A system features a combination of an acoustic sensor and a communication transmitter. The acoustic sensor is arranged on a rotating container or drum having a slurry contained therein, including concrete, and configured to provide an acoustic signal to sense an acoustic signal containing information about a characteristic of the slurry, and provide acoustic sensor signaling containing information about the acoustic signal sensed. The communication transmitter is arranged on the rotating container or drum, and configured to receive the acoustic signal, and provide the acoustic signal received from the rotating container or drum for further processing.
G08C 23/04 - Systèmes de transmission de signaux non électriques, p.ex. systèmes optiques utilisant des ondes lumineuses, p.ex. infrarouges
H04B 7/26 - Systèmes de transmission radio, c. à d. utilisant un champ de rayonnement pour communication entre plusieurs postes dont au moins un est mobile
B28C 5/42 - Appareillage spécialement adapté pour être monté sur des véhicules avec possibilité de mélanger au cours du transport
2.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECOVERY AUGMENTATION PROCESS AS APPLIED TO MOLYBDENUM PRODUCTION
A copper/molybdenum separation processor is provided featuring a slurry/media mixture stage configured to receive a conditioned pulp containing hydrophobic molybdenite and hydrophilic copper, iron and other minerals that is conditioned with sodium hydrosulfide together with an engineered polymeric hydrophobic media, and provide a slurry/media mixture; and a slurry/media separation stage configured to receive the slurry/media mixture, and provide a slurry product having a copper concentrate and a polymerized hydrophobic media product having a molybdenum concentrate that are separately directed for further processing. The slurry/media mixture stage include a molybdenum loading stage configured to contact the conditioned pulp with the engineered polymeric hydrophobic media in an agitated reaction chamber, and load the hydrophobic molybdenite on the engineered polymeric hydrophobic media.
A selective recirculation circuit has a loading stage, a stripping stage and a filtering stage for use in processing a feed stream or slurry containing mineral particles. The stripping stage forms a first loop with the loading stage, and a second loop with the filtering stage. The loading stage has a loading mixer and a loading washing screen. The stripping stage has a stripping mixer and a stripping washing screen. The loading mixer receives the slurry and causes barren media in the circuit to contact with the slurry so that the mineral particles in the slurry are loaded onto the barren media. The media is directed to the stripping stage where the mineral particles are removed from the media. The barren media is recycled to the loading stage. The stripping solution recovered from the filtering stage is returned to the stripping stage and the mineral particles are discharged as concentrate.
B03D 1/02 - Procédés de flottation par formation d'écume
B01D 21/00 - Séparation par sédimentation de particules solides en suspension dans des liquides
B02C 23/12 - Séparation ou triage de matériaux, associé au broyage ou à la désagrégation au moyen d'un séparateur situé dans le passage de décharge de la zone de broyage ou de désagrégation avec retour des matériaux hors dimension à la zone de broyage ou de désagrégation
B03D 1/018 - Mélanges de composés inorganiques et organiques
ABSTRACT This invention relates to a technique for optimizing the performance of cyclones, e.g., operating in a hydrocyclone battery in a mineral extraction processing system, including extracting a mineral from ore. An apparatus is disclosed that comprises a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a central air-core of an overflow pipe of a hydrocyclone where fluid flow is concentrated in an outer annular region of the overflow pipe that is against an inner wall of the overflow pipe during a normal operation of the hydrocyclone, and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a collapse of the .. central air-core of the overflow pipe of the hydrocyclone during an abnormal operation of the hydrocyclone, based upon the signaling received. Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-17 APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF THE PRESENCE OF AN AIR CORE IN A FLUID CONDUCTOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims benefit to US provisional patent application serial no. 62/112,433 (712-2.419/ICCS-0135), filed 5 February 2015. This application is related to PCT patent application serial no. PCT/U516/15334 (712-2.418-1//CCS-0134), filed 28 January 2016, which claims benefit to US provisional patent application serial no. 62/108,689 (712- 2.418//CCS- 0134), filed 28 January 2015. This application is related to PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US14/52628 (712-2.410-1//CCS-0124), filed 26 August 2014, which claims benefit to US provisional patent application serial no. 61/869,901 (712- 2.410//CCS- 0124), filed 26 August 2013. This application is related to US patent application serial no. 13/389,546 (712- 2.330-1-1), which corresponds to PCT/US10/45178, filed 11 August 2010, claiming benefit to US provisional patent application serial nos. 61/232,875 (CCS- 0026), filed 11 August 2009; serial no. 61/400,819 (CCS-0044), filed 2 August 2010; and serial no. 61/370,154 (CCS-0043), filed 3 August 2010. This application is also related to US patent application serial no. 13/377,083 (712-2.326-1-1//CCS-0027), which corresponds to PCT/US10/38281, filed 11 June 2010, claiming benefit to US provisional patent application serial nos. 61/186,502, 12 June 2009. 1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-17 This application is related to US patent application serial no. 12/991,636 (712- 2.322-1-1//00-0962), which corresponds to PCT/US09/43438, filed 11 May 2009, claiming benefit to US provisional patent application serial nos. 61/051,775 (00- 0962P), 61/051,781 (CCS-0963P), and 61/051,803 (CCS-0964P), all filed 9 May 2008. The aforementioned applications were all assigned to the assignee of the present application, which builds on this family of technology. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to a technique for optimizing the performance of cyclones, e.g., operating in a hydrocyclone battery in a mineral extraction processing system, including extracting a mineral from ore. 2. Description of Related Art General Background In many industrial processes the sorting, or classification, of product by size is critical to overall process performance. A minerals processing plant, or beneficiation plant, is no exception. In the case of a copper concentrator as shown in Figure 1A, the input to the plant is water and ore (of a particular type and size distribution) and the outputs are copper concentrate and tailings. The process consists of a grinding, classification, floatation, and thickening, as shown in Figure 1B. The grinding and classification stage produces a fine slurry of water and ore, to which chemicals are added prior to being sent to the flotation stage. Once in the flotation stage, air is used to float the copper mineral while the gangue (tailings) is depressed. The 2 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-17 Since the volume of fluid flow of fluid through the pipe increases greatly when the central air-core collapses, the forces on the probe/sensor will also greatly increase. The probe/sensor can detect this increase in force by various means that are well known. One technique is to use strain gages to detect the bending moment on the probe/sensor produced by the fluid impact. Another example is using an acoustic probe/sensor to look at the frequency spectrum that will be significantly different depending on the presence or absence of the central air-core. An additional technique is to use a probe/sensor with one or more separate detection areas located along the axis of the probe. These one or more separate detection areas will experience significantly different acoustic signals depending on the presence or absence of the central air core, i.e. whether or not there is fluid or slurry impacting these separate detection areas. These one or more separate detection areas can be formed by creating acoustically isolated cylindrical areas along the cylindrical axis of the probe/sensor by using an acoustically isolating material such as rubber between metallic detection areas. Both the metal and isolating material should have very good abrasion resistance so they can survive the flow of abrasive particles in the fluid. The one or more separate detection areas may be coupled to individual transducers, e.g., via separate wave guides that are designed into the probe/sensor. Such wave guides could be concentric cylinders with acoustic isolation between them. By way of example, and as an alternative to the aforementioned wetted probe, the general design of such a probe/sensor could resemble, or take the basic form of, a typical audio plug like that shown in Figure 5A 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-17
B04C 11/00 - Accessoires, p.ex. dispositifs de sécurité ou de commande, non prévus ailleurs
G01F 1/28 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets mécaniques par détection des effets dynamiques de l’écoulement par débitmètre à force d'entraînement, p.ex. du type à palette ou à poussée
Apparatus features a signal processor or signal processing module configured to: receive signaling containing information about an acoustic noise profile that is directly measured and generated by a slurry hitting a probe configured in a part of a cyclone; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about the status of the part of the cyclone, based upon the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module is configured to provide the corresponding signaling, including where the corresponding signaling provided contains information about whether the part of the cyclone is damaged or worn. The part of the cyclone is an apex of the cyclone, and the corresponding signaling contains information about the status of the apex of the cyclone.
A transportable modular system for enhanced minerals recovery from tailings lines and deposits, features two transportable mineral recovery modules (TMRM), each TMRM for transporting as a truck mounted module to a remote site as an independently-operable mineral recovery module, each TMRM to couple to another TMRM on-site at the remote site and used together to provide enhanced minerals recovery. One TMRM having a central engineered polymer mineral recovery module that receives tailings fluid having a mineral particle of interest, processes the tailings fluid using an engineered polymer configuration, and provides recovered mineral processing fluids having the mineral particle of interest and a tailings disposal fluid. One other TMRM is selected from a group of TMRMs that includes another central engineered polymer mineral recovery module, a tailings fluid management module, an additive/chemical treatment polymer management module, a tailings disposal module and a recovery mineral processing module.
Apparatus for recovering a mineral particle of interest from a slurry in a mineral extraction process, featuring a core or substrate; and multiple layers arranged on the core or substrate, each layer of the multiple layers configured with a respective outer surface having a plurality of molecules attached thereto, the molecules comprising a functional group selected for attracting and attaching one or more mineral particles of interest to the molecules. Each layer is made from a polymer having a thickness of less than or equal to about 125 microns. The polymer is selected from a group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane or dimethyl siloxane.
Apparatus is provided including a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: respond to signaling containing information about particle sizes of solids forming part of a slurry stream being fed with a common feed flow into a battery of cyclones; and determine which combinations of cyclones in the battery produce overflow that has undesirable particle size characteristics using a statistical algorithm or technique, based upon the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module provides corresponding signaling containing about which combinations of cyclones in the battery produce overflow that has undesirable particle size characteristics, including control signaling to control the operation of the battery, including information about certain combinations of cyclones to avoid, or preferentially to use, to minimize the total amount of coarse material having the undesirable particle size characteristics produced by the battery.
B04C 11/00 - Accessoires, p.ex. dispositifs de sécurité ou de commande, non prévus ailleurs
G01N 15/02 - Recherche de la dimension ou de la distribution des dimensions des particules
G01S 7/539 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe utilisant l'analyse du signal d'écho pour la caractérisation de la cible; Signature de cible; Surface équivalente de cible
9.
POLYMER SURFACES HAVING A SILOXANE FUNCTIONAL GROUP
An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed, including a collection area or tank having one or more collection surfaces configured to contact with a mixture having water and valuable material, the valuable material having a plurality of mineral particles of interest; and a synthetic material provided at least on the one or more collection surfaces, the synthetic material having plurality of molecules with a siloxane functional group configured to attract the mineral particles of interest to the collection surfaces. The one or more collection surfaces includes a conveyor belt that is driven through the collection area or tank, through a release area or tank, back through the collection area or tank. The mixture includes a pulp slurry having ground ore with mineral particles of interest forming part thereof, including mineral particles of interest of about 500 microns or larger.
Apparatus features a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about acoustic emissions resulting from particles impacting a solid sensor element configured in a process pipe having a process fluid flowing therein, including a slurry; and determine particle sizes of solids in the process fluid, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor module may also be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the particle sizes of solids in the process fluid.
11.
SMART PROPPANT TECHNOLOGY FOR FRACKING AND WELL PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE MONITORING
The present invention provides a proppant or proppant mixture having insert materials configured for providing a mechanical or physical function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of a hydrocarbon from the well, the insert materials being configured at least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical taggant containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released from the well. The functionalized polymer may include a dual-monomer structure.
SMART PIPE CONCEPT BASED ON EMBEDDED TAGGANT-SENSOR AND/OR COLOR-ENCODED ELEMENTS TO MONITOR LINER WEAR IN LINED PIPELINES, INCLUDING URETHANE LINED PIPE
Apparatus, including a pipeline, featuring at least one pipe liner or coating configured to line or coat a pipe for receiving a process fluid flow, configured with at least one chemical taggant or tracer, and also configured to respond to the process fluid flow, and provide an indication about a degree of liner or coating wear or a location of wear in the pipe. The apparatus may also include the pipe having the at least one pipe liner or coating configured therein.
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about at least one rheological parameter related to a fluid containing Mature Fine Tailings (MFTs) flowing through a process pipe; and determine a dosing of a polymer to the fluid so as to cause a polymer induced agglomeration of the MFTs in the fluid, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor may be configured to provide corresponding signaling to control the dosing of the polymer to cause the polymer induced fine agglomeration of the MFTs in the fluid.
C10G 1/04 - Production de mélanges liquides d'hydrocarbures à partir de schiste bitumineux, de sable pétrolifère ou de matières carbonées solides non fusibles ou similaires, p.ex. bois, charbon par extraction
F17D 3/01 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou la commande des opérations de fonctionnement pour commander, signaler ou surveiller le transfert d'un produit
14.
FLOW PROFILING TECHNIQUES BASED ON MODULATED MAGNETIC-ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE TOMOGRAPHY
Apparatus includes a signal processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about an application of a rotating magnetic field across a fluid flowing in a pipe, tank, cell or vessel; and determine a flow analysis across the fluid flowing in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processing module may also be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the flow analysis across the fluid flowing in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel.
G01F 1/58 - Mesure du débit volumétrique ou du débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent, dans laquelle le fluide passe à travers un compteur par un écoulement continu en utilisant des effets électriques ou magnétiques par débitmètres électromagnétiques
15.
TOMOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF SCALE BUILD-UP IN PIPES AND OTHER TANKS, CELLS, VESSELS OR CONTAINERS
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about the conductivity of a fluid contained, processed or flowing in a pipe, tank, cell or vessel having electrodes around the circumference of the pipe, tank, cell or vessel in an irregular configuration; and determine a scale build-up in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel using a tomographic processing technique, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the scale build-up in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel using the tomographic processing technique, e.g., including where the corresponding signaling contains information about a chemical to be injected to control the scale build-up, including in a closed loop manner.
G01N 27/06 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance d'un liquide
16.
BUBBLE SIZE DETERMINATION BASED ON BUBBLE STIFFNESS
Apparatus is provided comprising a signal processing module configured with at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: receive signaling containing information about a stiffness of a concrete mixture; and determine an average bubble size of gas contained in the concrete mixture, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processing module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the average bubble size of gas contained in the concrete mixture. The signal processing module may be configured to determine the pressure inside air bubbles and determine an average air bubble size of the gas contained in the concrete mixture, based at least partly on the pressure determined inside the air bubbles.
G01N 15/08 - Recherche de la perméabilité, du volume des pores ou de l'aire superficielle des matériaux poreux
17.
CHARGED ENGINEERED POLYMER BEADS/BUBBLES FUNCTIONALIZED WITH MOLECULES FOR ATTRACTING AND ATTACHING TO MINERAL PARTICLES OF INTEREST FOR FLOTATION SEPARATION
Apparatus is providing featuring a synthetic bead having a solid-phase body with a surface, and being configured with a predetermined electric charge so as to respond to a corresponding predetermined electric field; and a plurality of molecules attached to at least part of the surface, the molecules comprising a functional group selected for attracting and attaching one or more mineral particles of interest to the molecules. Some combination of the solid-phase body or the surface may be configured from a polymer. The polymer may be polyethylenimine. The polyethylenimine may be engineered or configured to be highly charged so as to be used to collect the mineral particles of interest and then manipulated through and by the corresponding predetermined electric field.
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about a radiation impedance of a piston vibrating a process medium, including a fluid or slurry; and determine a speed of sound or density measurement related to the process medium, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module may determine a speed of sound measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the density of the process medium, including where the density of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module, or determine a density measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the speed at which sound travels in the process medium, including where the speed of sound of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module.
G01N 9/34 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en utilisant les propriétés d'écoulement des fluides, p.ex. l'écoulement à travers des tubes ou des ouvertures en utilisant des éléments se déplaçant à travers le fluide, p.ex. moulinet (ou ailette, ou aube)
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
G01F 1/86 - Débitmètres massiques indirects, p.ex. mesurant le débit volumétrique et la densité, la température ou la pression
19.
DIMENSIONALLY CONTROLLED 'ENGINEERED POLYMER BUBBLE' FOR FLOTATION SEPARATION
Apparatus is provided featuring a first and second cells. The first cell receives an ore slurry having mineral particles of interest, receives unexpanded polymer microspheres comprising a surface having mineral collector chemistry attached thereto with molecules for attaching the mineral particles of interest, causes the unexpanded polymer microspheres to expand substantially in volume into expanded polymer microspheres having a substantially increased sphere surface area, and provides an expanded polymer microsphere foam layer comprising the expanded polymer microspheres with attached mineral particles of interest. The second cell receives the expanded polymer microsphere foam layer, and causes the expanded polymer microspheres to collapse substantially in volume into collapsed polymer microspheres having a substantially reduced sphere surface area that results in a mechanical shearing off of the attached mineral particles of interest. The second cell may also provide a mineral concentrate output having the mineral particles of interest.
An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt or an impeller to be used in a processor to collect mineral particles in the slurry, or in a tailings pond to collect mineral particles in the tailings. The filter, conveyor belt or impeller has a collection area made of or coated with a polymer or a polymer-coated material having a functional group, either anionic or cationic to attach to the mineral particles. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic.
The present invention provides a technique that uses discrete wavelengths of illumination of an ore sample, and through the use of optical filters and laser illumination the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement can be greatly improved, and may take the form of apparatus featuring a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a spectral reflectance caused by discrete wavelengths illuminating an ore sample; and determine information about a bitumen content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling. The signal processor may provide corresponding signaling containing information about the bitumen content of the ore sample, including for further processing, printing or displaying.
G01N 21/25 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes
G01N 21/359 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes en recherchant l'effet relatif du matériau pour les longueurs d'ondes caractéristiques d'éléments ou de molécules spécifiques, p.ex. spectrométrie d'absorption atomique en utilisant la lumière infrarouge en utilisant la lumière de l'infrarouge proche
G01N 21/39 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes en recherchant l'effet relatif du matériau pour les longueurs d'ondes caractéristiques d'éléments ou de molécules spécifiques, p.ex. spectrométrie d'absorption atomique en utilisant des lasers à longueur d'onde réglable
An apparatus and method for collecting mineral particles in the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt, a collection plate or an impeller configured to contact with tailings of a flotation process, before and/or after the tailings are discharged into a pond. The filter, conveyor belt, collection plate or impeller has a collection area or surface made of, or coated with, a synthetic material having a functional group, e.g., having an ionizing bond to attract the mineral particles of interest. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic. When the mineral particles of interest in the tailings are combined with collector molecules, the mineral particles of interest may also become hydrophobic. The hydrophobic mineral particles of interest are attracted to the hydrophobic collection area or surface. The filter, conveyor belt, collection plate and impeller may have a plurality of passage ways or synthetic beads in order to increase the contacting surfaces.
Apparatus featuring synthetic bubbles or beads and a flotation stage. The synthetic bubbles or beads are configured with a polymer or polymer-based material functionalized to attach to the valuable material in a mixture to form at least some enriched synthetic bubbles or beads having the valuable material attached thereto, and also configured to be transported through the mixture based at least partly on a characteristic of the synthetic bubbles or beads. The flotation stage has the mixture containing valuable material, and is configured to receive the synthetic bubbles or beads and to provide the at least some enriched synthetic bubbles or beads having the valuable material attached thereto based at least partly the characteristic of the synthetic bubbles or beads.
Apparatus is provided comprising a signal processor that receives signaling containing information about an acoustic signal swept and sensed over a frequency range in relation to a pipe; and determines information about the structure of the pipe based at least partly on two or more sub-frequency ranges that form part of the frequency range in the signaling received. The signal processor also receives the acoustic signal being transmitted to the pipe and corresponding signaling in the two or more sub-frequency ranges containing information about reflections of the acoustic signal back from the pipe; and determines information about the structure of the pipe based at least partly on a coherent mixing of the acoustic signal and the corresponding signaling in the two or more sub-frequency ranges using a coherent acoustic tomography technique. Alternatively, the signal processor also receives associated signaling in the two or more sub-frequency ranges containing information about associated resonance in a liner of a wall of the pipe and determines information about the liner of the wall of the pipe, based at least partly on the two or more sub-frequency ranges.
The present invention provides apparatus, including a pigging tool, that comprises a spraying mechanism configured to move along an inner surface of a pipeline, including a slurry transport pipeline in a minable oilsands facility or plant, and to spray a coating on the inner surface of the pipeline; and a curing source, including an ultraviolet (UV) light source, a microwave source or an RF source, configured to cure the coating sprayed on the inner surface of the pipeline in situ as the spray mechanism moves along the inner surface of the pipeline.
B05D 7/22 - Procédés, autres que le flocage, spécialement adaptés pour appliquer des liquides ou d'autres matériaux fluides, à des surfaces particulières, ou pour appliquer des liquides ou d'autres matériaux fluides particuliers à des surfaces internes, p.ex. à l'intérieur de tubes
F17D 5/00 - Protection ou surveillance des installations
26.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING REAL TIME AIR MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS IN WET CONCRETE
Apparatus is provided having an acoustic-based air probe with an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete.
Apparatus is provided having a signal processor configured to receive signaling containing information about an acoustic signal injected into a mixture of concrete. The signal processor is configured to determine a measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on a dual frequency technique that depends on a relationship between the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received and on correlating the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received. The signal processor is configured to determine a phase delay due to a transit of the acoustic signal injected in the mixture of concrete based on the correlating of the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received. The signaling is based at least partly on techniques of encoded pulsing that are used to enhance the signal-to-noise of a detected acoustic signal. The encoded pulsing is based at least partly on a pseudo-random sequence (PRBS).
G01N 29/00 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
The present invention provides techniques for recovering hydrocarbon fluids in a process flow, including recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line. The apparatus includes a signal processor that responds to signaling containing information about the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and determines corresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based on the signaling received. The hydrocarbon fluid may be bitumen, including bitumen flowing in a course tailings line. The signal processor receives the signaling from a velocity profile meter having sensors arranged around a circumference of a process pipe containing information about a fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within the process pipe, including a wrap-around velocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays located radially at a top position of 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and 135°.
E21B 49/00 - Test pour déterminer la nature des parois des trous de forage; Essais de couches; Procédés ou appareils pour prélever des échantillons du terrain ou de fluides en provenance des puits, spécialement adaptés au forage du sol ou aux puits
G05D 21/02 - Commande des variables chimiques ou physico-chimiques, p.ex. de la valeur du pH caractérisée par l'utilisation de moyens électriques
G01P 5/00 - Mesure de la vitesse des fluides, p.ex. d'un courant atmosphérique; Mesure de la vitesse de corps, p.ex. navires, aéronefs, par rapport à des fluides
29.
ACOUSTIC PROBING TECHNIQUE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MULTIPLE LIQUID/FROTH INTERFACES IN SEPARATION AND STORAGE VESSELS BASED ON AN OBLIQUE TOMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS APPROACH
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor configured to receive from an array of ultrasonic transponders around a tank, container or flow pipe signaling containing information about acoustic waves of energy penetrating a fluid in the tank, container or flow pipe; and determine using tomography a three-dimensional image of layers of the fluid in the tank, container or flow pipe based at least partly on the signalling received and. The signal processor provides corresponding signal containing information about the three-dimensional image of the layers of the fluid in the tank, container or flow pipe. The array is an obliquely oriented array of ultrasonic transponders arranged on an oblique plane to the axis of the tank or column; or the array is placed normal to the flow around the exterior of the flow pipe.
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01F 23/28 - Indication ou mesure du niveau des liquides ou des matériaux solides fluents, p.ex. indication en fonction du volume ou indication au moyen d'un signal d'alarme en mesurant des variables physiques autres que les dimensions linéaires, la pression ou le poids, selon le niveau à mesurer, p.ex. par la différence de transfert de chaleur de vapeur ou d'eau en mesurant les variations des paramètres des ondes électromagnétiques ou acoustiques, appliquées directement au liquide ou au matériau solide fluent
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured to receive signaling containing information about images of an ore sample; and determine information about a Bitumen Content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling, including for use in real time ore blend management in a bitumen recovery process related to mined oil sands. The signal processor or signal processing module is configured to determine a Total Bitumen Content (TBC) by percent weight through a spectroscopic technique that ratios several different absorption wavelengths of clay, water and bitumen in the ore sample. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a spectrometer configured to measure scattered light from the ore sample, including via an input fiber optic bundle (FOB), and further comprises a lens configured to focus light that is scattered from the ore sample onto the tip of the input fiber-optic bundle.
G01N 21/31 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes en recherchant l'effet relatif du matériau pour les longueurs d'ondes caractéristiques d'éléments ou de molécules spécifiques, p.ex. spectrométrie d'absorption atomique
G01N 21/39 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes en recherchant l'effet relatif du matériau pour les longueurs d'ondes caractéristiques d'éléments ou de molécules spécifiques, p.ex. spectrométrie d'absorption atomique en utilisant des lasers à longueur d'onde réglable
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured to receive signaling containing information about images of an ore sample; and determine information about a Bitumen Content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling, including for use in real time ore blend management in a bitumen recovery process related to mined oil sands. The ore sample may be an ore face, and the signaling may contain information about the images of the ore face. The signal processor or signal processing module may be configured to determine a real time ore face ore grade visualization based at least partly on the signaling, and provide corresponding signaling containing information about the real time ore face ore grade visualization, including a composite overlay image.
G01N 21/25 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes
G01N 21/3563 - Couleur; Propriétés spectrales, c. à d. comparaison de l'effet du matériau sur la lumière pour plusieurs longueurs d'ondes ou plusieurs bandes de longueurs d'ondes différentes en recherchant l'effet relatif du matériau pour les longueurs d'ondes caractéristiques d'éléments ou de molécules spécifiques, p.ex. spectrométrie d'absorption atomique en utilisant la lumière infrarouge pour l'analyse de solides; Préparation des échantillons à cet effet
E21C 39/00 - Dispositifs pour tester sur place la dureté ou d'autres propriétés de matières minérales, p.ex. pour fournir des informations relatives au choix d'outils miniers appropriés
E21C 41/24 - Procédés d'exploitation minière souterraine; Tracés à cet effet pour les gisements pétrolifères
G01N 21/84 - Systèmes spécialement adaptés à des applications particulières
Apparatus, such as a flotation separation device, features a flotation cell or column configured to receive a mixture of water, valuable material and unwanted material; receive polymer-based materials, including polymer bubbles or beads, configured to attach to the valuable material in the mixture; and provide enriched polymer-based materials, including enriched polymer bubbles or beads, having the valuable material attached thereon.
A machine or apparatus featuring a first processor and a second processor. The first processor is configured to receive a mixture of fluid, valuable material and unwanted material and a functionalized polymer coated member configured to attach to the valuable material in an attachment rich environment, and provide an enriched functionalized polymer coated member having the valuable material attached thereto. The second processor is configured to receive a fluid and the enriched functionalized polymer coated member in a release rich environment to release the valuable material, and provide the valuable material released from the enriched functionalized polymer coated member.
Apparatus for use in, or forming part of, a separation process to be implemented in separation processor technology, the apparatus comprising synthetic bubbles or beads configured with a polymer or polymer-based material functionalized to attach to a valuable material in a mixture so as to form an enriched synthetic bubbles or beads having the valuable material attached thereto, and also configured to be separated from the mixture based at least partly on a difference in a physical property between the enriched synthetic bubbles or beads having the valuable material attached thereto and the mixture.
A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The synthetic bead has a surface made of a synthetic material such as polymer and the synthetic material is functionalized with molecules having a functional group for attracting mineral particles to the surface in a separation process. The synthetic beads can be placed in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, valuable material and unwanted material or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one location to another. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles are separated from the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are then released from the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation, thermal or electromagnetic treatment.
An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt or an impeller to be used in a processor to collect mineral particles in the slurry, or in a tailings pond to collect mineral particles in the tailings. The filter, conveyor belt or impeller has a collection area made of or coated with a synthetic material having a functional group, either anionic or cationic to attach to the mineral particles. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic. When the mineral particles in the slurry or tailings are combined with collector molecules, the mineral particles also become hydrophobic. The hydrophobic mineral particles are attracted to the hydrophobic collection area. The filter, conveyor belt and impeller may have a plurality of passage ways in order to increase the contacting surfaces.
B01D 61/00 - Procédés de séparation utilisant des membranes semi-perméables, p.ex. dialyse, osmose ou ultrafiltration; Appareils, accessoires ou opérations auxiliaires, spécialement adaptés à cet effet
37.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RELEASING MINERAL FROM SYNTHETIC BUBBLES AND BEADS
A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The synthetic bead has a surface made of a synthetic material such as polymer and the synthetic material is functionalized with molecules having a functional group for attaching mineral particles to the surface in a separation process. The synthetic beads can be placed in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, valuable material and unwanted material or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one location to another. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles are separated from the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are then released from the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation, thermal or electromagnetic treatment.
A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The synthetic bead has a surface made of or coated with a synthetic material such as a polymer that is naturally hydrophobic or a polymer that is hydrophobically modified. The synthetic bead can be made of glass having a coating or polysiloxane. The synthetic beads can be placed in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, collector molecules, valuable material and unwanted material or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one location to another. The collector chemical can be xanthates. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles are separated from the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are then released from the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation, thermal or electromagnetic treatment.
Apparatus features a container and a transducer. The container is made of a selected material and has a container wall with a selected thickness, and configured to hold a fluid therein. The transducer is configured on the outside of the container wall, and is also configured to provide a standing wave into the fluid. The selected thickness and material of the container wall is chosen to ensure about a 1 /2 wavelength of a desired frequency exists within the container wall, so as to substantially reduce back reflections toward the transducer due to any mismatch in acoustic impedance at the interface between the container wall and the fluid, and so as to substantially maximize the amount of energy delivered to the fluid, thus improving the operating efficiency of the apparatus.
G01D 5/48 - Moyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible; Moyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminé; Transducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens à base de radiation d'ondes ou de particules
G01N 29/28 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet - Détails pour établir le couplage acoustique
Apparatus is provided featuring an acoustic driver and a transducer. The acoustic driver is configured to provide an acoustic driver signal having a frequency that can be adjusted to yield a given wavelength, which in turn, will selectively capture a particular particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture or process flow. The transducer is configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency in order to yield the given wavelength that will selectively capture the particular particle size of the particles in the fluid, mixture or process flow, in order to determine the mass of the particles having the particular particle size in the fluid, mixture or process flow.
Apparatus features an acoustic comb filter module configured to receive signaling containing information about different frequencies F1 and F2 to create a selected comb spacing D to capture certain particles having a selected size X in a flow stream in a flow pipe, and to provide an acoustic standing wave via ultrasonic excitation based at least partly on the two different frequencies F1 and F2 to create the selected comb spacing D to capture the certain particles having the selected size X in the flow stream in the flow pipe. The apparatus may also include a particle size or distribution determination module configured to receive the certain particles for off-stream analysis via a detection port that forms part of the flow pipe and determine the particle size or distribution of the certain particles in the flow stream in the flow pipe.
G01N 1/20 - Dispositifs pour prélever des échantillons à l'état liquide ou fluide pour matériau coulant ou s'éboulant
42.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF A FLOTATION SEPARATION PROCESS, INCLUDING PARAMETERS OF THE FLOTATION PROCESS AND REAGENT ADDITION TO OPTIMIZE MINERAL RECOVERY
A method and apparatus are provided to control of a flotation separation process, including parameters of the flotation process and reagent addition to optimize mineral recovery. The apparatus includes a signal processor or processing module configured at least to receive signalling containing information about at least one acoustic characteristic of a froth layer in a flotation cell or tank of a flotation separation process; and determine a control characteristic related to the flotation separation process based at least partly on the signalling received. The signal processor or processing module may also be configured at least to: provide corresponding signalling containing information to control the flotation separation process based at least partly on the control characteristic determined.
An improved concrete is provided having a concrete formed from a wet concrete mixture; and a non-chemical admix added to the wet concrete mixture and configured to contain bubbles in order to control the amount of entrained air formed in the concrete when the wet concrete mixture cures into the improved concrete. The non-chemical admix includes a multiplicity of hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures, each configured with a respective cavity, unfilled space, or hole to trap and maintain a bubble inside. The hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures include hollow cylinders, or spheres, or capillary tubes, or some combination thereof. Each hollow object, body, element or structure is configured with a dimension so as not to absorb liquid, including water, including where the dimension is in a range of about 20-30 microns, and is made of glass or a glass-like material.
The invention provides a signal processor that receives a signal containing information about an acoustic signal that is generated by at least one acoustic transmitter, that travels through an aerated fluid in a container, and that is received by at least one acoustic receiver arranged in relation to the container, including inside the container; and determines the gas volume fraction of the aerated fluid based at least partly on the speed of sound measurement of the acoustic signal that travels through the aerated fluid in the container. The signal processor also sends an output signal containing information about the gas volume fraction of the aerated fluid. The signal processor may be configured together with at least one acoustic transmitter, the at least one acoustic receiver, or both.
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
B01D 21/00 - Séparation par sédimentation de particules solides en suspension dans des liquides
B60P 3/16 - Véhicules adaptés pour transporter, porter ou comporter des charges ou des objets spéciaux pour porter du mélange de béton, p.ex. avec tambour tournant
45.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING OF COMPONENT HOUSING WALL THICKNESS AND WEAR MONITORING
A method for monitoring wall thickness of an industrial piping component or pump/fluid machinery, including a pump casing for a pump used for pumping an abrasive fluid or slurry, comprising providing a signal containing information about a ultrasonic-based transducer pulse from a discrete ultrasonic-based transducer attached directly on an industrial piping component or pump/fluid machinery at a local point of interest and configured to inject the ultrasonic-based transducer pulse into the industrial piping component or pump/fluid machinery at the local point of interest and sense the ultrasonic-based transducer pulse reflected off a wall of the industrial piping component or pump/fluid machinery at the local point of interest; and determining with an electronic monitoring system the thickness of the wall of the industrial piping component or pump/fluid machinery at the local point of interest based at least partly on the signal received containing information about the discrete ultrasonic-based transducer pulse sensed.
New techniques are provided for measuring the thickness of a pipe wall using ultrasonic reflections. The apparatus includes a signal processor that receives a signal containing information about ultrasonic pulses injected into a pipe wall; and determines a pipe wall thickness measurement based at least partly on decomposing the signal received in order to identify either peaks using a cepstrum analysis or repeated spacing using a wavelet analysis. The wavelet analysis includes dividing data in the signal received into a specific frequency component and a defined temporal component in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured. The cepstrum analysis includes processing repeating pulses in the signal in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured.
Apparatus features a signal processor module that responds to signals containing information about sensed sound propagating through a slurry flowing in part, including overflow pipes, of cyclones operating in parallel on a cyclone battery, and determine corresponding signaling containing information about the performance of individual cyclones based upon the signals received. The signal processor forms part of a non-invasive acoustic-based passive monitoring system having cyclones and sensors attached thereto. The signal processor module provides the corresponding signaling as output or control signaling, e.g., for controlling the cyclone battery.
B04C 11/00 - Accessoires, p.ex. dispositifs de sécurité ou de commande, non prévus ailleurs
G01P 5/22 - Mesure de la vitesse des fluides, p.ex. d'un courant atmosphérique; Mesure de la vitesse de corps, p.ex. navires, aéronefs, par rapport à des fluides en mesurant le temps mis par le fluide à parcourir une distance déterminée en utilisant des moyens de détection à autocorrélation ou à intercorrélation
G07C 3/08 - Enregistrement ou indication de la production de la machine avec ou sans enregistrement du temps de fonctionnement ou d'arrêt
G01N 15/02 - Recherche de la dimension ou de la distribution des dimensions des particules
48.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREDICTING MAINTENANCE NEEDS OF A PUMP BASED AT LEAST PARTLY ON PUMP PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Signal processor modules configured to compare signaling containing information about historical data related to the performance of a pump, and provide corresponding signaling containing information about predicted maintenance needs of the pump on a real time basis based at least partly on the signaling compared containing information about the historical data related to the performance of the pump. The signal processor modules may be configured to compare over time the hydraulic power generated by the pump and electric power consumed by a motor driving the pump including tracking a ratio of hydraulic to electric power. The signal processor modules may be configured to predict maintenance needs based on an algorithm that takes into account a trade-off between the cost of power consumed by a motor driving the pump and the cost associated with the pump maintenance in order to minimize the total cost of operating the pump.
F04B 51/00 - Tests des "machines", pompes ou installations de pompage
F04B 15/02 - Pompes adaptées pour travailler avec des fluides particuliers, p.ex. grâce à l'emploi de matériaux spécifiés pour la pompe elle-même ou certaines de ses parties les fluides étant visqueux ou non homogènes
49.
DETERMINING SHEAR RATE AND/OR SHEAR STRESS FROM SONAR BASED VELOCITY PROFILES AND DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE
The present invention provides a new method and apparatus for receiving signals containing information about a plurality of velocity profiles of a flow in a pipe and about a pressure gradient of the flow over a length of the pipe; and determining information about an injection of a chemical into the flow in the pipe based at least partly on the information contained in the signals.
G01N 11/02 - Recherche des propriétés d'écoulement des matériaux, p.ex. la viscosité, la plasticité; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant les propriétés d'écoulement en mesurant l'écoulement du matériau
G05D 24/02 - Commande de la viscosité caractérisée par l'utilisation de moyens électriques
G01S 15/58 - Systèmes de détermination de la trajectoire ou de la vitesse; Systèmes de détermination du sens d'un mouvement
G01S 15/88 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques
50.
USE OF GAS VOID FRACTION MEASUREMENT IN THE CLOSED LOOP CONTROL OF A FERMENTATION PROCESS
A technique related to a fermentation process; where a signal processor receives a signal containing information about an amount of entrained air in a mixture forming part of a fermentation process in a tank; and determines a level of foam in the tank based at least partly on the amount of entrained air in the mixture. The signal processor may also provide a control signal for controlling an amount of defoamer (or antiforming agent) added to the mixture in the tank so as to control the production of foam within the tank by controlling the amount of defoamer added to the mixture in the tank.
C12Q 3/00 - Procédés de commande sensible aux conditions du milieu
C12M 1/34 - Mesure ou test par des moyens de mesure ou de détection des conditions du milieu, p.ex. par des compteurs de colonies
C12Q 1/02 - Procédés de mesure ou de test faisant intervenir des enzymes, des acides nucléiques ou des micro-organismes; Compositions à cet effet; Procédés pour préparer ces compositions faisant intervenir des micro-organismes viables
G01N 33/497 - Analyse physique de matériau biologique de matériau biologique gazeux, p.ex. de l'haleine
51.
APPLICATIONS FOR REAL-TIME MASS RATIO, MASS FLOW AND PARTICLE SIZE MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLE LADEN FLOWS
Techniques are provided for monitoring particle laden flows in a pipe, that include receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the parti-cle laden flow in the pipe; and determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the parti-cle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter.
G01F 1/76 - Dispositifs pour mesurer le débit massique d'un fluide ou d'un matériau solide fluent
G01F 1/86 - Débitmètres massiques indirects, p.ex. mesurant le débit volumétrique et la densité, la température ou la pression
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
G01N 9/32 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en utilisant les propriétés d'écoulement des fluides, p.ex. l'écoulement à travers des tubes ou des ouvertures
The present invention provides a processor or signal processing module that features one or more modules configured to receive an input signal containing information about the unsteady pressures or acoustic emissions caused by a medium flowing through a pump, and also configured to provide of an output signal containing information about the performance of the pump. The information about the performance of the pump may include information about pump performance monitoring by a slip flow measurement, about predicting impeller wear, about pump impeller cavitation monitoring, about pump monitoring through acoustic emissions, about pump leak detection, about pump efficiency monitoring and about positive displacement pump monitoring.
The present invention provides a new and unique processor module that features one or more modules configured to respond to one or more input signals containing information about a volumetric flow of a fluid having minerals and varying amounts of entrained gas flowing in a pipe and being processed in a processing stage of a mineral extraction processing system for extracting a mineral from ore, and also configured to provide one or more output signals containing information about operations of the processing stage of the mineral extraction processing system that is not substantially affected by the varying amounts of en-trained gas in the fluid flowing in the pipe. The one or more output signals may be used to control the operations of the processing stage. The one or more input signals may be based at least partly on a speed of sound measurement, including a SONAR-based en-trained gas measurement to determine the amount of entrained air in conjunction with a density measurement of the fluid flowing in the pipe.
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
G01S 15/88 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques
54.
FLOW AND PIPE MANAGEMENT USING VELOCITY PROFILE MEASUREMENT AND/OR PIPE WALL THICKNESS AND WEAR MONITORING
The present invention provides new techniques for non-invasive and real-time measurement of the velocity profile of slurry flow in horizontal pipes, as well as the measurement and trending of pipe wear on slurry lines. In the first case, this information can be used to determine the approach and onset of solid deposition on the bottom of the pipe. Having this information in real time can enable operation at lower velocities or higher solids concentration or both while avoiding solids deposition or plugging and their associated operational costs. In the second case, the present invention uses a permanently or semi-permanently installed ring of conformable ultrasonic transducers clamped onto the outside of the pipe. These transducers are used to measure the thickness of the pipe under their respective locations.
G01B 15/02 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation d'ondes électromagnétiques ou de radiations de particules, p.ex. par l'utilisation de micro-ondes, de rayons X, de rayons gamma ou d'électrons pour mesurer l'épaisseur
G01B 17/02 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de vibrations infrasonores, sonores ou ultrasonores pour mesurer l'épaisseur
G01N 29/28 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet - Détails pour établir le couplage acoustique
The present invention provides a pipe featuring an inner core; an outer pipe wall; and measurement instrumentation configured or arranged between the inner core and outer pipe wall, and also configured to respond to one or more process variables related to media flowing in the pipe and to provide a signal containing information about the one or more process variables. The pipe may include a pipe liner configured inside the outer pipe wall, where the measurement instrumentation in configured on the inside of the pipe liner.
F16L 55/07 - Aménagement ou montage de dispositifs, p.ex. soupapes, pour ventiler ou aérer ou purger
F16L 57/06 - Protection des tuyaux ou d'objets de forme similaire contre les dommages ou les usures internes ou externes contre l'usure
F16L 58/02 - Protection des tuyaux ou des accessoires pour tuyaux contre la corrosion ou l'entartrage au moyen de revêtements internes ou externes
F17D 3/00 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou la commande des opérations de fonctionnement
F17D 5/00 - Protection ou surveillance des installations
G01B 21/08 - Dispositions pour la mesure ou leurs détails, où la technique de mesure n'est pas couverte par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe, est non spécifiée ou est non significative pour mesurer la longueur, la largeur ou l'épaisseur pour mesurer l'épaisseur
56.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PARAMETERS OF A FLUID FLOWING WITHIN A PIPE USING A CONFIGURABLE ARRAY OF SENSORS
An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter associated with a fluid flowing within a pipe includes a single sheet of piezoelectric film material wrapped around at least a portion of the pipe and an array of sensors disposed at different locations on the film material. Each of the sensors provides a signal indicative of pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial and/or circumferential location of the pipe. The sensors are selectively configurable to provide the pressure signals. The signals are processed to determine the parameter. The array of sensors is configurable in response to different criteria. The criteria includes at least one of the parameter of the fluid to be output, an input signal specifying sensors to be selected, a predetermined configuration based on the parameter to be determined, and in response to a previously determined parameter of the fluid.
57.
AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING SETTLEMENT OF SOLIDS IN A MULTIPHASE FLOW
A method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a flow passing through a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least two spatial array of sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe, wherein each of the sensors provide a signal indicative of unsteady pressure created by coherent structures convecting with the flow within the pipe at a corresponding axial location of the pipe. The apparatus also includes a signal processor configured to determine the flow rate at the circumference location of each sensor array in response to the respective measured unsteady pressures. The signal processor compares the velocity of the flow at each respective location and provides a signal indicative the presence of solids settled at the bottom of the pipe and/or the level of the settled solids in the pipe, in response to an uncharacteristic increase in the velocity of a lower portion of the flow in comparison to the velocity measured above the lower portion of the flow.
An apparatus for measuring compositional parameters of solid, liquid, and gas components of a mixture flowing in a pipe is presented. The apparatus combines three different compositional measurements (e.g., the speed of light (microwave), the speed of sound (sonar), and mass loading of vibrating tubes or absorption of radiation) simultaneously to provide a real time, multi parameter, compositional measurement of gas-entrained mixtures.
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
An apparatus for measuring compositional parameters of solid, liquid, and gas components of a mixture flowing in a pipe is presented. The apparatus combines three different compositional measurements (e.g., the speed of light (microwave), the speed of sound (sonar), and mass loading of vibrating tubes or absorption of radiation) simultaneously to provide a real time, multi parameter, compositional measurement of gas-entrained mixtures.
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
G01N 9/24 - Recherche du poids spécifique ou de la densité des matériaux; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant le poids spécifique ou la densité en observant la propagation de l'onde ou de la radiation des particules à travers le matériau
G01N 29/024 - Analyse de fluides en mesurant la vitesse de propagation ou le temps de propagation des ondes acoustiques
60.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PARAMETERS OF A STRATIFIED FLOW
Various methods are described for measuring parameters of a stratified flow using at least one spatial array of sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe. Each of the sensors provides a signal indicative of unsteady pressure created by coherent structures convecting with the flow. In one aspect, a signal processor determines, from the signals, convection velocities of coherent structures having different length scales. The signal processor then compares the convection velocities to determine a level of stratification of the flow. The level of stratification may be used as part of a calibration procedure to determine the volumetric flow rate of the flow. In another aspect, the level of stratification of the flow is determined by comparing locally measured velocities at the top and bottom of the pipe. The ratio of the velocities near the top and bottom of the pipe correlates to the level of stratification of the flow. Additional sensor arrays may provide a velocity profile for the flow. In another aspect, each of the sensors in the array includes a pair of sensor half-portions disposed on opposing lateral surfaces of the pipe, and the signal processor determines a nominal velocity of the flow within the pipe using the signals.
A piezocable based sensor for measuring unsteady pressures inside a pipe comprises a cable wrapped around the pipe and an outer band compressing the cable towards the pipe. The cable provides a signal indicative of unsteady pressure within the pipe in response to expansion and contraction of the pipe. The cable includes: a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric material disposed around the first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor disposed around the piezoelectric material, and an insulative jacket surrounding the piezoelectric material and electrical conductors. The cable may be part of an array of cables wrapped around the pipe, and a signal processor may determine a parameter of the fluid using the signals. A housing is disposed around the pipe and electrical components associated with the pipe. Ends of the housing include a sealing arrangement, which provides a seal between the ends of the housing and the pipe.
62.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE FLUID FLOWING WITHIN A PIPE USING AN ARRAY OF PIEZOELECTRIC BASED FLOW SENSORS
A method, apparatus and system are provided to measure the process flow of a fluid or medium traveling in a pipe. The system and apparatus feature a standoff and piezoelectric-based sensor arrangement having a plurality of standoffs arranged on a pipe and a plurality of sensor bands, each arranged on a respective plurality of standoffs, each having at least one sensor made of piezoelectric material arranged thereon to detect unsteady pressure disturbances in the process flow in the pipe which in turn can be converted to the velocity of and/or speed of sound propagating within the pipe, and a cooling tube arranged in relation to the plurality of standoffs for actively cooling the sensor band; and further comprise a processing module for converting one or more sensor signals into a measurement containing information about the flow of the fluid or medium traveling in the pipe, as well as a pump and heat exchanger for processing the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube. The processing includes maintaining the cooling fluid at a desired operating temperature.
An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter associated with a fluid flowing within a pipe includes a spatial array of pressure sensors disposed at different axial locations x1... xN along the pipe. Each of the pressure sensors provides a pressure signal P(t) indicative of unsteady pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial location of the pipe. A signal processor receives the pressure signals from each of the pressure sensors and determines the parameter of the fluid using pressure signals from selected ones of the pressure sensors. By selecting different pressure sensors, the signal processor can configure the array to meet different criteria. In one embodiment, the array of pressure sensors may be formed on a single sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) that is wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface of the pipe. This arrangement allows a large number of pressure sensors to be quickly and economically installed.
A monitoring system (10) such as a septic tank monitoring system (10) for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank (100) with an elongate sensing probe (12) for being disposed in the septic tank (100), a plurality of sensors (24) disposed along the sensing probe (12), and a remote monitor (30) operably associated with the plurality of sensors (24) for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank (100) based on the signals from the plurality of sensors (24) so that a septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank (100) without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank (100).
G01F 17/00 - Procédés ou appareils pour la détermination de la capacité des récipients ou des cavités, ou du volume des corps solides
B01D 53/00 - SÉPARATION Épuration chimique ou biologique des gaz résiduaires, p.ex. gaz d'échappement des moteurs à combustion, fumées, vapeurs, gaz de combustion ou aérosols
G01F 19/00 - Récipients de mesure calibrés pour des fluides ou des matériaux solides fluents, p.ex. bechers gradués
G01F 23/20 - Indication ou mesure du niveau des liquides ou des matériaux solides fluents, p.ex. indication en fonction du volume ou indication au moyen d'un signal d'alarme par mesurage du poids, p.ex. pour déterminer le niveau d'un gaz liquéfié stocké
G01L 7/00 - Mesure de la pression permanente ou quasi permanente d’un fluide ou d’un matériau solide fluent par des éléments mécaniques ou hydrauliques sensibles à la pression
G01N 11/00 - Recherche des propriétés d'écoulement des matériaux, p.ex. la viscosité, la plasticité; Analyse des matériaux en déterminant les propriétés d'écoulement
G08B 19/00 - Alarmes réagissant à plusieurs conditions différentes, indésirables ou anormales, p.ex. cambriolage et incendie, température anormale et débit d'écoulement anormal
A system of one or more configurable flowmeters allows an individual, locally or remotely, to selectively activate one or more functions of the flowmeters. The individual is capable of selecting which parameter of the process flow that the flowmeter is to measure, thereby effectively providing latent functions that may be selectively brought on line or shut off. The system may also allow an individual, locally or remotely, to selectively activate one or more latent flowmeters in the system. The system may be a distributed control system (DCS), which receives input signals from conventional meters and devices in the process flow and provides control signals to one or more devices in the flow process. The system may also provide a method of flowmeter selection and billing.
G01F 1/74 - Dispositifs pour la mesure du débit d'un matériau fluide ou du débit d'un matériau solide fluent en suspension dans un autre fluide
H04Q 9/00 - Dispositions dans les systèmes de commande à distance ou de télémétrie pour appeler sélectivement une sous-station à partir d'une station principale, sous-station dans laquelle un appareil recherché est choisi pour appliquer un signal de commande ou
A system for monitoring, diagnosing, and/or controlling a flow process uses one or more flow meters based on an array of pressure sensors. A signal processor outputs at least one of a flow signal, a diagnostic signal, and a control signal in response to the pressure signals from the pressure sensors. The flow signal indicates the at least one parameter of the fluid, the diagnostic signal indicates a diagnostic condition of a device in the flow process, and the control signal is effective in adjusting an operating parameter of at least one device in the flow process. The system may be arranged as a distributed control system (DCS) architecture for monitoring a plurality of flow meters based on array-processing installed at various locations throughout a flow process.
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