Method and apparatus for optimizing operation of a filter system

A method for optimizing operation of a filter system supplying outlet filtered fluid to a processing system, comprising the steps of:

• supplying first and second bodyfed filter aids from first and second bodyfeed sources to a filter element in the filter system;
• monitoring at least a first variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid for the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the first monitored condition in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an mount and at times indicated by the first monitored condition of the filtered fluid;
• monitoring at least a second variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid for the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• regulating operation of the second bodyfeed source in response to the second monitored condition in order to supply the second bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the second monitored condition.

Apparatus constructed and arranged for optimizing operation of a pressure filter system receiving fluid to be filtered from a supply means and supplying filtered fluid to a process system characterized by varying demands for filtered fluid, the apparatus comprising at least one readily replaceable porous membrane or filter media:

• control means for variably controlling operation of the supply means and for supplying outlet filtered fluid to the process system at a flow rate generally proportional to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system;
• means for sensing a selected parameter of the process system indicative of its varying demands for filtered fluid;
• and
• means responsive to the sensing means for generating feedback data representative of the selected parameter, the control means being responsive to the generated feedback data for operating the filter system supply means in proportional relation to the selected operating parameter of the process system for supplying inlet fluid to the filter system and to produce filtered outlet fluid at a flow rate determined by the feedback data, whereby the filter system is caused to operate at a variable flow rate for supplying filtered fluid to the process system generally in proportion to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system to optimize operation of the filter system.

Apparatus for optimizing operation of a filter system supplying filtered fluid to a process system, the apparatus comprising:

• first and second bodyfeed sources for respectively supplying first and second bodyfeed filter aids to the filter system;
• first means for monitoring at least one variable selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid supplied to the filter system, (b) a condition of outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of a filter element of the filter system;
• first means for regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the first monitoring means in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the first monitored condition;
• second means for monitoring at least one variable selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid supplied to the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• second means for regulating operation of the second bodyfeed source in response to the second monitoring means in order to supply the second bodyfed filter aid to the filter element in an amount and at times indicated by the second condition.

An apparatus for optimizing operation of a filter system, the apparatus comprising:

• a filter system comprising at least one readily replaceable porous membrane or filter media;
• a process system coupled to the filter system, the process system having varying demands for filtered fluid from the filter system;
• pump means adapted to vary the flow of fluid therethrough, the pump means supplying fluid to the filter system at varying flow rates depending upon the varying demands for filtered fluid of the process system for optimizing the operation of the filter system;
• fluid holding means interposed between the process system and the filter system, the holding means receiving filtered fluid from the filter system for supplying the fluid to the process system;
• monitor means for monitoring the level of filtered fluid in the holding means and for supplying feedback data indicative of the filtered fluid level;
• and
• control means coupled to the pump means and to the monitor means, the control means constantly receiving the data from the monitor means for constantly regulating the operation of the pump means to vary the flow rate of fluid supplied to the filter system to optimize the operation of the filter system, such that the filter system supplies filtered fluid to the holding means at a rate generally proportional to the varying demands for filtered fluid of the process system, the control means further inhibiting the pump means from supplying an excessive amount or an insufficient amount of fluid to the filter system.

A method for optimizing operation of a pressure filter system supplying filtered fluid to a process system characterized by varying demands for filtered fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• controlling the filter system by a supply means for supplying filtered fluid to the process system at a rate of flow generally proportional to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system;
• constantly sensing a selected operating parameter of the process system indicative of its varying demands for filtered fluid and generating feedback data representative of the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system;
• regulating operation of the filter system supply means to supply inlet fluid to the filter system at a rate of flow determined by the feedback data, whereby the filter system operates at a variable flow rate supplying filtered fluid generally in proportion to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system to optimize operation of the filter system;
• supplying a first bodyfed filter aid to a filter element in the filter system by means of a first bodyfeed source;
• constantly monitoring at least one first variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the monitored condition in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter element in an amount and at times indicated by at least one first variable condition;
• supplying a second bodyfed filter aid to the filter element by means of a second bodyfeed source;
• monitoring a second variable condition indicating requirements for the second bodyfed filter aid;
• and
• operating the first and second bodyfeed sources in response to the first and second monitored variable conditions for respectively supplying the first and second bodyfed filter aids to the filter element at times and in amounts determined by the first and second variable conditions.

Apparatus constructed and arranged for optimizing operation of a filter system receiving fluid to be filtered from a supply means and supplying filtered fluid to a process system characterized by varying demands for filtered fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• control means for controlling operation of the supply means and for supplying outlet filtered fluid to the process system at a rate generally proportional to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system;
• means for sensing a selected parameter of the process system indicative of its varying demands for filtered fluid;
• means responsive to the sensing means for generating feedback data representative of the selected parameter, the control means responsive to the generated feedback data for causing the supply means to supply inlet fluid to the filter system and to produce filtered outlet fluid at a rate of flow determined by the feedback data, whereby the filter system is caused to operate at a variable flow rate for supplying filtered fluid to the process system generally in proportion to the varying demands for filtered fluid by the process system to optimize operation of the filter system;
• a first bodyfed filter aid supplied from a first bodyfeed source to a filter element in the filter system;
• first means for monitoring at least one first condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of inlet fluid supplied to the filter system, (b) a condition of outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• first means for regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the first monitoring means in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the first monitored condition;
• a second bodyfed filter aid supplied from a second bodyfeed source to a filter element in the filter system;
• second means for monitoring at least one second condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of the inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• second means for regulating operation of the second bodyfeed source in response to the second monitored condition for regulating the supply of the second bodyfed filter aid to the filter element at times and in amounts determined by the second condition.

Apparatus constructed and arranged for optimizing operation of a filter system receiving coolant/lubricant to be filtered from a supply means and supplying filtered coolant/lubricant to a process system, the apparatus comprising:

• variable control means for controlling operation of the supply means and for supplying outlet filtered coolant/lubricant to the process system at a rate of flow generally proportional to the varying demands for filtered coolant/lubricant by the process system;
• means for sensing a selected parameter of the process system indicative of its varying demands for filtered coolant/lubricant;
• means responsive to the sensing means for generating feedback data representative of the selected parameter, the control means responsive to the generated feedback data for causing the supply means to supply inlet coolant/lubricant to the filter system and to produce filtered outlet coolant/lubricant at a rate of flow determined by the feedback data, whereby the filter system is caused to operate at a variable rate of flow for supplying filtered coolant/lubricant to the process system generally in proportion to the varying demands for filtered coolant/lubricant by the process system to optimize operation of the filter system;
• means for supplying bodyfed filter aid material from bodyfeed means to a filter element in the filter system;
• means for monitoring at least one variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) turbidity of inlet coolant/lubricant supplied to the filter system, (b) color of outlet filtered coolant/lubricant supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• means for regulating operation of the bodyfeed means in response to the monitoring means in order to supply the bodyfed filter aid material to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the monitored condition.

A method for optimizing operation of a filter system supplying outlet filtered fluid to a processing system, comprising the steps of:

• supplying at least a first and a second bodyfed filter aid from at least a first and a second bodyfeed source respectively to the filter system;
• monitoring at least a first variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of the inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of a filter element of the filter system;
• regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the first monitored condition in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the first monitored condition of the filter fluid;
• monitoring at least a second variable condition selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of the inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• regulating operation of the second bodyfeed source in response to the second monitored condition in order to supply the second bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the second monitored condition.

Apparatus for optimizing operation of a filter system supplying filtered fluid to a processing system, the apparatus comprising:

• first and second bodyfeed sources for respectively supplying either a first or a second bodyfed filter aid to the filter system;
• first means for monitoring at least one variable selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of the inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of a filter element of the filter system;
• first means for regulating operation of the first bodyfeed source in response to the first monitoring means in order to supply the first bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the first monitored condition;
• second means for monitoring at least one variable selected from the group consisting of (a) a condition of the inlet fluid to the filter system, (b) a condition of the outlet filtered fluid supplied to the process system, and (c) a condition of the filter element;
• and
• second means for regulating operation of the second bodyfeed source in response to the second monitored condition in order to supply the second bodyfed filter aid to the filter system in an amount and at times indicated by the second monitored condition.