Abstract: Assemblies and methods to enhance control of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processing assembly associated with a refining operation, may include supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to one or more first processing units associated with the refining operation. The assemblies and methods also may include conditioning a hydrocarbon feedstock and unit material samples, and analyzing the samples via one or more spectroscopic analyzers. The assemblies and methods further may include prescriptively controlling, via one or more FCC process controllers based at least in part on the hydrocarbon feedstock properties and the unit material properties, the FCC processing assembly, so that the prescriptively controlling results in enhancing accuracy of target content of materials produced by the FCC processing assembly, thereby to more responsively control the FCC processing assembly to achieve material outputs that more accurately and responsively converge on target properties.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods to enhance hydrotreating and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes associated with a refining operation, during the processes, may include supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to a cat feed hydrotreater (CFH) processing unit to produce CFH unit materials. The assemblies and methods also may include conditioning material samples, and analyzing the samples via one or more spectroscopic analyzers. The assemblies and methods further may include prescriptively controlling, via one or more FCC process controllers, based at least in part on the material properties, a FCC processing assembly, so that the prescriptively controlling results in causing the processes to produce CFH materials, intermediate materials, the unit materials, and/or the downstream materials having properties within selected ranges of target properties, thereby to cause the processes to achieve material outputs that more accurately and responsively converge on one or more of the target properties.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies may be used for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers. The methods and assemblies may be used to calibrate or recalibrate a spectroscopic analyzer when the spectroscopic analyzer changes from a first state to a second state, the second state being defined as a period of time after a change to the spectroscopic analyzer causing a need to calibrate or recalibrate the spectroscopic analyzer. The calibration or recalibration may result in the spectroscopic analyzer outputting a standardized spectrum, such that the spectroscopic analyzer outputs a corrected material spectrum for an analyzed material, and defining the standardized spectrum. The corrected material spectrum may include signals indicative of material properties of an analyzed material, the material properties of the material being substantially consistent with material properties of the material output by the spectroscopic analyzer in the first state.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies may be used for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers. The methods and assemblies may be used to calibrate or recalibrate a spectroscopic analyzer when the spectroscopic analyzer changes from a first state to a second state, the second state being defined as a period of time after a change to the spectroscopic analyzer causing a need to calibrate or recalibrate the spectroscopic analyzer. The calibration or recalibration may result in the spectroscopic analyzer outputting a standardized spectrum, such that the spectroscopic analyzer outputs a corrected material spectrum for an analyzed material, and defining the standardized spectrum. The corrected material spectrum may include signals indicative of material properties of an analyzed material, the material properties of the material being substantially consistent with material properties of the material output by the spectroscopic analyzer in the first state.

Abstract: A connector (100) is disclosed for use in forming a joint between a first surface (400) and a second surface (410). The connector (100) comprises a housing (10). The connector also comprises a tendon (200). A portion of the tendon (200) can protrude from the housing (10) through a seal (50). The seal (50) is configured to sealably cover an open end (14) of the housing (10) such that the tendon (200) can move through the seal (50) and laterally sideways across the open end (14) together with at least a portion of the seal (50). Also disclosed is a connector (100) system for use in forming a joint, and a method of installing a connector (100) to form a joint, between a first surface (400) and a second surface (410). The connector (100) system and method comprises and makes use of the housing (10) and the tendon (200).

Abstract: Presented herein is a connector forming a joint between first and second surfaces. The connector includes a hollow male member embedded in a first surface. The male member has open ended protrusion extending therefrom. A hollow female member to be embedded in second surface. The female member has a mating opening for receiving the protrusion and a flexible sealing means for forming a fluid tight seal between the female and male members. When installed, a tendon forms part of the first surface and extends through protrusion into female member. Prior to grouting, movement of the tendon during settling of first surface is facilitated by the male and female member, without breaking the fluid tight seal formed by flexible sealing means. Also presented is a method of forming a joint between a vertical surface and a horizontal surface.

Abstract: An improved connector for use in forming joints between two surfaces. The improved connector has a housing with an enlarged seal housing at a first end and a sealing screen adapted for receipt in the enlarged seal housing. The sealing screen incorporates an elastic membrane that surrounds an aperture. The aperture is adapted to sealingly engage a dowel bar. This engagement means that movement of the dowel bar laterally, vertically or telescopically is accommodated for by the elastic membrane in a manner that ensures that the dowel bar remains sealing engaged by the aperture.

Abstract: Presented herein is a connector forming a joint between first and second surfaces. The connector includes a hollow male member embedded in a first surface. The male member has open ended protrusion extending therefrom. A hollow female member to be embedded in second surface. The female member has a mating opening for receiving the protrusion and a flexible sealing means for forming a fluid tight seal between the female and male members. When installed, a tendon forms part of the first surface and extends through protrusion into female member. Prior to grouting, movement of the tendon during settling of first surface is facilitated by the male and female member, without breaking the fluid tight seal formed by flexible sealing means. Also presented is a method of forming a joint between a vertical surface and a horizontal surface.

Abstract: Connector (10) forming a joint between first (20) and second (22) surfaces. Connector (10) comprises: (i) hollow male member (18) to be embedded in first surface (20), the male member (18) having open ended protrusion (102) extending therefrom; (ii) a hollow female member (12) to be embedded in second surface (22), female member (12) having mating opening (42a) for receiving protrusion (102); and (iii) flexible sealing means (16) for forming a fluid tight seal between the female (12) and male (18) members. When installed, tendon (34) forming part of the first surface (20) extends through protrusion (102) into female member (12). Prior to grouting, movement of tendon (34) during settling of first surface (20) is facilitated by the male and female member (12, 18) without breaking the fluid tight seal formed by flexible sealing means (16). Also claimed is forming a joint between a vertical surface and a horizontal surface.

Abstract: Connector (10) forming a joint between first (20) and second (22) surfaces. Connector (10) comprises: (i) hollow male member (18) to be embedded in first surface (20), the male member (18) having open ended protrusion (102) extending therefrom; (ii) a hollow female member (12) to be embedded in second surface (22), female member (12) having mating opening (42a) for receiving protrusion (102); and (iii) flexible sealing means (16) for forming a fluid tight seal between the female (12) and male (18) members. When installed, tendon (34) forming part of the first surface (20) extends through protrusion (102) into female member (12). Prior to grouting, movement of tendon (34) during settling of first surface (20) is facilitated by the male and female member (12, 18) without breaking the fluid tight seal formed by flexible sealing means (16). Also claimed is forming a joint between a vertical surface and a horizontal surface.