Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and compensating for the impact of environmental effects on industrial processing units. A thermal test element having a low thermal mass and high conductivity is exposed to the environment. Ambient air temperature is sensed at a nearby location, and a differential temperature controller determines how much energy is required to maintain the test element at a desired temperature differential from ambient temperature. Duty cycle and wattage outputs enable feedforward compensation for environmentally induced process unit control disturbances.

Abstract: An ocatane analyzer for monitoring the octane of a gasoline stream in which a sample of the gasoline stream is periodically injected into a reactor containing oxygen and maintained at a temperature at which mild reaction results. The timer required for initiation of the mild reaction or the severity of the mild reaction is measured and correlated with octane number. Means are provided to charge a reproducible sample into the reaction by maintaining the sample under a pressure holding it in the liquid phase and delivering it into a chamber in which the pressure is reduced to cause vaporization of the sample. The chamber is packed with finely divided material that holds gasoline in the liquid phase in the chamber.

Abstract: An octane analyzer for monitoring the octane of a gasoline stream in which a sample of the gasoline stream is periodically injected into a reactor containing oxygen and maintained at a temperature at which mild reaction results. The time required for initiation of the mild reaction or the severity of the mild reaction is measured and correlated with octane number. Means are provided to charge a reproducible sample into the reaction by maintaining the sample under a pressure holding it in the liquid phase and delivering it into a chamber in which the pressure is reduced to cause vaporization of the sample. The chamber is packed with finely divided material that holds gasoline in the liquid phase in the chamber.