Abstract: A system for monitoring an underground propane tank, comprising a controller; a moisture sensor coupled in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to measure a moisture associated with the tank; a voltage probe coupled in communication with the controller, wherein voltage probe is adapted to be disposed at least partially underground, and wherein the controller is configured to measure a potential difference between the tank and soil surrounding the tank, when the moisture associated with the tank is measured to be above a predetermined threshold; and an anode sensor coupled to an anode of the tank and coupled in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the anode using the anode sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, designed and configured for optically inspecting articles of the fish and meat processing industry, includes at least one imaging system which is arranged so as to be encapsulated on all sides in a housing and is configured for optically scanning the articles. The housing has a transparent viewing window and a protective element, forming a light-transmissive channel, and is releasably arranged on the outside of the housing to protect the viewing window from contamination. In addition, an arrangement for processing and inspecting the opened abdominal cavity of gutted fish, includes a conveying device configured for conveying the fish along a processing line in the longitudinal direction, which is characterised in that the arrangement comprises at least one apparatus configured for optically inspecting the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A method and a device for obtaining and measuring at least one physical property of a sample of grease obtained from a reservoir of grease includes attaching the barrel of a syringe to a first linear actuator and the piston of the syringe to a second linear actuator. The actuators are controllable to move the syringe as a unit along a path. The actuators are also controllable to move the piston relative to the barrel for drawing a grease sample into the syringe or expelling the grease sample from the syringe. The actuators move the syringe to one or more measuring positions along the path to measure one or more physical properties of the grease in the syringe.

Abstract: A method and a system for creating a reference standard for hydrogen sulfide concentrations in crude oil are described. The method includes receiving a volume of crude oil in a vessel. A hydrogen sulfide gas is flowed from a pressurized gas cylinder to the vessel to form a hydrogen sulfide gas-crude oil mixture. The hydrogen sulfide gas continues to flow from the pressurized gas cylinder to the vessel at a set pressure for a predetermined time to adjust the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the hydrogen sulfide gas-crude oil mixture to a hydrogen sulfide threshold concentration. The flow of the hydrogen sulfide gas into the vessel is stopped.

Abstract: A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the process comprising adding at least two fluorescent taggants to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product, irradiating said product, causing at least one of said taggants to fluoresce and detecting radiation emitted by said fluorescing taggant in an oil-contaminated product.

Abstract: This disclosure relates methods and systems for determining asphaltene inhibitor properties. For example, one embodiment provides a method for determining a content of disaggregated asphaltene in an inhibited crude oil. The method includes measuring the dielectric constant of a sample of the crude oil, the sample having a first concentration of an asphaltene inhibitor; providing a first dielectric correction factor for the first concentration of the asphaltene inhibitor; calculating, e.g., by a computing device, a first corrected dielectric constant of the sample having the first concentration, using the first dielectric correction factor; and determining the content of disaggregated asphaltene in the first crude oil sample, based on the first corrected dielectric constant. Methods for inhibiting asphaltene aggregation in crude oil are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates methods and systems for determining asphaltene inhibitor properties. For example, one embodiment provides a method for determining a content of disaggregated asphaltene in an inhibited crude oil. The method includes measuring the dielectric constant of a sample of the crude oil, the sample having a first concentration of an asphaltene inhibitor; providing a first dielectric correction factor for the first concentration of the asphaltene inhibitor; calculating, e.g., by a computing device, a first corrected dielectric constant of the sample having the first concentration, using the first dielectric correction factor; and determining the content of disaggregated asphaltene in the first crude oil sample, based on the first corrected dielectric constant. Methods for inhibiting asphaltene aggregation in crude oil are also provided.

Abstract: Quantifying an amount of sulfur in a petroleum sample includes sequential extraction and quantification of inorganic and organic sulfur species. An exemplary process includes extracting inorganic sulfur components from the sample to yield extracted inorganic sulfur components and a residual sample, and reducing the sulfur in the extracted inorganic sulfur components to yield a first quantity of hydrogen sulfide. The organic sulfur components are extracted from the residual sample to yield extracted organic sulfur components, and the sulfur in the extracted organic sulfur components is reduced to yield a second quantity of hydrogen sulfide. The amount of sulfur in the first quantity of hydrogen sulfide and the amount of sulfur in the second quantity of hydrogen sulfide are combined to yield a total amount of sulfur in the sample.

Abstract: Method of measuring metal loss from equipment in process systems. Probes installed for monitoring one or both of erosion and corrosion (metal loss) in process equipment use results from resistivity measurements in a measurement element and a reference element to produce a measurement of metal loss in the measurement element exposed to process flow and may trigger an alarm when measured metal loss exceeds a threshold level. Prior art methods produce numerous false alarms hiding true alarms. The present method ignores these false alarms that are common in known methods by calculating confidence measures that are included in the metal loss calculations to attenuate noise that otherwise would produce false alarms or misinterpretation of the corrosion or erosion state in the process equipment being monitored.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the corrosion resistance of a coated metal substrate, the method including putting a liquid composition into contact with a corrosion protection coating present on the surface of a metal substrate, the liquid composition including water, a gelling agent, corrosion-catalyst ions, and a color pH indicator; gelling the liquid composition in order to form a corrosion-accelerator gel in contact with the coating; performing a corrosion test during which the gel that has formed is left in contact with the corrosion protection coating; and evaluating the corrosion resistance of the substrate coated by the corrosion protection coating by observing the color of the color pH indicator present in the gel after performing the corrosion test.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring and management device that includes a housing with a fluid passageway. The fluid monitoring and management device further includes a fluid property sensor with a sensing element in the fluid passageway. A valve is in the fluid passageway of the fluid monitoring and management device. A removable bottle mount is aligned with the valve to be selectively in fluid communication with the fluid passageway.

Abstract: Density measurement of mixtures of heavy and light crudes using the vibrating tube densitometer technique determine incompatibility in the crudes mixture containing asphaltenes by determining the incipient point of asphaltenes incompatibility threshold in the mixtures of crudes.

Abstract: A method of determining the amount of water in an industrial oil (e.g., turbine oil) includes homogenizing an oil sample, subjecting the homogenized sample to infrared spectroscopy within 30 minutes of homogenization, and determining a baseline absorbance level for the sample within a predetermined wavenumber range. That baseline is compared with spectral template baselines and, based on the comparison, the amount of water in the oil sample is estimated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for modeling an oil dilution qualitative indicator based on an integrated difference between a commanded air-to-fuel ratio and an engine air-to-fuel ratio as determined via an oxygen sensor, cumulative cold engine temperature operating duration, and fuel injection characteristics (timing, duration, number of injections) allowing fuel injection timing modifications that minimize oil dilution when the oil dilution qualitative indicator is greater than a threshold level.

Abstract: A sensor assembly senses hydrogen and moisture content of insulation liquid of a liquid-filled electrical equipment.

Abstract: method for diagnosing corrosion of an underground storage tank system is provided. The method includes the following steps. A sample from the underground storage tank system is collected, wherein the sample comprises at lease one metal ion. The species and the concentration of the metal ion in the sample are detected by an analysis instrument. A concentration threshold value is determined from a database according to the species of the metal ion. A mapping step is performed, wherein the concentration of the metal ion and the concentration threshold value are compared to diagnose if the underground storage tank system is corroded.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes the following steps. Provide a sample of the liquefied petroleum gas, and one main component group of the liquefied petroleum gas includes at least one sub component group. Analyze the sample of the liquefied petroleum gas so as to obtain a first measured THC corresponding to the main component group and a second measured THC corresponding to the sub component group. Obtain a regressed THC according to the second measured THC and a predetermined relationship of THC. Obtain a result of THC according to the first measured THC, the regressed THC, and a predetermined range of THC. The predetermined range of THC corresponds to the main component group. The device for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes an inlet, a multiposition valve, a first column, a second column, an analyzing apparatus, and a computing unit.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for determining the H2S content arising during the warm storage of sulfur-containing crude and residual oils and mineral distillates containing sulfur-containing crude and/or residual oils, in which a sample of the sulfur-containing mineral oil is dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture that boils at more than 200° C. and a carrier gas is caused to flow through the solution of the sulfur-containing mineral oil at temperatures above 80° C., and the quantity of hydrogen sulfide carried out with the carrier gas is analyzed quantitatively.

Abstract: A reliable, low cost device for determining when dangerous levels of hydrogen gas have been generated in a transformer is disclosed. The hydrogen indicator is defined by a module assembly that threads into either the headspace or into the oil-filled body of a transformer. The module has an open interior that contains a film that incorporates a hydrogen-sensitive chemochromic indicator. The indicator film is visible through a lens. When the film has been exposed to hydrogen, chemical changes in the chemochromic indicator cause the film to change color—the color change is immediately visible through the lens.

Abstract: Rotatable bomb device having a stationary hollow housing and a rotatable component inside the housing provides for very good temperature calibration, temperature recording and, when desired, sample control. The device can have at least one of an insulating lower disc or washer; a plurality of staggered heating bands encompassing a stationary housing; a dry scan port; a rear upper and/or lower port; and an extraction/injection fitting for access to the interior of the stationary housing. The device may be used to react or attempt to react substance(s), for example, generally as in ASTM Method D2272 testing of turbine oil.

Abstract: A substrate mimicking intercellular lipids in stratum corneum consisting of a substrate and a lipid membrane formed on the substrate, wherein the lipid membrane is formed from ceramide, palmitic acid and cholesterol, and the ceramide, palmitic acid and cholesterol are present at a mass ratio of 20-70%:10-60%:20-40% (ceramide:palmitic acid:cholesterol).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a probe including a material connected to a high voltage source, a device for generating a heated gas, and a mass analyzer.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating a fuel are provided. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating a fuel includes providing a testing specimen of the fuel. Also, the method includes analyzing the testing specimen and identifying a compound in the testing specimen. The method also provides for determining the fuel is biologically-sourced based on the identified trace compound.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of hydrocarbons in a composition including hydrocarbons and water is provided. The method includes adding a chemical agent to the composition in order to form an emulsion of water and hydrocarbons, taking a sample of the emulsion and dissolving this sample in a common solvent for water and hydrocarbons in order to form a solution, and measuring the amount of hydrocarbons in the solution. An installation suitable for implementing this method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a diagnosing method for oil-filled electrical equipment for diagnosing a degree of risk with regard to occurrence of abnormality due to copper sulfide generation in oil-filled electrical equipment, and the method includes a first step of detecting specific compounds contained in insulating oil in said oil-filled electrical equipment, a second step of evaluating a possibility of copper sulfide generation at a dangerous part leading to dielectric breakdown in said oil-filled electrical equipment in accordance with a detection result obtained in said first step, and a third step of diagnosing a degree of risk with regard to occurrence of abnormality in said oil-filled electrical equipment in accordance with an evaluation result obtained in said second step. Said specific compounds include dibenzyldisulfide and 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Abstract: Solvent extraction to quantify contamination of a sample by a hydrocarbon contaminant is performed by providing a defined quantity of the sample, providing a defined quantity of a siloxane solvent, mixing the defined quantity of the siloxane solvent and the defined quantity of the sample to extract the hydrocarbon contaminant from the sample to form a contaminant solution with the siloxane solvent, and separating the contaminant solution from the sample. A concentration of the hydrocarbon contaminant in the contaminant solution can be measured by vibrational spectroscopy. Siloxane solvents are CFC free, VOC exempt, odorless, colorless, low to moderately flammable, non-toxic, and safe for incidental skin contact. Some are even used in cosmetic products.

Abstract: A reliable, low cost device for determining when dangerous levels of hydrogen gas have been generated in a transformer is disclosed. The hydrogen indicator is defined by a module assembly that threads into either the headspace or into the oil-filled body of a transformer. The module has an open interior that contains a film that incorporates a hydrogen-sensitive chemochromic indicator. The indicator film is visible through a lens. When the film has been exposed to hydrogen, chemical changes in the chemochromic indicator cause the film to change color—the color change is immediately visible through the lens.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the residence time of oils/fats in metal apparatus, particularly in the upstream of a hydrotreating unit, for example, a heat exchanger and/or a storage/feed tank, can impact significantly on corrosiveness of oils/fats in combination with and without conventional hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also found that the presence of hydrogen in the metal apparatus can also inhibit the corrosion rate of oils/fats.

Abstract: A method for measuring the real hot-spot temperature in an electric apparatus containing an oil, such as an electric power transformer. The electric apparatus is operated under predetermined and modifiable operating conditions. This method comprises the use of one or several chemical compounds or tracers present and soluble in the oil. Each tracer may transform, at a given temperature, in order to form a residue, such as a soluble gas. From the presence of the residue in the oil, the operator will be able to determine under which predetermined operating condition the hot-spot has been reached and to deduce the hot-spot for a given condition. Among different used compounds, there are diazoic compounds, carbonyl metals, colorants, pigments, liquid crystals and albumins. The method also allows to check the quality of the apparatus on the market and to estimate its life span.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test medium for the rapid analysis of engine oils in internal combustion engines, having a weight per unit area of 50.0 to 200.0 g/m2, comprising, based on the total weight of the test medium, 20.0% by weight to 98.0% by weight of cotton pulp, 0.0% by weight to 50.0% by weight of cellulose and 0.1% by weight to 50.0% by weight of silicic acid and/or at least one silicate salt. The present invention also relates to a method for the rapid analysis of engine oils in internal combustion engines, in which a drop of an engine oil to be analyzed is applied to the test medium according to the invention and is allowed to penetrate into the test medium, and the text result is then preferably compared with at least one reference image in order to determine the condition of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The methods rely on trial-and-error mixing of the fuel ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure, the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target fuel blend. The methods can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing fluid samples include a diffused air flotation (DAF) system and a jar. The jar includes a diffuser for injecting the diffused air into the jar and a tap for drawing a fluid out of the jar.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed providing techniques for measuring the amount of biodiesel in a fuel sample. The methods may be used in the field without the use of laboratory equipment. The biodiesel in the sample is converted to the corresponding free acid which can be isolated and quantified to provide information regarding the amount of biodiesel in the original sample.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for determining the H2S content arising during the warm storage of sulfur-containing crude and residual oils and mineral distillates containing sulfur-containing crude and/or residual oils, in which a sample of the sulfur-containing mineral oil is dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture that boils at more than 200° C. and a carrier gas is caused to flow through the solution of the sulfur-containing mineral oil at temperatures above 80° C., and the quantity of hydrogen sulfide carried out with the carrier gas is analyzed quantitatively.

Abstract: A process for controlling the composition of an xBOB so that the xBOB will yield an oxygenate-containing gasoline which precisely meets desired specifications when mixed with the desired amount of oxygenate. The process involves blending a plurality of blendstocks to produce an xBOB, withdrawing a sample of the xBOB, obtaining spectroscopic measurements for the sample, applying mathematical models that were based on correlation of xBOB spectra to associated oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, to predict laboratory analysis results for oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, and using the analysis results to control and optimize the blending process.

Abstract: A new method to determine by quantitative analysis the amount of dye present in dyed engine oils is provided. The method uses imaging techniques, such as spectrophotometry, and a combination of dilution and standard addition techniques to quantitatively determine the concentration of dye in the engine oil to ascertain whether dye concentrations in engine oil have decreased as compared with original specifications, and to quantify the amount of dye to be added to the dyed engine oil to bring dye concentrations to original concentrations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing an engine lubricant are provided. The system includes a heated block having at least one cavity therein, at least one test cylinder receiving the engine lubricant therein, and at least one heated test piston selectively disposable into the engine lubricant of the test cylinder whereby deposits are formable on the test piston. The test cylinder is positionable in the cavity of the heated block and heatable thereby. Taxi oils and/or gases may be added to facilitate testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying an inhibitor to the formation of naphthenate solids in a liquid hydrocarbon including contacting a sample of the liquid hydrocarbon with an inhibitor and a buffered aqueous solution, observing the extent of formation of naphthenate solids, if any, the extent of formation of naphthenate solids being indicative of the effectiveness of the inhibitor, and repeating the steps, if necessary, until a suitable inhibitor is identified. The present invention also relates to a method for identifying an inhibitor to the formation of naphthenate scale in a liquid hydrocarbon system as well as test kits for use in the methods.

Abstract: A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon, biodiesel fuel or ethanol fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon, biodiesel fuel or ethanol fuel at least one compound having formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 independently represent at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy and nitro; and R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

Abstract: A method of estimating the amount of unreacted starting materials (glycerides, methyl esters, etc.) and the composition of a biodiesel using TLC in conjunction with a lipophilic dye, Nile Red is described herein. The dye based TLC method of the present invention is convenient and provides significant advantages over existing methods for estimating the purity of a biodiesel composition.

Abstract: When biomass fuel reacts with oxygen for a long period of time, an amount of acid ions in a tank is increased with time. However, when metallic ions are generated for some reason and the reaction proceeds to change the acid ions into metallic salts, the increase rate of the amount of the acid ions in the fuel tank becomes slow. When the metallic salt forming reaction proceeds rapidly, the amount of the acid ions may even be reduced. Therefore, in the embodiment, the change of the acid ions into the metallic salts in a fuel is detected. Unless the fuel is newly supplied by refueling, the decrease of the amount of acid ions in the fuel can be considered as a change into metallic salts. Accordingly, the generation of metallic salts can be detected by monitoring the decrease of the amount of acid ions in the fuel. Thus, clogging of a fuel supply system or the like caused by the metallic salt forming reaction can be prevented.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed providing techniques for measuring the amount of biodiesel in a fuel sample. The methods may be used in the field without the use of laboratory equipment. The biodiesel in the sample is converted to the corresponding free acid which can be isolated and quantified to provide information regarding the amount of biodiesel in the original sample.

Abstract: A process for controlling the composition of an xBOB so that the xBOB will yield an oxygenate-containing gasoline which precisely meets desired specifications when mixed with the desired amount of oxygenate. The process involves blending a plurality of blendstocks to produce an xBOB, withdrawing a sample of the xBOB, obtaining spectroscopic measurements for the sample, applying mathematical models that were based on correlation of xBOB spectra to associated oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, to predict laboratory analysis results for oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, and using the analysis results to control and optimize the blending process.

Abstract: The present invention is related to hydrocarbon compositions comprising butanol that have substantially the same or improved performance properties than comparable hydrocarbon compositions comprising ethanol and to methods for identifying such compositions.

Abstract: A system and method of characterizing an at least partially hydrophobic sample. The method includes providing an ethanolic solution of ethanol and sodium hydrogen cyanamide, adding a first portion of the ethanolic solution to a sample to produce a reagent-sample mixture, performing infrared spectroscopic testing of the reagent-sample mixture to generate mixture absorption data representing at least one absorption characteristic of the reagent-sample mixture, and generating acidity data for the sample based on the mixture data.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods and devices for optically monitoring multiple parameters of an oil sample. In one embodiment, the methods and devices can be used for determining the quality of cooking or flying oil in terms of the free fatty acid content and total polar compound content of the oil. The methods use an optical absorbtive/reflective property in evaluating the free fatty acid content, and use optical fluorescence in evaluating the total polar compound content, with both measurements using a single sampling substrate and a single measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using a marker in a functional fluid, which survives the use of the functional fluid in an application, with a reagent solution to identify the functional fluid rapidly either before, during or after the functional fluid's use and which is a suitable method for identifying a functional fluid in the field, and which may employ the use of test wipe, or medium, that contains the reagent solution.

Abstract: A method allowing an accurate diagnosis of a failure of an oil-filled electrical apparatus resulting from production of copper sulfide even with a small amount of an insulating oil is implemented. A diagnostic method for an oil-filled electrical apparatus for diagnosing a failure of the oil-filled electrical apparatus having a copper part disposed in an insulating oil is implemented by detecting at least one compound of bibenzyl and dibenzyl sulfide in the oil of the oil-filled electrical apparatus, to diagnose a failure of the oil-filled electrical apparatus in accordance with the detected amount of the compound. It is configured such that a failure of the oil-filled electrical apparatus resulting from production of copper sulfide can be diagnosed by detecting a specified substance, which allows an accurate diagnosis of a failure even with a small amount of the insulating oil.

Abstract: A process for controlling the composition of an xBOB so that the xBOB will yield an oxygenate-containing gasoline which precisely meets desired specifications when mixed with the desired amount of oxygenate. The process involves blending a plurality of blendstocks to produce an xBOB, withdrawing a sample of the xBOB, obtaining spectroscopic measurements for the sample, applying mathematical models that were based on correlation of xBOB spectra to associated oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, to predict laboratory analysis results for oxygenate-containing gasoline properties, and using the analysis results to control and optimize the blending process.

Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.