Abstract: An exchange system whereby a sample to be tested in a chamber, such as a vacuum chamber, may be entered and withdrawn with a minimum of loss of vacuum. The sample is mounted on a circular platen having six wedge shaped ramps in the periphery. A sample fork, in an anti-chamber that is connected to the chamber by a sealable door and can be maneuvered axially and rotationally about that axis, has three spring fingers that can be locked into the wedges to secure the platen. a sample dock, located in the main chamber, is axially aligned with the fork and has three fingers that engage the remaining three ramps when the platen enters the chamber. Rotation of the fork and the platen will cause the dock fingers to grasp the platen while the fork fingers release it, thereby transferring the platen into the chamber. Varied tests may then be performed under hot and cold vacuum conditions. Removal of the platen is done by reversing the procedure.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of determining the concentration of a water soluble polymeric treating agent added to wastewater treatment system. The method comprises several steps including dosing the body of water with a predetermined concentration of a treating agent having a fluorescent tag covalently bonded to the treating agent, removing a sample of the water containing the tagged treating agent, analyzing the emissivity of the sample to measure the concentration of the treating agent in the sample and adjusting the concentration of the treating agent accordingly to fit within a predetermined concentration range.

Abstract: A waste water purification plant for biological treatment, and optionally mechanical and/or chemical treatment, of biodegradable material present in an aqueous environment is provided. The plant in a biological treatment part contains at least one sensor which measures fluorescent emission and/or variation therein of at least one characteristic biogenic fluorophore present in the biological treatment part which comprises a mixed culture of microorganisms, and which plant further includes a data processing device connected to the at least one sensor and a control device connected to the data processing device. The plant also contains a portion for determining quality and/or quantity of the material to be treated including an additional mixed culture of microorganisms, a sample of the biodegradable material and a further sensor or sensors for measuring fluorescent emission.

Abstract: A computer-controlled fluid manipulation and analysis apparatus for chemical, biochemical and clinical analysis, sample preparation, and microscale chemical and biochemical synthesis, having one or more stream selection hubs with multiple ports through which microliter volumes of multiple fluid streams may be accessed, stacked, mixed and otherwise transferred by two or more cooperant pumping systems in a highly repeatable and fully software programmable manner. The inherent or resulting properties of said fluids may be automatically recorded via one or more appropriate electronic detectors and data recording systems. Systems comprised of two or more hubs exhibit higher properties of a flow network, and allow more than one fluid segment to be processed simultaneously. Bi-directional flow may occur in each inter-hub connection, and a plurality of possible transport routes can exist between hubs. This leads to enhanced flexibility in sequential processing of each fluid segment.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer in which a suitable transmission destination remote from a body of the automatic analyzer is selected in accordance with the contents of to be transmitted and the contents are transmitted to the transmission destination; a suitable operation control instruction is received from a suitable person on duty; and a suitable process is carried out to make it possible to improve analysis efficiency.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-throughput oligonucleotide synthesizer for synthesizing multiple oligonucleotides comprising a pre-existing low throughput oligonucleotide synthesizer which has been integrated with an increased throughput expansion module in order to increase the throughput capacity of the low throughput synthesizer.

Abstract: The biological fluid analyzing device for analyzing biological fluid by measuring optical characteristics of a sample has a sample receiving port 1 and a pump connection port 5. Between the sample receiving port 1 and the pump connection port 5, the analyzing device has either a combination of at least one sample-treating chamber 2a, 2b, 2c and at least one optical-measuring chamber 3a, 3b, or a combination of at least one sample-treating chamber, at least one optical-measuring chamber and at least one waste liquid reservoir 4. The sample receiving port 1 is connected with one sample-treating chamber; the pump connection port 5 is connected with a pathway 6 or waste liquid reservoir 4; and the sample-treating chamber and optical-measuring chamber are interconnected with the pathway, or the sample-treating chamber, optical-measuring chamber and waste liquid reservoir are interconnected with the pathway.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for using tracers to monitor industrial process equipment to which liquid is added and from which liquid is removed. In preferred embodiments, the methods are directed to detecting water leakage in a boiler in which an aqueous temperature control liquid is supplemented with feedwater at a known or unknown rate and is removed as blowdown, sootblower steam and steam at a known rate.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a machine for performing nucleic acid amplification under computer control. The machine utilizes any one of a number of heating and cooling systems under control of a host computer which directs the heating and cooling systems to heat and cool a reaction-chamber-containing heat exchanger at appropriate times in the process. The reaction chambers are pre-loaded with the nucleic acid(s) to be amplified, a thermostable enzyme to catalyze polymerization, specific oligonucleotide primers, and four different nucleotide triphosphates. Also disclosed is the process for the amplification chain reaction implemented by the machine, which utilizes a thermostable enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for non-intrusively monitoring the chemical and physical processes associated with gas generation in the feed riser of a cat-cracker and the correlation of those changes in these processes to changes in the output product produced the cat-cracker. The method includes the steps of measuring RMS accelerations along a feed riser at one or more positions, determining the initial RMS acceleration at each of these positions when the unit is operating at its desired performance, comparing the measured FRP to the reference FRP when said reactor is operating at its desired performance and determining the reference FRP, and determining the change in the FRP.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for optimizing the dosage of a chemical waste water treatment agent using a fluorescent tracer by processing a sample of the waste water stream and allowing continuous on-stream monitoring of the performance of the chemical waste water treatment agent. The apparatus is comprised of a series of components that sample the waste stream, process the sample for analysis, analyze the sample, record the data in a historical database and, based upon the analysis as compared to historical data, adjust the chemical feed system to optimize the chemical waste water treatment agent according to the programmed optimization logic.

Abstract: A method for metering a reagent into a flowing medium includes adjusting a quantity of a reagent to be metered per unit of time into a flowing medium as a function of a thickness of a reaction zone in a catalytically active material. An apparatus for metering a reagent into a flowing medium includes a control unit, a device associated with the control unit for detecting a thickness of a reaction zone, and a metering device associated with the control unit for introducing a reagent into a flowing medium upstream of a catalytic converter as seen in flow direction of the medium. The control unit adjusts a quantity of the reagent to be metered into the flowing medium per unit of time by the metering device, as a function of a thickness of the reaction zone.

Abstract: The method of continuously controlling pH of an acid scrubbing liquid includes continuously withdrawing a constant partial stream from the scrubbing liquid; continuously measuring a pH in the partial stream with a glass electrode; adding base at a first rate to the partial stream upstream of the glass electrode and continuing the adding until the measured pH is in a pH set-point range of from 2.5 to 11.5; after the pH is in the pH set-point range, changing the first rate of adding base to the constant partial stream to compensate any subsequently occurring pH deviations; during the changing of the first rate of base addition, measuring the first rate of base addition to obtain a measured first rate; and automatically controlling a pH of the acid scrubbing liquid using the measured first rate as a controlling parameter by selecting a rate set-point range of the first rate of adding base to the constant partial stream so that the measured pH can be brought into the pH set-point range of from 2.5 to 11.

Abstract: A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multi-step and multiplex reactions utilizes a self-addressable, self-assembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. These reactions include most molecular biological procedures, such as nucleic acid hybridization, antibody/antigen reaction, and clinical diagnostics. Multi-step combinatorial biopolymer synthesis may be performed. A controller interfaces with a user via input/output devices, preferably including a graphical display. Independent electronic control is achieved for the individual microlocations. In the preferred embodiment, the controller interfaces with a power supply and interface, the interface providing selective connection to the microlocations, polarity reversal, and optionally selective potential or current levels to individual electrodes.

Abstract: A continuous flow analyzing method and an apparatus for carrying out the analyzing method wherein a sample is injected in a continuously flowing carrier and the sample is introduced into a detector by the carrier to thereby perform a quantitative analysis contained in the sample. In the method the sample to be analyzed is filled into a sample introduction switchover valve (SISV); a portion of the sample from the SISV is injected into the carrier and an analysis of this sample is conducted to obtain a detection peak for the analyzed sample. These steps are repeated and the sample is continuously analyzed by, in the case where a detection peak obtained in the detector is under an optimum analysis range, increasing an injection amount of the sample, and in the case where the detection peak obtained in the detector is over the optimum range, decreasing the injection amount of the sample. Adjustment of the detection peak is repeated until the detection peak reaches the optimum analysis range.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility, the interactive control system consisting of a first robot device for periodically transferring individual arrays of a first predetermined amount of discrete contact lens packages each containing a contact lens therein from a first station to an intermediate conveyor where the individual arrays are conveyed to a second station, and a controller for initiating a time stamp for each individual array transferred from the first station and determining elapsed time data for each individual array and for generating position status data indicating a good array or a bad array of defective lenses for each individual array as it is conveyed to the second station, the controller shifting the elapsed time data and position status data for each individual array as it is conveyed on the intermediate conveyor for transfer to the second station.

Abstract: A system for on line analysis of material samples in accordance with the invention includes a grinding mill for comminuting sample material to output comminuted sample material; an analyzer unit for performing the on line analysis of the outputted comminuted sample material and having a housing holding an optical system having a front glass with the optical system performing the on line analysis of the outputted comminuted sample material, and a receiving chamber for receiving the outputted comminuted sample material from the grinding mill; and a mechanism for moving the housing relative to the receiving chamber between a first position at which the front glass closes a wall opening into the receiving chamber and a second position at which the front glass is cleaned by a cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer (10) includes a fluid dispensing system (46) with a carrier member (18) and fluid dispensing head (72). The carrier member (18) includes a docking fixture (52) and the fluid dispensing head includes a docking receptacle (54). By engagement of the docking fixture and receptacle the carrier member carries the fluid dispensing head to a position above a recess (34) into which fluid is precisely dispensed. The carrier member also returns the fluid dispensing head to a storage location (64) substantially separating the fluids to be dispensed from the environment of the analyzer. When the fluid dispensing head is in its storage location the carrier member may disengage to perform other functions in the analyzer.

Abstract: A specimen carrier is designed for transporting specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system. The specimen carrier includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive specimen tubes of various types. The deepest holes are located centrally, so that the carrier is stable while retaining specimens therein. A groove is formed in the top surface of the carrier body which extends between the specimen tube holes, so as to communicate any fluid spilling from a test tube to the other empty holes in the specimen carrier, thereby retaining the fluid within the body of the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste water streams is constructed by introducing a mixture of pre-heated waste water and an amount of a oxidant lower than that required to oxidize all the organic matter in the waste stream into the front port of an elongate tubular reaction chamber maintained at supercritical temperatures and pressures. The amount of oxidant is high enough, it initially raise the temperature of the stream in the reaction chamber to 750-1,200.degree. F. A first injection side port is located downstream from the front port of the reaction chamber at a distance at which the temperature has reached a maximum value, and 90-100% of the available oxidant has been consumed. Oxidant and water are simultaneously injected through the first port, in a manner that the amount of oxidant is adequate to oxidize to oxidize a specified amount of organic matter, and the amount of water is effective to counterbalance the heat produced by the ration of the co-injected oxidant with the respective organic matter.

Abstract: Process and device for determining para content X.sub.1 of a hydrogen gas stream, in which temperature T.sub.1 as well as pressure p.sub.1 of the hydrogen gas stream are measured before its entry into at least adiabatically-operated para-ortho-conversion catalyst. The hydrogen gas stream flows through the para-ortho-conversion catalyst until equilibrium is established. Thereafter, temperature T.sub.2 as well as pressure p.sub.2 of the hydrogen gas stream are measured after the hydrogen gas exits from the para-ortho-conversion catalyst or are measured after the last of the latter exits the catalyst. Para content X.sub.1 of the hydrogen gas stream, at the instant before entering the para-ortho-conversion catalyst, is determined by relations h.sub.1 (X.sub.1, T.sub.1, p.sub.1)=h.sub.2 (X.sub.2, T.sub.2, p.sub.2) and X.sub.2 =X.sub.g (T.sub.2) in equilibrium, in which h.sub.1 is the enthalpy of the hydrogen gas stream at the inlet of the para-ortho-conversion catalyst and h.sub.

Abstract: A process for measuring and controlling the concentration of a solution at an aim point of an amide solvent and aramid polymers having aromatic and aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds that overlap using a near-infrared analyzer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for using tracers to monitor industrial process equipment to which liquid is added and from which liquid is removed. In preferred embodiments, the methods are directed to detecting water leakage in a boiler in which an aqueous temperature control liquid is supplemented with feedwater at a known or unknown rate and is removed as blowdown at a known rate. The methods include determining the blowdown removal rate, adding a tracer to the temperature control liquid at a rate that is directly proportional to the blowdown removal rate, analyzing the blowdown to determine the measured concentration of tracer contained therein, deriving an expected concentration of tracer in the blowdown, and comparing the measured and expected concentrations to detect excessive variance between them.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out automatically in several successive steps an immunoassay of at least one biological substance in a plurality of biological samples, and the method and the reagents for the use of the said apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two wire AC power supply for proximity switch integrated circuits. A problem has existed with previous power supplies in that such have been implemented using discrete devices, which take up valuable room on any printed wiring assembly. This invention therefore provides a two wire AC power supply for a proximity switch integrated circuit, wherein at least some circuitry associated with the power supply is provided within the integrated circuit. The power supply preferably comprises a bridge rectifier (BR1), a voltage regulator (Z1, R1, M1), a thyristor (SCR), a diode (D1), a storage capacitor (CVS), a comparator, and an AND gate, wherein at least the comparator and the AND gate are provided within the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A mover for moving a container and a method of moving a container are provided. One container mover comprises a prime mover and a container engaging element operatively connected with the prime mover such that the container engaging element moves responsive to the prime mover to move the container. A driver is operatively connected with the container engaging element for moving the container engaging element between a first position where the container engaging element engages the container and a second position where the container engaging element is offset from the container. In one method of moving a container with a container mover including a container engaging element, the container engaging element is moved such that the container engaging element engages the container. The container engaging element and the container are moved conjointly. The container engaging element is moved such that the container engaging element is offset from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for an automated assay of a DNA probe, which is performed by hybridizing a nucleic acid in a sample with a DNA probe marked with an enzyme and optically measuring a change that occurs in the substrate by catalysis of the enzyme which is bound with the DNA probe. The DNA probe hybridizes with the nucleic acid in the sample to assay the nucleic acid in the sample. Comprising (A) a sample-reagent unit, (B) a sample-reagent dispense unit, (C) a reaction vessel transport unit, (D) a hybridization unit, (E) a B/F separation unit, and (F) a light measurement unit; also presented is a method for assaying a nucleic acid in a sample by the apparatus of the present invention. According to the measurement apparatus of the present invention, a continuous and highly precise measurement is attainable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solid phase extraction chromatography is disclosed in which the flow rate of a fluid, such as the motive pressurized gas is monitored, adjusted and compared with a standardized pressure curve which is correlative of a sample being processed. By monitoring and adjusting changes in flow rate, which can correspond to process initialization, beginning, ending and key fractionating points, and correlating to a standard, the cycle time for assaying the sample in question can be maximized and multiple samples can pass through analysis automatically and quickly.

Abstract: An anoxic treatment process which eliminates organisms such as insects, fungi and/or microbes from fine art objects such as paintings includes filling an enclosure placed around the object, flushing the enclosure of oxygen by applying an inert gas such as argon, and/or helium separately or in combination, and maintaining selected conditions of pressure, temperature, humidity and ph (acidity) for a selected period of time, typically on the order of several weeks. In one practice of the invention, infrared spectra are monitored to determine when all live organisms have been eliminated from the object, by measuring respiratory by-products from the organisms to determine when all have been eliminated. The by-product measurement system may utilize a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy system (FTIR) to monitor carbon dioxide and/or methane.

Abstract: A continuous filtration system for supplying an uninterrupted supply of filtrate from a solids-containing industrial process suitable for use by on-line automatic analyzers is provided. The continuous filtration system, which is particularly useful for filtering flue gas desulfurization process slurry to produce a solids-free filtrate for autoanalysis, includes a pair of filters connected in series which concurrently receive a tangential flow of slurry into the filter head that is discharged perpendicularly through a filtrate head. An automatic flushing system is provided to keep the filter membranes free of solid particles. An optional autoanalyzer for unfiltered slurry may also be included in the system.

Abstract: In a water supply plant which cleans water taken in from such sources of intake water as lakes and marshes, dams, rivers and so on and delivers the water as city water, obstructions to water treatment is predicted and methods for preventing the obstruction are decided, by measuring kinds and quantity of plankton and comparing the measured data with rules representing relations among kinds and quality of plankton, obstructions to water treatment and counteractions to such obstructions stored in a rule base in advance.

Abstract: An automatic synthesizing apparatus for continuously effecting automatically by a controlling apparatus all the operations including the supplying of samples into reaction vessel and so on, reaction processing of the contents within the reaction vessels, PH adjustment, extraction/dehydration processing, purification of the contents, and further analysis of the reaction condition so as to produce the target compounds. Many basic unit operation procedures are made and stored so that programs for effecting the operation controlling of the automatic synthesizing apparatus may be extremely easily made. The innumerable syntheses programs in the chemical experiments may be effected simply by the inputting of the operation names of the unit operation procedures in the operational orders when the synthesis order programs may be made for each target compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide polymerization reaction. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system, which extends from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system includes a polynucleotide polymerization reaction chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port which is provided with reagents required for polymerization and amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. In one embodiment the devices may be utilized to implement a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the reaction chamber (PCR chamber).

Abstract: A system for performing chemical analyses includes at least two analyzers and at least one peripheral device capable of serving either analyzer. A control system is coupled to the analyzers and to the peripheral device and selectively commands the peripheral device to serve one or the other of the analyzers depending upon the analyses requested for each analyzer and the analytical method applied. A control system providing sharing of peripheral devices in such a system is also provided, as is a method for performing chemical analyses wherein a peripheral device is shared by analyzers. The system permits simultaneous and asynchronous analysis for a variety of analytes while reducing the physical space occupied by the system and the idle time of both the analyzers and the peripheral devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of on-line detecting and assessing, in situ, he amount and characterization of microbial trace contamination in an associated ultra-pure water system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, inter alia, a monitor/detector portion and an assessment/identification portion. The monitor/detector portion includes a contamination mass detector which nondestructively senses the presence of microbial biofilms in real time when grown upon the surface of a quartz crystal wafer portion of the contamination mass detector. The assessment/identification portion is configured to provide quantitative analysis of the microbial biofilms formations based on signature biomarker cellular components. A programmable controller is configured to integrate these and other portions into an automated apparatus, which is capable of providing real time chemical countermeasures to prevent the potential deleterious effect of the microbial trace contamination uncovered.

Abstract: A system that provides an automated simultaneous measurement of the electal characteristics of a ferromagnetic material as a function of temperature and electric potential. The system utilizes a personal computer that interfaces with a DUT fixture through an interface measuring circuit that provides a means for remote control of the measurement process and insures a more timely and less manually intensive measuring process. The interface measuring circuit is composed of a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature applied to the DUT, a capacitor measuring circuit for measuring the electric potential applied to the DUT, a high voltage power supply, a temperature plate power supply, a high voltage power supply driver, a digital voltage meter (DVM), and a DVM multiplexer. The system can utilize a humidity-free "dry" chamber (i.e. a desiccation chamber) to insure that the measurements of the DUT are reliable and accurate.

Abstract: A treatment solution which is stored in a treatment vessel is supplied to a mixing vessel and a simple fluoride solution is supplied into the mixing vessel from a simple fluoride supply vessel to convert aluminum salt of complex hydrofluoric acid which is contained in the treatment solution to complex hydrofluoric acid. Concentration of HF remaining in the mixed solution is measured with a metal silicon electrode meter provided in an HF concentration measuring part, so that a control signal is transmitted from a control unit to a pump and a flow control part on the basis of the data as obtained. The simple fluoride solution is supplied from the simple fluoride supply vessel to the treatment solution which is stored in the treatment vessel to return the activity of the treatment solution stored in the treatment vessel and to control the same in a prescribed range.

Abstract: An Automated data collection system for fugitive emission sources includes a handheld data terminal formed as a single portable package or integral unit. The data terminal is connected to an organic vapor analyzer (OVA) and an emissions receiving probe. The data terminal includes a display, a keypad, a microprocessor, a memory, a barcode reader and an analog to digital (A/D) converter for converting the emissions signal received from the OVA to a digital representation. The data terminal facilitates immediate on-site repair by providing repair guidance or repair options to the inspector during the inspections process. Front and rear magnets detachably mount the probe to the data terminal. The probe's rear magnet is recessed to matingly receive the unit's projecting rear magnet.

Abstract: A sample container containing a urine sample is transferred by a sample positioning device to a liquid level sensing position. At this sensing position, the liquid level in the sample container is detected by a level sensor, followed by transfer of the sample container to a dipping position. A liquid level rising member is then inserted into the sample container. While being held by a handling device, a test strip is dipped into the sample in the sample container with the liquid level raised. Thereafter, the test strip is lifted out of the sample container and transferred to a measuring device. Color development in reagent sections on the test strip is measured by a photometer in terms of the reflected light strength. With the present invention, analysis using test strips can be implemented even when the sample volume into the sample container is small.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a tube-feeding portion which holds and feeds a tube made of an elastic material, a tube nozzle portion which supports an end portion of the tube and guides the tube to a liquid container by moving the tube up and down and from side to side, a tube-pressing and conveying portion provided between the above tube-feeding portion and the tube nozzle portion which draws out the tube from the tube-feeding portion, presses the tube and conveys the tube to the tube nozzle portion and a tube end-discarding portion, wherein the tube-pressing and conveying portion includes tube-pressing rollers which press the tube and set a length of a tube-pressing portion.

Abstract: The present invention makes use of a single detector to monitor several process functions, e.g. reaction efficiency, reagent flow rates, the presence of empty reagent reservoirs, the absence of a chemical reactor column in the system, blockage of flow system, etc., at a single location in the flow system. In accordance with the detection scheme of the present invention, only one detector is required to accomplish the same, if not more, functions as many detectors in the prior art instruments. In the described embodiment, an optical detector is positioned downstream of a chemical reaction chamber. This detector monitors the effluent from the reaction chamber to monitor the reaction efficiency. It also monitors the system functions upstream of the reaction chamber. System flow rate is monitored by detecting the presence of a gas bubble which has been introduced into the system at a known instance.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and a device with which growing points can be cut out of a plant by means of a laser source. The plant is present on carrying means thereby, said carrying means comprising tubes, through which the plant is sucked onto the end face of the carrying means. After the laser source has been switched on the plant is manipulated by means of an XY-table, during which operation the switched-on laser is led along the successive circumferences of bounded areas, within which the growing points are present. The bounded areas have been determined on the basis of the image which is obtained after the contours of the image recorded by image recording means have been determined. When three contour branches intersect the circumference of a bounded area, it is assumed that no growing point is present within said area.

Abstract: An apparatus for the registration of the humidity and acid content of a refrigerant or another non-polar liquid including a capacitive sensing element placed in the refrigerant or liquid and connected to an electrical evaluation circuit, the electrodes of the capacitive sensing element being formed of two different metals having different normal potentials, and the electrical circuit includes circuit elements for determining the resistive loss in the capacitive sensing element and circuit breakers for determining the current delivered by the sensing element.

Abstract: A foam control system is provided for eliminating foam in a process fluid system, such as foam generated in the course of blanching steps and the like involving processing of potatoes or other food products. The foam control system includes one or more capacitive type proximity probes for detecting the presence of foam in a corresponding number of process fluid systems or tanks, and for automatically supplying a spray of a selected defoamer agent to the tank. The defoamer agent spray is supplied to the tank for a selected time interval, with a portion of the spray being directed at the associated detector probe to insure clearing of foam from the probe.

Abstract: A control loop and fluidization quality analyzer for a fluidized bed utilizes time varying pressure drop measurements. A fast-response pressure transducer measures the overall bed pressure drop, or over some segment of the bed, and the pressure drop signal is processed to produce an output voltage which changes with the degree of fluidization turbulence.

Abstract: Process and installation for supplying at least one pure active gas to at least one utilization station (P.sub.i) in a first building (A) at a utilization site. It comprises the steps of providing, at the utilization site, a second safety building (B) at a distance from the first building (A), providing at least one source (2; 7; 10) of said gas in the second building (B), and transferring, by at least one safety conduit (C) of high cleanliness, the gas, at a low pressure, to the utilization station (P.sub.i). There is also taught the step of purifying (4; 11) the gas in the second building (B) before transfer to the conduit (C). The pure gas is prepared in situ (2, 4; 10, 11) in the second building (B). There can alternatively be provided, adjacent to the second building (B), at least one source of vector gas (1), with mixing in controlled fashion (6; 9), in the second building (B), the pure active gas with the vector gas before transfer of the mixture to the conduit (C).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting a peptide fragment, wherein a C-terminal peptide fragment is collected from a peptide fragment mixture resulting from specific cleavage of the peptide bond between a lysine residue and the C-terminal amino acid residue adjacent thereto. The apparatus has an immobilizing means, a cleaving means, a recovering means and a control means. According to the present invention, since the control means sequentially executes the immobilizing means, cleaving means and recovering means, no skillful work is required in peptide fragment collection, making it possible to collect the carboxyl-terminal peptide fragment with simple operation and high reproducibility.

Abstract: An automated analytical system module design essentially electrically isolates modular elements within the analyzer system with inter-module communications provided via packet-based communications. The modules may include a motor controller which estimates motor temperature to enable high initial torque with motor failure prediction and detection. The modules in such a system can be identified on serial communications loops by a module reset and count-off process.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the effluent of a turbulent commercial combustion system for monitoring or controlling the composition of the effluent. The apparatus is a system for directyl selectively detecting the presence in the effluent high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic compounds having five or more rings by laser induced fluorescence. The system includes an illuminating source of select fluorescence excitation of wavelengths that induces substantial fluorescence by high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the gas phase.