Abstract:
This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for direct detection of one or more markers in pressurized hydrocarbon fluids. The apparatus includes a vessel (130) and one or more valves (150, 160, 170). The hydrocarbon fluid (240) may be a liquid or gas. Markers may include a variety of- optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. The apparatus may be coupled to a hydrocarbon fluid source (210), and the vessel (130) may be at least partially filled with hydrocarbon fluid from the hydrocarbon fluid source (210). A> detector (140) coupled to the vessel (130) may be used to detect at least one of the markers in the hydrocarbon fluid (240) while the apparatus is coupled to the hydrocarbon fluid source (210) and without the addition of reagents. Detection of markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection.
Abstract:
A fluorescence emissions detector includes an electromagnetic radiation source emitting photoemissions towards a target in response to a signal; a detector configured to receive resonant fluorescence emissions from the target, which are in response to the photoemissions, and generate a signal in response thereto; and an amplifier having a first stage receiving the detection signal and a gating signal as a function of the pulsed signal, the gating signal gates the first stage to have an output with a first gain when the electromagnetic radiation source is activated to emit one of the pulsed photoemissions, and a second gain when the electromagnetic radiation source is deactivated. The amplifier second stage receives control signals and the first stage output, the second stage having an output and having a gain and offset responding to the control signals to produce a linear dynamic range for a signal that is an analog of the resonant fluorescence emissions.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for extraction, identification, authentication, and quantification of one or more covert markers in a material are disclosed. An extraction system includes a first plug flow mixer for mixing a first fluid bearing a marker and transfer agent into a plug flow. The mixing and flowing of the immiscible liquids causes transfer of the marker from the fluid to the transfer agent. A splitter having filters of different surface energies separates the two immiscible liquids, the transfer agent bearing the marker. A second plug flow can be used to transfer the marker to a second transfer agent. The transferred marker is detected to authenticate the original fluid. The marker can be further isolated, activated, or reacted to perform detection, identification or authentication. With the device, a number of independent processing and analytic steps are combined onto a single, portable unit.
Abstract:
An improved paper (106) comprises two or more layers of porous non-woven material (101) overlaid to form a web. Pulp fibers (103) disposed through the pores of the non-woven material (101), wherein the pulp fibers (103) are entangled and act to hold the two or more porous non-woven material layers (101) together forming a substrate (104). A layer of paper pulp (105) disposed on both sides of the substrate (104) forming a composite (106) that is compressed, dried and heated to form the improved paper. In one embodiment, the non-woven material substrate (101) of the improved paper is a synthetic polymer material. The pulp fibers (103) may be disposed through the pores (102) of the non-woven material (101) using the process of sonication.
Abstract:
Marking a petroleum product includes adding a covert dye selected from the group consisting of azadipyrromethene dyes, dipyrromethene dyes, and any combination thereof to the petroleum product and distributing the dye in the petroleum product. A petroleum product selected for analysis may be spectroscopically analyzed for the presence of an azadipyrromethene dye, a dipyrromethene dye, or a combination thereof. A concentration of at least one azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye present in the portion of the petroleum product may be determined to identify the petroleum product as counterfeit, adulterated, or authentic based on the determined concentration of the azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye.
Abstract:
This invention generally relates to a composition, an apparatus, and a method for authenticating a product. In particular, the invention relates to an ink composition for marking a product with a continuous inkjet printer. The composition includes a visible ink and a UV, visible, and/or IR marker. Marking includes depositing the ink composition on the product with the continuous inkjet printer. A marked product is authenticated with a hand-held apparatus that activates the marker in the mark with UV radiation. Activation of the marker in the mark changes the absorbance/reflectance of visible radiation by the mark without changing the visual appearance of the mark. Authenticity of the product is assessed by a change in absorbance or reflectance of visible radiation by the mark after activation of the mark.
Abstract:
Tagged products (including tagged petroleum products) and methods of detecting the same are disclosed. The tagged petroleum products are tagged with a violanthrone, e.g., a substituted violanthrone and/or an isoviolanthrone, e.g., a substituted isoviolanthrone.
Abstract:
A method and composition for identifying chemically tagged petroleum products can be achieved by adding one or more chemicals to a selected petroleum product wherein the chemical is immune to extraction from the petroleum product by conventional inexpensive absorbents, cannot be removed by extraction with acids, bases, or immiscible solvents, cannot be easily oxidized, reduced or reacted with common agents, is difficult to disguise by masking with other agents, has a low polarity, and has a boiling point in the range of the petroleum product the chemical is being added to. The presence of the chemical is determined by using ion mobility spectroscopy.
Abstract:
Device and methods for detecting/quantifying a fluorescent taggant in a liquid sample. Generally, the liquid samples are fuels having low concentrations (measured in ppb) of a fluorescent taggant. The detection/quantification generates a predicted concentration of the fluorescent tagging compound using a process selected from the group of a multivariate process, a background subtraction process, or a combination of both. The invention addresses the detection of an adulteration of gasoline and diesel fuels.