Methods and systems for controlling a continuous medium filtration system

A method of controlling a cross-flow filtration system which receives a slurry and separates a solid material from a liquid material contained in the slurry, the cross-flow filtration system having a continuous filter medium on which the solid material is deposited, the continuous filter medium moving at a speed within the cross-flow filtration system, the cross-flow filtration system having a plurality of parameters which characterize its operation, the method comprising the steps of;

• sensing at least one parameter of the cross-flow filtration system during operation thereof, wherein the at least one parameter includes a flow rate of the slurry over the continuous filter medium sensed along an axis generally parallel to an axis along which the continuous filter medium is moving and sensed along said medium at a region where the slurry flows at a speed greater than the speed at which the continuous filter medium is moving;
• generating at least one signal based upon the at least one parameter;
• and
• controlling a second parameter of the cross-flow filtration system in dependence upon the at least one signal to maintain a cross-flow filtration condition along a predetermined portion of the continuous filter medium.

A method of controlling a cross-flow filtration system which receives a slurry and separates a solid material from a liquid material contained in the slurry, the cross-flow filtration system defining a separation chamber within which the solid material is deposited on a continuous filter medium, the cross-flow filtration system having a motor which drives the continuous filter medium at a speed relative to the separation chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing the speed of the continuous filter medium;
• generating a first signal representative of the speed;
• sensing a flow velocity of the slurry over the continuous filter medium;
• generating a second signal representative of the flow velocity;
• sensing a pressure drop across the continuous filter medium;
• generating a third signal representative of the pressure drop;
• processing the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to form a control signal;
• and
• applying the control signal to the motor.

A system comprising:

• a cross-flow filtration system which receives a slurry and separates a solid material from a liquid material contained in the slurry, the cross-flow filtration system defining a separation chamber within which the solid material is deposited on a continuous filter medium, the continuous filter medium moving at a speed relative to the separation chamber, the cross-flow filtration system having a plurality of parameters which characterize its operation;
• a sensor operative for sensing a first parameter of the cross-flow filtration system during operation thereof, the sensor generating a signal based upon the first parameter, wherein the first parameter is a flow rate of the slurry sensed along said continuous filter medium within the separation chamber;
• and
• means comprising a processor operatively associated with the sensor for producing a control signal in dependence upon the signal generated by the sensor which is applied to the cross-flow filtration system for controlling a second parameter thereof.

A system comprising:

• a filtration system which receives a slurry and separates a solid material from a liquid material contained in the slurry, the filtration system having a continuous, cross-flow filter medium on which the solid material is deposited, the continuous filter medium moving at a speed within the filtration system, the filtration system having a plurality of parameters which characterize its operation, the system further comprising:
• at least one sensor operative for sensing at least one parameter of the filtration system during filtration, the at least one sensor generating at least one signal based upon the at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter sensed includes a differential pressure between a first location and a second location separated by the continuous filter medium;
• and
• means comprising a processor operatively associated with the at least one sensor for producing a control signal in dependence upon the at least one signal which is applied to the filtration system for controlling the speed of the continuous filter medium to maintain a cross-flow filtration condition within a predetermined section of the separation chamber.

A system comprising:

• a cross-flow filtration system which receives a slurry and separates a solid material from a liquid material contained in the slurry, the cross-flow filtration system defining a separation chamber within which the solid material is deposited on a continuous filter medium, the continuous filter medium moving at a speed relative to the separation chamber, the continuous filter medium driven by a motor having an input;
• a plurality of sensors operative for sensing a plurality of parameters of the cross-flow filtration system during operation thereof, the plurality of parameters sensed selected from the group consisting of the speed of the continuous filter medium, a flow rate of the slurry within the separation chamber, and a differential pressure between a first location within the separation chamber and a second location exterior to the separation chamber, the plurality of sensors generating a plurality of signals based upon the plurality of parameters;
• and
• means comprising a processor operatively associated with each of the plurality of sensors and the motor for producing a control signal in dependence upon the plurality of signals, wherein the control signal is applied to the input of the motor to maintain a cross-flow filtration condition within a predetermined section of the separation chamber.