A method of using the transverse relaxation rate (R.sub.2) of solvent NMR signal to noninvasively assess alum-containing products such as vaccines. This technique can be used for quality control in vaccine manufacturing (e.g., fill-finish step) to determine the evenness of alum filling level as well as extent of alum particle sedimentation in filled and sealed products.

A method and apparatus is provided for concentration determination of at least one component in an acid catalyst for hydrocarbon conversion containing an unknown concentration of an acid, an acid-soluble-oil (ASO), and water. An instrument configured for measuring a property of the acid catalyst, has responsivities to concentrations of one of the acid, ASO, and water, substantially independent of the concentrations of the others of the acid catalyst, ASO, and water. A temperature detector is configured to generate temperature data for the acid catalyst. A processor is configured to capture data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and to use the data in combination with a model to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the one of the acid, the ASO, and the water. Optionally, one or more other instruments configured for measuring other properties of the liquid mixture may also be used.

A method of inspecting a glass article using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). An NMRI-active filler material may be applied to the interior surface, the exterior surface, or both of the container. The excess material then may be removed leaving the filler within one or more anomalies on the surface of the container. And an NMRI analysis may be performed producing images associated with the anomalies having filler material therein.

A target variable analysis unit (11) calculates the triad fractions of monomer units in the composition of a known polymer sample from the copolymerization reactivity ratios of the monomer units to obtain a target variable. A waveform processing unit (12) processes NMR measurements, signals, etc. An explanatory variable analysis unit (13) obtains explanatory variables from the amount of chemical shift and signal strength in the NMR measurements of the known sample. A model generation unit (14) determines the regression equation of the regression model of the target variable and the explanatory variables by partial least squares regression, and obtains regression model coefficients. A sample analysis unit (15) uses the regression model to calculate the triad fractions for an unknown copolymer sample from the amount of chemical shift and signal strength in the NMR measurements of the unknown copolymer sample. By using a copolymer for lithography in which the total of the triad fractions obtained in this way is not more than 20 mole % in the copolymer, a resist composition with excellent solubility and sensitivity can be manufactured.

This present invention relates to an MRI scanning assembly and a method for fusing MRI images of a target thereby generating and providing high resolution, high contrast fused MRI images. The MRI images of the target are generated by different MRI devices operating at different magnetic field intensities. A method is also described for fusing MRI images generated by an MRI device operating with different operational parameters and operational protocols.

A transmission line array is used for explosive/contraband detection using nuclear quadrupole resonance in which the array is driven in-phase with synchrony frequency-swept signals. Each of the balanced transmission lines is fed with a low power swept frequency source and stimulated emissions are picked out with a directional coupler. Location is provided using a cross grid array or a phase detector is used for each balanced line, with phase determining the distance to the sensed substance.

An apparatus for extracting a fluid from a formation includes an inflow control device (ICD) coupled to a production tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the formation and configured to control flow into the production tubular and a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) front-end component assembly disposed in the borehole, the NMR front-end component assembly having a sensitive volume in a flow path leading to and/or coming through the ICD. The apparatus also includes a controller receiving input from an NMR electronics module coupled to the NMR front-end component assembly and providing output to the ICD based on the input from the NMR electronics module.

The invention relates to a method for determining a parameter representative of the stability of an asphaltene-containing petroleum product, said petroleum product being an effluent derived from a hydrocarbon feedstock conversion process or being a mixture of hydrocarbons, using proton NMR to determine a threshold value of said parameter representative of the stability, this threshold value constituting a boundary between a stability domain and an instability domain of a petroleum product. According to the invention, the parameter representative of the stability is a T.sub.2mean/T.sub.1mean or T.sub.1mean/T.sub.2mean ratio. The invention also relates to a method for monitoring a conversion process, in particular a deep conversion process, or a mixture of hydrocarbons, using this method of determination.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a process for refining a feedstock of hydrocarbons, in which: a) a signal representative of the transverse relaxation time of the different entities of an effluent resulting from said refining process, in particular an effluent comprising solid entities, is acquired by proton NMR, b) the signal measured is modeled using a mathematical function comprising several components, each component corresponding to a dynamic range of the entities of said effluent, c) the following are extracted from each of the components of the mathematical function: the transverse relaxation time of each of the components, the intensity of each of the components, d) a value of parameter characteristic of said effluent is determined from at least one intensity determined in stage c), e) a signal for controlling the refining process is generated as a function of said characteristic parameter.

The present invention provides an MRI-based hazard screening system for detecting contaminating particles within or on the surface of an object, the system characterized by a. a sampling environment adapted for at least partially confining said object; said sampling environment is in fluid communication with at least one inlet and at least one fluid outlet; b. a fluid streamer for streaming a fluid, throughout said at least one inlet, towards said sampling environment where said fluid effectively interfaces said object; and further throughout said at least one outlet; c. an MRI device in fluid communication with said at least one outlet, adapted for providing an image of said particles streamed by said fluid thereby screening the presence of said particles within or on the surface of said object.