Abstract: A method for scheduling cleaning of a photovoltaic (“PV”) system is implemented by a soiling monitoring computer system. The method includes determining a soiling level and a soiling rate for a photovoltaic (PV) system, calculating a cost associated with cleaning the PV system at each of a plurality of possible cleaning times, determining an expected energy output gain associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible times based on the soiling level and the soiling rate, calculating an expected benefit associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible cleaning times based on the expected energy output gain associated with each possible cleaning time, determining a first time of the plurality of possible times when the expected benefit exceeds the cost, and scheduling a cleaning time based on at least the determined first time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring interfacial or surface tension of a first fluid dispersed in a second fluid, the method involving providing at least one substantially spherical droplet or bubble of the first fluid in a flowing stream of the second fluid in a flow channel, followed by passing the flowing stream comprising the droplet or bubble through a constriction in the flow channel, the constriction being sufficiently constricting so as to cause the droplet or bubble to deform away from its substantially spherical shape and measuring and comparing a physical property of the flowing stream both before and after the constriction, wherein the physical property changes as a result of the deformation of the droplet or bubble, and thereby inferring the interfacial or surface tension from the measured physical property.

Abstract: In order to address the above noted problems, embodiments of the present invention use distributed acoustic sensing to monitor the fluid level in an ESP activated well so as to monitor the condition and performance of the ESP. Embodiments of the invention use the ESP as an acoustic source in order to monitor the annulus fluid level within the well and to monitor the frequency of the ESP. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may use distributed acoustic sensing to monitor the flow rates of the production fluid above and below the ESP to determine the pump's efficiency. In particular, some embodiments utilize one or more optical fibers to measure the acoustic waves generated by the ESP, wherein the fiber cabling has already been deployed along the length of the well. As such, the present invention is a non-invasive, in-situ method for monitoring the condition and performance of an ESP.

Abstract: Analytical methods and systems applied to sequential event data are disclosed. An exemplary system and method analyzes datasets containing events in a plurality of journeys. The methods and systems described analyze and quantify the relative importance of events and sequences leading to outcomes where the data is complex and interconnected. In some embodiments, a graphical user interface illustrates the quantification of these datasets. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface maps the journey paths to show the relative importance of each journey path. In some embodiments, the maps of journey paths are interactive, allowing selection of paths of interest for detailed analysis. In some embodiments, the methods and systems calculate paths similar to a journey path of interest. An exemplary method and system also provides detailed recommendations for changing events within a sequence to either increase or decrease the likelihood of achieving a selected outcome.

Abstract: Analytical methods and systems applied to a plurality of input files to understand and explain crucial factors leading to customers jumping, or hopping, from one channel to another channel. The methods and systems described may include receiving a first file associated with a first channel dataset and receiving a second file associated with a second channel dataset. The methods and systems described may include merging the two datasets based on key fields found within the metadata of the two files. In some embodiments, additional statistical metrics and measures may be applied to the merged dataset to both rank the merged events and to display the characteristics of each event within the entire merged dataset.

Abstract: A method for monitoring health of a hydraulic fluid subsystem is presented. The method includes determining a plurality of forces acting on an actuator of the hydraulic fluid subsystem, determining a plurality of parameters based on at least one of an actuator inlet flow rate, an actuator outlet flow rate, and the plurality of forces acting on the actuator, receiving a valve inlet pressure of at least one of oil and gas flowing through a pipe while entering a valve operationally coupled to the actuator and a valve outlet pressure of the at least one of the oil and the gas flowing through the pipe while flowing out of the valve, and monitoring the health of the hydraulic fluid subsystem based on at least one of the plurality of parameters, the valve inlet pressure, and the valve outlet pressure.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods for enhancing a measurement of a fluid in a borehole, pipe, conduit and/or the like involve an electromagnetic measurement tool that includes a transmitting antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic energy, a receiving antenna configured to receive the electromagnetic energy, and a metamaterial element comprising a negative refractive index. The metamaterial element may focus the electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic system may comprise one or more antennas that are disposed adjacent to or in contact with the fluid, electromagnetic energy may be transmitted via the transmitting antenna, and the electromagnetic energy may be received with the receiving antenna to measure a property of the fluid.

Abstract: Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid which has been in contact with a subterranean geological formation, especially a hydrocarbon reservoir, is examined in order to detect or measure viscosifying polymer therein, by flowing a sample of the liquid through a constriction thereby causing extensional flow and alignment of any polymer molecules with the flow, and examining the solution for birefringence of aligned polymer molecules. The amount of birefringence is determined from intensity of light which has passed through the solution relative to intensity of the light source.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods for measurement of a property of a solid body or fluid involve an electromagnetic measurement tool that includes a transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic energy, a receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic energy, and a metamaterial element comprising a negative refractive index. The metamaterial element may focus the electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic tool may be placed adjacent the solid body or fluid, electromagnetic energy may be transmitted via the transmitter, and the electromagnetic energy may be received with the receiver to measure a property of the solid body or fluid.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product may generate and/or utilize a three-dimensional computer simulation model of a core plug suitable for use in a computer-implemented general purpose reservoir simulator. Simulation studies may be performed on the simulation model to establish a water base case for the simulation model, and to establish one or more Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) chemical properties and further validate the simulation model.

Abstract: A coreflood experiment may be modeled by generating a three dimensional computer simulation model of a core plug and modeling within the three dimensional computer simulation model one or both of a fluid introduction element or a fluid extraction element of a core holder used in the coreflood experiment. Once generated, the model may be loaded and used when running a simulation to model a heterogeneous distribution of fluid flow proximate one or more faces of the core plug.

Abstract: An apparent viscosity of an aqueous polymer composition used in a polymer flood may be determined by generating a relative permeability interpolation computer simulation model that is associated with a capillary desaturation function and that interpolates relative permeability curves for a coreflood experiment, validating the relative permeability interpolation computer simulation model using experimental data generated from the coreflood experiment using a water flood performed at a plurality of incremental flow rates on a core plug, determining an interpolated relative permeability to water for the aqueous polymer composition using experimental data generated from the coreflood experiment using a multi-phase flood with the aqueous polymer composition, and determining an apparent viscosity of the aqueous polymer composition from the interpolated relative permeability to water. The determined apparent viscosity may then be used to run a simulation to model the flow of the aqueous polymer composition.

Abstract: Interfacial tension between first and second immiscible liquids is determined using a device in which entrance and exit channels are connected by a cavity with wider cross-section. A flow of the first liquid enters the cavity as a jet and breaks into droplets within the cavity. Passage of a droplet through the exit channel feeds back to perturb the jet entering the cavity. An alternating signal applied to a heating element perturbs the incoming jet and is progressively scanned over a frequency range which includes the system's resonant frequency (frequency of droplet formation with no signal to the heating element). A bandwidth of frequency is observed in which the frequency of droplet formation is phase locked to the frequency applied to the heater. The ratio of resonant frequency to this bandwidth is a measurement of the interfacial tension between the two liquids.

Abstract: In order to address the above noted problems, embodiments of the present invention use distributed acoustic sensing to monitor the fluid level in an ESP activated well so as to monitor the condition and performance of the ESP. Embodiments of the invention use the ESP as an acoustic source in order to monitor the annulus fluid level within the well and to monitor the frequency of the ESP. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may use distributed acoustic sensing to monitor the flow rates of the production fluid above and below the ESP to determine the pump's efficiency. In particular, some embodiments utilise one or more optical fibers to measure the acoustic waves generated by the ESP, wherein the fiber cabling has already been deployed along the length of the well. As such, the present invention is a non-invasive, in-situ method for monitoring the condition and performance of an ESP.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a rock matrix dielectric permittivity. The method and system use a matching liquid with a temperature dependant permittivity. The matching liquid may be used in an automated and/or downhole system for measuring matrix dielectric permittivity of rock formations.

Abstract: A method for scheduling cleaning of a photovoltaic (“PV”) system is implemented by a soiling monitoring computer system. The method includes determining a soiling level and a soiling rate for a photovoltaic (PV) system, calculating a cost associated with cleaning the PV system at each of a plurality of possible cleaning times, determining an expected energy output gain associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible times based on the soiling level and the soiling rate, calculating an expected benefit associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible cleaning times based on the expected energy output gain associated with each possible cleaning time, determining a first time of the plurality of possible times when the expected benefit exceeds the cost, and scheduling a cleaning time based on at least the determined first time.

Abstract: A Tug-of-war apparatus for competition and training including at least one frame section supporting a horizontal movable surface including a continuous running belt mounted between rollers on the frame section; at least one stationary upright support means attached to the front of the frame section; at least one pulling rope extending substantially horizontally from the stationary support means; weighing means for determining the weight of the users on the movable surface; and means for determining the distance the movable surface has moved. One of the rollers includes a drive shaft.

Abstract: A method for calibrating irradiance sensors is performed by an irradiance analysis computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving an irradiance estimate representing an expected amount of irradiance, receiving a first irradiance value associated with at least one irradiance sensor, processing the irradiance estimate and the first irradiance value to generate at least one irradiance metric, and determining a condition of said irradiance sensor based at least in part on the at least one irradiance metric.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, tools, and methods for enhancing a measurement of a fluid in a borehole, pipe, conduit and/or the like. The systems, tools, and methods may involve an electromagnetic measurement tool that includes a transmitting antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic energy, a receiving antenna configured to receive the electromagnetic energy, and a metamaterial element comprising a negative refractive index. The metamaterial element may focus the electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic system may comprise one or more antennas that are disposed adjacent to or in contact with the fluid, electromagnetic energy may be transmitted via the transmitting antenna, and the electromagnetic energy may be received with the receiving antenna to measure a property of the fluid.