In some examples, an apparatus can include a light transmitter, a light sensor aligned along a light transmittance axis of the light transmitter, an impeller positioned between the light transmitter and the light sensor. The impeller can in some examples include a blade to pass through the light transmittance axis during rotation of the impeller. The blade can in some examples be translucent to permit calibration of the light sensor based on a comparison of a first light sensor reading when the blade intersects the light transmittance axis and a second light sensor reading when the blade does not intersect the light transmittance axis.

The present invention provides a characterization system (100) for performing optical characterization of a liquid sample in a process plant, comprising a sample section (103) for holding the liquid sample, an inlet comprising an inlet valve (121) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample into the sample section (103), an outlet comprising an outlet valve (122) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample out of the sample section (103), a pressurizer (130) adapted to pressurize the sample section (103), an agitator (140, 800) adapted to agitate at least a part of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) when the sample section (103) is pressurized by the pressurizer (130), a measuring device (150) adapted to perform optical characterization of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) while the liquid sample is pressurized and agitated during or after agitation by the agitator, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve are connected to a line pipe (202) and the characterization system is adapted to receive the liquid sample from the line pipe through the inlet valve, characterize the liquid sample in the sample section (103), and optionally return at least a part of the liquid sample to the line pipe through the outlet valve.

The present invention provides a characterization system (100) for performing optical characterization of a liquid sample in a process plant, comprising a sample section (103) for holding the liquid sample, an inlet comprising an inlet valve (121) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample into the sample section (103), an outlet comprising an outlet valve (122) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample out of the sample section (103), a pressurizer (130) adapted to pressurize the sample section (103), an agitator (140, 800) adapted to agitate at least a part of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) when the sample section (103) is pressurized by the pressurizer (130), a measuring device (150) adapted to perform optical characterization of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) while the liquid sample is pressurized and agitated during or after agitation by the agitator, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve are connected to a line pipe (202) and the characterization system is adapted to receive the liquid sample from the line pipe through the inlet valve, characterize the liquid sample in the sample section (103), and optionally return at least a part of the liquid sample to the line pipe through the outlet valve.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the inline trace analysis of a liquid, preferably of an aqueous process solution, comprising: a housing (1); a micro-channel (2) through which the liquid to be examined is allowed to flow and into which light of a light source (3) is coupled; a detector (4) for light emerging from the micro-channel (2); and a user interface (5) for monitoring and/or operating the apparatus. The micro-channel (2), the detector (4) and/or the user interface (5) are arranged in the housing (1) and/or are integrated into the housing (1), and the housing (1) has a connection (6) for feeding the liquid in the micro-channel (2) and a connection (7) for power supply of the apparatus.

A beverage dispenser includes a nozzle to dispense a beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a camera to capture an image of the beverage as the beverage is dispensed from the nozzle. The camera has a field of view that includes the beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a light source that illuminates the field of view of the camera. The beverage dispenser further includes a computer. The computer analyzes the image of the beverage and determines a characteristic of the beverage.

A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.

A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.

There are provided an optical probe and method for analysing a soil located in an underground area. The optical probe includes a probe head insertable into the underground area to contact the soil, the probe head including a waveguide having opposite first and second ends both optically shielded from the soil; a light source configured to generate a multiwavelength interrogating beam and optically coupled to the first end of the waveguide so that the multiwavelength interrogation beam is inputted in the waveguide to propagate towards the second end; and a detector optically coupled to the second end of the waveguide to detect said multiwavelength interrogation beam. The waveguide includes an unshielded interaction zone extending between the first and second ends providing a wavelength-dependent attenuation of the multiwavelength interrogation beam through interaction with the soil.

A sensing module for monitoring dosage delivery of a vaporized material, and a portable vaporization unit including the sensing module, include a light sensor that detects disruptions in a light path across a vapor channel, the disruptions caused by the vaporized material flowing through the vapor channel. The light sensor includes a UV light source, which may emit 370 nm wavelength light, and a UV light detector that converts intensity of incident light in the light path into a signal. A microprocessor of the sensing module compares the signal to a baseline measurement to determine the concentration of a medicament in the vapor; then, using the flow rate and activation time of the device, the microprocessor determines the dosage and can perform monitoring and reporting actions based on the dosage. A measuring circuit measures fluctuations in resistance/impedance of a vaporization element to further determine flow rate and/or dosage.

A method is provided for degradation-compensated evaluation of detection signals of a sensor arrangement operating on the principle of luminescence quenching, which arrangement has a luminophore that degrades over time, an excitation radiation source, and at least one optical sensor. The luminophore radiates, in accordance with a response characteristic of the sensor arrangement, in reaction to irradiation with a predefined modulated excitation radiation and as a function of the extent of an interaction of the luminophore with a quencher substance that quenches the luminescence of the luminophore. A response radiation is detected by the at least one optical sensor. The sensor arrangement outputs a detected intensity value representing an intensity of the response radiation and a detected phase value representing a phase difference of the response radiation with respect to the modulation of the excitation radiation. A predetermined calibration value correlation is identified in consideration of the reference response characteristic.