Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the buffering capacity of a liquid which utilizes a pH electrode positioned at the surface of a working electrode. Measured changes in pH of the metal-water interface at known potentials which are applied to the working electrode are used to calculate the liquid buffering capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the buffering capacity of a fluid which utilizes a pH electrode that is positioned at the surface of a smooth metal working electrode. Measured changes in pH of the metal-water interface at known potentials which are applied to the working electrode are used to calculate the fluid buffering capacity.

Abstract: An in situ method of determining the quality of a medium capable of suppong cellular growth comprises obtaining viable cells which are anchored to a substrate, determining the value of at least one characteristic of the cell which is proportional by a factor to the number of the cells present under conditions which preserve cell viability, calculating the number of cells present by multiplying the value of the characteristic by the factor, exposing the cells to the medium by in situ immersing the substrate with the anchored cells in the medium for a period of time and under conditions which preserve the viability of the cells and permit cell growth, withdrawiing the cells from the medium, repeating the steps for determining the value of the characteristic of the cells and for calculating the number of cells present, calculating the cell growth rate or the variation in the number of anchored cells per unit of time during the period of time from the formula cell variation/t=(N-N.sub.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for the early detection of the formation of orga deposits or a biofilm on the internal surface of a conduit through which a fluid passes comprises allowing the fluid to flow through a conduit, passing a light beam, e.g., IR or UV light, through the fluid and the deposits in a direction transversal to the surface thereof, detecting and measuring the transmitted portion of the light beam after it has emerged from the fluid and the deposits, conducting these measurements at least twice at a set time interval, the first time before any materials deposit, and calculating % variation absorbed light during the time interval, which value is proportional to the organic materials or biofilm deposited and a method of removing at least a portion of organic deposits or a biofilm deposited on the internal surface of a conduit through which a fluid flows comprises allowing the fluid to flow through a conduit having a deposited organic layer or biofilm, passing a light beam, e.g.

Abstract: A method for controlling, preventing, or removing fouling deposits comprising microencapsulating fouling control chemicals in a slow release capsule. The microcapsules are applied to the substrate to be treated, where they stick to the substrate and slowly release the active treating agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of film fouling in a hydraulic system. While the system is clean and unfouled, it is subjected to a brief test run during which the water velocity is swept over a wide range and the corresponding pressure drops are measured and recorded to provide a reference curve for the velocity-pressure drop characteristic. Later, when the system is fouled, the brief test run is repeated to arrive at a new reference curve, part of which substantially coincides with the said reference curve and part of which departs monotonically. The point of departure, by calculation, yields the thickness of the film fouling.

Abstract: An instrument for monitoring the build-up of fouling deposits on the liquid-handling surfaces of cooling towers, heat exchangers and other apparatus, subject to liquid fouling, is disclosed in this application. The build-up is monitored by sensing the increasing drag on a rotor immersed in the liquid, as the rotor and adjacent stationary surfaces become fouled. The drag is measured by a torque transducer, which is connected to read-out devices by means of a computer. The instrument may be used as an integral part of a feedback control system, or for evaluating fouling control strategies. The computer enables the instrument to operate in different modes, as desired.

Abstract: A test apparatus is provided for testing the heat transfer resistance of a tube, such as a tube of a heat exchanger, the apparatus including a heating means, such as a block of metal surrounding and engaging a part of the tube, with an electric heater for heating the block, the block including at least two termistors at different distances from the tube to measure heat flux. A pump causes water to flow through the tube, and a thermistor measures the water temperature. A flow meter and a pressure drop sensor for sensing the drop in pressure across the block are also provided. The measuring devices other than the flow meter provide, preferrably, analog output signals, which are converted and supplied to a computer for computation of total heat transfer resistance, convective heat transfer resistance, conductive heat transfer resistance of the tube and friction factor.