Abstract: An automatic online analyzer validation and calibration system receives operating parameter input signals from sensors, receives a measured value of a selected process variable from a physical analyzer, determines a difference between the measured value and an inferred value of the selected process variable determined by a controller based on the operating parameter input signals using an inferential analyzer; and if the difference between the measured value and the inferred value exceeds a threshold, initiates a recalibration of the physical analyzer or recalibration of the inferential analyzer. In one example, the automatic online analyzer validation and calibration is used in a gas dehydration system to validate and calibrate a physical moisture analyzer.

Abstract: Continuous gross rate of each of a plurality of wells is estimated. Information provided by sensors configured with each of a plurality of electrical submersible pumps is received. Information associated with a respective model of each of the plurality of electrical submersible pumps is accessed. Utilizing at least one of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the information provided by sensors and the information associated with the respective model of each of the plurality of electrical submersible pumps is processed to estimate a first gross rate of each of the plurality of wells. A second gross rate of each of the plurality of wells is estimated via a pipeline simulation that applies a physics-based model. A continuous gross rate for each of the plurality of wells is estimated as a function the first gross rate and the second gross rate.

Abstract: A catalyst includes a derivative of an iron-containing clay which includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a nickel-iron bimetallic structure according to XRD and a nickel-iron bimetallic oxide structure according to XRD. The catalyst can be used in various reactions, such as carbon dioxide methanation and dry reforming of methane and carbon dioxide to produce syngas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating information for navigation in an environment are disclosed. The method comprises generating, by a device, state information about a part of the environment where the device is positioned, receiving, by the device from at least one other device, messages comprising state information about a part of the environment where the at least one other device is positioned, the meaning of the messages being learned based on emergent communication, abstracting the state space for the environment by an abstractor module based on the generated state information and the received state information messages to provide an abstracted state space, and generating information for the device by a reinforced learning module for navigation in the environment based on the abstracted state space and further state information generated by the device and received from the at least one other device.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments described herein, a method for processing a hydrocarbon feedstock may include contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock and a product emulsion with supercritical carbon dioxide in a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction unit to form at least an extract emulsion and a pitch emulsion; contacting at least a portion of the pitch emulsion with supercritical water in a supercritical water gasification unit to form a gasified product; separating the gasified product into at least a product gas and the product emulsion, the product emulsion comprising water and one or more hydrocarbons; and recycling at least a portion of the product emulsion to the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction unit. Contacting the product emulsion with the supercritical carbon dioxide may break at least a portion of the product emulsion.

Abstract: A system for producing a product is disclosed. The system includes a production facility for producing a product using a chemical process involving chemical reactions, and an information processing device comprising a computer processor that simulates, using a hybrid model, the chemical reactions in the chemical process that produces the product to obtain a predicted output, wherein the hybrid model is a combination of a first-principles model and a data-driven model, determines, using an observer model, expected concentrations and levels of all substrates for the simulated process, sets derived optimal conditions for the chemical process based on the estimated concentrations and levels of all substrates, and predicts future production results based on a current status of the production facility.

Abstract: A method to convert asphaltenes to partially oxidized asphaltenes comprising the steps of treating the reactor feed in a tubular reactor to produce a reactor effluent, introducing the reactor effluent to a disengagement zone of a vessel reactor, introducing an oxidizing agent stream to the asphaltene collection zone of the vessel reactor, reacting the asphaltenes in the asphaltene-rich fraction with oxygen from the oxidizing agent, withdrawing a bottom reactor effluent from the asphaltene collection zone, reducing a temperature of the bottom reactor effluent to produce a cooled bottom effluent, reducing a pressure of the cooled bottom effluent in a pressure regulator unit to produce a centrifuge feed, separating the centrifuge feed in a centrifuge to produce a centrate, mixing the centrate and the upper upgraded stream in a product mixer to produce a mixed upgraded stream, and separating the mixed upgraded stream in a three-phase separator.

Abstract: Execution status of managed time series processing tasks may be tracked. Status of a time series processing task that operations on different portions of a time series may be respectively captured. A request for the status of one of the portions of the time series with respect to the time series processing task may be received. The status may be identified and returned. For failed tasks, a failure reason may be generated by the time series processing system and included in a response with a failure status.

Abstract: A method to convert asphaltenes to partially oxidized asphaltenes comprising the steps of treating the reactor feed in a tubular reactor to produce a reactor effluent, introducing the reactor effluent to a disengagement zone of a vessel reactor, introducing an oxidizing agent stream to the asphaltene collection zone of the vessel reactor, reacting the asphaltenes in the asphaltene-rich fraction with oxygen from the oxidizing agent, withdrawing a bottom reactor effluent from the asphaltene collection zone, reducing a temperature of the bottom reactor effluent to produce a cooled bottom effluent, reducing a pressure of the cooled bottom effluent in a pressure regulator unit to produce a centrifuge feed, separating the centrifuge feed in a centrifuge to produce a centrate, mixing the centrate and the upper upgraded stream in a product mixer to produce a mixed upgraded stream, and separating the mixed upgraded stream in a three-phase separator.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a drug to a biological tissue in a patient, such as by intracellular and/or dermal delivery. The device includes a piezoelectric pulse generator; and an array of microneedle electrodes electrically coupled to the piezoelectric pulse generator, wherein the device, following insertion of the microneedle electrodes into the biological tissue, is configured to generate and deliver one or more electrical pulses through the microneedle electrodes effective to electroporate cells in the biological tissue and enable delivery of a drug into the electroporated cells.

Abstract: New formulation for pyrite scale removal from oil and gas wells and a method of pyrite scale removal are disclosed. The chemical formulation is composed of K2B4O7-4H2O, in a concentration of about 9-20 wt. % of the composition, preferably about 14 wt. % of the composition. The new formulation has the ability to dissolve pyrite without generation of the toxic H2S. Furthermore, the new formulation is cheaper and has very low corrosion rate compare to 15 wt. % HCl with corrosion inhibitor. The disclose method uses the disclosed new formulation to dissolve iron sulphide scale, performed at about 100-150° C. and about 500-2000 psi.

Abstract: A microfluidic centrifuge is provided that includes a microfluidic disc having a pair of through holes that include a first through hole and a second through hole, where the pair of through holes are disposed symmetric and proximal to a central axis of the microfluidics disc, where the microfluidics disc includes a sealable input port and a sealable output port, where the sealable input port and the sealable output port are connected by a microfluidics channel, and a pair of tethers disposed through the pair of through holes that are disposed to twist about each other for unwinding where the tether unwinding is disposed to interact with the through holes, where the microfluidics disc rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: New formulation for pyrite scale removal from oil and gas wells and a method of pyrite scale removal are disclosed. The chemical formulation is composed of K2B4O7-4H2O, in a concentration of about 9-20 wt. % of the composition, preferably about 14 wt. % of the composition. The new formulation has the ability to dissolve pyrite without generation of the toxic H2S. Furthermore, the new formulation is cheaper and has very low corrosion rate compare to 15 wt. % HCl with corrosion inhibitor. The disclose method uses the disclosed new formulation to dissolve iron sulphide scale, performed at about 100-150° C. and about 500-2000 psi.

Abstract: The pelvic fracture splint includes a first portion having a first end and an opposing second end and a second portion having an opening defined therein, the second portion extending downward from the first portion of the pelvic fracture splint substantially at the mid-section of the first portion. The pelvic fracture splint also includes a plurality of strips (preferably three strips) selectively fastening the opposing ends of the first portion and the second portion of the pelvic fracture splint to secure the pelvic fracture splint around the person's waist or hips and groin. The first portion includes a plurality of splints (rigid supports, preferably six in number) vertically positioned along the first portion at spaced apart positions. The opening in the second portion of the pelvic fracture splint may have a triangular shape to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on the person's genitals.

Abstract: The pelvic fracture splint includes a first portion having a first end and an opposing second end and a second portion having an opening defined therein, the second portion extending downward from the first portion of the pelvic fracture splint substantially at the mid-section of the first portion. The pelvic fracture splint also includes a plurality of strips (preferably three strips) selectively fastening the opposing ends of the first portion and the second portion of the pelvic fracture splint to secure the pelvic fracture splint around the person's waist or hips and groin. The first portion includes a plurality of splints (rigid supports, preferably six in number) vertically positioned along the first portion at spaced apart positions. The opening in the second portion of the pelvic fracture splint may have a triangular shape to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on the person's genitals.

Abstract: The ear-mounted dental mirror support includes two arms, each having a hooked end configured to wrap around the back of an ear. The arms are connected to a cross-member at the end opposite the hook. A multi-rod adjustment member is pivotally attached to the cross-member. A mirror is pivotally attached to the free end of the adjustment member. The device is designed to be secured to a patient's ears by the arms with the cross-member resting on the patient's chin. The mirror can be adjusted to reflect different portions of the patient's mouth to help a person applying treatment visualize the treatment zone. The arms and cross-member may include projections to assist in securing a dental dam in place around the patient's mouth.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid ejection device. The device includes a first metal layer over a substrate, a dielectric layer over the first metal layer, and an orifice through the dielectric layer to the first metal layer. The device also includes a second metal layer over the dielectric layer and partially filling the orifice to form a via to electrical connect the two metal layers. The via has a depth-to-width ratio of at least 0.4. The device further includes a passivation stack covering the second metal layer including all interior surfaces of the via. The stack includes an ALD-deposited layer formed by atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: In one example, an additive manufacturing system. The system includes a blade spanning at least a portion of a build bed along a y axis and movable across the build bed along an x axis orthogonal to the y axis. The blade includes blade material to spread build material on the build bed. The system further includes a blade positioning mechanism coupled to the blade to position a different portion of the blade material adjacent a given y position of the build bed.

Abstract: A microfluidic centrifuge is provided that includes a microfluidic disc having a pair of through holes that include a first through hole and a second through hole, where the pair of through holes are disposed symmetric and proximal to a central axis of the microfluidics disc, where the microfluidics disc includes a sealable input port and a sealable output port, where the sealable input port and the sealable output port are connected by a microfluidics channel, and a pair of tethers disposed through the pair of through holes that are disposed to twist about each other for unwinding where the tether unwinding is disposed to interact with the through holes, where the microfluidics disc rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A sigma-delta modulator including at least first and second sub-modulators, each including an analog integration circuit, the analog integration circuit of the first sub-modulator having an output node connected to an input node of the analog integration circuit of the second sub-modulator, the modulator further comprising a coupling capacitor having a first electrode connected to an output node of the analog integration circuit of the second sub-modulator, and a comparator having its input coupled to the first electrode of the coupling capacitor by a first switch and to a second electrode of the coupling capacitor by a second switch.