Methods, systems, and devices for evaluation of thermal treatment

Abstract

Methods, Systems, and Devices for Evaluation of Thermal Treatment. A magnetically detectable particle and related methods, systems, and devices are provided for generating a temperature measurement for a batch or a continuous stream of material. The particle can include a first and second magnet each comprising a positive and negative pole. The particle can also include an adhesive having a release temperature and operable to attach one or both of the positive and negative poles of the first magnet proximate to the same polarity pole of the second magnet or to attach one of the positive and negative poles of the first magnet between the poles of the second magnet below the release temperature such that a first magnetic field is generated by the first and second magnet. The adhesive can also be operable to release the first and second magnets from one another above the release temperature.

1 - 43 . (canceled)  
   
   
       44 . A device for generating a temperature measurement for a batch or continuous stream of material, the device comprising: 
 (a) a detectable particle comprising a signal that changes at a predetermined temperature; and    (b) a carrier particle comprising an interior cavity holding the detectable particle, wherein the carrier particle comprises a conservative behavior characteristic matching a target particle, wherein the thermal protection provided by the carrier particle to the interior cavity is greater than or equivalent to conservative thermal behavior of a target particle at its cold spot under similar heating conditions.    
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the conservative behavior characteristics of the target particle comprise conservative dimensional and thermal characteristics.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein the conservative dimensional characteristic comprises a cube shape.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein the conservative dimensional characteristic comprises a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein the conservative thermal characteristic comprises a density between about 10 kg/M 3  and 20,000 kg/m 3 .  
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, biopolymer, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises polypropylene.  
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises methylpentene copolymer (TPX).  
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises nylon.  
   
   
       53 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a specific heat between about 122 J/(kg·° C.) and 4,186 J/(kg·° C.).  
   
   
       54 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a thickness between the interior cavity and an outside surface of the carrier particle providing conservative thermal protection to the interior cavity.  
   
   
       55 . A method of generating a temperature measurement for a batch or a continuous stream of material, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a device comprising: 
 (i) a detectable particle comprising a signal that changes at a predetermined temperature; and  
 (ii) a carrier particle comprising an interior cavity holding the detectable particle, wherein the carrier particle comprises a conservative behavior characteristic matching a target particle, wherein the thermal protection provided by the carrier particle to the interior cavity is greater than or equivalent to conservative behavior characteristics of a target particle to the cold spot under similar heating conditions;  
   (b) inserting the device provided in step (a) into the batch or continuous stream; and    (c) detecting a signal change of the device to thereby generate a temperature measurement for the batch or continuous stream.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the conservative behavior characteristics of the target particle comprise conservative dimensional and thermal characteristics.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the conservative dimensional characteristic comprises a cube shape.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the conservative dimensional characteristic comprises a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the conservative thermal characteristic comprises a density between about 10 kg/m 3  and 20,000 kg/m 3 .  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, biopolymer, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises polypropylene.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises methylpentene copolymer (TPX).  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises nylon.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a specific heat between about 122 J/(kg·° C.) and 4,186 J/(kg·° C.).  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the carrier particle comprises a thickness between the interior cavity and an outside surface of the carrier particle providing conservative thermal protection to the interior cavity.  
   
   
       66 - 186 . (canceled)