A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.

A system for delivering and applying a flowable mixture to an article (311-313) is disclosed. The system includes a mixture delivery system (200) and a skinning system (300). The mixture delivery system (200) includes a mixer (220) configured to mix a dry material and a fluid to produce the flowable mixture, and a pump (235) configured to pump the flowable mixture to a delivery line. The skinning system (300) receives the flowable mixture from the mixture delivery system (200) through the delivery line. The skinning system (300) includes a skinning pipe (310) configured to apply the flowable mixture to the article (311-313) and a manifold (305) that supports the skinning pipe (310). The skinning system (300) also includes an article feeding mechanism (315) configured to push the article (311-313) into the skinning pipe (310). The skinning system (300) includes a transfer system (320) configured to hold the article (311-313) and move the article (311-313) out of the skinning pipe (310).

Methods and apparatuses for delivering a process gas to a processing chamber are provided. A mass flow controller includes a first flow line for introducing a process fluid and an inlet valve disposed along the first flow line for controlling a flow rate of the process fluid. The mass flow controller includes a second flow line for introducing a carrier fluid into the mass flow controller and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) Coriolis sensor for providing a density signal and a mass flow rate signal for a mixture of the process fluid and the carrier fluid. The mass flow controller provided includes an outlet valve for controlling a mass flow rate of the mixture that is output by the mass flow controller as well as a controller for operating the inlet valve based on the density signal and for operating the outlet valve based on the mass flow rate signal.

An apparatus for measuring the composition of a gas mixture containing known components, including a first gas density sensor configured and arranged to measure the density of a first mixture made by combining a gaseous first component and a gaseous second component; a second gas density sensor configured and arranged to measure the density of a second mixture made by combining the first mixture with a gaseous third component; and a processor programmed to determined based on data from the first gas density sensor the relative compositions of the first component and the second component in the first mixture, and to determine based on the data from the second gas density sensor the relative compositions of the first mixture and the third component in the second mixture, and thus to determine the relative compositions of the first component, the second component, and the third component in the second mixture.

The present invention relates to a production system for manufacturing of formulations, comprising a unit (1). The unit (1) includes a subunit (1.1) which includes a combination of a process mixer and a buffer tank, means of feeding defined amounts of feedstocks into the process mixer, a measurement unit for ascertaining properties of a part-batch of a formulation manufactured in the process mixer, an evaluation unit for determining a deviation of properties of the part-batches manufactured in the process mixer from the properties of a predefined target state, and a unit for adjusting the feed of feedstocks in view of the deviations. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing formulations.

Described herein is a production system including a unit, wherein the unit includes a subunit (1.1) for continuous manufacture of formulations. The subunit includes a combination of a small-volume process mixer and a buffer tank, means of feeding defined amounts of feedstocks into the process mixer, a measurement unit for ascertaining properties of a formulation manufactured in the process mixer, an evaluation unit for determining a deviation of properties of the formulation manufactured in the process mixer from the properties of a predefined target state, and a unit for adjusting the feed of feedstocks in view of the deviations. Also described herein is a process for manufacturing formulations.

Methods and apparatuses for delivering a process gas to a processing chamber are provided. A mass flow controller includes a first flow line for introducing a process fluid and an inlet valve disposed along the first flow line for controlling a flow rate of the process fluid. The mass flow controller includes a second flow line for introducing a carrier fluid into the mass flow controller and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) Coriolis sensor for providing a density signal and a mass flow rate signal for a mixture of the process fluid and the carrier fluid. The mass flow controller provided includes an outlet valve for controlling a mass flow rate of the mixture that is output by the mass flow controller as well as a controller for operating the inlet valve based on the density signal and for operating the outlet valve based on the mass flow rate signal.

Aspects of the disclosure include a method for tracking the quality of a beverage produced according to a batch process that includes adding ingredients to water to form a batch, measuring the density of the batch in real time using an in-line density device, monitoring changes in density of the batch, detecting deviations from the batch process based on the changes in density, and correcting for any detected deviations from the batch process in real time. Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of detecting inhomogeneity in real time for a batch process for producing a beverage. Other aspects of the disclosure include a method of tracking addition of ingredients for producing a beverage in a batch process includes sequentially adding a plurality of ingredients to water according to a standard recipe to form a batch and correcting for any detected deviations from the recipe in real time.

Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids and/or renewable liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline based on density or gravity. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes initiating a blending process. The blending process including continuously blending two or more liquids over a period of time, each of the two or more liquids stored in corresponding tanks, each of the corresponding tanks connected, via pipeline, to a blend pipe thereby blending the two or more liquids into a blended liquid. The method further includes determining a density of each of the two or more liquids to be blended during the blending process. The method includes, in response to a determination that the blend process has not finished and after the passage of a specified time interval, determining an actual blend density of the blended liquid, via a blend sensor connected to the blend pipe, the blended liquid flowing through the blend pipe and in contact with the blend sensor, and the specified time interval less than a total duration of the blending process. The method includes determining an actual blend density of the blended liquid, via a blend sensor connected to the blend pipe, the blended liquid flowing through the blend pipe and in contact with the blend sensor, and the specified time interval less than a total duration of the blending process; comparing the actual blend density with a target blend density; and in response to a difference, based on the comparison, of the actual blend density and target blend density determining a corrected ratio based on each density of the two or more liquids, the actual blend density, and the target blend density and adjusting, via one or more flow control devices, flow of one or more of the two or more liquids, based on the corrected ratio.

A system and method for adjusting a position of an oil-water interface layer. A vessel, such as a free water knockout or a treater used in the processing of heavy oil, contains a fluid comprising the interface layer. A nuclear densitometer is positioned to obtain density measurements of the fluid at various heights along the vessel. Based at least in part on these density readings, a valve controlling flow out of a water discharge port on the vessel may be actuated, with the flow of water through the water discharge port being inversely proportional to the height of the interface layer.