Abstract:
Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also for conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels (102, 206, 236, 266, 338, 362, 396, 522, 710, 876, 912, 1286, 1542) for containing reaction mixtures, and systems (180, 230, 260, 270, 272, 500, 1544, 1546, 1548, 1604) for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system (146, 1002) for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers (160, 268, 678, 720, 928, 1500, 1508, 1604), and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight. Computer-based methods are disclosed for process monitoring and control, and for data display and analysis.
Abstract:
Fluid sensor methods and systems adapted for monitoring and/or controlling distillation operations in fluidic systems, such as batch distillation operations or continuous distillation operations, are disclosed. Preferred embodiments are directed to process monitoring and/or process control for unit operations involving endpoint determination of a distillation, for example, as applied to a liquid-component-switching operation (e.g., a solvent switching operation), a liquid-liquid separation operation, a solute concentration operation, a dispersed-phase concentration operation, among others.
Abstract:
A circuit for determining characteristics of a fluid under-test is provided. The circuit includes analog-to-digital processing circuitry for interfacing with a sensor and host electronics. The analog-to-digital processing circuitry includes a frequency generator for providing stimulus to the sensor and receiving a response signal from the sensor. Conditioning circuitry for reducing analog signal offsets in the response signal and signal detection circuitry for identifying amplitude data of the response signal are provided. Further provided is analog-to-digital conversion circuitry for converting the detected amplitude data into digital form. Memory for holding calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics of the fluid under-test is included in the circuitry. The digital form of the response signal is processed in conjunction with the calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics to generate fluid characteristics of the actual fluid under-test. In other disclosed embodiments, the fluid characteristics can be obtained directly from a processed signal, which is differentially processed through a compensation device that is actively controlled by circuitry. In this alternative embodiment, curve fitting processing is not needed, as the processed signal itself provides the information that identifies the fluid characteristics for the fluid under-test.
Abstract:
A sensor system and method for analyzing a fluid contained within an environmental control system (100), comprising the steps of providing a system (100) including a passage for containing a thermal change fluid; placing a sensor (108) including a mechanical resonator in the passage; operating the resonator to have at least a portion thereof translate through the fluid; and monitoring the response of the resonator to the fluid in the passage. A preferred sensor includes a tuning fork resonator.
Abstract:
Particle and multi-phase system monitoring methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed. Preferred embodiments comprise one or more mechanical resonator sensing elements. In preferred embodiments a sensor or a sensor subassembly is ported to a fluidized bed vessel such as a fluidized bed polymerization reactor.
Abstract:
A sensor and methods for making and using the same in which a mechanical resonator is employed, comprising a resonator portion for resonating in a fluid without the substantial generation of acoustic waves; and an electrical connection between the resonator portion for oscillating and a source of an input signal; wherein the portion for resonating, the electrical connection or both includes a base material and a performance-tuning material that is different from the base material.
Abstract:
A method for analyzing a fluid contained within a machine, comprising the steps of providing a machine system (100) including a passage (104) for containing a fluid; placing a sensor (106) including a mechanical resonator in the passage; operating the resonator to have a portion thereof translate through the fluid; and monitoring the response of the resonator to the fluid in the passage. One specific sensor includes a tuning fork resonator.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for screening diverse arrays of materialsa nd for imaging a library of materials are provided using ultrasonic imaging techniques. Systems include tranducer lens (109) or mechanical resonator for exiting an element of library deposited onto a substrate (103) such that acoustic waves are propagated through, and from, the library element (101). The acoustic waves propagated from the element are detected and processed to yield a visual image of the library element; such acoustic wave data is processed to obtain information about various properties of the library elements (e.g. elasticity, molecular weight, viscosity, specific weight, dielectric properties, conductivity, etc.) of individual liquid elements. Acoustic waves are generated in an imaging tank filled with coupling liquid (107), with the library of materials then placed in the tank while the surface of the coupling liquid is scanned with a laser beam. The physical structure of the liquid surface distubed by these acoustic waves is recorded.