Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.

Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.

Abstract: A flats singulation apparatus includes a input buffer section having a substantially horizontal ramp which is adapted to support thereon a stack of flats mailpieces on edge. The buffer section includes a moving belt and ram plate for moving the stack of flat pieces toward the front end of the ramp. A transfer section is at the end of the ramp and is adapted to remove the flat pieces substantially one at a time from the ramp and drop them downwardly. The transfer section includes a plurality of edge rollers extending across the end of the ramp and adapted to move the flat pieces from the stack, and a ledge plate extending downwardly from the edge rollers and having a horizontal ledge onto which the flat pieces drop. A pusher shelf is movable across the ledge to push the flat pieces off of the shelf. A separation section extends substantially horizontally across the end of the transfer section and includes means for moving the flat pieces away from the transfer section and separating flat pieces.