Abstract: Evaluating surfactants for use in downhole applications, especially surfactants with similar surface tension or interfacial tension values and wetting properties, may be achieved with a sensitive column test using a non-uniform particulate media therein. An exemplary method may include providing a column containing two types of particles that differ by at least one of: a mean particle diameter, a sphericity, and a chemical composition. Surfactant samples may be individually tested by passing the sample through the column followed by a displacement fluid, typically an oleaginous. The displacement rate and volume of the surfactant sample may be used to assess the surfactant's suitability for downhole applications.

Abstract: A surface tension measuring device and a method thereof are revealed. The surface tension measuring device includes a container and a hole. A liquid analyte is filled into the container and the hole is disposed on a wall surface of the container while the liquid analyte forms a drop on the hole. The surface tension of the liquid analyte is correlated with an internal gas pressure inside the container, an external gas pressure outside the container and a level of the liquid analyte. Thus the surface tension of the liquid analyte is obtained by control of the increasing of the liquid analyte level or pressure difference inside and outside the container. Therefore, the reduction of measuring time, less space occupied, lower equipment cost and reduced operation complexity are achieved.

Abstract: A method of determining the suitability of a surfactant for use in a formation can include sampling water in the formation, providing at least two surfactants, and mixing each of the surfactants with the formation water to form surfactant/water samples. The method can further include determining the solubility of each surfactant with the formation water, comparing the solubility of each surfactant with the other surfactant, and assigning a solubility performance value for each surfactant based on its solubility in the formation water sample compared to the other surfactant.

Abstract: Methods for fast fresh surface formation between two fluids as well as a device employing this method to measure dynamic or equilibrium interfacial tension between the fluids.

Abstract: A microtensiometer sensor includes a substrate layer fluidly coupled to an enclosed reservoir. A porous membrane is disposed on a surface of the substrate layer. The membrane defines a liquid side fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a vapor side fluidly coupled to a vapor interface. The porous membrane includes a plurality of through holes fluidly coupling the liquid reservoir to the vapor interface, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of through holes. The filler material includes a plurality of open pores having a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. In one embodiment, the microtensiometer sensor includes a molecular membrane disposed adjacent to the vapor side of the porous membrane. In one example, the molecular membrane is formed of a highly crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene polymer having a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils.

Abstract: A surface tension measuring device and a method thereof are revealed. The surface tension measuring device includes a container and a hole. A liquid analyte is filled into the container and the hole is disposed on a wall surface of the container while the liquid analyte forms a drop on the hole. The surface tension of the liquid analyte is correlated with an internal gas pressure inside the container, an external gas pressure outside the container and a level of the liquid analyte. Thus the surface tension of the liquid analyte is obtained by control of the increasing of the liquid analyte level or pressure difference inside and outside the container. Therefore, the reduction of measuring time, less space occupied, lower equipment cost and reduced operation complexity are achieved.

Abstract: A method for investigating the thrombocyte function of the blood, and particularly of platelet aggregation, wherein the following steps are carried out: a) cross-flowing an aperture with blood or blood components; b) determining the active radius of the aperture depending on time and c) evaluating the time-dependent modification of the radius as a measure for blood cell and/or thrombocyte function.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring surface tension includes: a U-shaped communicating tube having a base section that defines a horizontal line, and first and second sections that extend from the base section, and that respectively have first and second top open ends distal from the base section; and a capillary connected to the second top open, and having a top open end. The U-shaped communicating tube has a diameter greater than that of the capillary such that the U-shaped communicating tube does not exhibit capillary property when a liquid is filled therein. The first top open end has a height relative to the horizontal line that is greater than that of the top open end of the capillary such that the height difference therebetween is greater than that between the liquid level at the first section and a liquid drop formed on the top open end of the capillary.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (Oscosurvismeter) for measuring osmotic pressure, surface tension, viscosity and conductance. Oscosurvismeter is made of Borosil glass material for measuring osmotic pressure, specific conductance, viscosity and surface tension of solutions. Solutions of different strengths are taken in two cells/compartments, partitioned by semi permeable membrane (SPM), respectively. Concentration gradient makes the solvent move towards concentrated solution to establish equilibrium that measures osmotic pressure. The Oscosurvismeter saves time and material, and enhances accuracy and precision in measurements, the instrument consists of six parts: Survismeter, Osmometer, Electrode, Metallic clamp, Semipermeable membrane (SPM), and High Potential metallic springs. The high accuracies data are noted with the instrument.

Abstract: The invention proposes new methods for fast fresh surface formation of a drop or bubble of a test fluid and a device to realize the new methods to determine the dynamic or equilibrium surface/interfacial tension (ST/IFT) of this liquid. The methods are implemented by means of a single device which is used both for dynamic and equilibrium measurements of the ST/IFT. Depending on the method, the determination of the ST/IFT can be performed either by Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis (ADSA) or Capillary Pressure Method (CPM) or both. In addition, with this device the Drop Volume Method and Stopped Jet Method can be realized, which has been modified and improved with the proposed invention in comparison with the known methods. The combination of several methods for creating a fresh surface and of two techniques for determining ST/IFT in a single device allows choosing the most suitable method for a given fluid system considering the system properties and desired time range.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the surface tension of liquids uses the bubble pressure principle, wherein a parameter relating to a bubble formed using a defined gas mass flow rate or volume flow rate is measured at the tip of a capillary tube immersed in the liquid. The surface tension is calculated from the measured value. With a defined gas mass flow rate or volume flow rate, the time between the minimum pressure and the maximum pressure and hence a defined pressure increase in a bubble are measured, and from this the surface tension is calculated. A relatively inexpensive sensor for measuring the surface tension in an appliance, such as a washing machine, using this inventive concepts is disclosed using a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: For measuring the surface tension between a liquid and fluid such as a gas, a capillary (3, 3?) is used in which the liquid slowly flows and at the end of which drops (11) are formed, falling off into a closed space (7) containing the fluid. Using a pressure sensor (5, 5?) the pressure is measured which can be the absolute pressure of a fluid volume enclosed in the closed space or alternatively a differential pressure measured as the pressure difference between the liquid in the capillary and fluid contained in the closed space. The pressure is measured when one or more drops are formed and full off. The obtained pressure curves are evaluated electronically (12) and provide a value of the surface tension. The measurement can be made within a fairly short time with a high operational reliability. The temperature difference between the drop and the surrounding fluid is small resulting in a little precipitation of salts dissolved in the liquid, reducing the risk that the liquid capillary with be blocked.

Abstract: Methods suitable for selecting optimal defoamers for use in fermentation processes are described wherein the methods comprise: (a) determining an amount of each of two or more defoamers which provides a requisite dynamic surface tension of at most 50 mN/m at a particular frequency in a fermentation medium; and (b) selecting the defoamer which provides the requisite dynamic surface tension at the lowest amount. Methods for controlling foam by determining and adjusting dynamic surface tension are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for studying properties, especially physical properties of a surfactant. A fluid is introduced in the form of a sample volume in another fluid which is immiscible with said fluid so that an interface is formed between the one fluid and the other fluid, at least in a partial area of a surface of the sample volume. The sample volume is configured so as to be axially symmetrical around a given defining axis, whereby the interface is formed axially symmetrically with respect to the given defining axis. The surfactant is spread across the interface to form a surface film in the area of the interface with the surfactant. Thereupon the surface film can by studied microscopically.

Abstract: A method for determining a surface tension of a solution in a container using a bubble pressure process includes introducing a gas volume flow into the solution using a capillary. A time-dependent pressure profile of the gas volume flow is determined during bubble formation using a pressure sensor. The gas volume flow is interrupted toward the end of the determination process by closing the capillary over the entire cross section of the capillary over at least a part of the length of the capillary.

Abstract: A library of materials is screened for mechanical properties such as surface tension or interfacial tension. A library of materials is provided. A stimulus such as a stress or force is provided to each member of the library. A response (e.g., a resistance) of each of the materials due to the stimulus is measured and the response, the stimulus or both are recorded and related to provide data. Thereafter, the data is analyzed to reach conclusions regarding the material samples.

Abstract: For measuring the surface tension between a liquid and fluid such as a gas, a capillary (3,3′) is used in which the liquid slowly flows and at the end of which drops (11) are formed, falling off into a closed space (7) containing the fluid. Using a pressure sensor (5, 5′) the pressure is measured which can be the absolute pressure of a fluid volume enclosed in the closed space or alternatively a differential pressure measured as the pressure difference between the liquid in the capillary and fluid contained in the closed space. The pressure is measured when one or more drops are formed and fall off. The obtained pressure curves are evaluated electronically (12) and provide a value of the surface tension. The measurement can be made within a fairly short time with a high operational reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dynamic measurement of the surface tension of a liquid by the bubble pressure process. The device is characterized by a moving measuring device with a flexible lead, conveying at least compressed air, to a sensor head which releases bubbles and can be immersed in the measuring liquid. The moving measuring device has an input keyboard for different operating modes, a display for monitoring the measuring modes and display of the measurement results, a volume flow source for generating the gas pressure, a pressure sensor for detecting the quality of gaseous bubbles, a microprocessor for measuring and evaluating the measurement results and an internal current supply for all power consumers.