Described herein are systems and methods for the automated adjustment of flour property measurement equipment such as dough rheometers. The systems and methods allow measurements of flour and dough to be performed on different rheometers with consistent results, regardless of the manufacturer or location of the rheometers. The systems and methods described herein allow a second rheometer, for example, that is deployed in the field to provide results that are consistent with a first dough rheometer, for example, that may be at a different location, or the same location but of the same or different manufacturer. The systems and methods can be used to calibrate, remotely and in real-time, dough rheometers that are deployed in various locations.

An apparatus for monitoring the effective dissolving of a polymer when the use region is not accessible. The apparatus includes a pipe on which are inserted, consecutively: a pump, a flowmeter, a water or brine inlet mechanism for diluting the mother solution flowing in the pipe, a mixer capable of in-line homogenization of the diluted mother solution, a first tube calibrated to simulate the distance and the conditions for moving the diluted solution in the main pipe between the point where the mother solution is diluted and the use region, a mechanism capable of reducing the pressure of the diluted solution flowing in the pipe upstream of the first tube that is calibrated from 10 to 10000 kPa (from 0.1 to 100 bar), a second calibrated tube for creating a head loss, and a device for measuring differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the second calibrated tube.

The present invention generally relates to methods for decreasing viscosity, yield stress, or viscosity and yield stress of an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. More specifically, the method comprises applying an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer to an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. The water-soluble polymers comprise polyanion, polycation, and polar water-soluble polymer components. The present invention also relates to water-soluble asphaltene dispersants.

The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.

Disclosed are method and system for treating concrete in mixing drums of delivery vehicles having automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring systems programmed to dose fluids into concrete based on the monitored rheology. The present invention takes into account a Revolution-To-Discharge value (RTD) which reflects drum rotations needed to move concrete towards and through the mixing drum opening from which concrete is discharged, and also takes into consideration a Volume-Per-Revolution-Upon-Discharge (VPRUD) value which reflects the relation between the rate of discharge and rheology (e.g., slump) of concrete upon discharge. The invention is especially useful for reclaiming concrete in the drum after delivery and can confirm rheology based upon peak (maximum) discharge pressure. The present inventors found surprisingly that discharge pressure readings are useful for recalibrating automated rheology monitoring systems as well as for reporting and/or treating the remainder concrete.

The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

A system features an acoustic sensor configured to mount on a wall of a mixing drum, sense an acoustic characteristic of a mixture of a slurry, including concrete, contained in a mixing drum when rotating, and provide acoustic sensor signaling containing information about the acoustic characteristic sensed; and a signal processor configured to receive the acoustic sensor signaling, and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a slump characteristic of the mixture of concrete contained in the mixing drum, based upon the signaling received.

A fluid sensing device is provided, including a main body and a light sensing unit. The main body includes a casing and a rotary member. A containing chamber is formed in the casing. The rotary member is rotatably disposed in the casing, and the rotary member has at least one transparent portion. A fluid flows into the containing chamber to drive the rotary member rotating around a central axis. The light sensing unit includes a first light transceiver module and a second light transceiver module disposed near the main body in an asymmetrical manner with respect to the central axis to transmit and receive the light passing through the translucent portion.

A time-varying detecting device and method for concrete rheological parameters, in which the double-covered cylinder has top and bottom covers (11, 12), both of which can be freely opened, is configured to contain a concrete sample, and a lifting frame includes a pair of vertical supports (21) extending in parallel with each other. The double-covered cylindrical container is held between the pair of vertical supports (21) by means of connecting members (30) in such a manner that it can be flipped 180? about a straight line along which the connecting members (30) extend under the action of an external force. To perform a test, the top cover (11) is opened and a concrete mix is filled in, followed by detecting initial rheological parameters. The top cover (11) is closed, and the concrete mix is left for a predetermined period of time. The double-covered cylindrical container is lifted to a predetermined height by raising the connecting members (30), flipped 180? and lowered back onto the floor. The bottom cover (12) is opened, and the concrete mix is re-mixed and homogenized, followed by finally detecting the time-varying rheological parameters of the concrete mix.

A fluid sensing device is provided, including a main body and a light sensing unit. The main body includes a casing and a rotary member. A containing chamber is formed in the casing. The rotary member is rotatably disposed in the casing, and the rotary member has at least one transparent portion. A fluid flows into the containing chamber to drive the rotary member rotating around a central axis. The light sensing unit includes a first light transceiver module and a second light transceiver module disposed near the main body in an asymmetrical manner with respect to the central axis to transmit and receive the light passing through the translucent portion.