Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantitatively monitoring a chemical component dissolved in a liquid medium utilize the creation, in a measurement cell, of an interface zone between the liquid medium and an analytical reagent or reference solution. The concentration or amount of the chemical component are determined by the measurement of a value of a measurement parameter in the interface zone, and the derivation from that value of the concentration or amount of the component in comparison with a baseline or reference value measured for the reagent or reference solution alone. Matrix effects and ghosting errors are avoided. The method and apparatus can be used advantageously for on-line optimization and control of industrial, chemical and biological processes, such as chemical reactions in progress, coupling reactions for the synthesis of azo compounds, and the monitoring of in vivo or in vitro biological systems as well as for conventional analytical purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a flowable material from a container to a receiver through a flexible tubing which communicates with an opening defined in the container and which extends outwardly from the container. The method involves establishing within the container, after discharge of the material therefrom, a pressure less than the ambient pressure so as to draw the tubing into the container through the opening as a result of the pressure differential created between that within the container and the ambient pressure.

Abstract: An organic pigment dispersion in a non-aqueous medium is prepared directly from an aqueous slurry containing 0.1-20% by weight of the pigment by mixing the aqueous slurry with the non-aqueous medium under vigorous agitation and subsequently isolating the organic pigment dispersion from the residual aqueous phase.A substantial part of water in the resulting pigment dispersion can be removed by passing the organic pigment dispersion in the non-aqueous medium over a series of surfaces, the surface material thereof having different affinity for water and the non-aqueous medium, respectively, and then removing water and pigment dispersion in the non-aqueous medium, respectively, from respective surfaces.