Method, facility and tank for the manufacture of a liquid acid concentrate used for hemodialysis machines

A facility for manufacturing a predetermined quantity of a batch of liquid concentrate for hemodialysis machines, the facility comprising:

• a mixing tank;
• a water source connected to the mixing tank via a water introduction line;
• an electrolyte tank containing a mixture of electrolytes comprising one or more of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in an exact quantity needed to manufacture the batch of liquid concentrate;
• a withdrawal line, a return line, and a recirculation line, wherein the withdrawal line and the return line are one and the same line, two different lines, or a combination of the same and different lines and the withdrawal line leads from the mixing tank to the electrolyte tank to transfer part of a solution from the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank and the return line leads from the electrolyte tank to the mixing tank to transfer the solution contained in the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank;
• and
• at least one pump to convey the solution in the withdrawal line, the return line, and the recirculation line, wherein
• the electrolyte tank is equipped with a single bag line allowing both transfer of the solution from the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank, as well as transfer of the solution from the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank, wherein the single bag line is equipped with a connector for connection to the withdrawal line used to transfer the solution from the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank and to the return line used to transfer the solution from the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank, and
• the facility is configured to repeat a transfer sequence of the solution until the mixture of electrolytes contained in the electrolyte tank is completely dissolved, the transfer sequence comprising
• a) transfer of part of the solution contained in the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank, and then
• b) transfer of the solution contained in the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank, leaving solid constituents in the electrolyte tank.

A method for manufacturing a predetermined quantity of a batch of liquid concentrate for hemodialysis machines, the method comprising steps of:

• a) connecting a mixing tank to a water source and an electrolyte tank containing a mixture of electrolytes comprising one or more of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in an exact quantity needed to manufacture the batch of liquid concentrate, wherein the electrolyte tank is equipped with a single bag line allowing both transfer of a solution from the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank, as well as transfer of the solution from the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank, the single bag line is equipped with a connector for connection to a withdrawal line used to transfer the solution from the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank and to a return line used to transfer the solution from the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank;
• b) introducing a quantity of water needed for the manufacture of the batch of liquid concentrate into the mixing tank;
• c) repeating sub-steps until the electrolyte mixture contained in the electrolyte tank is completely dissolved, the sub-steps comprising
• i) transferring part of the solution contained in the mixing tank into the electrolyte tank via the single bag line, and then
• ii) transferring the solution contained in the electrolyte tank into the mixing tank via the single bang line, leaving solid constituents in the electrolyte tank;
• and
• d) recirculating the solution by extracting it from a point in the mixing tank and reintroducing it at another point until a homogeneous liquid concentrate is obtained.