James D. King

Method and apparatus for measuring flow of non-homogeneous material in incompletely filled flow channels

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a method and apparatus for measuring the flow of non-homogeneous materials in an incompletely filled channel is set forth. In one embodiment, a NMR (or ESR) flow meter arrangement including a magnet forming the requisite magnetic field Ho across a flow channel is incorporated. The magnet cooperates with a coil providing an NMR or ESR output signal from selected specie(s) or sub-atomic patricles (i.e. nuclei or unpaired electrons) in the material in the flow stream. It is desirable for the signal to be representative of the total amount of material in the flow stream. This signal may be in error, unable to sort out prospective combined variations due to (1) incomplete filling of the sensing volume or (2) a non-homogeneous composition of material. A composition sensor coil inscribing a very small volume in selected portions of the flow channel is included to form an NMR output signal indicative of composition, the small volume being filled for that sensor. Its output signal thus determines one of the two variables, and is input to a data combining circuit to indicate the flow volume from the two signals.

Development and evaluation of magnetic resonance technologies, particularly NMR, for detection of explosives

Beginning in 1972 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies for detecting explosives and illegal contraband were developed and evaluated at the Southwest Research Institute. Fullscale systems on the basis of hydrogen transient NMR were developed and evaluated in laboratory and field tests with generally favorable results but with some limitations. These included (1) an experimental, mobile system for detecting buried, nonmetallic land mines; (2) an instrument for inspection of letters and small parcels for small quantities of explosives or illegal drugs; (3) a system for inspection of checked airline baggage and air cargo for concealed explosives and illegal drugs; and (4) a system for rapid inspection of quantities of mail for illegal drugs.1H NMR offers high sensitivity and detects high-energy explosives such as RDX, TNT, and PETN, as well as nitroglycerine and ammonium-nitrate-based explosives and illegal drugs. Challenges in both physics and engineering were successfully addressed to achieve the goals of rapid inspection with low false-alarm and high detection probability. Electron paramagnetic resonance was found suitable for detecting black powder in laboratory tests as was nuclear quadrupole resonance for a few high-energy explosives. Low-field1H NMR was also explored in the laboratory to make it practical for explosives detection and found to have potential, but numerous implementation problems must be overcome.

Apparatus for accurately controlling moisture levels of aqueous surfactant compositions during on line processing including a cross-feed piston assembly

An apparatus for corring aqueous surfactant composition and sampling moisture content wherein the apparatus includes a device for delivering composition to a main collection port; a device for coring the composition in the main collection port to form a sample; a device for delivering the sample into an NMR sensor area; a device for measuring moisture level of the sample in the NMR sensor area; and a device for extracting the sample from the NMR sensor area or returning the sample to a main collection port which includes a cross feed piston assembly.