Effects of Oxygen on grease or another organic paste product can be evaluated with a modified version of the ASTM D942 test methodology for oxidation stability of lubricating greases or other organic paste products by employment of an oxidation pressure vessel, in which at least one of (A) a very small sample of the grease or other organic paste product is deployed for testing within the oxidation pressure vessel such that the sample has an enhanced surface area to mass ratio, and (B) a temperature other than about 99° C. is employed during the testing. In general, the testing is carried out under oxidation pressure conditions. The sample may be evaluated with respect to Oxygen uptake. Additional technique(s) directed to oxidation and/or other properties of the sample may be carried out before to after any Oxygen uptake evaluation, for example, FTIR analysis and/or ATR-FTIR analysis.

Described herein are systems and methods for evaluating and mitigating the fouling potential of a given crude oil. The system and methods enable the refiner to rapidly and readily identify the particular mechanisms by which a crude oil may foul, and to select the optimal chemical treatment and/or crude blend to mitigate fouling potential.

The present invention is a device for analyzing sensitivity to deposit formation in a fuel notably used in aircraft, comprising a tank (10) for the fuel to be analysed, at least one test section (18) with a heated tube (46) along which the fuel flows and a filter (66) associated with a deposit measurement system (68). According to the invention, the device comprises at least two identical test sections (18.sub.1 to 18.sub.6) arranged in parallel and a control unit (72) independently controlling at least one of the operating conditions of at least one of the two test sections.

A significantly improved version of the ASTM D942 Test Method, with apparatus employable to effect the same, is provided. This is useful in measurement of grease oxidation.

An apparatus to simulate biocide performance in crude oil pipeline conditions is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a reactor to simulate a two-phase crude oil pipeline which includes a crude oil phase above a water phase. The reactor has an agitator to control a flow of the water phase in the reactor in response to a motor that drives an agitation rate of the agitator. A crude oil inlet supplies crude oil to the reactor for the crude oil phase. A water inlet supplies water to the reactor for the water phase. A control circuit is configured by code to control a proportion of the water to the crude oil supplied to the reactor and to control the motor to drive a desired agitation rate of the agitator. A biocide inlet supplies biocide to the reactor. A water sample outlet enables sampling of the water phase of the reactor.

Jet fuels' thermal oxidation characteristics are evaluated via the Standard Test Method for Thermal Stability of Aviation Turbine Fuels. This test method mimics the thermal stress conditions encountered by jet fuel in operation and is often carried out by laboratory devices, known as rigs. The rigs include a test section having a sleeve and a heater tube arranged therein. A pair of bus bars secure the test section to the rig and apply a current to the heater tube. The applied current heats the heater tube and subjects the sample jet fuels that are flowing in the volume between the sleeve and heater tube to high temperatures, which may produce thermal oxidation deposits on the heater tube. Heater tubes are difficult to install, however, and a gauge may be used to ensure accurate placement of the heater tube within the sleeve. In addition, the fuel sample must be prepared via an aeration process, and systems are disclosed for automating the aeration process such that the sample is prepared precisely according to the test standard. Moreover, the rig includes a pump system that moves the fuel sample through the test section, and a pump system is provided in a double syringe arrangement that optimizes fuel flow through the test section without fluctuation. Finally, the rigs include cooling systems for cooling the bus bars and maintaining an appropriate thermal profile within the heater tube, and cooling systems may be provided that independently control the temperature of each bus bar.

The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the oxidation stability and/or the thermal stability of any type of fuel, including diesel fuel, by miniaturization of the test system by use of a microfluidic technique. The physical phenomena to which fuels are subjected are reproduced by the microchannels (12) of the microfluidic chip (7), which comprise a representation of at least one of the fuel injection and the fuel circulation for a drive system, an internal-combustion engine or an aircraft reactor for example.

Jet fuels' thermal oxidation characteristics are evaluated via the Standard Test Method for Thermal Stability of Aviation Turbine Fuels. This test method mimics the thermal stress conditions encountered by jet fuel in operation and is often carried out by laboratory devices, known as rigs. The rigs include a test section having a sleeve and a heater tube arranged therein. A pair of bus bars secure the test section to the rig and apply a current to the heater tube. The applied current heats the heater tube and subjects the sample jet fuels that are flowing in the volume between the sleeve and heater tube to high temperatures, which may produce thermal oxidation deposits on the heater tube. Heater tubes are difficult to install, however, and a gauge may be used to ensure accurate placement of the heater tube within the sleeve. In addition, the fuel sample must be prepared via an aeration process, and systems are disclosed for automating the aeration process such that the sample is prepared precisely according to the test standard. Moreover, the rig includes a pump system that moves the fuel sample through the test section, and a pump system is provided in a double syringe arrangement that optimizes fuel flow through the test section without fluctuation. Finally, the rigs include cooling systems for cooling the bus bars and maintaining an appropriate thermal profile within the heater tube, and cooling systems may be provided that independently control the temperature of each bus bar.

Elevated temperature liquid testing apparatus and methodology in which a thin film of test liquid and a reactant/control gas are provided about the top of a depositor member that is surrounded by a special mantle, for example, a substantially cylindrically walled glass mantle. As an oxidative engine oil test, it may mimic turbocharger conditions of a modern internal combustion engine. For example, employing moist air, the apparatus can test a thin film of engine oil for oxidation deposits at a predetermined temperature, say, 285 C., 290 C., or cycled between 285 C. or 290 C. and 320 C. or 330 C.

The present invention relates to a method for continuously monitoring the degree of progress of oxidation of a fuel, comprising at least the following steps: determining at least one indicator for the progress of the oxidation reaction to be monitored, measuring the content of said indicator for the progress of the oxidation reaction in said fuel, classifying the degree of progress of oxidation of said fuel, determining the measures to be taken as a function of said classification.