Method and system for monitoring and controlling a filtration process
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorWilliam L. Reber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for creating a filtration knowledge base is used in a filtration process for separating a liquid component and a solid component from a slurry. The concentrations of the solid component in the slurry, and of the solid component in the separated liquid, are monitored and stored in a knowledge base along with a quantity relating to the amount of filtering. The knowledge base can be used for controlling the slurry-producing process, routing the separated liquid, automated billing and automated compliance reporting.
Claims24
In a cross-flow filtration process receiving a slurry from a slurry-producing process having at least one parameter, the slurry having a liquid component and a solid component, the filtration process acting to separate the solid component of the slurry and the liquid component of the slurry, a method for creating a filtration knowledge base, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a concentration of the solid component in the slurry using a first sensor having an output;
- generating a first signal based on the output of the first sensor;
- monitoring a concentration of the solid component in the separated liquid component using a second sensor having an output;
- generating a second signal based on the output of the second sensor;
- monitoring a quantity relating to an amount of filtering performed using a third sensor;
- generating a third signal based on the output of the third sensor;
- storing values of the first signal, the second signal and the third signal in a knowledge base;
- and
- automatically routing the separated liquid component based on the stored value of the second signal in the knowledge base.
In a cross-flow filtration process receiving a slurry from a slurry-producing process having at least one parameter, the slurry having a liquid component and a solid component, the filtration process acting to separate the solid component of the slurry and the liquid component of the slurry, a system for filtering a slurry by cross-flow filtration while creating a filtration knowledge base, the system comprising:
- means for separating a slurry by cross-flow filtration into a liquid component and a solid component;
- a first sensor operable for monitoring a concentration of the solid component in the slurry and for generating a first signal based on the monitored concentration of the solid component in the slurry;
- a second sensor operable for monitoring a concentration of the solid component in the separated liquid component and for generating a second signal based on the concentration of the solid component in the separated liquid component;
- a third sensor operable for monitoring a quantity relating to an amount of filtering performed and for generating a third signal based on the monitored amount of filtering performed;
- a knowledge base operable for storing values of the first signal, the second signal and the third signal;
- and
- a router, coupled to the knowledge base, operable to automatically route the separated liquid component in response to the stored value of the second signal in the knowledge base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.