Slurry monitoring system and method therefor

A slurry monitoring method comprising:

• causing a slurry to flow through a slurry flow chamber into which a filter encompassing a filter chamber has been placed;
• maintaining a purge piston in a first position proximate a first end of said filter chamber for a first predetermined length of time to effect a monitor operation;
• extending said purge piston from said first position to a second position proximate a second end of said filter chamber to begin a purge operation;
• retaining said purge piston in said second position for a second predetermined length of time to effect said purge operation;
• and
• retracting said purge piston from said second position to said first position to terminate said purge operation.

A slurry-density monitoring system configured to monitor a density of a slurry in a slurry flow chamber during a monitor operation, and configured to self purge during a purge operation, said system comprising:

• a base plate having a first side and a second side;
• a filter having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is coupled to said base plate upon said first side;
• an end plate coupled to said second end;
• a filter chamber encompassed by said filter;
• a purge piston configured to reside within said filter chamber in one of a first position proximate said first end and a second position proximate said second end;
• a shaft coupled to said purge piston proximate said first side;
• a bidirectional ram coupled to said shaft proximate said second side;
• an inlet pipe coupled to said filter chamber;
• a flush valve coupled into said inlet pipe;
• a controller electrically coupled to said bidirectional ram and said flush valve;
• an outlet pipe coupled to said filter chamber;
• and
• a monitoring device coupled into said outlet pipe.