Abstract: Methods for separating, monitoring, identifying, and/or quantifying a plurality of ionic species in a mixture are disclosed herein. The ionic species can include a plurality of amines in an industrial fluid. The methods can include a first chromatography step, a second chromatography step, and optionally, a third chromatography step. The first chromatography step and second chromatography step can be performed simultaneously, for example in a dual channel apparatus, such that the method can be performed in less than about 24 hours. Disclosed herein are also methods for efficiently operating a refinery.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a sensor assembly having a first component configured to melt when a temperature of the sensor assembly reaches a first value below a minimum value of a predetermined temperature range, a second component configured to melt when the temperature of the sensor assembly reaches a second value above a maximum value of the predetermined temperature range, and a third component configured to monitor a volume of fluid disposed in a vessel when the temperature of the sensor assembly is within the predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a sensor assembly having a first component configured to melt when a temperature of the sensor assembly reaches a first value below a minimum value of a predetermined temperature range, a second component configured to melt when the temperature of the sensor assembly reaches a second value above a maximum value of the predetermined temperature range, and a third component configured to monitor a volume of fluid disposed in a vessel when the temperature of the sensor assembly is within the predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus provides for the detection, the determination of the location or the spatial distribution, and/or the quantification of an amount of a chemical species by allowing the chemical species to come into contact with a fluid medium contained in a permeable capillary, transferring the content of the capillary after the contact to a detector, and detecting the chemical species as the content of the capillary is transferred to a detector. The fluid medium can contain a selected reagent that selectively interacts with the chemical species to produce an optically detectable interaction product. The location and amount of the chemical species are determined from a characteristic of the chemical species or its interaction product measured on the content of the capillary and the time at which the characteristic is detected.

Abstract: A sensor system for controlling humidity effects on sensor performance comprising one or more sensor devices, a moisture reservoir disposed adjacent to the sensor array, wherein the moisture reservoir comprises desiccant materials operable for reversibly exchanging moisture with a sampled atmosphere, and a hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane permeable to volatile organic compounds and impermeable to water. A probe device for sampling groundwater comprising a sensor array, a moisture reservoir disposed adjacent to the sensor array, wherein the moisture reservoir comprises desiccant materials operable for extracting moisture from a sampled atmosphere, a hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane, a groundwater entry assembly, a power source, an analyte trap, and communications electronics. Methods for sampling a subaqueous environment using a probe device.

Abstract: A composition of matter has the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. The composition of matter possesses characteristic absorbance behavior with respect to infrared and visible energy, which is used to detect and determine the concentration of TCE. In another aspect, a method for generating the composition comprises reacting trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine) in accordance with the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. Also, the invention sets forth a sensor to detect trichloroethylene (TCE) in materials. The sensor includes the composition of material that can absorb at least one of infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) energies when formed by the reaction of trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine).

Abstract: An apparatus provides for the detection, the determination of the location or the spatial distribution, and/or the quantification of an amount of a chemical species by allowing the chemical species to come into contact with a fluid medium contained in a permeable capillary, transferring the content of the capillary after the contact to a detector, and detecting the chemical species as the content of the capillary is transferred to a detector. The fluid medium can contain a selected reagent that selectively interacts with the chemical species to produce an optically detectable interaction product. The location and amount of the chemical species are determined from a characteristic of the chemical species or its interaction product measured on the content of the capillary and the time at which the characteristic is detected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining water usage for industrial facilities and residences. One method communicates with a communications network and acquires water usage information. The water usage information is acquired in real time. The method reports water usage based upon the acquired water usage information. Another embodiment acquires water usage information over a communications network. This embodiment acquires real time water usage information over the communications network at a computer. The water usage information is associated with water use of an industrial facility. The embodiment may then display the real time water usage information via a user interface on the computer.

Abstract: An opto-acoustic wave sensor provides for the detection, the determination of the location, and/or the quantification of an amount of a chemical species using a selective chemical interaction of the chemical species and a selective reagent disposed on a surface of the opto-acoustic wave sensing element. The amount of the chemical species is detected by a change in the mass of the opto-acoustic wave-sensing element, which results in a detectable change in a resonance frequency of the sensing element. The identity of the chemical species is ascertained by an optical property of the product of the selective chemical interaction such as an absorbance or an intensity or other properties of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the product.

Abstract: A composition of matter has the formula: 1

Abstract: An apparatus provides for the detection, the determination of the location or the spatial distribution, and/or the quantification of an amount of a chemical species by allowing the chemical species to come into contact with a fluid medium contained in a permeable capillary, transferring the content of the capillary after the contact to a detector, and detecting the chemical species as the content of the capillary is transferred to a detector. The fluid medium can contain a selected reagent that selectively interacts with the chemical species to produce an optically detectable interaction product. The location and amount of the chemical species are determined from a characteristic of the chemical species or its interaction product measured on the content of the capillary and the time at which the characteristic is detected.

Abstract: A contaminated aqueous composition is withdrawn from a groundwater extraction well and the groundwater is treated in a pump and treat system to remove a contaminant. The treating of the aqueous composition is monitored from a location remote from the groundwater extraction well and the treating is adjusted to remove a contaminant in accordance with the monitoring. A system to treat a contaminated aqueous composition comprises a capture zone to intercept a contaminated aqueous composition and a surface pump and treat system to receive and treat the contaminated aqueous composition from the capture zone. The system also includes a sensor that senses a contaminant in the contaminated aqueous composition and a monitor to receive information concerning the contaminant from the sensor and to consequently control the pump and treat system to treat the contaminated aqueous composition. The monitor is situated at a location remote from the pump and treat system.

Abstract: An on-line sparging sampling system and method sparges polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds from aqueous discharge. The system comprises a network of tubular members that are interconnected to each other to define a fluid passage, in which the network of tubular members comprises an inlet for influent aqueous discharge into the network of tubular members and an outlet for discharge of aqueous discharge from the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; a sparger disposed in the network of tubular members, in which the sparger is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the aqueous discharge so that aqueous discharge flows by the sparger, the sparger providing inert non-reactive gas to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; and at least one analytic device connected to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system for analyzing volatile organic compounds in the aqueous discharge.

Abstract: A non-iron sulfide is introduced into an iron-containing zone to form ferrous sulfide. A contaminated aqueous composition is then contacted with the ferrous sulfide to react with said contaminants.

Abstract: A composition of matter has the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. The composition of matter possesses characteristic absorbance behavior with respect to infrared and visible energy, which is used to detect and determine the concentration of TCE. In another aspect, a method for generating the composition comprises reacting trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine) in accordance with the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. Also, the invention sets forth a sensor to detect trichloroethylene (TCE) in materials. The sensor includes the composition of material that can absorb at least one of infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) energies when formed by the reaction of trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine).

Abstract: In a method for treating a contaminated fluid stream, a characteristic of a flow of the composition to a carbon adsorption zone is sensed. The sensing is remotely monitored to determine a treatment for the contaminated fluid stream. The contaminated fluid stream is then treated according to the monitoring. A system for treating a contaminated fluid stream comprises a sensor that senses a characteristic of a flow of a contaminated fluid stream prior to treatment and a monitor to receive information concerning the characteristic from the sensor and to consequently control the carbon adsorption zone to treat the contaminated fluid stream. The monitor is situated at a location remote from the carbon adsorption zone.

Abstract: A headspace sampling system monitors materials in wastewater. The headspace sampling system comprises a sample receptacle that can contain a wastewater sample; a sparger chamber vapor column; a sample receptacle cover assembly that connects the sparger chamber vapor column to the sample receptacle; a sparger tube; at least one sensing device; and at least one analytic device. The sparger tube and the sample receptacle define a headspace. The sparger chamber vapor column is in communication with the sample receptacle and is closed by a sparger chamber vapor column cover at a second end that is opposed to the sample receptacle. The sparger tube extends into the sample receptacle and the wastewater sample in the sample receptacle. The sparger tube is connected to a source of inert gas at a first end opposed to the sample receptacle and comprises a dispersion device at an end opposed to the first end. The sensing device is disposed in the headspace sampling system in the headspace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining chemical properties. The method is based on the sequential measurement of the variation of the oscillation frequency of a single sensing device when different chemically sensitive film materials are deposited on both sides of a resonator such as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Each of the sides of the resonator is sequentially exposed to an analyte while another side is exposed to a blank gas. In this way, the analyte-dependent signal from the resonator is generated only from a single film. Measurements are further made by switching the analyte stream to expose the sensing film on another side of the resonator previously exposed to a blank.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a substrate and a polymeric film disposed on the substrate. The polymeric film comprises at least one hardblock component and at least one softblock component. The invention also sets forth a method for enhancing detection of a target compound by a sensor. The method comprises disposing a polymeric film on a surface of the sensor, in which the polymeric film enhances detection of target compounds not normally sensed by a sensor without the polymeric film. The polymeric film comprises at least one hardblock component and at least one softblock component.

Abstract: A non-iron sulfide is introduced into an iron-containing zone to form ferrous sulfide. A contaminated aqueous composition is then contacted with the ferrous sulfide to react with said contaminants.