Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determination of ion concentrations, particularly in downhole water from hydrocarbon wells, aquifers etc. It is useful in a wide range of applications, including predicting the formation of scale and fingerprinting waters from different sources. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of ligands whose electronic configuration is altered by the binding of the scaling ions within a water sample. These alterations are detected electrochemically by applying varying potential to electrodes and measuring current flow as potential is varied, from which is derived the concentration of scaling ions in the fluid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for predicting the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) wear scar diameter for a hydrocarbon mixture using an HFRR wear scar diameter prediction equation which predicts the HFRR wear scar diameter based on the mid-infrared spectroscopy test results for such hydrocarbon mixture. Such predicted HFRR wear scar diameter value can then be used to determine the necessity of adding a lubricity additive to a diesel material in order to produce a diesel product possessing adequate lubricity properties.

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.

Abstract: Process for evaluating the coke and/or bitumen yield and quality of a plurality of refinery feedstocks, by (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks, (ii) placing a sample of each of the plurality of refinery feedstocks on a heating device, (iii) heating each sample under vacuum to a temperature in the range 300° C. to 420° C. using the respective heating device while measuring the weight loss of the sample, and then (iv) (a) measuring the bitumen quality of the vacuum residues formed, and/or (b)(i) heating the vacuum residues to a temperature in the range 450° C. to 600° C. using the heating device, while measuring the weight loss of the sample, and then (ii) measuring the coke quality of the products formed.

Abstract: Kibble-type animal feeds and pet foods including a vegetable protein-based core matrix and a coating of a fat and at least one additive are described. The coating may include a probiotic enriched coating. Methods of forming the kibble-type animal feeds and pet foods are also described. Probiotic coating for a kibble showing acceptable stability and bioactivity are disclosed and methods for assessing the bioactivity of a probiotic in a food composition are also described.

Abstract: A method of detecting a substance present in a gas or a gas mixture using SIFT-MS technology comprising the steps of inducing a supply of alkoxymethyl cations into the inlet of the flow tube, reacting a sample of the as with the alkoxymethyl cations, analysing the reacted gas sample, and calculating the concentration of trace levels of molecules containing heteroatoms in the reacted gas sample.

Abstract: A method that uses an L-?-dipalmitoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) surfactant based device that reacts with a substance in a known manner, to detect a substance of interest or to extract a substance of interest from a material is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a substance that is harmful to a human, and also to extracting NACL from saltwater.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a homogenous sample of a pressurized fluid stream flowing in a pipeline, the fluid stream consisting of a majority component of hydrocarbon gas, the remainder consisting of one or more hydrocarbon liquids and water in the form of vapor, aerosols, droplets and/or liquid streams, the method includes the steps of: a. injecting one or more surface active agents into the fluid stream in an injection zone at a rate that is sufficient to form a uniform foam of the gas and the one or more hydrocarbon liquids and water components; b. mixing the one or more surface active agents with the fluid stream in a mixing zone to form a uniform foam composition flowing in the pipeline downstream of the mixing zone; c. withdrawing a portion of the foam composition from the pipeline at a sampling point; d. passing the portion of the foam composition withdrawn through a sampling loop; and e.

Abstract: A method of measuring the level of an impurity in a gas comprises providing a gas detection tube having a internal volume containing a reagent which can react with said impurity to produce a compound capable of producing a color change in said tube such that the extent of the color change is proportional to the concentration of the impurity in said gas. A volume of the gas at least 1×103 times the test volume of the gas detection tube is passed through the tube and the extent of the color change of the detector element is measured.

Abstract: A method for testing the performance of catalysts used for conversion of FCC regenerator gases comprises subjecting the catalyst simultaneously to a mixture of gases including an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas in more than one cycle in which the ratio of the oxidizing gas to the reducing gas varies over the time of the cycle. Test gases comprising O2, CO, CO2, steam, nitrogen-containing gases and sulfur-containing gases in which the ratio of O2 to CO varies over time for each cycle and in which the products of combustion formed during each cycle can be measured periodically over the cycle yields important data on the usefulness of the catalysts for treatment of regenerator flue gas.

Abstract: A method of detecting organic vapors is described. More particularly, the method involves the use of an analyte sensor that contains a polymeric material having a relatively large intrinsic porosity and that is capable of fluorescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The method further includes exposing the analyte sensor to an environment that may contain an organic vapor and monitoring the analyte sensor for a change in a fluorescence signal. Although the organic vapor itself typically does not fluoresce in the visible wavelength range, presence of an organic vapor can alter the fluorescence signal of the analyte sensor.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent acridinium esters are provided which are fast light emitting and hydrolytically stable. The chemiluminescent acridinium esters are useful labels in assays for detecting or quantifying analytes.

Abstract: A system for transporting fuel exhibits increased safety. The system includes a fuel leak detector including: a colorimetric chemical monitor configured to change color in response to presence of a fuel or fuel component, an optical reader configured to monitor a color of the chemical monitor, and an alarm system configured to provide an alarm when a color of the chemical monitor changes by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method of and device for sampling polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient environment, the method including: (a) providing a polymer film for collecting the PAHs; (b) exposing the polymer film to a gas containing the PAHs, and (c) performing an analysis of the PAHs collected by the polymer film, the analysis being selected from the group consisting of fluorescence analysis and Fourier Transform Imaging Microscopy (FT-SIM).

Abstract: This invention relates to a micro cartridge and to a method of using the micro cartridge to sample and extract components of interest from a gas or a liquid. The cartridge contains a sorbent and has passages through which a pressure drop can be created to permit access between the gas or liquid and the sorbent. The micro cartridge is elongated and has one pointed end to fit into the injection port of a suitable analysis instrument where the components of interest are desorbed. The cartridge has two ends that are covered by removable closures and preferably has a diameter of less than 1 millimeter. The cartridge can be used with micro machine components and components made using nano technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imaging structures and features using plasmonic emissions from metallic surfaces caused by chemiluminescence based chemical and biological reactions wherein imaging of the reactions is enhanced by the use of microwave energy and further enhanced by using metallic geometric structures for spatially and temporally controlling the biological and chemical reactions.

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.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas sensor and/or switch fabricated from arrays nanowires composed of metal or metal alloys that have stable metal hydride phases. The sensor and/or switch response times make it quite suitable for measuring the concentration of hydrogen in a flowing gas stream. The sensor and/or switch preferably operates by measuring the resistance of several metal nanowires arrayed in parallel in the presence of hydrogen gas. The nanowires preferably comprise gaps or break junctions that can function as a switch that closes in the presence of hydrogen gas. Consequently, the conductivity of the nanowires of the sensor and/or switch increases in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for blending at least two hydrocarbon liquids, the method comprising: (a) determining the critical solvent power for each hydrocarbon liquid by (i) mixing each hydrocarbon liquid with predetermined amounts of a paraffin; (ii) centrifuging each resulting mixture; (iii) recovering and weighing any resulting precipitated insolubles from step (ii); and (iv) correlating the weight of the insolubles in step (iii) to the solvent power at which asphaltenes begin to precipitate out of the hydrocarbon; (b) determining the solvent power for each hydrocarbon liquid by: (i) determining the distillation curve and density of each hydrocarbon liquid; (ii) numerically integrating the distillation curve of each hydrocarbon liquid, producing the volume average boiling point for each hydrocarbon liquid; (iii) calculating the characterization K factor for each hydrocarbon liquid using the volume average boiling point in step (ii); and (iv) determining the solvent power of each hydrocarbon liquid using the characterizatio

Abstract: A method for determining proportion of diesel fuel in a lubricating oil of a combustion engine, including: forming a mixture containing an oil sample and a C5 hydrocarbon such as a C5 alkane; injecting the mixture into the injector of a gas chromatograph; establishing a chromatograph of the sample; determining a first parameter M representative of the area of a peak associated with the C5 hydrocarbon such as a C5 alkane; determining a second parameter C representing of the area of at least one peak associated with a hydrocarbon representative of diesel fuel; and determining the proportion T of diesel fuel by a formula T = C / ( M ) - b a in which a and b are constants defining equation y=ax+b of a calibration straight line of the ratio between the second and the first parameters as a function of the proportion of diesel fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the enantiomer ratio of trimethylcyclopentene derivatives of structure (I), wherein Z is an alkyl radical having 1-10 C atoms, can be saturated or olefinically unsaturated, straight-chained or branched and which is substituted by an OH or CHO group, by means of capillary gas chromatography, wherein a stationary phase is applied containing a compound selected from the group of Heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert.-butyldimethylsily)-?-Cyclodextrin and Heptakis-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl)-?-Cyclodextrin and at least one polysiloxane, wherein the mixing ratio of Cyclodextrin derivatives and polysiloxanes is adjusted to a value ranging from 10:90 to 50:50.

Abstract: An installation structure for a gas sensor capable of detecting gas concentration in a highly accurate manner is provided. The installation structure for a gas sensor which detects concentration of gas circulating inside an outlet-side piping comprises a through hole 18 in an inner wall of the outlet-side piping and the gas sensor comprises a gas inlet portion with one face open within the outlet-side piping 14, and the gas sensor is installed to the outlet-side piping in a condition where the gas inlet portion does not protrude from the inner wall of outlet-side piping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of heavy hydrocarbons (including those from unprocessed crude oil) in distillate streams and/or reformer feed includes taking at least one sample, spectrally analyzing the at least one sample for at least one heavy hydrocarbon component, determining the concentration of the analyzed hydrocarbon component using the spectrally determined concentration in an appropriate mathematical model, and determining the total heavy hydrocarbon concentration from the determined values for each sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micro cartridge and to a method of using the micro cartridge to sample and extract components of interest from a gas or a liquid. The cartridge contains a sorbent and has passages through which a pressure drop can be created to permit access between the gas or liquid and the sorbent. The micro cartridge is elongated and has one pointed end to fit into the injection port of a suitable analysis instrument where the components of interest are desorbed. The cartridge has two ends that are covered by removable closures and preferably has a diameter of less than 1 millimeter. The cartridge can be used with micro machine components and components made using nano technology.

Abstract: A sample plate for use with a portable apparatus containing at least two different analytical devices, said plate (1) comprising (i) a receiver (2) for a fluid to be analysed; (ii) at least two fluidic channels (6, 7) each adapted to transfer a portion of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof from said receiver (2) to one of said analytical devices contained in said associated portable analysis apparatus; (iii) at least one sensor (13) capable of responding to a physical or chemical property of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof, and/or at least one sample cell (14) for containing a sample of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof for spectroscopic or optical analysis; and (iv) at least one additional fluidic channel (11, 12) adapted to transfer a portion of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof from said receiver to said at least one sensor (13) and/or sample cell (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine the fractional amount of at least one constituent of a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising dissolving the hydrocarbon mixture in a substantially hydrogen free solvent to produce a diluted solution, the diluted solution having sufficient solvent to render a NMR property of the diluted solution to be predictably related to the constituent concentrations of the hydrocarbon mixture; making NMR measurements on the diluted solution; and determining the fractional amount of at least one constituent of the hydrocarbon mixture from the NMR measurements.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube devices are manipulated in a manner that is useful for a variety of implementations. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, light (632) is used to photodesorb molecules from a carbon nanotube (620).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for estimating terminal purity or terminal contamination for a fluid during the withdrawal of the fluid from a subsurface formation. The apparatus and method provide for measuring refractive index of the fluid over a time period, fitting a curve through the refractive index measurements or data values derived therefrom and estimating a terminal refractive index or terminal value for the data values from the fitted to curve to estimate the terminal contamination or purity for the fluid.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot cavity has a pair of partially transmissive, partially reflective, surfaces. A first of the surfaces is flexibly suspended adjacent and parallel to a second of the surfaces. A gap exists between the surfaces. A variable electrostatic potential permits this gap to be adjusted. A translucent chemical layer is disposed on the first surface. A photosensor is attached to the second surface. Light irradiates the photosensor through the chemical layer and the first and second surfaces wherein the light is also partially reflected between the surfaces. A sensing environment is provided wherein an agent undergoes a reaction with the chemical layer as well as an environment wherein the reaction does not occur. The output of the photosensor is measured to assess a change in spectrum and spectral intensity for each of the sensing environments. The gap between the surfaces as well as the light used are selected to provide an optimum photosensor output.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A process for measuring the mercury concentration within a hydrocarbon is provided that enables the mercury concentration to be measured simply and quickly, and with good reliability and good reproducibility. A process for measuring the mercury concentration within a hydrocarbon includes the steps of placing and weighing the hydrocarbon in a sample boat 12 containing an adsorbent that contains a metal capable of forming an amalgam with mercury, and heating the hydrocarbon inside the sample boat 12 in a combustion furnace 13, together with the adsorbent, and measuring the quantity of mercury within the thus generated gas.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for determining RON and/or MON values from constant volume combustion chamber apparatuses capable of producing pressure versus time combustion profiles having a fast combustion region and a slow combustion region, where data from the two regions is used to compute RON and/or MON values for light distillate fluid samples using a series expansion equation.

Abstract: A catalytic testing device comprising a reaction block comprising a set of reaction chambers, each chamber comprising a fluid inlet and outlet connected to an outgoing fluid duct connected to analysis means, fluid feed means capable of performing regulated dosing of flows of the fluid at the required pressure independently in each of the reaction chambers, automatic and dynamic pressure control means, capable of performing pressure regulation in each reaction chamber, which comprise a non-return valve in the outgoing fluid duct between the outlets of the reaction chambers and a common regulating tank that receives the outgoing fluid from the chambers, a pressure sensor provided in a first outlet duct and an automatic needle valve provided in a second outlet duct from the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning biological samples wherein the cells are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus or system for determining an amount of coal tar that can enter, and subsequently be displaced from, a given type of soil for a range of depths of the soil. The method and apparatus also provide verification of the pressure at which coal tar can be displaced from a given type of soil. In particular, the method and apparatus simulate the hydrostatic pressure that a soil sample encounters in the subsurface of the ground. Accordingly, the method and apparatus provide a relationship between the concentration of coal tar in the soil and the pressure required to displace the coal tar from the soil, which allows for an estimation of the amount of coal tar that may be displaced at a particular location or site. Further, the method and apparatus are adaptable for use in the laboratory or the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for the high-throughput, quick screening, optimization, regeneration, reduction and activation of catalysts. More specifically, the present invention is a method and apparatus to quickly screen, optimize and regenerate multiple fast deactivating catalysts while maintaining a predefined range of time-on-stream.

Abstract: A dioxin analyzing method sensitively detecting dioxins is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the enantiomeric excess of chiral molecules participating in a chemical reaction. The method includes real time monitoring of the chemical reaction by obtaining a VCD spectra and an IR spectra of the chemical compounds in the reaction, and manipulating the spectra to obtain a % EE value. Using such real time information, the reaction parameters can be changed to shift the reaction to produce more of one chiral molecule than another.

Abstract: Tagged products (including tagged petroleum products) and methods of detecting the same are disclosed. The tagged petroleum products are tagged with a violanthrone, e.g., a substituted violanthrone and/or an isoviolanthrone, e.g., a substituted isoviolanthrone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for testing material libraries, in particular catalysts, by means of coupled use of at least two analytical methods, preferably IR thermography and mass spectrometry. Owing to the selected arrangement, the disadvantages of the two previously known individual methods are compensated for: the subsequent selectivity determination for selected sections by means of mass spectrometry invalidates the argument against IR thermography, of only being able to determine activities; the rapid integrated determination of potentially “good” materials via IR thermography prevents an excessive loss of time by needing to test all materials of a library successively with the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A system for sampling cryogenic liquids, and an air separation unit provided with at least one such system. The cryogenic liquid is introduced into a vaporizer, through heat exchange with the compressed air. The liquid passes through the vaporizer generally downwards. The walls of the vaporizer that are intended to come into contact with the cryogenic liquid are maintained at a temperature above the sublimation temperature or the boiling point of the least volatile impurity contained in this liquid. Downstream of the vaporizer, a gaseous phase coming from the vaporization of the cryogenic liquid is withdrawn and at least some of the gaseous phase is sent to an analyzer.

Abstract: A method is provided for the quantitative analysis of the contents, in nitrogen, of hydrogen and methane by ionic mobility spectrometry. The method includes the steps of: a) performing a measurement of the apparent hydrogen concentration in the nitrogen to be analyzed; b) performing a measurement of the apparent hydrogen concentration in a flow of the same sample of nitrogen, purified of all impurities but methane; and c) comparing the two measurements. A system of branched lines is also provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A monitoring of catalytic cracking processing is provided which uses near infrared (NIR) analysis to characterize cracking feeds, intermediates and products for chemical and physical properties such as saturates, monoaromatics, diaromatics, triaromatics, tetraaromatics, polar aromatics, total aromatics, thiophenes, distillation points, basic nitrogen, total nitrogen, API gravity, total sulfur, MCRT and % coker gasoil and the resulting characterization thereof. The NIR results can be used in FCC simulation software to predict unit yields and qualities.

Abstract: A device and method for quantifying an impurity in an input gas stream. The device and method employ a catalyst to convert the impurity to a detectable species in an output gas stream, and the concentration of the detectable species is then measured by means of a detector.

Abstract: A composition containing a petroleum hydrocarbon, a biodiesel fuel or an ethanol fuel, and an organic marker compound.

Abstract: An analysis and/or measuring device includes means for extracting, in the gaseous form, hydrocarbons contained in a liquid fluid, means for transporting said extracted gases, and means intended for analysis and measurement on these extracted gases. The transport means include a tubular line having an inner tube made from at least one of the following plastics or from mixtures thereof: fluoropolymers, such as PTFE, fluoroelastomers, such as THV, and Ketone polymer type elastomers, such as PEEK.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the detection of hydrocarbons other than methane in a gas predominantly or essentially comprising oxygen, as well as methane and the said hydrocarbons other than methane, the said process comprising: a stage of detection of the combined hydrocarbons in the said gas, providing a first value for the combined hydrocarbons, a stage of combustion of the hydrocarbons other than methane, a stage of detection of methane in the said gas, providing a second value, a stage of calculation of the amount of hydrocarbons other than methane by the difference between the first value and the second value. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this process.

Abstract: A powder filler is stuffed in a filler space defined between a housing and a gas sensing element so as to airtightly seal a clearance between the housing and the gas sensing element. The powder filler contains grains whose diameter is in a range from 80 ?m to 5,000 ?m when measured before being stuffed into the filler space. A weight percentage of the grains having the diameter of 80 ?m to 5,000 ?m is equal to or larger than 80% with respect to an overall weight of the powder filler.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-invasive assay for the detection of a SLOS affected individual by determining the ratio of at least one of the specific SLOS steroid analytes, dehydro-estriol (8-DHE3) and a dehydro-pregnanetriol (7-DHPT) to their normal steroid counterparts estriol (E3) and pregnanetriol (PT), respectively. 8-DHE3 and 7-DHPT represent metabolites which accumulate in the blood and urine of an individual with SLOS or an individual carrying a SLOS affected fetus. The invention provides for a reliable and reproducible method of screening women for SLOS affected fetuses early on in pregnancy.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas sensor and/or switch fabricated from arrays nanowires composed of metal or metal alloys that have stable metal hydride phases. The sensor and/or switch response times make it quite suitable for measuring the concentration of hydrogen in a flowing gas stream. The sensor and/or switch preferably operates by measuring the resistance of several metal nanowires arrayed in parallel in the presence of hydrogen gas. The nanowires preferably comprise gaps or break junctions that can function as a switch that closes in the presence of hydrogen gas.