Abstract: A method of assay for an enzyme catalysing the release of long chain fatty acids or, conversely, for an ester substrate for such enzymes is applicable to clinical samples and comprises removing substantially all the albumin from the clinical sample, incubating the sample after albumin removal with, for enzyme assay, an ester substrate or, for substrate assay, the enzyme, under conditions effective to release a fatty acid, causing the fatty acid to bind to a fatty acid binding protein and assaying the binding of the fatty acid to the binding protein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying the source of a transported chemical shipment. The method employs either a chemical element or an organic compound with one or more atoms that are non-radioactive isotopes generally not found in nature. A small quantity of the isotopic compound is introduced into the storage vessel containing the chemical to be transported prior to shipment of the chemical. Upon arrival at its destination point, a sample of the chemical shipment is analyzed. Matching the isotopic compound found in the chemical with the isotopic compound introduced into the storage vessel prior to shipment is indicative that the shipped chemical is identical to the chemical received. Non-radioactive materials may further be employed for detecting the source of a newly introduced contaminant in a water supply. The chemical substance may be a non-radioactive isotope of the chemical shipment being transported.

Abstract: Provided are materials and methods for increasing the working life of a lubricant oil in an engine, including alkaline compositions which are added to said oil, and an apparatus containing the alkaline compositions to be placed in said engine through which oil passes.

Abstract: A method is provided for precisely and concurrently measuring dynamic engine oil consumption and fuel consumption within an internal combustion engine on a real-time basis. Nonradioactive organo- bromine or chlorine compounds are added to the oil in small amounts in their natural isotopic abundance or enriched. Upon complete combustion, the bromine or chlorine is converted into hydrogen bromide (HBr) or hydrogen chloride (HCl), respectively. A tunable diode laser spectrometer is used to determine the trace amounts of the resultant HBr or HCl in the exhaust gases, which continuously flows through a sample cell by the use of a sample line that allows the unimpeded transport of samples, reduces the pressure of the exhaust gas and maintains it at a suitable level for analysis, and prevents the condensation of water vapor in the exhaust gas so as to prevent the dissolution of the tracer compounds in the water condensate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring asphaltene precipitation in a petroleum product. The inventive method quantifies the precipitation by measuring changes in the petroleum product's conductivity or capacitance. The inventive apparatus comprises a measuring cell adapted to be filled with a petroleum product or a solution of the product and a flocculant, together with an instrument electrically coupled to the measuring cell for measuring the product's or solution's conductivity or capacitance.

Abstract: A method of determining acid value with high accuracy, using an infrared spectrometer is provided, in which the absorbance is determined attributable to carboxylic group based on an infrared absorption spectrum at wave numbers around 3300 cm.sup.-1.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an HF alkylation system comprising a reactor, a settler, an HF acid regenerator and a source of fresh HF acid wherein a stream of olefins and a stream of isobutanes are contacted in the reactor in the presence an HF acid catalyst. At least the reactor feed is sampled, and the sample is passed to an analyzer using an attenuated total reflectance cell. Signals are generated which are representative of infrared spectra of the samples in a range providing information on the amount of at least one of HF, water, ASO and sulfolane. These signals are simultaneously determined and generated because all absorb in the same spectral region. This aspect provides for viewing these distortions of the main HF absorption band to quantify these three components. The infrared spectra signals are compared with stored signals to generate control signals; and at least one of HF, water and sulfolane fed to the reactor feed is adjusted in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method for testing engine lubricating oil under simulated engine operating conditions including a tank with an interior space containing a quantity of engine lubricating oil, an elongated tubular enclosure for passing oil from one end to the other, and an oil pump to cause oil to flow from the tank through the tubular enclosure. The tank includes devices to introduce oil oxidizing agents to the oil. A metal rod extends centrally through the enclosure so that oil passes along its outer surface and the rod is selectively heated so that oxidation deposits form along the rod. Examination and analysis of the rod and its deposits permit rating of a particular oil for its oxidation resistant properties.

Abstract: A method of testing oil for unstable reactive compounds include reacting unstable compound from an oil sample with an acid catalyst to form a reaction product, the color of which is then related to the presence and/or amount of reactive compound in the oil. Kits combining the necessary materials and reagents for performing the test method are also provided.

Abstract: The total base number of an oil sample of measured volume is determined by solvating the oil sample, adding a predetermined amount of acidic species to the solvated sample to react the acidic species with any basic species contained in the oil sample, extracting the remaining acidic species into an extractant phase, separating the extractant phase from the oil sample, and measuring the acidic species content of the extractant phase to determine the quantity of basic species in the oil sample. The same technique may be used to determine the total acid number of an oil sample by adding a predetermined amount of basic species to the sample and measuring the basic species content of the extractant phase.

Abstract: A method for the determination of organic hydroperoxides in a hydrocarbon which has been subjected to oxidative polymerization conditions is disclosed. The steps employed in the invention include mixing an organic cupric salt such as cupric acetate and a phenanthroline such as 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline with a sample of the hydrocarbon in an organic solvent such as acetonitrile, measuring the color change after a fixed period of time for cuprous complex formation, and comparing the measurement to the color change of a standard reference to determine the relative quantity of organic hydroperoxide in the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting leakage of hydrocarbons from and preventing corrosion of underground storage tanks. Soil samples near an underground storage tank are taken and analyzed in the field, preferably using hexane as a solvent to detect the presence of hydrocarbons such as heating and waste oil. The soil-to-tank potential of the tank and the presence of water within the tank are measured and, if warranted, cathodic protection provided to the tank to prevent corrosion or further corrosion.

Abstract: A system monitors the stability of fats and oils especially having the capacity of simultaneous analysis of a multitude of samples making it convenient for use to monitor a production plant. A plurality of probes (made from a metal taken from a group consisting of nickel, chromium, rhodium, titanium and stainless steel) have spaced parallel electrodes immersed in a liquid carrier (deionized water) through which an effluent of heated fats or oils is bubbled. A common conductivity meter responds to signals from each of the probes, in turn, for measuring the induction time of the fats or oils samples. The instrument features a power failure recovery system that utilizes a battery-power clock, so that short duration power failures do not cause a loss of data. A long duration power failure does not cause loss of data to the point of failure, however incomplete analyses are stopped.

Abstract: A method for detecting low level of alkylbenzene or mineral oil impurity in polyol ester lubricants for compressors. This method comprises mixing a mixture of alcohol and water with a sample of the lubricant and then observe the presence or absence of turbidity.

Abstract: Aged and/or colored diesel fuels and similar petroleum distillates may be analyzed for the presence of an anthraquinone marker dye such as DuPont Chemicals Oil Blue B Liquid dye by passing a sample of the fuel through an unbonded silica solid phase extraction column which retains the color-forming agents on the column and which will provide for visual detection of the substantially nonretained marker dye in the column. A sufficiently nonpolar elution solvent such as dichloromethane or toluene may be passed through the column to elute the marker dye without removing the color-forming agents from the column. The solvent may be spectrophotometrically analyzed to detect presence of the dye.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a mixture of hydrocarbon oils by using gel-permeation chromatography together with infrared detection. According to the method the signals from the infrared detector are combined to form fingerprints (M) which are characteristic of the samples being analyzed and which represent the molecular size distribution of the various hydrocarbon fractions in the samples. Then, the fingerprints are combined either to determine the concentration and the fingerprints of an unknown oil present in a mixture of two oils, or else the concentrations of n known oils in a mixture of the n oils.

Abstract: A non-halogenated solvent mixture for gravimetric determination of grease and oil in an aqueous or a solid matrix comprising a mixture of n-hexane and methyl tertiary-butyl ether present in a volume ratio of 80% to 20% respectively. A method of gravimetric determination of grease and oil in an aqueous or a solid matrix which comprises preparing a sample; extracting the same using this non-halogenated solvent mixture; distilling; evaporating and weighing the extraction residue.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing engine lubricating oil under simulated engine operating conditions including a tank with an interior space containing a quantity of engine lubricating oil, an elongated tubular enclosure for passing oil from one end to the other, and an oil pump to cause oil to flow from the tank through the tubular enclosure. The tank includes devices to introduce oil oxidizing agents to the oil. A metal rod extends centrally through the enclosure so that oil passes along its outer surface and the rod is selectively heated so that oxidation deposits form along the rod. Examination and analysis of the rod and its deposits permit rating of a particular oil for its oxidation resistant properties.

Abstract: A method for the identification of whether a lubricant in a compressor is an alkylbenzene or a naphthenic oil. This method comprises adding 3,3-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) phthalide and observing whether there is an absence or presence of turbidity.

Abstract: A process for determining the suitability of soil washing for various types of soils, sludges and other solids is disclosed. The process may be applied to relatively small soil samples which have been contaminated in order to determine the suitability and economics for treating the tested soil using a full-scale soil washing process. The process involves the steps of identifying the contaminated particle size ranges contained in the soil sample, identifying an effective extractant for removing the contaminant of interest, and identifying an effective leachate treatment approach for the particular soil sample of interest.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring the presence of hydrocarbons in a fluid medium at a remote location, by sensing the presence of hydrocarbon-based fluid in the fluid medium in the remote location, generating a signal indicative of the sensed fluid, and transmitting the signal to monitoring means for indication of hydrocarbon contamination. The apparatus has multiple sensors at different vertical levels for sensing the fluid medium at a plurality of levels within the fluid.

Abstract: A testing device for determining the presence of occult blood in fecal matter has a primary support sheet with several window openings therein for receiving fecal matter. Guaiac test paper positioned on top of the support sheet covers the window openings. A strip of flexible opaque material is folded in two over the test paper, and a portion of the flexible material forms a pull tab which extends outwardly and away from the support sheet. An absorbent pad impregnated with hydrogen peroxide/alcohol is secured on top of the layered strip material, and a seal wrap covers the layers of strip material and the absorbent pad. Pulling the tab away from the primary support sheet draws the absorbent pad under the layers of flexible material and across the test paper to thereby moisten the paper covering the window openings and react with the guaiac in the test paper to turn the paper blue when blood is present in the fecal matter.

Abstract: In a method of diagnosing aged degradation of an oil-filled electrical equipment such as oil-filled power transformers, an amount of organic compounds, other than a combustible gas, dissolved in an insulation oil employed in the equipment is detected. The degree of aged degradation of the equipment is determined based on a result of detection of the amount of organic compounds.

Abstract: The concentration of detergent additives and the like in motor gasoline and similar liquid petroleum fuels is measured by evaporating a sample of the fuel and passing the sample through a light-scattering detector to measure the concentration of unevaporated particles of high molecular-weight, low volatility material present in the additive concentrate. A gasoline sample may be passed through the detector by a transport medium comprising one of heptane and iso-octane. Photo detector signals generated by the additive-containing sample are compared with signals detected with samples not containing any additive. The sample and the transport medium are condensed after analysis. The method is fast, does not require venting of volatile hydrocarbon fluids to atmosphere and may be carried out using a minimal quantity of fuel product as the sample.

Abstract: Marker dyes are detected in aged and dirty or "brown" gasolines by passing a sample of gasoline through plural solid phase extraction columns including a first column having a strong anion exchange phase bonded to a silica substrate. A color-forming reagent is added to the first column after elution of the gasoline sample therethrough. The marker dye colored complex and colored bodies not retained on the first column are eluted into a nonpolar solid phase extraction column with methane-sulfonic acid and the marker dye colored complex is eluted through the second column and into and through a third column containing unbonded silica. The color bodies of the gasoline will remain on the columns and the marker dye will be detectable at the bottom of the third column as evidenced by a pink color for marker dyes such as Morton International Mortrace MP marker dye and the like.

Abstract: A method for analysis of freshness of fuels, food products, and oils, lubricants and other fluids, and other organic materials, is disclosed which quickly analyzes oxidative degradation of a sample off-line by measuring the oxidation products of the material. A sample of the material is dissolved and subjected to single sweep voltammetric analysis to measure the current through the sample as a function of the potential applied. The resulting current-voltage plot reflects the level of oxidation products present in the material sampled. The method results in data which can be used to evaluate the freshness of unused materials which degrade during storage, as well as to monitor deterioration of materials during use.

Abstract: An environmentally compatible method for field testing gasoline, and other liquid hydrocarbons, for the presence of water and/or alcohol in the presence or absence of the other utilizing colorimetric reagents comprising methylene blue dye, anhydrous sodium borate and gentian violet dye in suspension with mineral oil. When alcohol is present a volumetric test using dilute nitric acid is further described to measure its percentage in the fuel.

Abstract: A chemical test kit and method for detecting the presence of impurities in an oil sample is provided. The test kit is comprised of two flexible translucent or transparent containers, each with at least one breakable capsule mounted within it. One of the flexible containers has a means for separating an aqueous layer from an oil layer. The capsules contain reagents capable of extracting the impurity to be detected from the oil into an aqueous layer and indicating the presence of a threshold concentration of the impurity. The method involves the steps of introducing an oil sample into a first flexible container, breaking the capsule within it by squeezing the flexible container in the vicinity of the capsule, transferring the aqueous layer to the second container, and breaking the capsule within the second container in the same manner. A chemical reaction occurs in the second container indicating whether the impurity is present at a given threshold concentration.

Abstract: The free fatty acid content of an edible oil is measured by a system including a supply of a carrier solution containing an organic solvent for dissolving the oil and a color indicating reagent and an oil sample supply connected to a flow-through colorimetric detector via a sample injection valve. The sample injection valve is movable between a load position wherein a sample stream of the oil is routed to a sample waste collector via a sample loop and a stream of the carrier solution passes through the detector via a carrier solution conduit and a measure position wherein a slug of the oil in the sample loop is introduced into the carrier solution conduit and mixed with the carrier solution prior to passing through the detector. The free fatty acid in the oil reacts with the color indicating reagent in the carrier solution to produce a color of an intensity indicative of the free fatty acid content which is measured by the detector.

Abstract: A testing device for determining the presence of occult blood in fecal matter has a primary support sheet with several window openings therein for receiving fecal matter. Guaiac test paper positioned on top of the support sheet covers the window openings. A strip of flexible opaque material is folded in two over the test paper, and a portion of the flexible material forms a pull tab which extends outwardly and away from the support sheet. An absorbent pad impregnated with hydrogen peroxide/alcohol is secured on top of the layered strip material, and a seal wrap covers the layers of strip material and the absorbent pad. Pulling the tab away from the primary support sheet draws the absorbent pad under the layers of flexible material and across the test paper to thereby moisten the paper covering the window openings and react with the guaiac in the test paper to turn the paper blue when blood is present in the fecal matter.

Abstract: Vanadium in marine diesel lubricating oils resulting from raw fuel dilution is detected and quantified by way of an analytical technique employing electron spin resonance (ESR). Dilution of the lubricating oil with residual fuel oils results in the presence of vanadium in the lubricating oil in a form which is capable of being observed by ESR; by contrast, vanadium resulting from the presence of fuel oil combustion products (pentavalent vanadium) in the lubricating oil is not observed by ESR. The method therefore enables fuel vanadium, typically present as vanadyl porphyrins, to be differentiated from vanadium resulting from blow-by in the engine so that the operating condition of the engine may be monitored.

Abstract: A process to find the stability of mixtures of oils, including that of shale oils, and of distilled fractions of petroleum oils is described, which process may be extended to any mixtures of non-ionic compounds containing a non-polar hydrocarbon moiety and a heteroatomic polar moiety, and such polar and non-polar moieties may lie in the same or different molecules.

Abstract: The methods and test kit of the present invention provide a fast, inexpensive, reproducible, simple, and accurate method for optimizing the dosage of an asphaltene dispersant antifouling agent for a given crude oil containing asphaltenes. A method is provided wherein a sample of the crude oil is diluted with a quantity of an aromatic organic solvent. To the diluted crude oil is added a known amount of the antifouling agent being evaluated. A portion of the diluted crude oil containing the antifouling agent is removed and mixed with a quantity of a liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon. The concentration of materials which remain dispersed in the liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon is measured. The inventive methods are useful to evaluate a single dose of an antifouling agent or may be used to simultaneously evaluate a plurality of doses in order to determine which dose is most effective for a given sample of crude oil.

Abstract: Mid-distillate hydrocarbon fuels, preferably having initial boiling points above 350.degree. F., are separated e.g. by prep-HPLC into non-aromatic and aromatic fractions which are used to set 0% aromatics (the non-aromatics) and 100% aromatics (the aromatics) on an NIR spectrophotometer. From NIR aromatic band absorbances of unknown samples, their percent aromatics is determined using this two-point calibration and the Beer-Lambert equation. Preferred NIR bands of 1650-1700 and 2120-2256 exhibit excellent correlation with aromatics content.

Abstract: Samples of a petroleum oil stream (e.g. crude oil feed stream to a refinery) are continually monitored to determine incompatible asphaltenes therein and the rate of antifoulant is adjusted in response to changes in the level of incompatible asphaltenes. The method of the present invention employs thin layer chromatographic films for separating incompatible asphaltenes and for measuring an optical property indicative of the incompatible asphaltenes, and for varying antifoulant addition in response to changes of the optical property measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the complete analysis of used oils, lubricants, and fluids. The method can monitor antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiators buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination or combinations thereof. The method can be performed either on-line or off-line but is preferably an on-line system, either a built-in system or a dip-stick type system, having a working microelectrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. A sample is contacted by the electrodes and subjected to cyclic voltammetric analysis, whereby a varying electric current is produced within the sample. The current is measured and recorded, and the conductance is measured. The remaining useful life of the oil, lubricant, or fluid is then determined from the wave heights of the oxidation and reduction peaks, and the contamination is determined from the conductance.

Abstract: A process for preparing a baseoil blend of predetermined coking tendency, and for measuring the effectiveness of additives for reducing coking tendency in baseoils, utilizing the relationship of the content of volatile fractions and low boiling fractions in baseoil to the onset and/or progression of asphaltene formation.

Abstract: A method and diagnostic test unit for the determination of one or more non-triglycerides in an oil using an oil-miscible test solution prepared from an oil-miscible vehicle of monoglycerides, diglycerides or mixtures thereof and an indicator deliverable in admixture with the vehicle for assaying the non-triglycerides, wherein the indicator in combination with the non-triglycerides forms a reaction product characteristic of the amount of the non-triglycerides, and the indicator and vehicle are present in quantities and at a pH effective to provide detectable quantities of reaction product. The reaction product development is compared to a known standard to determine the presence or amount of the non-triglycerides in the oil.

Abstract: A sample of a fuel/oil/additive mixture is metered continuously to a channel-like, inclined test element along which there is an increasing temperature profile. Under the increasing action of heat on the flowing mixture, solid residual products form on the test element after a certain flow distance. Their weight and the flow distance are evaluated in order to evaluate the additive.

Abstract: A method for measuring the halogenated organic compound content, e.g., polychlorinated biphenyl ("PCB") content, of soil samples may effectively be carried out with an inexpensive, disposable (that is, single-use) field test kit. The method includes contacting a weighted soil sample suspected of containing PCB or some other organohalogen contaminant with a pre-mixture of water and an organic solvent in which water is slightly soluble. The water extracts any inorganic halides which may be present and would adversely affect the accuracy of the test. The organic solvent wets the moist soil sample sufficiently to extract any PCB therein. The resultant organic solvent phase is separated from the soil sample and aqueous phase, dried by passage through a moisture-adsorbent material to remove or at least greatly reduce its moisture content, and analyzed by means of a color-change titration to determine halide content, and thereby the PCB (or other organohalogen) content, of the soil sample.

Abstract: An apparatus, which may be embodied in a disposable field test kit, and a test method serves to measure the halogen (bromine, chlorine, iodine) content, especially the chlorine content, of hydrocarbon liquids. The apparatus includes a sampling device in which a quantity of the hydrocarbon liquid, such as a used oil, is suctioned into a frangible collector such as a capillary tube to control sample size, and the tube is deposited into a flexible container which also contains frangible ampules holding pre-measured quantities of reagents, including a solvent for the sample. The container is squeezed to break the tube and ampules to release their contents in prescribed order. The sample is first solvated, then reacted with an alkali metal reagent which will form halides from halogen material present, extracted into an aqueous phase, titrated, and contacted with a color change indicator which acquires a characteristic color dependent upon the halogen material content.

Abstract: The fat content of food or non-food products can be quickly and accurately determined by processes which solublize the product's fat content in tetrachloroethylene. These processes generally involve extracting the fat from a product to be tested for fat content with tetrachloroethylene, dissolving the fat/tetrachloroethylene solution in a polar organic solvent such as acetic acid, treating the resulting solution with an aqueous surfactant such as Triton X-100.RTM. in order to transfer the solution's fat content to the aqueous surfactant and thereby inducing the formation of fat globules in a resulting suspension and then testing the resulting suspension for monochromatic light dispersion. The light dispersed at the maximum turbidity of the sample is compared to a standard curve plot produced by previous tests on tetrachloroethylene solutions of a pure fat taken from samples comparable to the product being tested.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of water in an organic test fluid including the steps of admixing a portion of the organic test fluid with a liquid indicator system containing a non-polar solvent which is soluble in the organic test fluid, and comprises a petroleum distillate. The solvent also includes a non-hazardous water soluble dye which will evidence a color change upon direct contact with water. The mixture is agitated to permit intimate contact between the indicator system and the organic test fluid. The mixture is then allowed to stand for a period in which the dye will react with any water contained in the organic test fluid, and provide a color indication thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general assay methodology suitable for the detection of organic analytes which are neither aldehydes nor ketones and for inorganic substances. The methodology utilizes prepared sensitized films of derivatizing agents and specific developer solutions for the selective and controlled formation of light scattering crystals whose presence serves as a qualitative and/or quantitative measure of the individual analyte of interest in the sample.

Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for the continuous analysis of the chloride ion content of overhead waters downstream of a hydrocarbon distillation column for more effectively preventing hydrochloric acid corrosion of downstream equipment while avoiding over-neutralizing the overhead waters to the detriment of the hydrocarbon product. This procedure comprises the following operations, in the order given or in a different order:Drawing from the overhead waters a stream of water for analysis;removing from the sample so drawn the hydrocarbons as well as the suspended matter;blowing nitrogen into the sample to sweep away the hydrogen sulfide ans the residual hydrocarbons;oxidizing the S.sup.2- or HS.sup.- sulfide ions to sulfate ions;acidifying the sample;finally, measuring by ionometry, and more particularly by means of a combined electrode, the content of chloride ions present.

Abstract: A method for assaying incompatible sediment in a blended heavy fuel oil is provided. The method is based on measuring total light absorption at 1600 nanometers wavelength, for example, of two or more samples blended to different viscosities, at least one such sample being at specification viscosity. The method may be used to control visbreaker severity so as to reduce the large ERT safety margin commonly used by refiners.

Abstract: A method for analyzing marker dye present in the parts per million range in gasoline is provided using a solid-phase extraction technique with formation of the colored complex in the extraction column as well as a method for detecting the adulteration of gasoline containing the marker.

Abstract: A process for preparing a baseoil blend of predetermined coking tendency, and for measuring the effectiveness of additives for reducing coking tendency in baseoils, utilizing the relationship of the content of volatile fractions and how boiling fractions in baseoil to the onset and/or progression of asphaltene formation.

Abstract: A very rapid, sensitive method if provided for determination of the potential mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity of certain petroleum oils by nitration of the oil and comparison of the light absorbance of its nitrated material with that obtained from one or more oils of known mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity.

Abstract: A process for determining the polarity of a crude oil or heavy fraction thereof in which the retention times are measured when a series of substances is contacted with a chromatographic column of crude oil, the retention times are measured when these substances are contacted with a chromatographic column of a second substance usually non-polar and the relative polarity of the oil determined from the times measured.