Abstract: A hydraulic lock apparatus, comprising: a lock operator piston arranged to be axially moveable in a piston chamber, the lock operator piston defining a first seal area; a fluid release valve comprising a valve port and a valve member axially moveable within a valve chamber, wherein the fluid release valve is moveable from a sealing arrangement to an open arrangement, wherein the fluid release valve defines a second seal area when in the sealing arrangement; and a hydraulic chamber defined between the first seal area of the lock operator piston and the second seal area of the fluid release valve; wherein the first seal area is larger than the second seal area; and the fluid release valve is configured to be moveable from the sealing arrangement, in which the hydraulic chamber is isolated from the valve port, to the open arrangement, in which the hydraulic chamber is connected to the valve port, in response to a differential pressure cycle being applied to the valve member over the second seal area.

Abstract: A valve apparatus, such as a downhole valve apparatus, includes a housing having a flow path therein and a valve member mounted within the housing and being operable between closed and open configurations to control flow along the flow path. An actuator assembly is moveable from a first position to a second position to sequentially perform first and second actuation functions, the first actuation function being associated with the operation of an auxiliary system, and the second actuation function opening the valve member from its closed configuration.

Abstract: A valve apparatus, such as a downhole valve apparatus, includes a housing having a flow path therein and a valve member mounted within the housing and being operable between closed and open configurations to control flow along the flow path. An actuator assembly is moveable from a first position to a second position to sequentially perform first and second actuation functions, the first actuation function being associated with the operation of an auxiliary system, and the second actuation function opening the valve member from its closed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell (22) configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder (22) for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage (20) to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell (22) in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (22), a detector (18) for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (22), a Raman spectrometer (16) arranged to obtain a spectrum including the R

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and device for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. A probe may be inserted into a first of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the first sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the first sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the first sample may be acquired. The probe may be inserted into a second of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the second sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the second sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the second sample may be acquired.

Abstract: An optical sample characterization method is disclosed comprising: holding a sample in a sample container proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, wherein the sample container has a first end and a second end; setting up a gradient between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; illuminating the sample between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; and detecting light received from the illuminated sample from the first end of the sample container to the second end of the sample container by the two-dimensional an-ay assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to analyzing and controlling collection of liquid eluate output from a separation process, in particular by use of a measure of suspended material in the eluate based on a light scattering detection method. Exemplary embodiments include a method of controlling collection of a sample of a liquid eluate output from a separation process. The method includes exposing the liquid eluate to light from a light source; detecting light from the light source scattered by suspended material in the eluate at a detector; and beginning and ending collection of the sample when a measure of the suspended material derived from the detected scattered light enters and leaves a predetermined range.

Abstract: An optical sample characterization method is disclosed comprising: holding a sample in a sample container proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, wherein the sample container has a first end and a second end; setting up a gradient between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; illuminating the sample between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; and detecting light received from the illuminated sample from the first end of the sample container to the second end of the sample container by the two-dimensional array assembly.

Abstract: Viscometers and viscometry methods are disclosed. In one general aspect, a fluid is driven through capillary tubes with different inside volumes, and successive images of the fluid are acquired as it advances through the inside volume of the capillary tubes. A range of different viscosity values of the fluid are derived from the successive acquired images, and results of this step are reported in a manner that provides insight into non-Newtonian effects in the fluid. In another general aspect, a viscosity value is selected based on detected pressure levels.

Abstract: A method of Raman spectroscopic structure investigation of a sample that includes a dispersed chemical species, in particular a protein, in a liquid phase and an apparatus for performing said method are described. The method comprises: providing the sample; providing marker particles in the sample; exciting the sample with a light source; receiving Raman-scattered light from the dispersed chemical species in the sample; detecting, from the received Raman-scattered light, Raman scattering from the dispersed chemical species in the sample; detecting movement of the marker particles in the sample; and extracting at least one characteristic of the dispersed chemical species in the sample from both the step of detecting Raman scattering and the step of detecting movement of the particles.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to reconfigurable modular processing facilities and methods for constructing and operating such. For example, a method for constructing a reconfigurable modular processing facility may comprise assembling a plurality of vertical walls, wherein the spaces between the walls define a plurality of stations; assembling a plurality of horizontal levels, wherein the spaces between the levels and the walls define the plurality of stations; constructing a lift within a center portion of the facility, wherein the lift is configured to access each of the plurality of stations; assembling one or more pods sized to fit within the stations, wherein the pods contain process equipment; configuring a process within the facility by moving one or more pods into one or more stations; and connecting the one or more pods to one another to complete the configuration of the process.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2, and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO2. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. Embodiments disclosed include a particle characterization method, comprising: providing a fluid containing suspended particles; causing at least a first subset of the suspended particles to flow past a first two-dimensional array detector (24); illuminating the first subset of suspended particles as they flow past the first two-dimensional array detector (24) in the fluid; acquiring a plurality of images of the first subset of particles as they flow past the first two-dimensional array detector (24) in the fluid; and automatically counting the particles in the images.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting properties of suspended particles. Embodiments disclosed include an optical instrument (200) for detecting properties of a sample, comprising: a sample cell (103) for holding a sample of a particulate dispersion; a coherent light source (101) configured to illuminate the sample in the sample cell (103); a light intensity detector (104, 106) positioned to receive and measure an intensity of light from the coherent light source (101) elastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell (103); and a spectral light detector (212) positioned and configured to receive and measure a range of wavelengths of light from the coherent radiation source (101) inelastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell (103).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell (22) configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder (22) for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage (20) to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell (22) in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (22), a detector (18) for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (22), a Raman spectrometer (16) arranged to obtain a spectrum including the R

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a first catalytic composition comprising a homogeneous solid mixture containing at least one catalytic metal and at least one metal inorganic support. The pores of the solid mixture have an average diameter in a range of about 1 nanometer to about 15 nanometers. The catalytic metal comprises nanocrystals.

Abstract: A thermal actuator is provided and includes an expansion material disposed and configured to move a movable element from a first movable element position toward a second movable element position in accordance with an expansion condition of the expansion material. The expansion material includes an inorganic salt mixture or a metal oxide mixture.

Abstract: A method for the application of at least two different powder coating layers to a substrate comprising the steps of application of a first powder coating layer followed by the application of a second powder coating layer, without any substantial curing of the first powder coating layer prior to the application of the second powder coating layer, followed by the simultaneous curing of the first powder coating layer and the second powder coating layer, wherein the first powder coating layer or the second powder coating layer comprises 1 to 10 weight % of a conductive component having a resistivity of below 5 ?cm at a packing volume of ?70%.