The present invention addresses to a system that aims at reproducing situations close to those found in oil wells, in relation to the thermodynamic conditions (pressure and temperature), and the fluids present (by means of the chemical species involved), aiming at representing in a more realistic way the production scenarios to be faced. The main scope is to represent on a laboratory scale the phenomenon of depressurization with the release of carbon dioxide inducing the precipitation of calcite (calcium carbonate), the growth and agglomeration of inorganic crystals, and the phenomena of adhesion and scale on common metallic surfaces of elements of completion of oil wells.

An apparatus for in-situ monitoring and measuring of general corrosion and localized microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in a simulated environment is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber containing an electrolyte solution and a microbe specimen. The chamber includes a pair of electrical resistance (ER) probes that measure a current flowing through the electrolyte solution and a general corrosion rate on the surface of the ER probes. The chamber also includes a pair of electrochemical noise (EN) probes. The EN probes are aligned to face one another such that the EN probes measure a localized corrosion rate on the surface of the EN probes and measure the influence of gravity on MIC. The apparatus measures the general and localized corrosion rates simultaneously without polarizing the surface of the ER and EN probes.

An air-conditioning apparatus includes a drain pan that receives water, and a detector including an ultrasonic sensor that emits and receives ultrasonic waves. The detector analyzes a response signal from the ultrasonic sensor to detect a contaminant generated in the drain pan. A bottom flat surface portion that forms a bottom of the drain pan is located parallel to a flat surface portion that forms a receiving surface of the ultrasonic sensor.

Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.

Calibration of a valve in a vacuum system and providing a diagnostic indication in the vacuum system using the calibration includes measuring conductance of the valve as a function of angular valve position and generating a conductance calibration map or function for use during operation of the valve. An actual angular valve position is set based on the received set point angular valve position and a difference between the measured valve conductance and a predefined metric of conductance versus angular valve position. An actual system conductance and a difference between the actual system conductance and a reference system conductance for the system are determined. The diagnostic indication of a fault in the system is generated based on the actual angular valve position of the valve and the difference between the actual system conductance and the reference system conductance for the system.

Disclosed is a methodology for determination and prediction of heat exchanger fouling, such as polymer fouling in the circulation loop that forms part of the heat exchanger system. The buildup of a polymer or other undesired material deposit in the heat exchanger provides a distinctive temperature signature (thermal gradient) on the surface of the heat exchanger asset, which is visualized using a thermographic camera. Coupling images (thermograms) from the camera with a machine learning algorithm identifies fouling and, with knowledge of the historical data of the asset and operating and ambient conditions, enables prediction of future fouling. The thermal images provide several types, or orders, of temperature information that are indicative of locations vulnerable to fouling. In one case, the method uses machine learning applied to time-based temperature change/gradient information to detect hidden polymer fouling in areas that form part of the heat exchanger asset.

A heat transfer surface monitoring (HTSM) system and cell for direct detection and monitoring of fouling, scaling, corrosion, and pitting of heat transfer surfaces. The system has a heat transfer plate (HTP) that has a heat transfer monitoring surface (HTMS). The system also includes an edge-lit light guide and light source to illuminate the HTMS, a fluid flow channel module, a heating/cooling module, a surface imaging module to view the HTMS, and a system controller. The environment is controlled to mimic the environment within heat exchange equipment, which are indicative of the changes inside heat exchange equipment. Output of signals relating to the HTMS are used as a guide mitigate problems related to the monitored heat exchange equipment. The system can also use a heat exchanger cylindrical tube with slit light guides along the tube, and the surface imaging module views the inner surface of the heat exchanger cylindrical tube.

The disclosed systems and method utilize the autofluorescence, optic imaging, and heat transfer resistance technologies to monitor the same simulated surface area for deposits. The systems and methods may provide continuous monitoring, detection, characterization and quantification of deposits. Utilizing this information, an associated control system may initiate alarms, initiate a chemical treatment operation, and adjust corresponding chemical treatment and preventive protocols to minimize and/or eradicate the issue.

Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.

An estimation system includes an acquirer, an inferrer, a corrector, and an estimator. The acquirer acquires a measured value of an outer surface temperature of a pipe through which fluid flows. The inferrer infers an execution time for a removal process for deposits on an inner surface of the pipe. The corrector corrects an estimated value used for estimating a thickness of the deposits, by using the measured value of the outer surface temperature of the pipe, which is acquired within a predetermined time from an inference result of the execution time for the removal process for the deposits. The estimator estimates the thickness of the deposits based on the corrected estimated value and the measured value of the outer surface temperature of the pipe.