in response to shock in either or both of the linear and torsional modes. The beam is supported intermediate its ends by a mount, with the free ends of the beam preferably extending equidistantly in opposite directions from the mount so that the free ends of the beam deflect in the same direction in response to shock in the linear mode, e.g., along the X axis, and they deflect in opposite directions in response to shock in the torsional mode, i.e., about the Z axis.

Abstract: A method of operating liquid chromatography apparatus. The method includes the steps of determining a given rate of liquid flow desired from a piston pump to the column; establishing for the piston a predetermined stroke length and rate of reciprocation for providing the given rate of liquid flow; determining for each cycle of the pump a desired liquid volume that would be delivered to the column by the pump if producing the given rate of liquid flow; ascertaining for each cycle of the pump the actual liquid volume delivered thereby to the column; determining for a predetermined operating period of the pump the total desired liquid volume that would have been delivered to the column by the pump if producing the given rate of liquid flow during each cycle of the predetermined operating period; and determining the total actual liquid volume delivered to said column by said pump during all cycles of said predetermined operating period.

Abstract: Device for the measurement of viscoelasticity of products, and in particular those with low viscosity. It is of a type including a male cupel equipped with a cylindrical separating partition which can be introduced into an annular chamber arranged in a body of a female cupel and receiving the product to be measured, and a drive mechanism for movement around an axis of rotation of one of the cupels in relation to the other, and characterized in that it has, in addition, the means to close in an impervious manner the annular chamber.