11057results about "Earth material testing" patented technology

Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into a oil well comprising the steps of: a) preparing a material to be injected into an oil well; b) admixing therewith a chemical tracer compound at a predetermined concentration; c) injecting the admixture into an oil well; d) recovering from the oil well a production fluid; e) analyzing the production fluid for the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and f) calculating the amount of admixture recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation. Fluorinated benzoic acids are disclosed as a preferred tracer.

A method for determining geochemistry of at least one geological sample with laser-induced breakdown spectral measurements performed on the geological sample in a time variant manner with spectral acquisitions made after each of a plurality of measurement shots, spectral pre-processing performed as necessary, and subsequent analysis is applied to the collected data to determine at least one geochemistry parameter of the sample. The method can provide a rapid method to estimate thermal maturity of a sample, which does not require sample preparation, and which can be non-destructive with respect to portions of the sample. A system for performing the method also is provided.

A tagged object includes a main body and a plurality of coded particles. Each coded particle may have a miniature body and be configured to provide a resolvable optical emission pattern when illuminate. The plurality of coded particles may be immobilized to the main body. A method for performing oilfield monitoring may include disposing of different types of tagged objects at different locations, wherein the different types of tagged objects each comprise a plurality of coded particles. Each of the coded particles may have a miniature body containing rare earth elements configured to produce a unique optical emission pattern when illuminated. The method may include allowing an event to trigger the release of one of the different types of tagged objects from one of the different locations. In addition, the method may include identifying the released tagged objects by unique optical emission patterns, in some cases in order to determining an occurrence location of the event.

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor. These chemically sensitive resistors can each be connected in series with a reference resistor, between a reference voltage and ground, such that an analog signal is established for each chemically sensitive resistor. The resulting analog signals are supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, to produce corresponding digital signals. These digital signals are appropriately analyzed for vapor identification. The device can then subsequently transmit the digital signals over a computer network, such as the Internet, for analysis at a remote location.

A method of monitoring the quality of water at a ground water sampling site without human intervention. Water at the sampling site is purged until at least one preselected purge criterion is satisfied. At least one water quality attribute is automatically measured at the sampling site, and the quality of water at the site is determined based on the measured water quality attribute. The method is performed by a system including a control unit which, in accordance with a computer program, controls the taking of water quality attribute measurements at the sampling site. The control unit may be equipped with a port for downloading data to a technician on site and with a transceiver for communicating data to a base station via a communications network.

The invention relates to the technical field of mining safe engineering, and particularly to a stability monitoring method for a cold high-altitude steep slope. According to the stability monitoring method, through field engineering geology, hydrogeology survey, engineering geological rock quality evaluation and rock mechanical parameter determining, the lithologic condition, the rock structure, the hydrogeology condition, the slope shape, earthquake parameters, explosion parameters and the like of the slope are determined. Slope stability analysis and a treatment strategy measure are performed. Furthermore a comprehensive monitoring system and a slope instability criterion are established.

The invention relates to a system and method of for measuring the characteristics and volume of drill cuttings. The system comprises at least one camera operably connected to a processor for recording characteristics of drill cutting particles wherein said processor is configured to perform particle detection, extract features of said particles, or both. The processor is typically configured to initiate, interrupt or inhibit an automated activity based on the particle characteristics. The method comprises acquiring visual data from at least one camera, performing particle detection using said data, extracting feature data of any detected particles, alerting an operator and / or initiating, interrupting, or inhibiting automated activity.

A model for determining the type of soil, the water content of a soil, and the soil properties, and a soil measurement data storage portion (60) to store therein measurement data necessary to carry out the model and correlated with specific measurement conditions are provided. The water content is measured by a water content measuring portion (57) on the basis of the measurement data fed from a soil sensor (S). The type of soil is determined by a feature extracting portion (56) and a type-of-soil determining portion (58), and the determined type of soil is sent to a determining portion (59). The determining portion (59) determines corresponding conditions and a model according to the type of soil and water content of the measured place received and sets them in a predetermined processing portion. The soil sensor feeds measurement data meeting the measurement conditions to a measurement information processing portion (55), and the processing portion (55) determines the soil properties according to the determined model.

The invention relates to an oil-gas well hydraulically-created-fracture expansion visualization experiment method and an oil-gas well hydraulically-created-fracture expansion visualization experiment device. The device is composed of a rock sample chamber, a crustal loading unit, a simulation fracturing string, a high-speed camera, a high-pressure pumping unit, a data measuring and collecting unit and the like, and four transparent observation ports are formed on a top cover of the rock sample chamber. The method includes firstly, preparing a flat-plate-type rock sample, performing high-pressure-water cutting to preform a natural fracture, and filling the natural fracture with epoxy resin to form a filled-type fracture; secondly, performing water saturation on the rock sample for 3-5 days, and using epoxy resin to wrap the rock sample after water saturation; thirdly, loading three-axis stress on the rock sample, drilling a borehole under the condition that the three-axis stress is applied on the rock sample, and mounting the simulation fracturing string; finally, connecting a high-pressure pipeline with a constant-flux pump, pumping fracturing liquid, recording a fracture expansion path by the high-speed camera, and measuring pumping pressure changes by a pressure transmitter. By the method and the device, the hydraulically-created-fracture expansion path can be visualized on a plane, and a novel experiment method is provided for studying on a hydraulically-created-fracture expansion mechanism.

Described is a downhole method and apparatus for detecting hydrogen sulphide in formation fluids produced in a hydrocarbon well. The sensor system is located within or in communication with an extraction chamber used to extract hydrogen sulphide in a gaseous state from the formation fluid and preferably equipped with renewable sensing elements.

This invention relates to the coal mining field, specifically, to an integrated experimental system of hydrofracturing, water jet slotting, seepage and gas displacement under true triaxial stress. This invention consists of true triaxial stress loading experimental framework, a loading system and a monitoring system. Under true triaxial stress, experiments can be conducted with sample size as large as of 500 mm×500 mm×500 mm. The hydrofracturing experiment can be controlled by as many as 5 independent boreholes at the same time. The borehole water pressure in hydraulic fracturing can reach 63 MPa. Experiments of seepage and fluid-structure interaction with high seepage pressure can be achieved with sample dimension as large as 400 mm×400 mm×400 mm. Mine-used experimental bench of high pressure pump with rated flow of 70 L / min and maximum water pressure of 70 MPa can be used to drill borehole and the like.

The invention discloses a system for testing a physical model for large-scale landslides under the action of multiple factors, which comprises a reservoir level fluctuation simulation unit, a landslide experiment slot section, an artificial rainfall simulation unit and a measuring unit, wherein the landslide experiment slot section comprises a horizontal slot section and a slope slot section, the horizontal slot section and the slope slot section are respectively paved with a slope body consisting of sand-soil mixtures, and the rear end of the horizontal slot section is hinged with the front end of the slope slot section; the slope slot section is composed of more than two slot sections which are sequentially hinged end to end, and the bottom of each slot section is provided with a lifting unit which can adjust the dip angle of the slot section; the rear end of the slope slot section is provided with a Malpighian-tube rear-edge water-replenishing unit; and the measuring unit comprises a deformation measuring part and a stress measuring part, wherein the deformation measuring part is used for measuring the deformation process of the slope body, and the stress measuring part is used for measuring the water pressure and water content of a pore of the slope body. By using the system disclosed by the invention, the changing regularity of each measurable physical quantity of a landslide in different development stages can be grasped accurately, thereby providing a possibility for better developing the studies on key parameters of landslides in different evolution stages.

A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

A method for marking a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon. The method comprises adding to the liquid petroleum hydrocarbon at least one substituted anthraquinone dry having formula (I) wherein X is O or S; Y is O, NR<7 >or S; R<1 >and R<2 >independently are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclic or alkanoyl; R<3 >and R<5 >independently are alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl or heterocyclic; R<4 >and R<6 >independently are hydrogen or alkyl; R<7 >is hydrogen or alkyl; and wherein the substituted anthraquinone dye(s) has an absorption maximum in the range from 600 nm to 750 nm.

The present invention provides a downhole method and apparatus using a flexural mechanical resonator, for example, a tuning fork to provide real-time direct measurements and estimates of the viscosity, density and dielectric constant of formation fluid or filtrate in a hydrocarbon producing well. The present invention additionally provides a method and apparatus for monitoring cleanup from a leveling off of viscosity or density over time, measuring or estimating bubble point for formation fluid, measuring or estimating dew point for formation fluid, and determining the onset of asphaltene precipitation. The present invention also provides for intercalibration of plural pressure gauges used to determine a pressure differential downhole.

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.

The present invention provides a distributed sensing system in a networked environment for identifying an analyte, including a first sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; a second sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus; and a computer comprising a resident algorithm. The algorithm indicates or selects the most relevant sensor in the network to identify the analyte. The sensors can be separated over large spatial areas, wherein the sensor arrays are networked. Suitable networks include a computer local area network, an intranet or the Internet.

The present invention relates to the field of compression refrigeration and air conditioning. Specifically, the present invention relates to a tracer-containing compositions comprising refrigeration / heating fluid and tracer compound(s). Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for detecting tracer compounds to identify gases after leaving the custody of the original manufacturer or prior source, and the verification of authenticity. The aforementioned method provides for the detection of tracer compounds, which in turn, may alert the refrigeration industry to when dilution, adulteration, contamination or other unauthorized practices have occurred with refrigeration products.

A method for estimating properties of porous media, such as fine pore or tight rocks, is provided. The method comprises digital image scanning of sequential sub-samples of porous media at progressively higher resolution to systematically identify sub-sections of interest within the original sample and then estimate properties of the porous media. The resulting properties of the porous media then can be optionally upscaled to further estimate the properties of larger volumes of the porous media such as rock facies or subterranean reservoirs. A system operable for conducting the method also is provided.

Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into oil wells or subsurface formations. The method includes injection of one or more tracers into an oil well or into a formation. Included in the method are the steps of introducing a material of interest into the oil well or into the subsurface formation associated with the bore of the oil well; introducing a tracer into the oil well or into the subsurface formation associated with the bore of the oil well; recovering from the oil well a production fluid, analyzing the production fluid for a concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and calculating the amount of material of interest recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation.

A wireless sensor probe for use in environmental monitoring and control includes a separable probe body and sensor mast. The probe body includes a void configured to house the sensor mast including one or more sensor devices for sensing a soil property surrounding the probe body when the probe body is inserted partially into the ground. The probe body includes a probe top part for encapsulating the probe body and the sensor mast. The sensor mast is inserted into the probe body to form the sensor probe. In another embodiment, a wireless sensor probe includes a housing containing one or more sensor devices. The probe further includes a collar situated near a top portion of the housing being used to anchor the housing to the top of the ground and a gasket formed on the outside perimeter of the housing for securing the housing in the ground.

A method for providing environmental monitoring and control includes providing a network of wireless nodes, the wireless nodes includes an array of sensor nodes and an array of actuator nodes, each wireless node including a wireless transceiver, a processor and one of a sensor device or an actuator device. In one embodiment, the receiver wireless node schedules the time slot for the next transmission by sending an acknowledgement message from the receiver wireless node to the sender wireless node including a time slot for the next scheduled transmission. The wireless nodes are turned off until the next scheduled time slot when the wireless nodes are turned on synchronously. In another embodiment, the sender wireless node schedules the next transmission by sending a message including a time slot for the next scheduled transmission and the receiver wireless node sends an acknowledgement message acknowledging the selected time slot.

A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

The invention provides a rock high-pressure permeability test system, comprising a sample depression box device which is provided with a heavy frame inside, a hydraulic jack positioned inside the heavy frame, a movable trolley positioned on the top of the hydraulic jack, and a triaxial depression box fixed on the movable trolley, wherein, the triaxial depression box comprises a confining pressure chamber body, a depression box base with an seepage water inlet and a confining pressure water inlet, a lower actuating post system which is positioned on the depression box base and is communicated with the seepage water inlet and a seepage water channel on the sample, an upper actuating post system of the seepage water outlet which is positioned on the top of the depression box and is communicated with the seepage water channel on the sample. The test system is provided with an oil-water converting dynamic control system which is connected with the hydraulic jack, the seepage water inlet and the confining pressure water inlet respectively. The invention can test the permeability of the sample under various conditions, conventional triaxial mechanical characteristics of various loading paths, the seepage at a high permeability pressure, and the stress coupling process and can control the shaft pressure, the confining pressure, the permeability pressure and the axial displacement accurately.

The application of a gas analyzer for gas mud logging is presented to measure gases in the return mud flow used in drilling processes. A supported membrane extraction probe from the analyzer is inserted into the mud flow. The probe extracts target gases from the mud through the membrane. Extracted gases are transported by an internal pump to an internal gas sensor unit. The infrared sensor unit is utilized to subject the gases to infrared emitted energy to excite the gasses at a molecular level for sensing and detection. The sensor then transfers sensed values electronically to a digital conditioning board. As the data is digitized in the conditioning board it is encoded with information to enable a means of correlating the derived sensor data. The data is then sent to a digital wireless transceiver for transport to a remote receiving transceiver connected to a microprocessor for data logging.

The invention discloses a multifunctional geotechnical model test chamber device adopting photogrammetric technology. The multifunctional geotechnical model test chamber device comprises a model test chamber body, a loading and testing part, a movable pile baffle, a downward-moving control part, a displacement testing system and the like. The whole-filed displacement is measured by using the photogrammetric technology. The soil arch effect demonstration of 20 different pile spacing ratios, the pile-supported embankment filler particle soil arch effect and a compound foundation cushion layer effect simulation test under the rigid foundation can be realized. Meanwhile, the geotechnical model test chamber device can also carry out simulation such as stress and deformation simulation of buried pipes, slope deformation, excavation of foundation pits, stress and deformation of an enclosing structure and the like by using the test chamber.

Equipment and process for three-dimensional measurement of size and shape and for compositional analysis of mineral and rock particles and the like objects. A mixture of particles or objects of same or different sizes of minerals or rocks or the like are fed individually and automatically onto a conveyor belt for three-dimensional machine vision measurements using laser and two cameras and subsequently for spectroscopic measurements using visible and infrared light and are then collected at the end of the conveyor. Computer software is used to perform the measurement automatically and to calculate size, form, roundness, and preferably petrographic composition and other characteristics or properties of each individual object and the statistical distribution of relevant properties, either according to built-in measurement processes or user specific methods.