Abstract: An apparatus for determining the identity, location, or level of one or more material phases or the location of an interface between two material phases within a defined volume having, a linear array of units configured to generate and detect electromagnetic radiation; an elongate enclosure containing the array of units, being at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the units; the apparatus being configured to be at least partially submerged within the one or more material phases within the defined volume, the linear array of units being configured to generate transmission signals through the at least partially transparent elongate enclosure to the one or more material phases surrounding the enclosure at locations along the length of the enclosure, and to receive return signals through the elongate enclosure at locations along the length of the enclosure from the one or more material phases surrounding the enclosure.

Abstract: A level measurement instrument including: a transmitter configured to transmit an electromagnetic transmission signal, the electromagnetic transmission signal being a microwave signal or a radio wave signal a receiver configured to receive a plurality of electromagnetic return signals; an elongate electromagnetic radiation guide coupled to the transmitter to guide the electromagnetic transmission signal, wherein the elongate electromagnetic radiation guide is provided with a plurality of windows spaced along the elongate electromagnetic radiation guide, the windows being at least partially transmissive to the electromagnetic transmission signal such that in use, when the elongate electromagnetic radiation guide is introduced into a fluid column, the electromagnetic transmission signal interacts with fluid adjacent each window and generates electromagnetic return signals, the return signal from each window being dependent on a parameter of the fluid adjacent each window such that different fluids in the fluid

Abstract: A method of scanning an industrial chemical vessel to monitor a chemical process within the industrial chemical vessel, the method comprising: positioning a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrying a gamma radiation source on one side of the vessel, positioning a second UAV carrying a gamma radiation detector on an opposite side of the vessel, moving the first and second UAVs to scan the vessel by passing gamma radiation through the vessel from the radiation source carried by the first UAV to the radiation detector carried by the second UAV thereby measuring a density profile, identifying a location of one or more fluid layers within the industrial chemical vessel, and determining if a chemical process within the industrial chemical vessel is operating correctly based on the location of the one or more fluid layers within the industrial chemical vessel identified using the first and second UAVs.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the identity, location, or level of one or more material phases or the location of an interface between two material phases within a defined volume having, a linear array of units configured to generate and detect electromagnetic radiation; an elongate enclosure containing the array of units, being at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the units; the apparatus being configured to be at least partially submerged within the one or more material phases within the defined volume, the linear array of units being configured to generate transmission signals through the at least partially transparent elongate enclosure to the one or more material phases surrounding the enclosure at locations along the length of the enclosure, and to receive return signals through the elongate enclosure at locations along the length of the enclosure from the one or more material phases surrounding the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid is described comprising: introducing a tracer into the fluid and analysing the fluid to determine if the tracer is present in the fluid; characterised in that the tracer comprises luminescent carbon-based nanoparticles exhibiting a peak luminescence intensity at an emission wavelength of at least 500 nm. The method is in particular a method of monitoring a parameter of a hydrocarbon well, pipeline or formation. A use of a tracer and a tracer composition comprising carbon-based nanoparticles exhibiting a peak luminescence intensity at an emission wavelength of at least 500 nm are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radiation for obtaining density information of a structure, the apparatus including: at least one detector (10), the detector (10) including: a scintillator (12) including a scintillating material for emitting light in response to incident radiation (14), and a photodetector (16) for receiving light emitted by the scintillating material (12) and outputting an electrical signal in response to light received from the scintillating material (12), wherein the photodetector (16) includes at least one silicon photomultiplier (16a). The invention reduces the volume of the apparatus and therefore provides particular advantages for use in scanning pipelines and other structures located deep subsea.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring data from a first part of a measuring apparatus to a second part includes a signal transmitting part mounted to the second part and having first antennae for receiving first electrical signals representing data from the second part and emitting electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the first electrical signals, and a signal receiving part mounted to the first part but separated from and rotating relative to the signal transmitting part. The signal receiving part includes a second antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating second electrical signals corresponding to the first electrical signals.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for determining thickness of refractory material (4) lining a metal vessel (6) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source (16) for emitting radiation through a metal wall of the vessel and into the refractory material, wherein some of the radiation is scattered by the refractory material, and a radiation detector (20) for detecting radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel. A converter provides an output signal dependent on the quantity of radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel and detected by the radiation detector.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for determining thickness of refractory material (4) lining a metal vessel (6) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source (16) for emitting radiation through a metal wall of the vessel and into the refractory material, wherein some of the radiation is scattered by the refractory material, and a radiation detector (20) for detecting radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel. A converter provides an output signal dependent on the quantity of radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel and detected by the radiation detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radiation for obtaining density information of a structure, the apparatus including: at least one detector (10), the detector (10) including: a scintillator (12) including a scintillating material for emitting light in response to incident radiation (14), and a photodetector (16) for receiving light emitted by the scintillating material (12) and outputting an electrical signal in response to light received from the scintillating material (12), wherein the photodetector (16) includes at least one silicon photomultiplier (16a). The invention reduces the volume of the apparatus and therefore provides particular advantages for use in scanning pipelines and other structures located deep subsea.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring data from a first part of a measuring apparatus to a second part includes a signal transmitting part mounted to the second part and having first antennae for receiving first electrical signals representing data from the second part and emitting electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the first electrical signals, and a signal receiving part mounted to the first part but separated from and rotating relative to the signal transmitting part. The signal receiving part includes a second antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating second electrical signals corresponding to the first electrical signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for the development and manipulation of three-dimensional voxel-based models. The method includes accessing, by a processor of a computing device, a subdivision surfacing geometry (SubD) model and converting a portion of features of the SubD model to a voxel model. The method includes accessing a texture for application to the voxel model and combining the texture and the voxel model to create a textured voxel model. The method includes determining displacement maps determined based in part on a difference between a surface portion of the voxel model and a surface portion of the SubD model and applying the displacement maps to the surface portion of the SubD model to determine a second SubD model where the second SubD model is configured for manipulation while preserving a visual aesthetic and a geometric placement of the added texture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for the development and manipulation of three-dimensional voxel-based models. The method includes accessing, by a processor of a computing device, a subdivision surfacing geometry (SubD) model and converting a portion of features of the SubD model to a voxel model. The method includes accessing a texture for application to the voxel model and combining the texture and the voxel model to create a textured voxel model. The method includes determining displacement maps determined based in part on a difference between a surface portion of the voxel model and a surface portion of the SubD model and applying the displacement maps to the surface portion of the SubD model to determine a second SubD model where the second SubD model is configured for manipulation while preserving a visual aesthetic and a geometric placement of the added texture.

Abstract: Low viscosity, high concentration drag reducing agents may be prepared by slowly adding a liquid, non-solvent (e.g. isopropyl alcohol) for a drag reducing polymer (e.g. a polyalphaolefin) to a mixture of the polymer and the solvent (e.g. kerosene) in which the polymer is dissolved. When enough non-solvent is added, the polymer precipitates into fine particles. The supernatant mixture of solvent and non-solvent is then removed from the precipitated polymer slurry concentrate. Further solvent contained in the slurry concentrate may be removed by evaporation or further extraction with the liquid, non-solvent. The resulting slurry concentrate dissolves rapidly in flowing hydrocarbon streams to reduce the drag therein, and gives exceptionally good drag reducing results at low concentrations. Additionally, no injection probes or other special equipment is required to introduce the drag reducing slurry into the hydrocarbon stream, nor is grinding of the polymer necessary to form a suitable DRA slurry.