Automated solution maker apparatus

An automated apparatus for producing a solution, the apparatus comprising:

• a hopper adapted to receive a chemical and a solvent, wherein the chemical dissolves in the solvent to form a solution;
• a return tube in operable communication with the hopper;
• a pump;
• a solution conductivity sensor external to the hopper that is in operable communication with the pump and adapted to receive the solution from the pump via an outlet tube, wherein the solution sensor senses a conductivity of the solution and correlates the sensed conductivity to a concentration curve, thereby determining a concentration of the solution;
• a diverter valve;
• a dilute valve in operable communication with a solvent inlet;
• and
• a controller in operable communication with the solution sensor, pump, diverter valve, and dilute valve;
• wherein if the solution sensor senses a conductivity below a target concentration, the controller operates to increase the concentration of the solution by diverting flow via the diverter valve from the pump through the return tube/conduit to the hopper, if the solution sensor senses a conductivity over a target concentration, the controller operates to dilute the solution by opening the dilute valve to pass solvent through the solvent inlet into the return tube, and wherein if the solution sensor senses a conductivity within a tolerance of the target concentration, the controller operates to discharge the solution.