Including Means For Pyrolysis, Combustion, Or Oxidation Patents (Class 422/78)
  • Patent number: 8377397
    Abstract: A combustion tube comprises a generally cylindrical body with an outwardly extending annular tube stop spaced from one end of the combustion tube for engaging a combustion tube mounting assembly and fixing the tube in a precise position. Near the opposite end of the tube is an enlarged opening for receiving an upper seal assembly of a combustion furnace with the outer annular shoulder of the upper end of the tube having a rolled edge to facilitate the insertion of the tube through the seal in the upper seal assembly of the furnace. The combustion tube is made of quartz glass to withstand the temperatures encountered in the furnace. The combustion tube is specifically designed and adapted to be precisely positioned in an induction furnace with an easy tube removal system for the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon C. Ford
  • Patent number: 8377694
    Abstract: A method for the calibration of a device for measuring the total organic carbon content (TOC) of an aqueous solution by measuring resistivity. The method includes the following steps, in the presence of a reference TOC analyzer: (a) producing a calibration point by a measurement carried out on ultrapure water by the device and the analyzer; (b) producing a plurality of calibration points, each calibration point corresponding to a measurement of the resistivity of a solution having a given content of photo-oxidizable compound, by the device and the analyzer, in order to establish a correlation between the values measured by the device and the analyzer; and (c) calibrating the device by at least one algorithm, based on the measurements carried out in the previous step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Rajagopalan, Celine Le Ninivin-Glipa, Antony Vanheghe
  • Publication number: 20130023057
    Abstract: An analyzer with a combustion furnace includes a flow path of byproducts of combustion coupled to a bidirectional ballast chamber by valves which are sequentially actuated for alternately filling and exhausting byproducts of combustion from opposite sides of the chamber during combustion. Alternately, a plurality of low volume ballast chambers are employed. A method of determining the concentration of elements in a sample includes the steps of combusting a sample; and alternately collecting and exhausting the byproduct gases of combustion in opposite sides of a bidirectional ballast. The bidirectional ballast chamber has an outer wall defining a chamber with sealed enclosures at opposite ends of the wall, a movable piston positioned within the chamber, and gas ports associated with the chamber on opposite sides of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Leco Corporation
    Inventor: Peter M. Willis
  • Patent number: 8337757
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operating temperature of a catalytic reactor using a closed-loop system that provides for varying the reactor input and other operating parameters in order to maintain the operating temperature of the reactor at or near the initial setpoint temperature for operation of the reactor. In one example, maximum and minimum operating temperatures with a catalytic partial oxidation reactor are controlled, as well as maintaining control over the corresponding minimum required ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms, such that the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained below the material limits but above threshold temperatures for coking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Joel M. Desjardins, David Spence, Richard Mastanduno, Dennis E. Walsh, William C. Pfefferle
  • Patent number: 8329105
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact, easy-to-use, portable furnace used for quickly assaying crushed ore samples in the field and used by prospectors, miners, and geologists. The portable furnace can also be used for smelting precious metals and refining and recycling different metals. The furnace includes a metal stand having a stand base with a first end portion with a dish opening therein and a second end portion with an upwardly folded heat shield. The heat shield includes a nozzle groove therein for receiving a gas nozzle. The gas nozzle is part of a gas blow torch having a handle and a gas tank. The stand base also includes first and second sides folded downwardly for holding the metal stand above a flat surface. A bottom of a scorifying dish is received in the dish opening. A cupel is received inside the open top of the scorifying dish. The cupel is adapted for receiving a crushed ore sample therein to be assayed. A dish lid is received on top of the scorifying dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Richard E. Sweeny, William B. Lewelling
  • Patent number: 8318097
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system for extracting gaseous specimens to be measured, preferably during the production of polycrystalline silicon, are disclosed. The apparatus according to the invention is a flange-like device (80), which is placed between each of the at least two pipe sections (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b, 41a, 41b) of the outlet pipes (11, 21, 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: G+R Technology Group AG
    Inventor: Robert Stöcklinger
  • Publication number: 20120295365
    Abstract: A fuel property determination method includes a reaction mechanism analysis process (S1) of analyzing elementary reactions that compose chemical reactions between a plurality of types of initial materials including the materials that compose the fuel and obtaining the elementary reactions as fuel elementary reactions, and an octane number determination process (S2) of calculating the combustion characteristics of the fuel by performing a simulation based on the fuel elementary reactions and determining the octane number based on the combustion characteristics of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kaoru Maruta, Hisashi Nakamura, Soichiro Kato
  • Patent number: 8313697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge 1 including a plurality of analyzing tools 3 arranged lined in a plane direction and a case 2 for accommodating the plurality of analyzing tools 3, and being configured to take out the analyzing tool 3 one at a time from the case 2. The plurality of analyzing tools 3 further include engagement means 32, 33 for restricting the analyzing tools 3 adjacent to each other in the plane direction and allowing removable attachment in a thickness direction D1, D2 of the analyzing tool 3. The present invention further relates to an analyzer and an analyzing system for analyzing a sample using the cartridge 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8309363
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for evaluating a liquid hydrocarbon to determine the propensity for coke formation comprising an injector (12), a supply of air (14) arranged to supply air to the injector (12) and a supply of liquid hydrocarbon (16) arranged to supply liquid hydrocarbon to the injector (12). The injector (12) is arranged to atomise the liquid hydrocarbon and to supply the air and atomised liquid hydrocarbon into a chamber (18) and the chamber (18) is arranged to supply atomised liquid hydrocarbon and air to a test pipe (20) and a heater (22) is arranged to heat the test pipe (20). The test pipe (20) is pivotably mounted on a frame (28) such that the orientation of the test pipe (20) relative to the frame (28) is variable. The apparatus (10) is able to simulate conditions within a vent pipe of a lubricant system of an aero gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: John S Askins, Timothy A Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20120270327
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for the analysis of delta 5 steroid compounds in a sample using supported liquid extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
    Inventors: Donald Walt Chandler, Russell Philip Grant, Samuel Meares, Patricia Holland
  • Patent number: 8282798
    Abstract: A gas probe, in particular a lambda probe for the analysis of exhaust gases from a mobile internal combustion engine, includes at least one protective device, at least partly surrounding a sensitive sensor element of the gas probe, which comes into contact with a gas. The at least one protective device includes a gas contact face which at least partly has a hygroscopic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH, Audi AG
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Bernhard Pfalzgraf, Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 8219247
    Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having process tubes and multiple burners where it is desired to conform the temperatures of the process tubes to selected target temperature criterion. The present method provides a systematic and quantitative approach to determine how to adjust burner flow rates to result in desired tube wall temperatures, for example to minimize the temperature deviation between tube wall temperatures at a predetermined elevation in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Esmaili, William Robert Licht, Xianming Jimmy Li, Oliver J. Smith, IV
  • Publication number: 20120128537
    Abstract: Particles are extracted automatically from a duct through which they are transported in a current of gas. The method of applicable for the determination of ash content and volatile content of solid fuels and for unburned materials in ash. The particles are deposited on a crucible (10) that is constantly inside a temperature controlled electric oven (9) The apparatus has a duct (16) that, penetrating the oven (9), terminates in the form of a dome at the height of the upper part of the crucible (10). The sample accesses the oven (9) by gravity through the duct (16) and is deposited in the crucible (10) where it is heated. This crucible (10) is supported on a rod (11) that penetrates the lower part of the oven and rests on an analytical balance (14). After heating, the sample is aspirated by the vertical duct (16) to enable the start of a new cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Inerco, Ingenieria, Technologia Y Consultoria, S.A .
    Inventors: Miguel A. Delgado Lozano, Enrique Tova Holgado, Mariano Reyes Valle, Francisco Rodriguez Barea, Luis Cañada Serrano, Vicente Cortes Galeano
  • Publication number: 20120083042
    Abstract: An analytical induction furnace and method for combusting conductive sample materials (500) utilizing a crucible for holding a sample within the induction furnace. Less than one gram of accelerator material is then inserted into the crucible with the sample and the induction furnace is activated for a predetermined time period (503) for thoroughly combusting the sample and accelerator. In some instances, no accelerator is required with the sample at frequencies of approximately 4.5 MHz. The invention provides for the induction furnace that is actuated in an RF frequency range between 2-9 MHz with little to no accelerator for thoroughly melting the sample for use in an analytical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Griesbach, Ted Casper
  • Publication number: 20120039749
    Abstract: An analytical combustion furnace has an input port for receiving a holder for an analytical sample. A purge block is coupled to the input port of the combustion furnace and has an input end for receiving the holder and a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A door selectively closes the input end of the purge block, and a pressurized seal is coupled between the purge block and the door. A source of purging gas is coupled to the gas inlet of the purge block for pressurizing the seal. The gas outlet of the purge block communicates with the seal to allow purging gas to escape the area of the seal. In one embodiment, a pressurized seal surrounds a push rod, which seal is pressurized by a purging gas to continuously purge the entry of the push rod into the purge block, thereby eliminating atmospheric contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Leco Corporation
    Inventors: Kim A. Marshall, Steven J. Rohaly, Carl Warren
  • Publication number: 20120028361
    Abstract: A method for determining the number of drops metered with a drop frequency into a reactor, especially in a high temperature decomposition system for analyzers, wherein a gas stream is flowing through the reactor. There exists in the reactor a temperature, which is greater than the boiling temperature of the liquid, and a drop metered into the reactor transforms at least partially into the gas phase following entry into the reactor, especially due to heat transfer from contact with a surface within the reactor, especially directly after contact with the surface within the reactor. With a sampling rate, which is greater than the drop frequency, a sequence of pressure signals dependent on pressure within the reactor is registered, and, from the sequence of pressure signals or from values derived therefrom, the number of drops metered into the reactor is ascertained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kathe, Oliver Bettmann
  • Patent number: 8105537
    Abstract: A fuel quality evaluation apparatus and evaluation method enable a reliable evaluation at a low cost. The apparatus includes a combustion chamber which causes an injected fuel to combust, temperature control means which adjusts an interior temperature of the combustion chamber before injection, injection control means which controls the injection, light intensity measurement means which measures flame combustion light intensity, and analysis means which analyzes the measurement result and evaluates a fuel quality. The analysis means causes the fuel to combust a plurality of times, identifies a transformation of a flame light intensity, and evaluates the quality of the fuel based on a variation in the light intensity transformations for each combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: National University Corporation Okayama University
    Inventors: Eiji Tomita, Hiroshi Morinaka
  • Patent number: 8077311
    Abstract: Provided is a flow-through CO2 system for simultaneously measuring surface seawater pH, carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO2), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). All measurements are based on spectrophotometric determinations of solution pH at multiple wavelengths using sulfonephthalein indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert H. Byrne, Eric Kaltenbacher, Xuewu Liu
  • Publication number: 20110263034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for sulfur characterization and quantification in a sample of sedimentary rocks or of petroleum products wherein the following stages are carried out: heating said sample in a pyrolysis oven (1) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, oxidizing part of the pyrolysis effluents and continuously measuring the amount of SO2 generated by said part after oxidation, then transferring the pyrolysis residue of said sample into an oxidation oven (1?) and continuously measuring the amount of SO2 contained in the effluents resulting from said oxidation heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jean Espitalie, Roland Antonas, Violaine Lamoureux-Var, Gérémie Letort, Daniel Pillot, Valérie Beaumont, Frank Haeseler
  • Patent number: 7993586
    Abstract: Disclosed is a total organic carbon (TOC) measurement apparatus capable of facilitating reduction in size of the apparatus and achieving enhanced measurement accuracy. The TOC measurement apparatus includes an organics oxidation unit, a carbon-dioxide separation unit and a conductivity measurement unit, which are integrally formed by laminating a plurality of plates to define therebetween and incorporate therein an oxidizing flow passage, an aqueous-sample flow passage, a gas permeable membrane, a measurement-water flow passage and a conductivity measuring electrode. The TOC measurement apparatus is designed such that carbon oxide in an aqueous sample is transferred from the aqueous-sample flow passage to the measurement-water flow passage through the gas permeable membrane, and a conductivity of measurement water which contains the carbon oxide and flows through a flow passage facing the conductivity measuring electrode is determined and converted to a TOC content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Fujiyama, Masakazu Akechi, Masaki Kanai
  • Patent number: 7993930
    Abstract: Method for determining the phosphorus content of an aqueous sample, in particular drainage-water sample, wherein the sample is subjected to thermal-oxidative decomposition and the orthophosphate content of the decomposed sample is determined photometrically in an aqueous analysis solution, such that the thermal decomposition is carried out in a single step by catalyzer-free burning of the sample as batch-decomposition in a combustion oven, the resulting combustion gas is transferred out of the combustion oven in a carrier-gas stream and the combustion/carrier gas stream is cooled to obtain the aqueous analysis solution as a condensate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Lar Process Analysers AG, Werner Arts
    Inventor: Wolfgang Genthe
  • Patent number: 7977113
    Abstract: A biological agent detector detects the presence of any biological agents, such as anthrax or other biological warfare agents, in a sample of air. The biological agent detector includes a bio-concentrator that concentrates an aerosol and a pyrolyzer portion including two detecting devices. One detecting device operates in a sample collection mode and collects a sample of air when the other detecting device operates in a sample analysis mode and analyzes a sample of air. After a predetermined amount of time, the detecting devices switch functions, providing continuous sampling of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Donaldson, Richard K. Chun
  • Patent number: 7976780
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to measure isotopic characteristics of a number of sample types. Embodiments of the invention combine novel and existing components to produce more accurate isotopic information. Further, embodiments of the invention allow for isotopic readings to be taken and analyzed outside of a laboratory. An example of such an embodiment is an apparatus comprising a combustion furnace; a reactant tube passing through the combustion furnace; an injector coupled to one, or a combination of, the combustion furnace, and reactant tube, to introduce a sample; a laser isotopic measurement device coupled to the reactant tube on the exit end; and a processor electrically coupled to one, or a combination of, the injector, the combustion furnace, the reactant tube, and the isotopic measurement device, in which a carrier gas transports the sample through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Elrod, Christopher M. Jones
  • Patent number: 7959862
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for the concentration and lysis of cells or viruses and a method of concentrating and lysing cells or viruses using the microfluidic device include: magnetic beads, a reaction chamber in which the magnetic beads are accommodated and a laser source. The reaction chamber includes a plurality of electrodes which cross each other and are separated by a dielectric to generate an electric field and a vibrating part agitating the magnetic beads in the chamber. The laser source radiates a laser onto the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-kyoung Cho, Jeong-gun Lee, Sung-young Jeong
  • Patent number: 7931865
    Abstract: An apparatus which comprises: an organic-substance oxidation part in which organic substances contained in a sample water supplied are oxidized into carbon dioxide; a carbon dioxide separation part in which the carbon dioxide contained in the sample water is caused to permeate and come into a measurement water; and a conductivity measurement part in which the conductivity of the measurement water is measured. The carbon dioxide separation part comprises: a sample water channel in which sample water flows; an intermediate water part in which intermediate water having a higher pH value in a neutral region than the sample water is present; and a measurement water channel through which the measurement water comprising deionized water flows. The sample water channel is in contact with the intermediate water part through a gas-permeable membrane, and the intermediate water part is in contact with the measurement water channel through a gas-permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Fujiyama, Hirohisa Abe, Masakazu Akechi, Takeaki Inoue, Takeshi Iharada
  • Publication number: 20110076198
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the content of at least one oxidizable constituent of an aqueous, liquid sample, comprising a high temperature reactor for decomposing the liquid sample and forming a gaseous mixture, which contains at least the constituent as a gaseous oxide, wherein the high temperature reactor has a liquid inlet for delivery of the liquid sample and a gas inlet for delivery of a carrier gas, and is connected via a gas discharge with an analysis chamber, wherein a condensing unit is placed in front of the analysis chamber for condensing water from the gas mixture, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, a gas stream of the carrier gas with the gas mixture of the high temperature reactor passes via the gas discharge and the condensing unit into the analysis chamber, and wherein, between the gas discharge and the condensing unit, a heatable filter unit is interposed for removal of salts and/or metal oxides from the gas mixture, and the gas discharge, the filter unit and optionally connecting e
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co.
    Inventors: Oliver Bettmann, Ulrich Kathe
  • Patent number: 7910057
    Abstract: This invention deals with a process for treating and sanitizing animal habitats. In addition to sanitizing the habitat the production of ammonia and odor from fecal matter and urine is inhibited or terminated. In the process an animal habitat is cleaned and subsequently treated with trichloromelamine (TCM). The TCM may be applied by spraying the habitat with a solution of TCM, by dusting the habitat with powdered TCM or by treating bedding/litter with TCM. This process produces healthier animals and as such the productivity of a given grow out is increased. The process of this invention is particularly suited to animal habitats which are used to raise batches of hogs, cattle, turkeys and chickens on a continuing basis. The process of this invention further reduces the bacteria count of the animal habitat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: H&S Chemical Company
    Inventor: David J Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110033340
    Abstract: A tube-in-tube assembly device (1) for a pyrolytic unit (150) of an elemental analyzer (100) comprises an inner tube (2) internally defining a reaction duct (3) at least partially filled with a carbon based reaction material (4), wherein the reaction duct (3) has a reaction duct inlet (5) and a reaction duct outlet (6); an outer tube (7) acting as a case for the inner tube (2), wherein the inner tube (2) is at least partially arranged inside the outer tube (7) such that a flushing space (8) is formed in the space between the inner (2) and the outer tubes (7). The flushing space (8) is intended for the flowing of a flushing gas. The tube-in-tube assembly device further comprises means (12, 20, 30) for connecting the outer (7) and the inner (2) tubes at one end of the tube-in-tube assembly device (1). The connecting means (12, 20, 30) comprise tightening means (16, 17, 24, 25) suitable to provide a gas seal between the flushing space (8) and the reaction duct (3), so to separate them one to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: LEONARDO SISTI
  • Patent number: 7837937
    Abstract: A biological agent detector detects the presence of any biological agents, such as anthrax or other biological warfare agents, in a sample of air. The biological agent detector includes a bio-concentrator that concentrates an aerosol and a pyrolyzer portion including two detecting devices. One detecting device operates in a sample collection mode and collects a sample of air when the other detecting device operates in a sample analysis mode and analyzes a sample of air. After a predetermined amount of time, the detecting devices switch functions, providing continuous sampling of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Donaldson, Richard K. Chun
  • Patent number: 7833802
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as explosives and/or drugs, using, in part, short bursts of energy light from a relatively low energy strobe. Embodiments include coupling the strobe with a detector for use in a portable hand-held unit, or a unit capable of being carried as a backpack. Embodiments further include placement of one or more stroboscopic desorption units and detectors in luggage conveyors systems, carry-on X-ray machines, and check-in counter locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent D. Henry, John Stanley Lovell
  • Patent number: 7829343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the smoke point of a hydrocarbon, comprising, among the different steps defined in the ASTM D 1322 standard or equivalents thereof, the identification, among different aspects of the flame according to the position of the burner in the lamp, of a particular aspect of the flame and the reading of the height of this flame on a graduated scale in mm. The invention is characterized by the fact that a series of digital images of the flame is taken and recorded with the aid of a digital camera or the like at intervals sufficiently close for permitting, by analyzing these digital images, the detection of a sudden change in the shape of the flame, and that the height of this flame is measured at the moment of this sudden change in its shape, said height being considered as the smoke point of the tested hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Marketing
    Inventors: Myriam Reminiac, Pierre Pestiaux
  • Patent number: 7812287
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pyrolysis cleaning process in an oven includes the steps: a) heating an oven cavity of the oven by switching on a heat source; b) measuring, using an oxygen sensor, an oxygen concentration in the oven cavity or in an exhaust-air conduit configured to discharge fumes from the oven cavity; c) comparing, in an evaluation circuitry of an electrical control unit, the measured oxygen concentration to a predefined limit value stored in a memory; d) operating, if the measured oxygen concentration drops below the limit value, the oven for a predefined first time interval with the heat source switched off, a duration of the first time interval being stored in the memory; and e) repeating steps b) through d) after the first time interval has ended; or f) repeating steps a) through d) if the measured oxygen concentration is equal to or greater than the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kruempelmann, Juergen Scharmann, Ulrich Sillmen
  • Patent number: 7803631
    Abstract: Process for determination of a water content material, in particular organic carbon content and/or nitrogen, in which an aqueous sample is evaporated and combusted in at least one heating vessel equipped with a heating facility and the combustion product is fed in a transport gas flow to a detector for determination of the concentration of a gaseous compound of the water content material, characterised in that calibration is performed with a predetermined volume of a calibration gas which contains a predetermined concentration of the element corresponding to the water content material, in particular carbon and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: LAR Process Analysers AG
    Inventors: Werner Arts, Berndt Martens
  • Patent number: 7799274
    Abstract: A device for the thermal decomposition of a volatile compound, and for deposition of particles which are formed by the decomposition, includes (a) a pressure vessel, (b) at least one reaction tube located inside the pressure vessel such that, an open end of the reaction tube extends into the pressure vessel and an other end of the reaction tube is located outside the pressure vessel and is provided with a gas feed, wherein a longitudinal axis of the reaction tube is oriented in the direction of gravity and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel and wherein the reaction tube can be heated on a gas inlet side and cooled on a gas outlet side, wherein the pressure vessel, in its lower part, comprises a collection cone, wherein the open end of the at least one reaction tube extends into a gas space of the collection cone, wherein the collection cone is connected to an outlet lock for particles, and (c) a gas outlet unit located mainly inside the pressure vessel, the gas outlet unit comprising a gas
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Adler, Wolfgang Pirzl, Raymund Sonnenschein
  • Patent number: 7772004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method allowing to determine at least one petroleum characteristic of a geologic sediment sample, wherein the sample is heated in an oxidizing atmosphere, its temperature being successively raised to a first, then to a second value, said first value below 200° C. being reached very quickly, then maintained substantially constant for a certain time, said second value ranging between 600° C. and 850° C. being reached with a temperature gradient ranging between 1 and 30° C./min, from said first value. According to the invention, the amount of SO2 contained by the effluent resulting from said oxidizing heating is measured continuously, every moment of the heating period of said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: François Lorant
  • Patent number: 7759125
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical assay apparatus and method for determining chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a water sample is described. The photoelectrochemical assay comprises: a) a measuring cell for holding a sample to be analysed b) a titanium dioxide nanoparticle photoelectric working electrode and a counter electrode disposed in said cell, c) a UV light source adapted to illuminate the photoelectric working electrode d) control means to control the illumination of the working electrode e) potential measuring means to measure the electrical potential at the working and counter electrodes f) analysis means to derive a measure of oxygen demand from the measurements made by the potential measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aqua Diagnostic Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Huijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 7754491
    Abstract: An assembly and method for gas analysis. The assembly comprises a catalyst compartment for catalytically reacting a component of a gas sample, producing one or more gas species as products. A product compartment receives the gas species, and a sensing element within the compartment senses the amount of one or more of the gas species. This amount is compared to the amount of the same gas species present in a reference compartment containing a non-catalyzed gas sample, providing the amount of the gas species produced by catalysis. Using this value, the content of the gas component in the gas sample is calculated based upon the stoichiometry of the catalyzed reaction. In preferred embodiments, the gas for analysis is a process gas for fuel production, and the catalyst is a high temperature shift catalyst that catalyzes the reaction of carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Calif.
    Inventors: Chan Seung Park, Colin E. Hackett, Nora A. Hackett, legal representative, Joseph M. Norbeck
  • Publication number: 20100173419
    Abstract: Method for determining the phosphorus content of an aqueous sample, in particular drainage-water sample, wherein the sample is subjected to thermal-oxidative decomposition and the orthophosphate content of the decomposed sample is determined photometrically in an aqueous analysis solution, such that the thermal decomposition is carried out in a single step by catalyzer-free burning of the sample as batch-decomposition in a combustion oven, the resulting combustion gas is transferred out of the combustion oven in a carrier-gas stream and the combustion/carrier gas stream is cooled to obtain the aqueous analysis solution as a condensate therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicants: LAR PROCESS ANALYSERS AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Genthe
  • Patent number: 7713479
    Abstract: A liquid analyser has a reactor portion and an associated measurement portion. A sample pump is operable to deliver a liquid sample to a reactor vessel. A base pump supplies a base solution to the reactor vessel. An ozone generator supplies ozone to the reactor vessel. The liquid sample is oxidised in the reactor vessel by means of hydroxyl radicals which are generated using the base solution and ozone to reduce complex components of the liquid sample to their lowest state in solution. The oxidised sample solution is delivered to an optical detector in the measurement portion to determine the concentration of one or more selected materials such as nitrogen, phosphorous or a heavy metal in the oxidised sample solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Analytical Developments Limited
    Inventors: Martin Horan, Seamus O'Mahony
  • Patent number: 7704748
    Abstract: A novel Flame Temperature Analyzer (FTA) method and apparatus for measuring combustible gas concentration and oxygen content in a sample gas includes supplying a mixture of oxidant and fuel to a sensing flame and measuring the temperature of the flame as the sample is added to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Control Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher G. Schaeffer, Matthew James Schaeffer, Pravin Patel
  • Patent number: 7687029
    Abstract: An automated analyzer is described for determining, by way of combustion, nitrogen contained in organic compounds, in particular proteins present in foods, animal feeds, polymers, fuels etc., characterized in that the carbon dioxide absorption device upstream of the nitrogen detector is self-regenerating and comprises: a distributor valve able to switch different gas circuits without contaminations and losses from one gas sample to another, a carousel consisting of a plurality of absorber elements inside which is placed an adsorbent material, a furnace suitable for said adsorbers, in such a manner that each of said adsorbers presents itself in turn for each analysis and that on completion of said analysis the same adsorber is conveyed to the furnace for degassing of the absorbent material and thus for its relative regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ecoenergetics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pietro Italiano, Bruno Lavettre
  • Publication number: 20100034702
    Abstract: A total organic carbon measuring instrument including a measuring unit composed of, integrated together, organic substance oxidation part (24) and carbon dioxide separation part (20) and conductivity measuring part (34), control unit (40) and data processing unit (41). In order to enhance the accuracy of conductivity measurement, the control unit (40) is constructed so as to stop feeding of a sample water at the time of oxidation of organic substance and carry out feeding of the sample water at the time of sample water moving to the organic substance oxidation decomposition part (20) and carbon dioxide separation part (24). The data processing unit (41) is constructed so as to measure the total organic carbon concentration on the basis of conductivity at the time of arriving of sample water irradiated with ultraviolet rays of which relative intensity is a given value or higher at the carbon dioxide separation part (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Masakazu Akechi, Hirohisa Abe, Yoichi Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 7598086
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical assay apparatus for determining chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a water sample which consists of a) a measuring cell for holding a sample to be analysed b) a titanium dioxide nanoparticle photoelectric working electrode and a counter electrode disposed in said cell, c) a UV light source adapted to illuminate the photoelectric working electrode d) control means to control the illumination of the working electrode e) potential measuring means to measure the electrical potential at the working and counter electrodes f) analysis means to derive a measure of oxygen demand from the measurements made by the potential measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Aqua Diagnostic Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Huijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 7579193
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterising OSI-materials provide for: introducing the material into a measurement cell; subjecting the material to a gas mixture containing oxygen; permitting a certain time or at certain time interval or intervals to elapse; measuring a defined volume part of the gas mixture with regard to its oxygen concentration using a measurement circuit, which together with the time component represents a characterisation of the OSI-material, wherein the OSI-material in the measurement cell is subjected to the gas mixture circulated in a closed reaction circuit, and the defined volume part is conveyed into a measurement circuit containing a gas, for the measurement of the oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Wanner, Norbert Rodler, Klaus Rieblinger, Thomas Hubensteiner
  • Patent number: 7556773
    Abstract: An analyzer for oxidizing and measuring samples containing some liquid comprising: a reactor vessel; a sample pump; a base pump connected to a base reservoir; an ozone generator adapted to create and flow ozone; an acid pump connected to an acid reservoir; a sampling valve connected to the sample pump, the acid pump, and the base pump; a circulation pump connected to the reactor vessel for mixing the sample, the liquid acid, the liquid base, and the ozone to oxidize at least a portion of the sample to its lowest state forming an oxidized liquid sample; a sample chamber for receiving the oxidized liquid sample; an analysis pump in communication with the sample chamber; and a measuring cell for receiving the oxidized liquid sample, measuring the oxidized liquid sample with a detector to optically measure at least one frequency of absorption of at least one component in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Analytical Developments Limited
    Inventors: Martin Horan, Kathleen Horan, Seamus O'Mahony
  • Patent number: 7556772
    Abstract: A liquid analyser has a reactor portion and an associated measurement portion. A sample pump is operable to deliver a liquid sample to a reactor vessel. A base pump supplys a base solution to the reactor vessel. An ozone generator supplies ozone to the reactor vessel. The liquid sample is oxidised in the reactor vessel by means of hydroxyl radicals which are generated using the base solution and ozone to reduce complex components of the liquid sample to their lowest state in solution. The oxidised sample solution is delivered to an optical detector in the measurement portion to determine the concentration of one or more selected materials such as nitrogen, phosphorous or a heavy metal in the oxidised sample solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Analytical Developments Limited
    Inventors: Martin Horan, Seamus O'Mahony
  • Publication number: 20090125144
    Abstract: The IT and FT values for coal and coke samples can be accurately predicted by applying the following equations to determined ST and HT temperatures: For reducing atmospheres: IT=C1×ST?C2×HT+C3 FT=C4×HT?C5×ST+C6 For oxidizing atmospheres: IT=C7×ST?C8×HT+C9 FT=C10×HT?C11×ST+C12 Where; IT is the initial deformation temperature; ST is the softening temperature; HT is the hemispherical temperature; FT is the fluid temperature; and C1-C12 are constants determined by multi-linear regression coefficient analytical techniques on a collection of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: John T. Riley
  • Publication number: 20090074619
    Abstract: A device for measuring total organic carbon includes an organic substance oxidative decomposition section (4) for converting organic carbon contained in sample water into carbon dioxide, a carbon dioxide extraction section (6) for extracting carbon dioxide generated in the organic substance oxidative decomposition section (4) into measurement water, and a detection section for measuring the conductivity of the measurement water discharged from the carbon dioxide extraction section (6) to determine the amount of the extracted carbon dioxide. A syringe pump (12) is provided downstream of the detection section (11) in a measurement flow path (16) through which measurement water flows to pass through the carbon dioxide extraction section 6 and the detection section (11). The flow rate of measurement water during measurement of conductivity in the detection section (12) is controlled by suction into the syringe pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Masakazu Akechi, Akioni Nakamori, Yozo Morita
  • Patent number: RE42924
    Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a “fill to here” line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon called “dose hesitation”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Opersations Ltd.
    Inventors: William F. Crismore, Nigel A. Surridge, Daniel R. McMinn
  • Patent number: RE43815
    Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a “fill to here” line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon called “dose hesitation”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Operations Ltd.
    Inventors: William F. Crismore, Nigel A. Surridge, Daniel R. McMinn