System and method for in-line monitoring of a quality characteristic of a slurry

A system for in-line monitoring of a quality characteristic of a slurry, comprising:

• a vessel having a vessel side wall defining a vessel interior and a conduit disposed outside the vessel side wall, wherein the conduit includes a conduit inlet in fluid communication with the vessel interior and a conduit outlet in fluid communication with the vessel interior, wherein the vessel is configured to receive the slurry and to contain the slurry within a defined volume that is within the vessel interior and the conduit;
• one or more stirrers disposed within the vessel interior and configured for stirring the slurry;
• and
• a sensor having a sensing surface that is disposed within the conduit, wherein the sensor is configured for sensing the quality characteristic.

A method for in-line monitoring of a quality characteristic of a slurry, comprising:

• providing a system which includes (i) a vessel having a vessel side wall defining a vessel interior and a conduit disposed outside the vessel side wall, wherein the conduit includes a conduit inlet in fluid communication with the vessel interior and a conduit outlet in fluid communication with the vessel interior (ii) one or more stirrers disposed within the vessel interior and configured for stirring the slurry, and (iii) a sensor having a sensing surface that is disposed within the conduit;
• adding the slurry into the vessel;
• stirring the slurry with the one or more stirrers;
• and
• sensing the slurry within the conduit with the sensor so as to determine the quality characteristic of the slurry.