A system and method for distillation testing of a liquid sample at atmospheric pressure for the improved prediction of the heating necessary to reach the initial boiling point (IBP) and ensure the IBP is observed within certain time constraints, and regardless of sample composition. This monitors the sample by the camera during different heating phases of the test to obtain visual images of the sample and a computer analyzes image data observed to regulate the optimal distillation process.

A temperature testing system for hydrate nucleation and phase transition based on infrared imaging is provided and includes a gas-liquid supplying device, a refrigeration device, an infrared imaging device, a hydrate generation device, and a data acquisition device. The gas-liquid supplying device is configured to provide a gas and a liquid required for synthetizing a hydrate. The refrigeration device is configured to provide a temperature environment required for synthetizing the hydrate. The infrared imaging device is configured to in-situ measure temperature changes caused during a formation of the hydrate. The hydrate generation device is configured to provide a visual growth environment for nucleation and phase transition of the hydrate. The data acquisition device is configured to collect a temperature, a system pressure, and infrared imaging data from the hydrate generation device. The temperature testing system can accurately determine the temperature evolution during the nucleation, formation, and decomposition of the hydrate.

Cryogenic device analysis systems are provided that can include: a cold source within a first vacuum chamber; a cryogenic device mount within a second vacuum chamber, wherein the first and second vacuum chambers are separated by a vacuum barrier; a first thermal conduit extending from the cold source through the vacuum barrier to the sample mount; a first thermal switch along the first thermal conduit and operatively aligned between the cold source and the vacuum barrier. Methods for performing analysis of a cryogenic device are also provided.

Switch assemblies for a cryogenic device analysis system are provided. The switch assembly can include: a cold source conductive member extending lengthwise to a cold source; and a cryogenic device conductive member extending lengthwise to a cryogenic device and at least partially overlapping at least a portion of the cold source conductive member. Methods for closing a conductive connection between a cold source and a cryogenic device within a cryogenic analysis system are provided. Methods for opening a conductive connection between a cold source and a cryogenic device within a cryogenic analysis system are provided. Cryogenic device analysis systems are also provided.

Examples relate to cryogen flow control techniques using a magnetic failsafe valve. The valve is located between a cryogen source and a cryogen bath and has a position based on the magnetic field generated by a parallel solenoid circuit having a superconducting solenoid wound in a first direction and a non-superconducting solenoid (e.g., normal metal solenoid) wound in a second direction. When the current source is supplying a current to the parallel solenoid circuit and the temperature at the parallel solenoid circuit is below a threshold temperature, the current flows through the superconducting solenoid causing the magnetic field generated by the parallel solenoid circuit to position the magnetic valve in a particular state (e.g., open). The position of the valve can quickly change in situations where the temperature rises above the threshold temperature.

The apparatus includes a pyrolysis chamber configured to receive and hold within an interior space a volume of an aqueous fluid and to maintain a pressure within the interior space for a duration of an experimental period when a removable head is in a closed position. The apparatus includes a sample basket assembly comprising a plurality of baskets attached to the removable head by one or more rods. Each basket is configured to receive one or more source rock samples. The sample basket assembly is configured such that, when the removable head is in the closed position and the one or more source samples are disposed within each basket, the samples suspended in a substantially stationary position above the floor.

A fluid dispensing device and method for adjusting an amount of hygroscopic fluid dispensed to an analytical substrate by a fluid ejection cartridge. The fluid dispensing device includes a fluid droplet ejection head disposed on a fluid cartridge containing a hygroscopic fluid; and a hygroscopic fluid cooler configured to determine a freezing point of the hygroscopic fluid.

Examples relate to cryogen flow control techniques using a magnetic failsafe valve. The valve is located between a cryogen source and a cryogen bath and has a position based on the magnetic field generated by a parallel solenoid circuit having a superconducting solenoid wound in a first direction and a non-superconducting solenoid (e.g., normal metal solenoid) wound in a second direction. When the current source is supplying a current to the parallel solenoid circuit and the temperature at the parallel solenoid circuit is below a threshold temperature, the current flows through the superconducting solenoid causing the magnetic field generated by the parallel solenoid circuit to position the magnetic valve in a particular state (e.g., open). The position of the valve can quickly change in situations where the temperature rises above the threshold temperature.

An apparatus is disclosed for a flexible, easily reconfigured vacuum chamber capable of physical property measurement at cryogenic temperatures. The chamber is easily constructed from existing cryogenic pumps. The cryostat cold finger forms a cryogenically-cooled stage, upon which a wide variety of experiment test setups can be placed for measuring many different properties at cryogenic temperatures. The lid and feedthrough ports are reconfigurable to obtain measurements and interact with samples inside the vacuum. Attached heating elements enable testing at many possible cryogenic temperatures. The specific case of laser cooling at cryogenic temperatures is presented as an example, along with necessary lid and interior components. Viewports allow a laser beam into the chamber, while mirrors redirect this into the sample. Temperature diodes and laser power meters measure any heating or cooling effects.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a frost point hygrometer apparatus utilizing dry ice and ethanol, or liquid nitrogen, as cryogenic coolant. FPH apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a copper cold finger with a sink immersed in a liquid cryogen to provide cooling power throughout the profile, a polished mirror disk residing at the opposite end of the cold finger with ambient air passing over it, a nichrome heater wrapped around the narrow shaft of the continuous cold finger and mirror piece to provide heat to the mirror, an optical source and detector, including an infrared light-emitting diode and a photodiode, to monitor the mirror's reflectivity as condensate accumulates in the form of dew or frost, a biconvex lens to focus the light reflected from the mirror into the photodiode, and a calibrated thermistor embedded in the mirror to measure the frost point temperature.