Abstract: A particle sampling system reads the moisture content of particulates (i.e., wood flakes) travelling through a pneumatically-driven conduit to control the remote drier. A rotatable hood penetrating an opening in the conduit is secured by a suitable mounting flange. When the hood is aimed upstream, facing the particle flow, a captivated sample drops through the apparatus into a special sampling compartment. After a reading the hood is rotated into a position facing downstream. Moisture-reading apparatus transmits light through the sampling window to determine moisture content. Readings may be relayed back to the drier for operating parameter correction. A suitable drive motor activates the hood assembly through a friction drive ring. A valve plate within a special housing may be switched between a closed position, defining the sampling compartment within its enclosure, and an open position, venting the apparatus to atmosphere.

Abstract: An aerosol can content analyzer workstation is disclosed which will make available the drug content of an aerosol can by a mechanical extraction process wherein the extraction is performed by isolating the bottom portion of the aerosol can in an extraction chamber. The aerosol can bottom is pierced by a metal punch after the aerosol can bottom is isolated. An extraction solvent is dispensed through spray holes in the metal punch in order to extract the contents from within the can. The extract is then collected in a collection flask and the extract is analyzed in order to determine the drug content.

Abstract: A disposable sampling device for an apparatus for counting particles contained in a liquid, including a solid block-shaped housing connectable in a defined position to the apparatus. The housing has a member for introducing a sample therein, a device for metering a defined volume of the sample, and a chamber for containing a defined volume (V) of a diluting liquid. A diluting chamber is provided together with a device for simultaneously directing the defined volume of a sample and the defined volume of diluting liquid to the diluting chamber for obtaining therein a diluted sample. A device is provided for directing at least a portion of the diluted sample past a particle detecting member, and a signal transmitting member connects the particle detecting member and terminal member located at an outer boundary of the housing in a position corresponding to a location of a terminal member of the apparatus when the housing is connected thereto in the defined position.

Abstract: Atomized particles within a desired size range (e.g., 1 micron to about 5 microns) are produced from two immiscible fluids, the first a fuel source containing the formulation to be atomized, and a second fluid source which is contained in a pressure chamber surrounding at least the area where the first liquid is to be provided. The invention provides a method for the formation of small, relatively uniform fuel particles for use in internal combustion engines and a nozzle-type apparatus for providing the particles to a combustion chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention facilitate processing of a fluid sample according to different protocols using the same apparatus, for instance, to determine the presence or absence of an analyte in the sample. In a specific embodiment, a fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid sample processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement chamber. The fluid displacement chamber is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement chamber and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement chamber. The body includes a plurality of external ports. The fluid sample processing region is fluidicly coupled with at least two of the external ports. The fluid displacement chamber is fluidicly coupled with at least one of the external ports.

Abstract: A portal apparatus for screening persons or objects for the presence of trace amounts of target substances such as explosives, narcotics, radioactive materials, and certain chemical materials. The portal apparatus can have a one-sided exhaust for an exhaust stream, an interior wall configuration with a concave-shape across a horizontal cross-section for each of two facing sides to result in improved airflow and reduced washout relative to a configuration with substantially flat parallel sides; air curtains to reduce washout; ionizing sprays to collect particles bound by static forces, as well as gas jet nozzles to dislodge particles bound by adhesion to the screened person or object. The portal apparatus can be included in a detection system with a preconcentrator and a detector.

Abstract: A method for continuous monitoring the presence of entrained catalyst in a regenerator flue gas stream of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit is provided. The method has the following steps: (a) passing the regenerator gas stream through a separation system to remove a portion of the catalyst fines and to create a cleaner regenerator gas stream; (b) collecting a sample portion of the cleaner regenerator gas stream and directing the sample portion of the cleaner regenerator gas stream through an inertial separating device to separate entrained catalyst from the sample portion of the cleaner regenerator gas stream; (c) collecting any separated catalyst from the inertial separating device; and (d) monitoring the efficiency of the separation system by analyzing at least the amount of the collected separated catalyst or the particle size of the collected separated catalyst.

Abstract: A system for filling a substrate having at least one chamber with a liquid sample is provided. The system in one embodiment includes a substrate defining a network of passageways including at least one chamber for the liquid sample, and an adapter. The adapter includes a fill reservoir for the liquid sample, a vacuum port for attachment to a vacuum source, and at least two channels. One channel allows a vacuum to be imparted to the network, and the other channel allows the liquid sample to be introduced into the network. The system also includes a mechanism that sequentially closes and opens at least one of the channels so that a vacuum can first be introduced to the substrate and thereafter the liquid sample introduced to the substrate for permitting the vacuum to urge the liquid sample to flow from the fill reservoir into the substrate. An apparatus for positioning a substrate with a plurality of sample detection chambers in a detection unit is also provided.

Abstract: A system for filling a substrate having at least one chamber with a liquid sample is provided. The system in one embodiment includes a substrate defining a network of passageways including at least one chamber for the liquid sample, and an adapter. The adapter includes a fill reservoir for the liquid sample, a vacuum port for attachment to a vacuum source, and at least two channels. One channel allows a vacuum to be imparted to the network, and the other channel allows the liquid sample to be introduced into the network. The system also includes a mechanism that sequentially closes and opens at least one of the channels so that a vacuum can first be introduced to the substrate and thereafter the liquid sample introduced to the substrate for permitting the vacuum to urge the liquid sample to flow from the fill reservoir into the substrate. An apparatus for positioning a substrate with a plurality of sample detection chambers in a detection unit is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in and a method of sampling material on-line in a process system, comprising: a sample collector (1) including a wall member (8) of fixed position on which a sample of material is in use collected; a measuring device (3) for taking measurements from a collected sample; and sample displacing means for displacing the collected sample from the sample collector (1) so that the sample collector (1) can receive a new sample of material.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tube which is elastically deformable and which is connected to a compressed-air passage to introduce a compressed air therefrom, a pressure lowering device which is provided at a position corresponding to an intermediate portion of the tube, and which externally presses, and thereby elastically deforms, the intermediate portion of the tube to decrease a cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion, and thereby decrease an amount of the compressed air that flows through a downstream-side portion of the tube that is located on a downstream side of the intermediate portion in a flow direction in which the compressed air flows in the tube, so that a pressure of the compressed air in the downstream-side portion is lower than a pressure of the compressed air in an upstream-side portion of the tube, the tube having an air-leak opening which is provided in the downstream-side portion thereof and which allows a portion of the compressed air in the downstream-side portion to leak into the a

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for evaporative light scattering detection that can be used for a wide range of sample types and mobile phases. The device may be quickly converted between a single flow and a split flow configuration through the use of a retractable impactor.

Abstract: The process is disclosed for transforming a liquid mixture sample in a pressurized container to a vapor phase sample of substantially the same concentration as in the liquid mixture which includes the combination of a coarse filter, a first orifice or pressure regulator device, a pressure cut-off switch or second pressure regulator, a coalescing filter, and a fitting for linking the device to an analytical device.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a portable hand device with biosensor for the investigation of biological fluids such as whole blood, liquor, urine and serum. It is characterized by a securely fixed electrode, which is covered by a replaceable biomembrane, as reservoir bag containing system solution and a waste bag, a pump, a tube transport system, an operating lever with a valve function, three operating elements, a display, and a control unit signal capture and overall procedure.