Linda S Lane

55043313, Apr 2, 1996

Oct 15, 1993

8/137323

Linda M. Lane - Long Beach CA
Timothy M. Davidson - Alta Loma CA

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

G01N 2135

25033909

Fluid samples, including petroleum fuels, may be analyzed as to certain properties such as octane number by a near infrared spectrometer by a method which carries out steps of verifying operating conditions of the spectrometer, comparing measured values of absorbance of radiation at predetermined wavelengths with a set of training values for the fluid composition in question and indicating an out of range condition when a predetermined set of measured values, when averaged, exceeds a predetermined limit. The system carries out a verification of its operating conditions by performing a routine analysis on a reference fluid, such as toluene. A so-called diagnostics routine may be performed to verify operating parameters of the system such as the radiation source, and the throughput of certain optical elements whose transmissivity may be affected by residue from the fluids being analyzed. Fluid specimens may be collected in a sample capture system having a plurality of sample capture vessels selectively operated to capture out of specification fluid samples.