A gel-time detection apparatus includes a carrier, a stirring device, and an image-capturing device. The gel-time detection apparatus uses the carrier to liquefied powder to be detected, uses the stirring device to stir the liquefied powder and sense the torque of stirring the liquefied powder, and uses the image-capturing device to capture images of the liquefied powder, so as to determine a gel time according to a determination criterion relevant to the torque and the images. A gel-time detection method includes liquefying powder to be detected, stirring the powder, sensing the torque of stirring the liquefied powder, capturing images of the liquefied powder, and then determining a gel time according to a determination criterion relevant to the torque and the images. The determination criterion may include a torque predetermined threshold and an area-shrinkage-rate predetermined threshold.

An apparatus (20) for monitoring flotation performance apparatus comprises an arm (21) having a paddle (22) attached at one end. The apparatus (20) forms a sensor to monitor real-time flotation performance by measuring the drag exerted by the overflowing froth onto a cantilever beam arm. The strain exerted on the beam or arm can be directly correlated to the efficiency of the froth flotation process. Methods for monitoring and controlling a froth flotation process and a method to determine ash content in coal undergoing flotation are also described

An apparatus (20) for monitoring flotation performance apparatus comprises an arm (21) having a paddle (22) attached at one end. The apparatus (20) forms a sensor to monitor real-time flotation performance by measuring the drag exerted by the overflowing froth onto a cantilever beam arm. The strain exerted on the beam or arm can be directly correlated to the efficiency of the froth flotation process. Methods for monitoring and controlling a froth flotation process and a method to determine ash content in coal undergoing flotation are also described

A measuring device, in particular a measuring device of the type of a rheometer, and a method determines properties of a viscoelastic material, which has been introduced or can be introduced into a temperature-regulated sample space between an upper chamber half provided with a sensor and a lower chamber half that can be rotated relative to the upper chamber half. The lower chamber half is driven or can be driven by a motor and is connected with at least one slip ring (that creates an electric path into the interior of the sample space on the lower chamber half, so that the lower chamber half can be rotated, with reference to the upper chamber half, about an angle of rotation over 360°.

An automatically-cleanable thickening performance evaluation instrument for drilling LCMs includes a cleaning device, a kettle body, a thickening motor, a heating component, a test ending component, a top cover, and a bottom cover, where upper and lower ends of the kettle body are both opened; the kettle body is arranged in a third bearing inner race, a third bearing outer race is connected to a first limb, and the first limb is configured to limit a position of the kettle body; and the kettle body is detachably connected to the thickening motor and driven by the thickening motor to rotate. The instrument can realize electric heating and air pressurization to simulate the underground environment, and the kettle body can be completely sealed, such that a measured thickening time is close to an actual thickening time. Moreover, the instrument can be automatically cleaned at the end of a test.

An automatically-cleanable thickening performance evaluation instrument for drilling LCMs includes a cleaning device, a kettle body, a thickening motor, a heating component, a test ending component, a top cover, and a bottom cover, where upper and lower ends of the kettle body are both opened; the kettle body is arranged in a third bearing inner race, a third bearing outer race is connected to a first limb, and the first limb is configured to limit a position of the kettle body; and the kettle body is detachably connected to the thickening motor and driven by the thickening motor to rotate. The instrument can realize electric heating and air pressurization to simulate the underground environment, and the kettle body can be completely sealed, such that a measured thickening time is close to an actual thickening time. Moreover, the instrument can be automatically cleaned at the end of a test.

The present disclosure is directed to rheometric fixtures for making rheological measurements of yield stress fluids. In some embodiments, the fixture can be an improvement of a typical vane by having the ability to create a more homogeneous shear profile in a test material, e.g., a yield stress fluid. These vane fixtures having fractal-like cross-sectional structures enable robust rheological measurements of the properties of yield stress fluids due to several outer contact edges that lead to increased kinematic homogeneity at the point of yielding and beyond. The branching structure of the fractal-like fixtures can alter the shape of a wetted perimeter of the fixture while minimizing an area thereof to allow the fixture to be inserted into fluids with less disturbance. In some embodiments, a cup with a ribbed inner surface can be used to hold the sample fluid and disassembles for ease of cleaning following completion of the measurement.

The present disclosure is directed to rheometric fixtures for making rheological measurements of yield stress fluids. In some embodiments, the fixture can be an improvement of a typical vane by having the ability to create a more homogeneous shear profile in a test material, e.g., a yield stress fluid. These vane fixtures having fractal-like cross-sectional structures enable robust rheological measurements of the properties of yield stress fluids due to several outer contact edges that lead to increased kinematic homogeneity at the point of yielding and beyond. The branching structure of the fractal-like fixtures can alter the shape of a wetted perimeter of the fixture while minimizing an area thereof to allow the fixture to be inserted into fluids with less disturbance. In some embodiments, a cup with a ribbed inner surface can be used to hold the sample fluid and disassembles for ease of cleaning following completion of the measurement.

A device is for detecting compaction and shear strength characteristics of an asphalt mixture during construction compaction. The device includes a fixed frame and a detection system. The detection system includes a display, a control panel, a test claw, an electric motor, a lift switch, a torque sensor and a temperature sensor. The control panel includes a power switch for controlling the electric motor and a speed regulator for controlling a rotation speed of the test claw. An output end of the electric motor is connected to an input end of the torque sensor, and an output end of the torque sensor is connected to an input end of the test claw. An output end of the test claw is provided with a claw-shaped blade. The claw-shaped blade is provided therein with the temperature sensor.

Described are a method and device for controlling a temperature of a sample. The sample may be a rheometer sample. A thermal control system comprising a geometry element, heat conductor element, heater element, cooling device and thermal resistance layer is used. The cooling device may be a Peltier element. The heat conductor element is disposed adjacent to and in thermal communication with the geometry element. The heater element is in thermal contact with the heat conductor element. The thermal resistance layer is disposed between and in thermal contact with an element surface of the heat conductor element and a cooling surface of the cooling device. The heater element is operated to cause heat to flow to the geometry element and the cooling device is operated to cool the cooling surface to a temperature that is less than a temperature of the element surface.