Abstract: A method for assaying the antioxidant capacity of a skin care product, the method including preparing an emulsion base, dissolving a sample of a skin care product into the emulsion base to form a homogeneous emulsion mixture, adding a detection probe to the homogeneous emulsion mixture, adding reactive oxygen species generator and/or reactive nitrogen species generator to the homogeneous emulsion mixture, measuring the fluorescence intensity change of the detection probe in the presence of the sample over time, in the presence of the standard over time, and in the presence of a blank over time, and calculating the initial rate of oxidation of the detection probe to determine the antioxidant capacity of the sample of the skin care product.

Abstract: A method that uses an (DOPC) surfactant based biofilm that reacts with a material in a known manner, and a device that utilizes such a biofilm, to detect a material of interest is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a material that is harmful to a human or to property.

Abstract: In a shaping process a metal strip is passed in a rolling direction through shaping rolls and a layer of treatment liquid is applied to a surface of the strip upstream of the shaping rolls. Measurement variables of the liquid on the surface are analyzed by laser-induced, time resolved fluorescent spectroscopic analysis or spectroscopic analysis in the infrared band.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting degradation of an engine oil, by separation into a polar component and a non-polar component via admixture with a polar solvent having a polarity index greater than or equal to 5 and optionally a non-polar solvent having a polarity index of less than or equal to about 1. The polar component is analyzed for one or more degradation indicators selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, acid content, and combinations thereof. Such degradation indicators relate to a degree of engine oil degradation. The polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for the one or more degradation indicators, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such degradation indicator species. The non-polar component identifies combustion products that help to explain the level of degradation.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the presence of naphthenic acids in a hydrocarbon-comprising liquid that includes: contacting a hydrocarbon-comprising liquid with gaseous ammonia; isolating a reaction product produced by the contacting step; and analyzing the reaction product for the presence of naphthenates using a mass spectrometry technique. The naphthenic acids known to form commercial naphthenate deposits can be (i) ions of tetraprotic carboxylic acids having molecular weights ranging from 1225 to 1270 Daltons, (ii) n-alkyl or branched carboxylic acids having molecular weights ranging from 250 to 650 Daltons, or (iii) both.

Abstract: A small-scale dynamic simulator for crude oil refinery desalters has a pressurized oil deviblis configured to hold a supply of crude oil and a water deviblis configured to hold a supply of wash water. At least one chemical feed pump selectively adds emulsion breaker chemicals to the desalter simulator and a low shear metering pump is configured to pump crude oil and wash water through the desalter simulator. An emulsion forming device forms a crude oil-wash water emulsion that is then received in a desalter vessel. The desalting vessel is fitted with electric grids which simulate those found in electric desalters. The emulsion is resolved within the desalter vessel with the assistance of the emulsion breaker chemicals so the wash water and crude oil form distinct phases, with substantially desalted crude oil removed from an upper portion of the desalter vessel and substantially oil-free wash water removed from a bottom portion of the desalter vessel.

Abstract: A gas analyzer system for analyzing samples of compressed or ambient gas such as breathing air within a scuba tank, SCBA or ambient air within an industrial plant and informing the user as to the results of the sample's gas purity without the gas sample having to be physically transported to an accredited laboratory. The system comprises a gas analyzer situated at a user facility for receiving the contents of a gas sample and detecting gas purity characteristics, and a server situated at a remote certified testing site and electrically coupled to the gas analysis module via data transmission, such as a wireless or a computer network connection, wherein the server, maintained by a qualified third party receives and stores the gas purity characteristics in the form of computer-readable data signals.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the determination of the oxidative stability of a lubricating fluid, comprising the steps of: introducing a sample of the lubricating fluid under test in an reaction cell; introducing catalytic amounts of a catalyst to the reaction cell; heating the cell to the oxidation temperature of the lubricating fluid and maintaining this temperature; delivering oxygen containing gas at constant flow rate through the cell over the course of the reaction; delivering a gas comprising nitrogen dioxide at a constant flow rate through the cell for a specified time; applying and maintaining a specified vacuum on the reaction cell; allowing the mixture to react for a specified time; measuring the viscosity of the oxidized lubricating fluid. Additionally, the present invention describes an apparatus for the determination of the oxidative stability of a lubricating fluid.

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.

Abstract: A method of analyzing biodiesel content in a fuel sample generally includes providing a fuel sample including at least one of a biodiesel and other diesel fuel; mixing a predetermined amount of solvent to the fuel sample, wherein the fuel sample is soluble in the solvent; mixing a predetermined amount of water to the fuel sample; analyzing the fuel sample for a change; and associating the change with a biodiesel content in the fuel sample.

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: Rapid determination of low temperature residual wax contamination in basestock oil provides a basis for real time correlation of basestock quality with the low temperature viscometric properties of fully formulated oils made using said basestock oil.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve the purpose of determining the fat or oil content of a sample. The sample is dried under the action of a microwave field and is examined under the action of a radio-frequency signal and of a constant magnetic field by means of nuclear magnetic resonance. The sample is exposed to the microwave field, the radio-frequency signal and the magnetic field at the same measuring place in a common measuring chamber. The apparatus has a microwave source for drying the sample, a magnetic system for generating a nuclear magnetic resonance magnetic field in the sample, and a nuclear magnetic resonance measuring arrangement for irradiating radio-frequency signals into the sample and for receiving excited nuclear magnetic resonance signals from the sample. The microwave source, the magnetic system and the nuclear magnetic resonance measuring arrangement are connected to a common measuring chamber in which the sample is located.

Abstract: Fat content is analyzed by extraction in a filtration vessel having a porous hydrophilic and oleophobic filter.

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: The invention relates to a method to analyze the condition of a functional fluid comprising: (1) obtaining a sample of the used fluid; (2) placing the sample of the fluid to a test medium; (3) reacting the fluid with an indicator in the test medium; (4) analyzing visually the results of the reactor resulting in the determination of the condition of the fluid. Further an apparatus for analyzing functional fluids is disclosed in the form of a test medium consisting of an absorbent or nonabsorbent material which has been treated with a chemical indicator, marker substance or a developer or detector reagent upon which a sample of the fluid to be tested is placed. The components in the treated test medium react with components in the test fluid providing a visual indication, for example a color change, to judge the condition, the presence of a marker substance or another parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the TBN of a used lubricating oil by measuring with a single device at least one element, such as sulfur, and correlating the measured amount to the oil's TBN. Preferably, a spectroscopic device is used to make the measurement.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fluid includes sensing a property of the fluid and the temperature of the fluid at the time the property is sensed, then determining the status of the fluid from the sensing. The sample volume may be small in comparison to the total fluid volume.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to determine the TAN and TAN as a function of boiling point for a hydrocarbon feedstream using an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS). The steps of the method include determining the signal as a function of mass from the ESI-MS while minimizing the formation of oligomers and fragmentation of the molecular species in the feedstream and then determining the TAN from the signals. The TAN is also determined as a function of boiling point.

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.

Abstract: A method for determining oxidation stability for a plurality of different lubricating oil composition samples is provided. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: A process for producing lube basestocks involving solvent dewaxing a waxy feed to produce at least a partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream and then hydrodewaxing the partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream to produce a lube basestock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analyzing a lubricating oil for low temperature properties. The method utilizes 2-dimensional gas chromatography (2D GC) to determine the amounts of paraffins and isoparaffins in the oil. In particular, the method analyzes for a particular isoparaffin fraction which is correlated to low temperature performance. The compositional information thus obtained is correlated with formulated oil Mini Rotary Viscometer (MRV) properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining the levels of sterols, stanols, steryl esters, fatty acid derivatives and combinations thereof in a starch-containing food product. The assay is particularly useful in supporting product health and/or nutritional claims in manufacturing products intended for human or animal consumption. The present invention describes a method for extracting sterols related compounds and uses as an internal standard a steryl ester, preferably cholesteryl oleate. By using the present extraction technique the process enables the recovery of substantially all of the sterol related compound in the sample.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the acidity of oil samples in small amounts, applicable at any stage of the petroleum industry, includes labelling by an isotope of a chemical element present in at least one acid function present in petroleum samples. Isotopic enrichment of the samples is then determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The acidity of the samples is deduced therefrom. This method is an alternative to the measurement of the Total Acid Number (TAN). In particular, it represents the only possibility to reliably measure the acidity of oil samples available in small amounts. The method can be applied to the economic evaluation of a hydrocarbon production field, to the determination of the carbon range responsible for the acidity of a crude, or to monitoring of the evolution of the acid distribution of a site polluted by hydrocarbons.

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: Method for determining deposit formation tendencies for a plurality of fluid samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more lubricating oil compositions containing at least one or more base oils of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to determine the iron content of in-use lubricants by means of visible spectroscopy. The invention further relates to a test kit using the method. The test may be conducted on-site. The method of the present invention provides an accurate alternative to the standard Plasma-Atomic-Emission spectroscopic technique (ICP-AES), which must be done in a laboratory. One of the application areas is iron measurement of in-use lubricants having a Base Number up to 75 which are possibly contaminated to a high extent with soot, ash, metal debris etc.

Abstract: A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more lubricating oil additives, or a combination of one or more lubricant base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: The present invention describes use of use of a metal compound to control the quality of a functional fluid. Additionally, the present invention concerns a method for controlling the quality of a functional fluid comprising the steps of: adding a metal compound to a component of a lubricant; mixing the component with a base oil; measuring the concentration of the metal compound in the functional fluid; and comparing the expected concentration of the metal compound with the measured concentration.

Abstract: A visual indicating paste for detecting the level of hydrocarbons in a storage container is disclosed. The visual indicating paste is a physical mixture of a non-polar dye, a high molecular weight carrier, a whitening agent and a filler material.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for the evaluation of the coke and/or bitumen quality of a plurality of refinery feedstocks using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for determining the lipophilicity of a compound of interest comprising a) providing a layer, b) impregnating said layer with a solvent A, c) applying a dissolved compound of interest on the impregnated layer, d) adding a solvent B, e) removing the solvent B after the distribution equilibrium has been reached, and f) determining the quantity of the compound of interest in at least one of the solvent phases.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; and 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is also disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

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: A high throughput preparation of a plurality of different lubricating oil compositions for combinatorial libraries and subsequent high throughput screening for lubricant performance is provided. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: A combinatorial lubricating oil composition library is provided including at least a plurality of different lubricating oil compositions comprising (a) a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) at least one lubricating oil additive. Methods for preparing same are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing lube basestocks involving solvent dewaxing a waxy feed to produce at least a partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream and then hydrodewaxing the partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream to produce a lube basestock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of the quality of functional fluids. In particular, the invention relates to using a stable redox indicator that produces a color at the presence of oxidation byproducts in a functional fluid.

Abstract: A methodology that enables introduction of an innovative assay for evaluating the extra-virgin olive oil (EOO), based upon the quantification of the main components of the saponifiable and non-saponifiable fractions of EOOs and upon its total antioxidizing power.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel component is provided in a fuel composition to alter the spectroscopic response of the composition to the presence of a spectroscopically active indicator. The Fischer-Tropsch derived component may be used to increase the detectability of the indicator, and/or to increase the resolution of an analytical test subsequently carried out on the composition. Also provided is a method for investigating a property of a fuel composition, by adding a spectroscopically active indicator and detecting a subsequent spectroscopic response in the composition, wherein the composition contains a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel component. Further provided is a fuel composition containing a spectroscopically active indicator and a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel component. The spectroscopic response may be a visible response such as a colour change.

Abstract: This invention provides the use of an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore, or a fragment thereof, as an antioxidant, for instance in a composition or formulation containing an active substance. Also provided is a method for reducing rancidity, or other oxidative degradation, of a substance, composition, or formulation, by encapsulating the substance, composition, or formulation in, or chemically binding it to, or mixing it with, an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: A method for determining contamination in marine diesel lubricating oils. The method has been found to have particular utility in estimating asphaltenes contamination in marine diesel lubricating oils.

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: This invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in the oil and devices to be used therewith. In a preferred embodiment a test strip including an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.

Abstract: A method for increasing removal of drag reducer additive (DRA) from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The method comprises producing contaminated liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprising a concentration of removable DRA comprising a quantity of one or more polar groups, and contacting the contaminated liquid hydrocarbon fuel with an amount of one or more removal agents under removal conditions effective to produce a reduced concentration of the removable DRA.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the determination of the oxidative stability of a lubricating fluid, comprising the steps of: introducing a sample of the lubricating fluid under test in an reaction cell; introducing catalytic amounts of a catalyst to the reaction cell; heating the cell to the oxidation temperature of the lubricating fluid and maintaining this temperature; delivering oxygen containing gas at constant flow rate through the cell over the course of the reaction; delivering a gas comprising nitrogen dioxide at a constant flow rate through the cell for a specified time; applying and maintaining a specified vacuum on the reaction cell; allowing the mixture to react for a specified time; measuring the viscosity of the oxidized lubricating fluid. Additionally, the present invention describes an apparatus for the determination of the oxidative stability of a lubricating fluid.

Abstract: A method for determination for a given oil the relative stability of a water-in-oil emulsion that will be formed by that oil with water comprises measuring for the given oil the weight fraction of the oil that is most strongly adsorbed on a silica gel column successively eluted with n-hexane, toluene and methylene chloride-methanol mixture solvents and determining whether said weight fraction is greater than about 0.05; with a value above 0.05 being determinative of an emulsion more stable than one with a value less than 0.05.