Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for analyzing a fluid used in a machine or in an industrial process line. The apparatus has at least one meter placed proximate the machine or process line and in contact with the machine or process fluid for measuring at least one parameter related to the fluid. The at least one parameter is a standard laboratory analysis parameter. The at least one meter includes but is not limited to viscometer, element meter, optical meter, particulate meter, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X&eegr;) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube (13) for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly (16), the flow tube (13) is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics (50) which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly (16). By means of the meter electronics (50), a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics (50), which then determine the viscosity value (X&eegr;) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the concentrations of the components of a fluid are described, which can be used to measure the concentrations of the components continuously in real time and to monitor a high pressure gas, and is suitably used for in-line monitoring. In the method and the apparatus, a fluid sample is conducted through a measuring tube, wherein the measuring tube has a small aperture with a constant diameter in a fluid flow path. The pressure difference (P1−P2) between the upstream and the downstream of the small aperture and the flow rate at the downstream of the small aperture are measured to determine the concentrations of the components of the fluid.

Abstract: A library of materials is screened for viscosity. A library of materials is provided. The library is contacted with at least one capillary for applying a force through the materials. The relative flow resistance of the materials is measured in response to the force; and the materials in the library are ranked based on the monitored flow resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the movement of the fluid through a riser tube and a capillary tube. The movement can be monitored by detecting the changing weight of the fluid, using a precision balance or load cell, as it moves through the riser tube and capillary tube into a fluid collector; or, alternatively, the movement can be monitored by detecting the changing level of a fluid column in the riser tube using a column level detector. A processor then uses the changing weight or height data, along with the dimensions of the capillary tube and a dimension of the riser tube, to determine the viscosity of the fluid. In addition, apparatus and methods for determining fluid viscosity online and fluid mixture homogeneity online are also described.

Abstract: A viscosimeter for measuring the relative, intrinsic or inherent viscosity of a solution in a solvent with at least one flow resistance and one feeding point for the solution to be examined in a conduit system as well as with respective manometers on the flow resistance which are coupled with a differential amplifier, wherein the viscosimeter includes flow resistances such as disk-shaped or leaf-shaped Venturi nozzles or different KV flow resistances with the smallest possible thickness and with a small volume with respect to all other parallel and following capillaries in a flow conduit system with two legs which contains in the first leg at least three pressure reducing elements, for example capillaries, whereby behind the capillary following the branch point a pressure manometer is provided for with a connected bigger vessel, whereby behind further capillaries connected with each other with different diameters and with a big volume which corresponds to 100 to 1000 times the KV flow resistance in the second

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for affinity viscosimetry and a viscosimetric affinity sensor on the basis of sensitive liquids with analyte-dependent viscosity which are localized within a perfusable dialysis chamber and contain colloidal constituents which are cross-linked by affinity bonds. The viscosimetric affinity sensor according to this invention is characterized by the spatial or temporal separation of analyte diffusion from the measurement of the flow resistance for such sensitive liquid flowing through a capillary, needle-like body or other liquid conductor, which integrated combination of a dialysis chamber with viscosimeter enables a researcher to make measurements under lab conditions that provide spatial separation of the dialysis process from the rheological analysis, as done under test conditions where the maximum shear rate of sensitive liquid in the viscosity sensor is at least twice that shear rate of sensitive liquid experienced in the dialysis chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining viscosity of a low viscous fluid. A narrow tube samples a fluid sample. The apparatus or capillary viscometer determines viscosity within average relative deviation of less than 2% over a range of viscosity greater than two decades by mass flow rate. The apparatus includes a glass capillary viscometer with thermal jacket, balance with serial interface, and software for computer interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the changing weight of the blood, or the changing level of a column of blood over time. The apparatus and method utilize a riser, a capillary tube, a collector and a mass detector, such as a precision balance or a load cell, for monitoring the changing weight of a sample of fluid that flows through these components under the influence of the decreasing pressure differential; alternatively, the apparatus and method use a column level detector to monitor the changing level of the column of blood over time.

Abstract: The apparatus (10) is used for determining the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) of a Newtonian fluid or non-Newtonian power law fluid. A method is also disclosed. Accordingly, the fluid flows in a laminar manner through a first (12) and a second static mixer (14) successively connected together by means of an intermediary pipe (18). A first pressure differential (&Dgr;P1) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the first static mixer (12) is measured. Similarly, a second pressure differential (&Dgr;P2) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the second static mixer (14) is measured. Finally, the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) are calculated using the Metzner and Otto concept generalized to static mixers. The apparent viscosity may also be calculated. This invention may be mounted directly on a main supply pipe (16) and allows the rheological properties of the fluid to be known in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the viscosity of a sample solution which comprises an input tube for transporting a sample solution flow towards a splitter for diverting input flow into two distinct flow streams where three capillary tubes are located in the two flow streams placed downstream from the flow splitter, where each flow stream has one or two capillary tubes a delay volume, and a flow through transducer having hydraulic connections placed in one stream or in two streams used for measuring the pressure difference across the capillary tubes.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring the viscosity of plastic materials including a heatable housing structure, enclosing a controllable material pump for generating a certain material flow, a plurality of capillaries, a melt distributor is provided in the supply line of the material from the material pump to the capillaries with which the material can be directed to either of the plurality of capillaries and each capillary is provided with a pressure and a material temperature sensor providing the values needed for determining the viscosity of the material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for affinity viscosimetry and a viscosimetric affinity sensor on the basis of sensitive liquids with analyte-dependent viscosity which are localized within a perfusable dialysis chamber and contain colloidal constituents which are cross-linked by affinity bonds. The viscosimetric affinity sensor according to this invention is characterized by the spatial or temporal separation of analyte diffusion from the measurement of the flow resistance for such sensitive liquid flowing through a capillary, needle-like body or other liquid conductor, which integrated combination of a dialysis chamber with viscosimeter enables a researcher to make measurements under lab conditions that provide spatial separation of the dialysis process from the rheological analysis, as done under test conditions where the maximum shear rate of sensitive liquid in the viscosity sensor is at least twice that shear rate of sensitive liquid experienced in the dialysis chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining fluid viscosity comprises conveying substantially fully developed, uni-directional, and undisturbed fluid flow through a differential pressure measurement section and flow rate measuring means connected in line with, but separated from, the differential pressure measurement section. A preceding flow tube section is connected to the inlet of the differential pressure measurement section, and a succeeding flow tube section is connected to the outlet of the differential pressure measurement section so that entrance and exit flow effects are avoided in the measurement section. Differential pressure measured in substantially undisturbed, uni-directional, and fully developed fluid flow results in improved accuracy of viscosity calculation using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation.

Abstract: On-line rheological measurements are made on a process flowing material, such as a polymer melt, utilizing a rheometer of the type in which an inlet pump delivers a relatively large volumetric flow of diverted process material from a process main stream to an inlet site located in very close proximity to the entrance of a capillary passage, and a metering pump draws a smaller portion of the volumetric flow of the diverted material from the inlet site through the capillary passage for return to the process main stream. The viscosity of the diverted material is measured as a function of the rate of flow of the material through the capillary passage and the pressure drop between spaced apart locations along the capillary passage.

Abstract: A viscometer having a fluid volume-displacer or driver, such as a speaker membrane, and a pressure sensor or detector, such as a microphone membrane, forming the inside surfaces of a cavity that is sealed from the ambient environment of the viscometer except for a controlled leak such as a capillary tube. An electrical signal from the sensor or detector is processed to indicate viscosity of the fluid in the cavity. Additionally determined from the viscosity are heating value, oxygen demand and other thermophysical properties of the fluid. Also, absolute pressure is derived after viscosity is determined.