Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling dynamic multi-phase flow phenomena, capable of sensing, detecting, quantifying, and inferring characteristics, properties, and compositions (including static and dynamic characteristics, properties and compositions). The systems combine machine vision and mathematical models, which enables direct observation and detection of static and dynamic multi-phase fluid flow properties and phenomena (e.g. voids, waves, shadows, dimples, wrinkles, foam, bubbles, particulates, discrete materials, collections of materials, and position) and inferring other properties and phenomena (e.g. flow regimes, bubble velocities and accelerations, material deposition rates, erosion rates, phasic critical behavioral points as related to heat transfer, and the volumetric and mass flow rates of the phases) that are used to monitor and control systems applied to a multi-phase fluid flow system.

The invention relates to a method for determining the intrinsic viscosity [η] of an aqueous polymer solution at a temperature T, wherein the aqueous polymer solution comprises at least one acrylamide-based polymer in an aqueous solvent, the aqueous solvent having a salinity of from 6 to 250 g/L, the method comprising the steps of: —providing a single universal relation R.sub.1 between (i), the product of polymer concentration and intrinsic viscosity C.Math.[η], and (ii) specific viscosity at zero shear rate η.sub.sp; —performing a measurement of the dynamic viscosity of the aqueous polymer solution at one polymer concentration C.sub.1, at temperature T and at various shear rates; —determining from said measurement the zero-shear viscosity η.sub.0 of the aqueous polymer solution at polymer concentration C.sub.1 and at temperature T; —calculating the specific viscosity at zero shear rate of the aqueous polymer solution at polymer concentration C and at temperature T as η.sub.sp=(η.sub.0−η.sub.s)/η.sub.s, where η.sub.s is the zero-shear viscosity of the aqueous solvent; —estimating the intrinsic viscosity [η] of the aqueous polymer solution at temperature T by applying the universal relation R.sub.1 to the calculated specific viscosity at zero shear rate η.sub.sp and polymer concentration C.sub.1.

The invention relates to a method for determining the intrinsic viscosity [η] of an aqueous polymer solution at a temperature T, wherein the aqueous polymer solution comprises at least one acrylamide-based polymer in an aqueous solvent, the aqueous solvent having a salinity of from 6 to 250 g/L, the method comprising the steps of: —providing a single universal relation R.sub.1 between (i), the product of polymer concentration and intrinsic viscosity C.Math.[η], and (ii) specific viscosity at zero shear rate η.sub.sp; —performing a measurement of the dynamic viscosity of the aqueous polymer solution at one polymer concentration C.sub.1, at temperature T and at various shear rates; —determining from said measurement the zero-shear viscosity η.sub.0 of the aqueous polymer solution at polymer concentration C.sub.1 and at temperature T; —calculating the specific viscosity at zero shear rate of the aqueous polymer solution at polymer concentration C and at temperature T as η.sub.sp=(η.sub.0−η.sub.s)/η.sub.s, where η.sub.s is the zero-shear viscosity of the aqueous solvent; —estimating the intrinsic viscosity [η] of the aqueous polymer solution at temperature T by applying the universal relation R.sub.1 to the calculated specific viscosity at zero shear rate η.sub.sp and polymer concentration C.sub.1.

An acoustical non-contact levitation system and method for eliciting the deformation response of biological samples, coupled with the data analysis to yield quantitative measures of established time-dependent viscoelastic material properties. Embodiments allow for measurement to occur in near-real-time by way of a computer. In use, a biological sample is placed in an acoustic levitator, where it is induced to oscillate, such that material properties of the sample can be observed and analyzed by way of a camera and/or photodiode.

An acoustical non-contact levitation system and method for eliciting the deformation response of biological samples, coupled with the data analysis to yield quantitative measures of established time-dependent viscoelastic material properties. Embodiments allow for measurement to occur in near-real-time by way of a computer. In use, a biological sample is placed in an acoustic levitator, where it is induced to oscillate, such that material properties of the sample can be observed and analyzed by way of a camera and/or photodiode.

A system for analysing a fluid is described, including an in-line sensor configured to analyse a fluid flowing past the in-line sensor to determine at least one in-line value of a fluid parameter of the fluid across an event period, and a sample sensor configured to analyse a sample of fluid extracted from the flow of fluid during the event period, to determine a sample value of the fluid parameter for the sample. At least one processor is provided, configured to determine a representative in-line value of the fluid parameter across the event period based at least in part on the at least one in-line value, and determine an overall representative value of the fluid parameter across the event period based on the representative in-line value, the sample value for the sample, and one or more of the in-line values corresponding to the time of extracting the sample, wherein determination of the overall representative value is based on an error correction value determined for the in-line sensor during the event period.

A system for analysing a fluid is described, including an in-line sensor configured to analyse a fluid flowing past the in-line sensor to determine at least one in-line value of a fluid parameter of the fluid across an event period, and a sample sensor configured to analyse a sample of fluid extracted from the flow of fluid during the event period, to determine a sample value of the fluid parameter for the sample. At least one processor is provided, configured to determine a representative in-line value of the fluid parameter across the event period based at least in part on the at least one in-line value, and determine an overall representative value of the fluid parameter across the event period based on the representative in-line value, the sample value for the sample, and one or more of the in-line values corresponding to the time of extracting the sample, wherein determination of the overall representative value is based on an error correction value determined for the in-line sensor during the event period.

A method for determining a suitability of a lubricant to avoid false brinelling damage in a bearing includes providing a rheometer and the lubricant, performing a first conditioning of the rheometer, filling the rheometer with a first lubricant sample, and deforming the first lubricant sample to determine a first shear stress from a first shear deformation of the first lubricant sample at the first temperature, with reference to the first zero point. The method also includes performing a second conditioning of the rheometer, refilling the rheometer with a second lubricant sample, and deforming the second lubricant sample to determine a second shear stress from a second shear deformation of the second lubricant sample at the second temperature, with reference to the second zero point. The lubricant is classified as suitable or unsuitable for avoiding false brinelling damage as a function of the first shear stress and the second shear stress.

A method for determining a suitability of a lubricant to avoid false brinelling damage in a bearing includes providing a rheometer and the lubricant, performing a first conditioning of the rheometer, filling the rheometer with a first lubricant sample, and deforming the first lubricant sample to determine a first shear stress from a first shear deformation of the first lubricant sample at the first temperature, with reference to the first zero point. The method also includes performing a second conditioning of the rheometer, refilling the rheometer with a second lubricant sample, and deforming the second lubricant sample to determine a second shear stress from a second shear deformation of the second lubricant sample at the second temperature, with reference to the second zero point. The lubricant is classified as suitable or unsuitable for avoiding false brinelling damage as a function of the first shear stress and the second shear stress.

A method of quantifying a viscoelastic effect of a polymer on residual oil saturation (S.sub.or) including calculating an extensional capillary number (N.sub.ce) using flux, pore-scale apparent viscosity, and interfacial tension to account for the polymer's viscoelastic forces that are responsible for S.sub.or reduction. The polymer is used polymer flooding during enhanced oil recovery. An extensional capillary number is calculated for a plurality of polymer materials, which are then compiled in a database. Also provided is a reservoir simulator for predicting the S.sub.or reduction potential of the viscoelastic polymer, which includes a database of calculated extensional capillary numbers for a plurality of polymers. The database includes a curve generated from the calculated extensional capillary numbers for a plurality of polymers properties, flux rates, formation nature, oil viscosities, and rheological behaviors.