System for monitoring the performance of fluid treatment cartridges

A fluid treatment system comprising:

• a) a detachable fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough, the cartridge having an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge, an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge, and an RFID tag for storing data;
• b) a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge, the connection manifold having an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge;
• c) a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag;
• d) means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the sensor;
• and
• e) means for inhibiting fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of such data, and
• wherein the data sensor reads the data stored on the RFID tag when the fluid treatment cartridge is brought into proximity with the data sensor such that the data evaluation means can evaluate the data stored on the RFID tag before the cartridge is mounted onto the connection manifold;
• wherein the means for inhibiting fluid treatment system use includes a structure operatively associated with the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and adapted for movement into a blocking position in response to a signal from the data evaluation means, such that the structure can selectively prevent mounting of the cartridge in the connection manifold.