Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a caliper of a sheet of material using a caliper sensor having first and second sensor modules. The method also includes adjusting the caliper measurement based on a transverse displacement between a first sensor component in the first sensor module and a second sensor component in the second sensor module to generate a corrected caliper measurement. Adjusting the caliper measurement can include applying a corrector function that adjusts the caliper measurement based on the measured transverse displacement. The corrector function can be identified by repeatedly creating misalignment between the first and second sensor components, measuring a known distance using the caliper sensor, and identifying an error between the measurement of the known distance and the known distance.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system. The method also includes determining how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor, and a heater could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.

Abstract: A system includes a sensing cell having a walled structure configured to receive a fuel sample within an interior space of the walled structure. The sensing cell also has at least one cooling surface located on at least a portion of the walled structure and configured to cool the fuel sample. The sensing cell further has an optical port configured to couple to one or more optical fibers and to provide first radiation to the fuel sample. In addition, the sensing cell has a mirror configured to reflect the first radiation in order to provide second radiation to the optical port. The optical port defines a collinear optical geometry for providing the first radiation to the fuel sample and receiving the second radiation through the fuel sample. The system also includes at least one cooler configured to cool the fuel sample in the sensing cell by cooling the at least one cooling surface.

Abstract: A method for compensating for errors in a spectrometer is provided that includes measuring at least a portion of a path length for a signal traveling through the spectrometer during a measurement scan of a material. A detector signal corresponding to the measurement scan is generated. Compensation for errors in the detector signal is provided based on the measurement of the path length.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a caliper of a sheet of material using a caliper sensor having first and second sensor modules. The method also includes adjusting the caliper measurement based on a transverse displacement between a first sensor component in the first sensor module and a second sensor component in the second sensor module to generate a corrected caliper measurement. Adjusting the caliper measurement can include applying a corrector function that adjusts the caliper measurement based on the measured transverse displacement. The corrector function can be identified by repeatedly creating misalignment between the first and second sensor components, measuring a known distance using the caliper sensor, and identifying an error between the measurement of the known distance and the known distance.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one measurement of a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of a mixture of fluid containing an autotrophic organism. The method also includes determining an adjustment to one or more manipulated variables using the at least one measurement. The method further includes generating one or more signals to modify the one or more manipulated variables based on the determined adjustment. The one or more manipulated variables could include a carbon dioxide flow rate, an air flow rate, a water temperature, and an agitation level for the mixture. At least one model relates the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to one or more manipulated variables, and the adjustment could be determined by using the at least one model to drive the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to at least one target that optimize a goal function. The goal function could be to optimize biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and/or lipid production.

Abstract: A system includes a signal source that provides a first signal for measuring a gas content of a liquid sample. The system also includes an analyzer that determines the gas content of the liquid sample using a measurement of a second signal, where the second signal is based on the first signal. The system further includes an apparatus with a walled structure having a cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston that pulls the liquid sample into the cavity and pushes the liquid sample out of the cavity. The apparatus further includes at least one measurement window having at least one inner surface exposed within the cavity. The at least one measurement window receives the first signal from the signal source and provides the second signal to the analyzer. The piston could also clean the at least one inner surface, and the piston can include a reference material for calibrating the analyzer.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor unit having multiple solid-state light sources each configured to generate light at one or more wavelengths, where different light sources are configured to generate light at different wavelengths. The first sensor unit also includes a mixer configured to mix the light from the light sources and to provide the mixed light to a web being sampled. The first sensor unit further includes a controller configured to control the generation of the light by the light sources. The system also includes a second sensor unit comprising a detector configured to measure mixed light that has interacted with the web. The second sensor unit could also include a second controller configured to determine one or more characteristics of the web (such as moisture content and fiber weight) using measurements from the detector.

Abstract: A method for compensating for errors in a spectrometer is provided that includes measuring at least a portion of a path length for a signal traveling through the spectrometer during a measurement scan of a material. A detector signal corresponding to the measurement scan is generated. Compensation for errors in the detector signal is provided based on the measurement of the path length.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one measurement of a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of a mixture of fluid containing an autotrophic organism. The method also includes determining an adjustment to one or more manipulated variables using the at least one measurement. The method further includes generating one or more signals to modify the one or more manipulated variables based on the determined adjustment. The one or more manipulated variables could include a carbon dioxide flow rate, an air flow rate, a water temperature, and an agitation level for the mixture. At least one model relates the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to one or more manipulated variables, and the adjustment could be determined by using the at least one model to drive the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to at least one target that optimize a goal function. The goal function could be to optimize biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and/or lipid production.

Abstract: An in-situ time domain spectroscopy (TDS)-based method (200) for non-contact characterization of properties of a sheet material while being produced by a manufacturing system (700). A time domain spectrometry system (100) and calibration data for the system is provided. The calibration data includes data for transmitted power through or reflected power from the sheet material as a function of a moisture content of the sheet material. At least one pulse of THz or near THz radiation from a transmitter (111) is directed at a location on a sheet material sample (130) while being processed by the manufacturing system (700). Transmitted or reflected radiation associated with at least one transmitted or reflected pulse from the sample location is synchronously detected by a detector (110) to obtain the sample data.

Abstract: A system includes a signal source that provides a first signal for measuring a gas content of a liquid sample. The system also includes an analyzer that determines the gas content of the liquid sample using a measurement of a second signal, where the second signal is based on the first signal. The system further includes an apparatus with a walled structure having a cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston that pulls the liquid sample into the cavity and pushes the liquid sample out of the cavity. The apparatus further includes at least one measurement window having at least one inner surface exposed within the cavity. The at least one measurement window receives the first signal from the signal source and provides the second signal to the analyzer. The piston could also clean the at least one inner surface, and the piston can include a reference material for calibrating the analyzer.

Abstract: A system includes a sensing cell having a walled structure configured to receive a fuel sample within an interior space of the walled structure. The sensing cell also has at least one cooling surface located on at least a portion of the walled structure and configured to cool the fuel sample. The sensing cell further has an optical port configured to couple to one or more optical fibers and to provide first radiation to the fuel sample. In addition, the sensing cell has a mirror configured to reflect the first radiation in order to provide second radiation to the optical port. The optical port defines a collinear optical geometry for providing the first radiation to the fuel sample and receiving the second radiation through the fuel sample. The system also includes at least one cooler configured to cool the fuel sample in the sensing cell by cooling the at least one cooling surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining fiber orientation parameters of a sheet of material during a production process includes a polarized radiation generating system operable for providing polarized radiation having a frequency of at least 1×108 Hz. The radiation is aligned to be incident on a sheet material to be characterized. A polarimeter is aligned to receive the radiation transmitted by the sheet material. A photodetector is provided for measuring radiation received after polarization processing by the polarimeter. A processor is coupled to the photodetector for calculating Stokes parameters of the sheet material based upon intensities of the radiation received and determines at least one parameter relating to fiber orientation of the sheet material based upon the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system. The method also includes determining how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor, and a heater could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a degree of moisture stratification in a flat sheet product, such as paper, board or other materials. The system uses a combination of a reflection gauge and a transmission gauge to provide output signals indicative of surface moisture of a first side and of moisture in the body of the flat sheet product. The output signals are processed by a controller or computer to provide a measurement of the moisture stratification. An additional reflection gauge and an additional transmission gauge can also be used to provide additional output signals indicative of surface moisture of a second side of the flat sheet product and of moisture in the body. Narrow band radiation is used with modulation to distinguish from ambient radiation as well as radiation incident on the opposite side.

Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy techniques are employed to measure (i) the moisture level in both the sheet of wet stock and the papermaking machine clothing on which the sheet is supported and (ii) the moisture level in the clothing alone as a separate layer of material. Differential measurement thus yields the moisture content of the sheet of wet stock alone. Changes in the moisture level in the clothing at the press section can be correlated with corresponding changes in the quality or physical property of the paper produced. Both fixed point and scanning IR sensors are strategically positioned in the press section to generate machine direction and/or cross machine direction water profiles for process control.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining fiber orientation parameters of a sheet of material during a production process includes a polarized radiation generating system operable for providing polarized radiation having a frequency of at least 1×108 Hz. The radiation is aligned to be incident on a sheet material to be characterized. A polarimeter is aligned to receive the radiation transmitted by the sheet material. A photodetector is provided for measuring radiation received after polarization processing by the polarimeter. A processor is coupled to the photodetector for calculating Stokes parameters of the sheet material based upon intensities of the radiation received and determines at least one parameter relating to fiber orientation of the sheet material based upon the Stokes parameters.