Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid. The sensor device measures transmission of light absorbed by either the metal oxide gel particles or the drive fluid, so that transmission of light through the drive fluid changes for a period of time as a metal oxide gel particle passes the optical sensor. If a measured particle size is not about equal to a desired particle size, the particle size may be corrected by adjusting a ratio of the first flow rate to a total flow rate, where the total flow rate is the sum of the first and second flow rates.

Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid. The sensor device measures transmission of light absorbed by either the metal oxide gel particles or the drive fluid, so that transmission of light through the drive fluid changes for a period of time as a metal oxide gel particle passes the optical sensor. If a measured particle size is not about equal to a desired particle size, the particle size may be corrected by adjusting a ratio of the first flow rate to a total flow rate, where the total flow rate is the sum of the first and second flow rates.

Methods for determining the gelation period of a gel solution are provided. The methods provided include introducing a first inert ball, or first inert hollow ball comprising a polymer solution, into a gel solution container containing a gel solution where upon the first inert ball, or inert hollow ball, reaching a bottom of the gel solution container, at least one subsequent inert ball, or inert hollow ball, is introduced sequentially into the gel solution container until the at least one subsequent inert ball, or inert hollow ball remains fixed in place prior to reaching the bottom of the gel solution container. Methods also include determining the gelation time of the gel solution based on a sum of distances traveled by the first inert ball, or inert hollow ball, and at least one subsequent inert ball, or inert hollow ball.

Methods for determining the gelation period of a gel solution are provided. The methods provided include introducing an inert ball into each of a plurality of gel solution containers having a gel solution therein. In the method, the inert balls are then allowed to sink to the bottom of the containers, followed by a step of repeatedly inverting a first gel solution container at specified time intervals until the onset of gelation of the first gel solution is observed. Methods further include repeatedly inverting an additional gel solution container at specified intervals where each of the subsequent gel solution containers containing the inert balls and gel solutions are sequentially inverted in series until the inert ball is observed to remain fixed in place in the solution.

Methods for determining the gelation period of a gel solution are provided. The methods provided include introducing an inert ball into each of a plurality of gel solution containers having a gel solution therein. In the method, the inert balls are then allowed to sink to the bottom of the containers, followed by a step of repeatedly inverting a first gel solution container at specified time intervals until the onset of gelation of the first gel solution is observed. Methods further include repeatedly inverting an additional gel solution container at specified intervals where each of the subsequent gel solution containers containing the inert balls and gel solutions are sequentially inverted in series until the inert ball is observed to remain fixed in place in the solution.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for accurately determining viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in the field or in-service by using a potable field viscometer. The portable field viscometer includes a vertical disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube filled with the liquid which the viscosity is to be determined. Using fins on the needle surface, a needle having a known density is made to fall through the liquid in the disposable (or reusable) sample insert tube coaxially. Using the time that the needle takes to fall between two known distance marks on the extension bar attached the top of the needle or transducers such as light, laser or magnetic, the velocity of the needle falling through the liquid is determined. Thus, the viscosity can be calculated by using the velocity of a needle. In the method, viscosity, shear rate and shear stress can be determined according to the disclosed method.

The present invention relates to a device for determining the correct viscosity of a liquid, comprising member which either remains in or assumes a substantially upright or pre-determined position when placed in a fluid having at least the desired or specified viscosity and is unable to remain in a substantially upright or pre-determined position if a fluid has less than the desired or specified viscosity. The invention also relates to methods and uses of particular devices and is particularly suited to assisting patients suffering from dysphasia (or similar conditions) and who wish to thicken liquids to enable them to allow safe swallowing without aspiration to take place.

The present invention relates to a device for determining the correct viscosity of a liquid, comprising member which either remains in or assumes a substantially upright or pre-determined position when placed in a fluid having at least the desired or specified viscosity and is unable to remain in a substantially upright or pre-determined position if a fluid has less than the desired or specified viscosity. The invention also relates to methods and uses of particular devices and is particularly suited to assisting patients suffering from dysphasia (or similar conditions) and who wish to thicken liquids to enable them to allow safe swallowing without aspiration to take place.

The present invention discloses a system for measuring the mechanical properties of sea floor sediments at full ocean depth. The system includes an overwater monitoring unit and an underwater measurement device, where the underwater measurement device includes an observation platform and a measuring mechanism; the observation platform includes a frame-type body and a floating body, a wing panel, a floating ball cabin, a leveling mechanism, a counterweight, and a release mechanism mounted on the frame-type body; the floating ball cabin seals a circuit system; the leveling mechanism adjusts the underwater measurement device horizontally on the sea floor when the frame-type body reaches the sea floor; the release mechanism discards the counterweight for recovery of the unit after the underwater measurement device completes the underwater operation; the measuring mechanism includes at least one of a cone penetration measuring mechanism, a spherical penetration measuring mechanism, and a vane shear measuring mechanism, or a sampling mechanism.

The present invention discloses a system for measuring the mechanical properties of sea floor sediments at full ocean depth. The system includes an overwater monitoring unit and an underwater measurement device, where the underwater measurement device includes an observation platform and a measuring mechanism; the observation platform includes a frame-type body and a floating body, a wing panel, a floating ball cabin, a leveling mechanism, a counterweight, and a release mechanism mounted on the frame-type body; the floating ball cabin seals a circuit system; the leveling mechanism adjusts the underwater measurement device horizontally on the sea floor when the frame-type body reaches the sea floor; the release mechanism discards the counterweight for recovery of the unit after the underwater measurement device completes the underwater operation; the measuring mechanism includes at least one of a cone penetration measuring mechanism, a spherical penetration measuring mechanism, and a vane shear measuring mechanism, or a sampling mechanism.