A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (ICE) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.

Provided is an apparatus capable of distinguishing a kind of a powder deposited on an inner surface of a pipe, and more precisely measuring a thickness of the powder deposited on the inner surface of the pipe. The apparatus for measuring a thickness of a powder deposited on an inner surface of a pipe, includes a pair of the first electrodes disposed adjacent to one portion of the inner surface of the pipe and used to measure a first capacitance and thus to distinguish a kind of the powder, and a pair of second electrodes disposed in the pipe to be spaced from each other and to be symmetrical with respect to a center portion of the pipe and used to measure a second and a third capacitance.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (ICE) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.

An apparatus and method for measuring molecular diffusivity in porous powders or minerals, e.g., the microporous synthetic minerals used for gas separation and chemical catalysis, were invented that allows a varying pressure in the gas around the powder during the measurement. This obviates the need for the pressure to be constant and the attendant complicated component parts. A mass balance model equation of the sample cell with the diffusivity as an adjustable parameter is used to deduce the sample cell pressure change versus time (uptake curve) until the equilibration of gas diffusion into the powder. A numerical analysis method is used to solve the mathematical model to compute a simulated uptake curve. Curve fitting of the simulated and measured uptake curves is used to optimize the diffusivity parameter, which gives the measured diffusivity. The apparatus and method are simple, easy to use, and automation is also simple.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (ICE) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.

Provided is an apparatus capable of distinguishing a kind of a powder deposited on an inner surface of a pipe, and more precisely measuring a thickness of the powder deposited on the inner surface of the pipe. The apparatus for measuring a thickness of a powder deposited on an inner surface of a pipe, includes a pair of the first electrodes disposed adjacent to one portion of the inner surface of the pipe and used to measure a first capacitance and thus to distinguish a kind of the powder, and a pair of second electrodes disposed in the pipe to be spaced from each other and to be symmetrical with respect to a center portion of the pipe and used to measure a second and a third capacitance.

A method for forming a grain composition includes mixing a first grain powder composition with water using a mixing apparatus to form a mixture. Mechanical energy applied to the mixture is calculated from the measured torque. The protein quality is expressed as the measured torque as a function of mechanical energy and is compared to a standard. If the protein quality of the first grain powder composition does not meet the standard, a second grain power composition is formed having a different weight percent of the first source of grain powder than the first grain powder composition.

An apparatus and method for measuring molecular diffusivity in porous powders or minerals, e.g., the microporous synthetic minerals used for gas separation and chemical catalysis, were invented that allows a varying pressure in the gas around the powder during the measurement. This obviates the need for the pressure to be constant and the attendant complicated component parts. A mass balance model equation of the sample cell with the diffusivity as an adjustable parameter is used to deduce the sample cell pressure change versus time (uptake curve) until the equilibration of gas diffusion into the powder. A numerical analysis method is used to solve the mathematical model to compute a simulated uptake curve. Curve fitting of the simulated and measured uptake curves is used to optimize the diffusivity parameter, which gives the measured diffusivity. The apparatus and method are simple, easy to use, and automation is also simple.

An evaluation method of suitable silica powder for forming a bubble-free layer of a vitreous silica crucible for pulling of a silicon single crystal, includes: a process of measuring a porosity between silica particles in the silica powder, a process of melting the silica powder, a process of measuring a bubble content rate of a vitreous silica block obtained by cooling to harden the melted silica powder, and a process of determining whether the silica powder is suitable from the porosity of the silica powder and the bubble content rate of the vitreous silica block.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to evaluating impurity content in battery materials. In an illustrative example, a battery material impurity assessment system (BMIAS) may include a slurry mixing system and an impurity extraction system (IES). The slurry mixing system, for example, may include a motor configured to rotate a vertical axis of a slurry container. For example, the motor may pause a movement of the slurry container when the vertical axis is rotated at a predetermined angle. For example, the IES may include a translatable magnetic mass (TMM) enclosed within a sheath. For example, by operating a position of the TMM, the IES may release non-target impurity and retain target substances. In some implementations, the target substance may be ionized by an acid treatment solution rapidly without direct heating. In some implementations, the target substances may be dispersed on a conductive filter to be directly used in subsequent analysis. Various embodiments may advantageously rapid high precision and rapid impurity testing for battery manufacturing.