A method for determining the corrosion risk caused by biofilm formation for installations in natural bodies of water includes a) providing a device for measuring electrode potentials, comprising at least one metal sample and at least one reference electrode at a location close to the installation within the natural body of water b) continuously or intermittently measuring potential differences between said at least one metal sample and said at least one reference electrode over a sufficiently long period of time to allow for identifying any changes of potential of the sample resulting from ennoblement caused by biofilm formation, c) comparing the measured potential difference to one or more reference values for the respective metal of the metal sample, and d) estimating if and when the potential difference resulting from biofilm formation attains or may attain a critical value which would result in the corrosion of the respective metal at the respective location of the natural body of water.

The present invention relates to a system for detecting deposits or chemical inhibitor close to or on the surface of electrodes or pins facing a fluid flow where any combination of the components oil, water, gas and a chemical inhibitor fluid could be present, and where the electrodes or pins are coupled to measuring means for monitoring the electrical characteristics of the flow, the electrical characteristics including the complex impedance or complex permittivity. The system comprises detecting means transmitting a signal indicating presence of deposit or chemical inhibitor if the real part of the complex impedance, in case of hydrocarbon continuous flow, or the imaginary part of the complex impedance, in case of water continuous flow deviates from predetermined limits related to the electrical characteristics of the said flow.

A sensor arrangement used for measuring fouling and/or erosion in a machine. A first piezoelectric transducer, a first plate and eventually a first support member form a first vibrating mass. After electrically stimulating the first piezoelectric transducer, the first vibrating mass starts vibrating mechanically and consequently the first piezoelectric transducer generates an electric resonance vibration; the electric resonance vibration is at a resonance frequency depending on the mass of the first vibrating mass. If the mass of the first vibrating mass changes due to fouling and/or erosion by a flow of working fluid in the machine, also the electric resonance vibration frequency changes; such vibration frequency change may be measured and the corresponding mass change may be determined by comparison with a vibration frequency of a second vibrating mass not exposed to the flow of working fluid in the machine.

A system and method that determines whether a heat exchanger within a complex networked system is fouling is provided. The system and method includes training classifiers indicative of a plurality of fouling conditions associated with the heat exchanger and testing the classifiers with optimal sensor data from optimal sensors to determine whether the fouling is being experienced by the heat exchanger.

A biocide testing system includes test columns, a bypass tube, control valves, and a control system. Each test column includes biocide test coupons. The bypass tube is fluidly coupled to each of the test columns. Each control valve is coupled between a respective test column and the bypass tube. The control system performs operations including: controlling the control valves to fluidly couple the test columns to a water source; controlling a pump to circulate water from the water source into the test columns to immerse each test coupon in water; controlling the control valves to fluidly isolate the test columns from the water source and to fluidly isolate each test column from the other test columns; controlling a particular control valve to fluidly couple a particular test column to a biocide source; and controlling the pump to circulate biocide from the biocide source into the particular test column to immerse the test coupons in the particular test column in biocide.

The present invention discloses a method and system for protecting the operation of a train under an air pollution environment. The method for protecting the operation of the train under the air pollution environment comprises: acquiring multiple groups of roof and underbody air quality detection data; solving comprehensive roof and underbody air evaluation indicator Q.sub.0 and Q.sub.1 by using the experimental data; calculating an exposure time T.sub.0 of roof components and an exposure time T.sub.1 of underbody components; training a calculation model of pollutant condition about roof component and a calculation model of pollutant condition about underbody component; detecting roof and underbody air quality detection data after the train stops; calling the trained roof and calculation model of pollutant condition about underbody components, and solving roof and underbody component pollution levels, and performing corresponding cleaning on the roof and underbody components according to the solved roof and underbody component pollution levels. The present invention evaluates the exposed status of key components of the train under the air pollution environment, and takes relevant protective measures to ensure normal service lives of the key components of the train.

In various examples, a fluid ejection device may include a substrate with a fluid feed hole and a corrosion-detecting conductive path or sensor disposed behind a wall of the fluid feed hold. The corrosion-detecting conductive path or sensor may close a circuit in response being exposed to a fluid contained within the fluid feed hole.

A method of optimizing system parameters in a crude unit to reduce corrosion and corrosion byproduct deposition in the crude unit is disclosed and claimed. The method includes measuring or predicting properties associated with the system parameters and using an automated controller to analyze the properties to cause adjustments in the chemical program to optimize the system parameters. Adjusting the system parameters effectively controls corrosion in the crude unit by reducing the corrosiveness of a fluid in the process stream and/or by protecting the system from a potentially corrosive substance. System parameter sensing probes are arranged at one or more locations in the process stream to allow accurate monitoring of the system parameters in the crude unit.

An autonomous and independent biofouling detecting system for detecting biofouling associated with a plant membrane based on a test membrane. The biofouling detecting system includes the test membrane, which shares a feed with the plant membrane; a molecule detecting sensor that detects a presence of a molecule associated with biofouling of the test membrane; and a global controller that controls a flow of the feed through the test membrane and determines when the test membrane needs cleaning.

A method and system for early detection of biofouling utilizing a fluorescence based extracellular enzyme activity assay is disclosed. The method provides a means for early detection of biofouling on membranes used in flow-through membrane filtration systems for with a feed water flow, such as waste water of water for desalination. Also disclosed is an at-line sensor utilizing the fluorescence based extracellular enzyme activity assay that is positioned in the membrane filtration system for detection of biofouling.