Nalco Company

Ecolab USA Inc.

Michael E Bradley

Michael J Murcia

Peter D Hicks

Mita Chattoraj

Joe L Schwartz

Hui Li

Daniel Eugene Schwarz

A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (&#x3bb;) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (&#x3bb;) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (&#x3bb;) of the ultrasonic energy.

Method of obtaining or maintaining optical transmittance into deaerated liquid

Described and claimed is a novel system and method for monitoring the metabolic rate of a cellular population in an industrial process. The invention includes obtaining a sample of the cellular population and initiating a reaction between a metabolic component of the cellular population and a bioreporter. The reaction produces a detectable metabolic signal which is measured and analyzed to determine a metabolic rate of the cellular population. In preferred embodiments, a controller is operable to provide prompts to a user and/or automate various steps of the invention.

Metabolic rate indicator for cellular populations

A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.

Fouling reduction device and method

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Shorewood, IL, United States of America

Michael E Bradley