The present invention is directed to devices and methods for monitoring the purity of monomers, adjusting the polymerization conditions, and consequently improving a polymerization reaction process. In one method, monomer purity is estimated using an on-line evaluation by raising the temperature of the monomer formulation having a defined melting point to a first elevated temperature at least 20 C. above a preset melting point for a selected monomer formulation; cooling the monomer formulation at a controlled cooling rate in the range from about 0.5 to 50 C. per minute; measuring at least one critical property selected from the group consisting of a) crystallization peak temperature at the onset of crystallization, b) an area under the crystallization peak, which represents the heat or enthalpy of crystallization, Hc and combinations thereof, comparing the at least one of the selected critical properties measures relative to such properties for standard setting monomer formulations.

An arrangement for preparation of a distillation measurement of a liquid includes a heater and a traversing system. The heater supports a perforated plate selected from a group of standardized perforated plates which further supports a container containing the liquid. The heater is enabled and controlled during the performance of a standardized test for determining evaporation properties of the liquid. The traversing system is adapted to traverse the heater and to interrupt a further traversing of the heater, if a pressure force of the perforated plate put onto the heater against the container reaches a threshold value.

An arrangement for preparation of a distillation measurement of a liquid includes a heater and a traversing system. The heater supports a perforated plate selected from a group of standardized perforated plates which further supports a container containing the liquid. The heater is enabled and controlled during the performance of a standardized test for determining evaporation properties of the liquid. The traversing system is adapted to traverse the heater and to interrupt a further traversing of the heater, if a pressure force of the perforated plate put onto the heater against the container reaches a threshold value.

A mud retort assembly includes a retort that heats a fluid and thereby generates vapors, a condenser in fluid communication with the retort to at least partially condense the vapors and thereby generate a liquid, a condensate collector that receives the liquid and residual vapors via an outlet pipe of the condenser, and a collector plug having a frustoconical body that extends partially into the condensate collector at an opening to the condensate collector. The collector plug defines a central aperture that receives the outlet pipe and has an annular flange extending radially outward from the frustoconical body to rest on the condensate collector at the opening.

A non-invasive method to monitor and control of lyophilization of a frozen product solution to remove solvents is disclosed which includes installing one or more wireless pressure sensors configured to fit into a lyophilization vial tray disposed in a lyophilization chamber having a plurality of product vials, wherein the wireless pressure are distributed among the product vials being lyophilized thereby providing spatial pressure variations, collecting the spatial pressure information from said wireless pressure sensors, calculating sublimation rate of the solution, and adjusting pressure and/or temperature within the lyophilization chamber such that the calculated sublimation rate stays within a predetermined envelope.

A non-invasive method to monitor and control of lyophilization of a frozen product solution to remove solvents is disclosed which includes installing one or more wireless pressure sensors configured to fit into a lyophilization vial tray disposed in a lyophilization chamber having a plurality of product vials, wherein the wireless pressure are distributed among the product vials being lyophilized thereby providing spatial pressure variations, collecting the spatial pressure information from said wireless pressure sensors, calculating sublimation rate of the solution, and adjusting pressure and/or temperature within the lyophilization chamber such that the calculated sublimation rate stays within a predetermined envelope.

Fluid flow systems can include one or more resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) in contact with the fluid flowing through the system. One or more RTDs can be operated in a heating mode and a measurement mode. Thermal behavior of the one or more RTDs can be analyzed to characterize a level of deposit formed on the RTD(s) from the fluid flowing through the system. Characterizations of deposition on RTDs operated at different temperatures can be used to establish a temperature-dependent deposition profile. The deposition profile can be used to determine if depositions are likely to form at certain locations in the fluid flow system, such as at a use device. Detected deposit conditions can initiate one or more corrective actions that can be taken to prevent or minimize deposit formation before deposits negatively impact operation of the fluid flow system.

Fluid flow systems can include one or more resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) in contact with the fluid flowing through the system. One or more RTDs can be operated in a heating mode and a measurement mode. Thermal behavior of the one or more RTDs can be analyzed to characterize a level of deposit formed on the RTD(s) from the fluid flowing through the system. Characterizations of deposition on RTDs operated at different temperatures can be used to establish a temperature-dependent deposition profile. The deposition profile can be used to determine if depositions are likely to form at certain locations in the fluid flow system, such as at a use device. Detected deposit conditions can initiate one or more corrective actions that can be taken to prevent or minimize deposit formation before deposits negatively impact operation of the fluid flow system.

A material testing system can be used for measuring material properties. The system can include an inner cell and an outer cell that cooperate to at least partially define a first internal volume. The inner cell can at least partially define a second volume therein and is configured to receive a material sample. A first plurality of cameras that are configured to detect visible light surround the circumference of the inner cell. A second plurality of cameras that are configured to detect infrared light surround the circumference of the inner cell. A thermocouple can provide a reference temperature to calibrate thermal data from the second plurality of cameras. The first plurality of cameras, the second plurality of cameras, and the thermocouple can provide data to a computing device. A pattern on the material sample can enable the computing device to track movement of discrete points on the material.

An arrangement for preparation of a distillation measurement of a liquid includes a heater and a traversing system. The heater supports a perforated plate selected from a group of standardized perforated plates which further supports a container containing the liquid. The heater is enabled and controlled during the performance of a standardized test for determining evaporation properties of the liquid. The traversing system is adapted to traverse the heater and to interrupt a further traversing of the heater, if a pressure force of the perforated plate put onto the heater against the container reaches a threshold value.