Dual source flow control for batch processing

Abstract

A method for dual source flow control for batch processing is provided. The method includes flowing a concentrate and a diluent into a mixing tank, measuring a flow rate of the concentrate and continuously accumulating the measured flow rate of the concentrate, and measuring a flow rate of the diluent and continuously accumulating the measured flow rate of the diluent. The method also includes at least one of stopping the flow of the concentrate when the accumulated measured flow rate of the concentrate equals a desired total amount of the concentrate, and stopping the flow of the diluent when the accumulated measured flow rate of the diluent equals a desired total amount of the diluent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The implementation described below relates to batch processing, and more particularly, to dual-source flow control for batch processing. Background Technology

[0002] Concentrate dilution is used in many different processes to obtain specific concentrations suitable for particular applications. For example, dilution is used in distillation to reduce the strength of cask-strength spirits to bottling strength, in life sciences to formulate buffer solutions, and in chemical or clean-in-place applications to dilute caustic soda. Concentrate dilution is prevalent in industrial applications due to the efficiency of transporting raw materials in their concentrated form (and therefore the need for dilution during production). More specifically, concentrates allow for more efficient use of space and supply chains by enabling substances from a single source to be subsequently diluted closer to solutions requiring a specific concentration.

[0003] Typically, industrial dilution processes involve a single inlet measurement of the diluent (water), which is then added in batches to a mixing tank containing a previously dispensed amount of concentrate. These components are usually measured using a scale with a weighing sensor, and therefore need to be added one by one. Typically, the concentrate is first added to the mixing tank in approximate, manual amounts. After weighing the concentrate, the required dilution dose for the target concentration is calculated, and then subsequently added to the mixing tank manually. This manual process is time-consuming, prone to human error, and introduces the possibility of costly rework if the ingredients are incorrectly added in excess or deficiency.

[0004] While mature automated hybrid skid-mounted systems exist for the manual mixing described above, these are complex systems requiring significant capital investment and substantial indirect costs (maintenance, training, skid-mounted space, etc.). Fully automated hybrid systems can be a fraction of the cost and complexity of traditional hybrid skid-mounted systems. Therefore, dual-source flow control is needed for batch processing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A dual-source flow control method for batch processing is provided. According to an embodiment, the method includes: allowing at least one of a concentrate and a diluent to flow into a mixing tank; measuring and continuously accumulating the flow rate of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture; and stopping the flow of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture when the accumulated flow rate equals a desired total amount.

[0006] A flow metering system for dual-source flow control in batch processing is provided. According to an embodiment, the flow metering system includes one of the following: a concentrate flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of a concentrate and a diluent flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of a diluent; and a concentrate-diluent flow meter configured to measure at least one of the flow rates of the concentrate, the diluent, and the concentrate-diluent mixture. The flow metering system further includes a system computer communicatively coupled to one of the concentrate flow meter, the diluent flow meter, and the concentrate-diluent flow meter, wherein one of the concentrate flow meter, the diluent flow meter, and the concentrate-diluent flow meter, and at least one of the system computer, are configured to perform the aforementioned method.

[0007] A system for dual-source flow control in batch processing is provided. According to one embodiment, the system includes: a mixing tank; and a flow metering system according to the aforementioned method, fluidly coupled to the mixing tank.

[0008] all aspects

[0009] According to one aspect, a method for dual-source flow control for batch processing includes: allowing at least one of a concentrate and a diluent to flow into a mixing tank; measuring and continuously accumulating the flow rate of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture; and stopping the flow of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture when the accumulated flow rate equals the desired total amount.

[0010] Preferably, stopping the flow when the accumulated flow equals the desired total includes at least one of the following: stopping the flow of the concentrate when the accumulated measured flow of the concentrate equals the desired total amount of the concentrate; stopping the flow of the diluent when the accumulated measured flow of the diluent equals the desired total amount of the diluent; and stopping the flow of the concentrate-diluent mixture when the accumulated flow of the concentrate-diluent mixture equals the desired total amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

[0011] Preferably, the flow rate of the concentrate is measured by one of a concentrate flow meter and a concentrate-diluent flow meter; the flow rate of the diluent is measured by one of a diluent flow meter and a concentrate-diluent flow meter; and the flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture is measured by a concentrate-diluent flow meter.

[0012] Preferably, the process of flowing the concentrate and diluent into the mixing tank includes one of the following: flowing the concentrate and diluent into the mixing tank substantially synchronously; and flowing the concentrate and diluent into the mixing tank substantially asynchronously.

[0013] Preferably, allowing the concentrate and diluent to flow substantially synchronously into the mixing tank includes mixing the concentrate and diluent and allowing the concentrate-diluent mixture to flow into the mixing tank.

[0014] Preferably, the continuous accumulation of the measured flow rate includes the continuous accumulation of the measured flow rate over time.

[0015] Preferably, the method further includes: obtaining the expected total amount; and continuously comparing the expected total amount with the accumulated flow.

[0016] Preferably, the desired total amount is based on the target final concentration and target final amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

[0017] Preferably, the desired total amount based on the target final concentration and target final amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture includes:

[0018] ;as well as

[0019] ;

[0020] in:

[0021] T c =Total amount of concentrate;

[0022] T d =Total amount of diluent;

[0023] T m =Target amount of concentrate-diluent mixture;

[0024] C t =Target final concentration; and

[0025] C c =Concentration of the original concentrate.

[0026] Preferably, the method further includes: measuring the concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank; and comparing the measured concentration with a target final concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

[0027] Preferably, the method further includes adding concentrate to the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank if the measured concentration is less than the target final concentration.

[0028] Preferably, the amount of concentrate added to the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank is determined according to the following relationship:

[0029] ;

[0030] T c =The amount of concentrate to be added for correction;

[0031] T ci =The initial amount of the original concentrate used for uncorrected mixtures;

[0032] C t =Correct (original target) concentration;

[0033] T m =Amount of the uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture; and

[0034] C c =Concentration of the original concentrate.

[0035] Preferably, the method further includes adding a diluent to the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank if the measured concentration is greater than the target final concentration.

[0036] Preferably, the amount of diluent added to the mixture of concentrate and diluent is determined using the following relationship:

[0037] ;

[0038] in:

[0039] T d = The amount of diluent to be added for correction;

[0040] C m =Concentration of the uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture;

[0041] C t = Correct (original target) concentration; and

[0042] T m =Amount of uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture.

[0043] According to one aspect, a flow metering system for batch processing with dual-source flow control includes one of the following: a concentrate flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of a concentrate; a diluent flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of a diluent; and a concentrate-diluent flow meter configured to measure at least one of the flow rates of the concentrate, the diluent, and the concentrate-diluent mixture. The flow metering system further includes a system computer communicatively coupled to one of the concentrate flow meter, the diluent flow meter, and the concentrate-diluent flow meter, wherein one of the concentrate flow meter, the diluent flow meter, and the concentrate-diluent flow meter, and at least one of the system computer, are configured to perform the aforementioned method.

[0044] Preferably, at least one of the concentrate flow meter, diluent flow meter, and concentrate-diluent flow meter configured to perform the aforementioned method includes: a metering electronic device configured to perform the aforementioned method.

[0045] According to one aspect, a dual-source flow control system for batch processing includes: a mixing tank; and a flow metering system according to the foregoing, which is fluidly coupled to the mixing tank.

[0046] Preferably, the system further includes a concentrate supply device and a diluent supply device, which are fluidly coupled to the flow metering system. Attached Figure Description

[0047] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0048] Figure 1 A system 10 with dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown.

[0049] Figure 2 The configuration for reference is shown. Figure 1 A data processing diagram 200 of a flow meter system 100 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described.

[0050] Figure 3 A system 30 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown.

[0051] Figure 4 A reference is shown Figure 3 A data processing diagram 400 of a flow meter system 300 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described.

[0052] Figure 5 A system 50 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown.

[0053] Figure 6 A reference is shown Figure 5 A data processing diagram 600 of a flow meter system 500 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described.

[0054] Figure 7 A system 70 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown.

[0055] Figure 8 A reference is shown Figure 7 A data processing diagram 800 of a flow meter system 700 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described.

[0056] Figure 9A method 900 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown.

[0057] Figure 10 A vibration meter 1005 configured for batch processing with dual-source flow control is shown.

[0058] Figure 11 A metering electronics device 1020 configured for batch processing with dual-source flow control is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Figures 1 to 11 The following description depicts specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to manufacture and use the best mode of implementation for dual-source flow control for batch processing. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted for the purpose of teaching the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand variations from these examples that fall within the scope of this specification. Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of dual-source flow control for batch processing. Therefore, the embodiments described below are not limited to the specific examples described below, but are defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0060] Figure 1 A system 10 with dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, system 10 includes a concentrate source 10C and a diluent source 10D, which constitute two inlets for dual-source flow control for batch processing. The concentrate source 10C and diluent source 10D are shown as including a concentrate supply device 12C and a diluent supply device 12D, which are fluidly coupled to a flow metering system 100. The flow metering system 100 is fluidly coupled to a mixing tank 10T. The flow metering system 100 includes a concentrate flow meter 110C and a diluent flow meter 110D, which are fluidly coupled to the concentrate supply device 12C and the diluent supply device 12D, respectively, to receive the concentrate and diluent. The concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D are also shown fluidly coupled to the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D. The concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D are fluidly coupled to the mixing tank 10T.

[0061] Concentrate flow meter 110C and diluent flow meter 110D are shown as including concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D, respectively, and concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D. Concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D are mechanically and electrically coupled to concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D, respectively. Concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D are communicatively coupled to concentrate supply device 12C and diluent supply device 12D, respectively. Concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D are also communicatively coupled, for example, electrically coupled to system computer 130. System computer 130 is also communicatively coupled to mixture concentration meter 140.

[0062] The concentrate metering electronics 114C, the diluent metering electronics 114D, the concentrate valve 120C, the diluent valve 120D, the system computer 130, the concentrate supply device 12C, the diluent supply device 12D, and the mixture concentration meter 140 can be communicatively coupled to each other via any suitable port, cable, protocol, etc. For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the concentrate metering electronics 114C, diluent metering electronics 114D, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 130, and mixture concentration meter 140 are shown as communicatively coupled to each other via a non-shared communication line indicated by dashed lines. However, dashed lines could represent channels, command / response protocols, etc., via a single bus, such as a Modbus line, coupled to each of the concentrate metering electronics 114C, diluent metering electronics 114D, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 130, and mixture concentration meter 140. In such a configuration, system computer 130 can serve as the host for the concentrate metering electronics 114C, diluent metering electronics 114D, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, and mixture concentration meter 140. Regardless of how the concentrate metering electronics 114C, the diluent metering electronics 114D, the concentrate valve 120C, the diluent valve 120D, the system computer 130, and the mixture concentration meter 140 communicate with each other, the concentration of the mixture can be determined and controlled.

[0063] Regarding the fluid coupler, the concentrate supply device 12C and the diluent supply device 12D can respectively supply concentrate and diluent to the concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D. For example, the concentrate supply device 12C and the diluent supply device 12D may include tanks, conduits, pumps, valves, etc., which are controlled by the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D to supply concentrate and / or diluent to the concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D and / or control the flow rates of the concentrate and / or diluent. The concentrate can be any suitable concentrate that can be diluted, such as, for example, a very high concentration alcohol / water mixture, an acid or alkali having a very acidic or alkaline pH value, or a cleaning compound that can be used by a professional service or consumer according to concentration. The diluent can be any suitable diluent for the concentrate, such as water, alcohol, diesel, etc.

[0064] Concentrate flow meter 110C and diluent flow meter 110D are respectively configured to receive and measure concentrate and diluent. For example, concentrate flow meter 110C and diluent flow meter 110D can be configured to measure the flow rate, density, viscosity, etc. of concentrate and diluent. The measured values ​​can be referred to as fluid parameter values. Concentrate flow meter 110C and / or diluent flow meter 110D can also be configured to determine other values, such as inferred values, based on the measured values, for example, the concentration of concentrate. Alternatively or additionally, concentrate flow meter 110C and / or diluent flow meter 110D can also be configured to determine the amount of diluent and concentrate that will result in a desired concentration of the mixture, as described in more detail below.

[0065] Concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D are respectively configured to sense one or more observable characteristics of the concentrate and diluent. For example, concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D may be respectively configured to sense the vibration frequency of a measuring conduit, teeth, etc. Alternatively or additionally, concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D may sense the time delay between two conduits in each of the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D, such as the time delay caused by the Coriolis force. Other flow meters may be used, such as flow meters that sense based on, for example, the transmission time between a pair of ultrasonic transducers. Concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D may provide signals carrying information about the sensed characteristics (e.g., voltage ratio) to concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D.

[0066] Concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D are configured to receive signals from and / or provide signals to the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D. Concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D can process the signals received from the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D to determine one or more measurements of the fluid sensed by the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D. Therefore, concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D may include signal conditioning circuitry, a digital-to-analog converter, one or more processors, a memory, an amplifier, input ports, and / or output ports, etc. Other values ​​that can be referred to as inferred values, such as the concentration value of the concentrate, may also be determined. For example, concentrate metering electronics 114C may include a concentration determination routine that determines the concentration based on a measured density value.

[0067] The concentrate metering electronics 114C and / or diluent metering electronics 114D may also include batch operation, such as controlling the amount of concentrate and diluent supplied to the mixing tank 10T, for example, the total mass and / or volume. For example, the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D may provide signals to the concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D to initiate the flow of concentrate and / or diluent. While the concentrate and / or diluent is flowing, the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D may measure the mass flow rate, continuously sum the measured mass flow rates, and determine when the summed measured mass flow rates equal a predetermined value. It should be understood that, alternatively or otherwise, other methods may be employed, such as timing or counting the measured constant flow rate.

[0068] The concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D can also provide signals to the concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D to stop the flow of concentrate and diluent. It should be understood that the signals sent to the concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D can occur at some time before a predetermined amount of concentrate and / or diluent is supplied. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, a certain volume of fluid is located between the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D and the mixing tank 10T, respectively. The timing of the signals provided to the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D can be adapted to the fluid volume between the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D and the mixing tank 10T.

[0069] Therefore, the concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D can supply predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent to the mixing tank 10T. The concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D can also supply predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent simultaneously. It should be understood that once the predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent are known, the concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D can initiate batch operation. Alternatively, the flow rates of the concentrate and diluent can be controlled using, for example, a pump, to obtain the desired throughput, equal flow times of the concentrate and diluent, etc. Alternatively or alternatively, the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D can also provide, for example, a system computer 130 with a signal that the predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent have been supplied.

[0070] System computer 130 may be a computer configured to, for example, provide and set batching targets and / or perform batching control operations on diluent flow meter 110D and / or concentrate flow meter 110C. These routines may be referred to as mixture concentration routines. The mixture concentration routine may receive a desired mixture concentration as a user input value. The mixture concentration routine may also receive a concentration value of concentrate provided by concentrate supply device 12C as a user input value. Therefore, system computer 130 may include a local operator interface (LOI) that a user can use to input the desired mixture concentration and / or the concentration of concentrate provided by concentrate supply device 12C.

[0071] The mixture concentration meter 140 can be configured to measure and / or determine the concentration of a mixed fluid or mixture in the mixing tank 10T. For example, the mixture concentration meter 140 can be a density meter that includes a concentration routine for determining the concentration based on the measured density. Therefore, the mixture concentration meter 140 can include a signal conditioning device, an analog-to-digital converter, a processor, and a memory that can convert sensed mixture characteristics into density values ​​and determine the concentration based on those density values. By way of illustration, if the mixture in the mixing tank 10T is an alcohol / water mixture, the memory of the mixture concentration meter 140 can include a density-concentration relationship, such as a table relating density values ​​to alcohol-water concentration values.

[0072] As discussed above, the concentrate flow meter 110C and / or the diluent flow meter 110D can be configured to perform batch operations and determine the concentration of the concentrate. The concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D can also be configured to determine the amounts of concentrate and diluent to achieve a desired concentrate concentration in the mixed fluid in the mixing tank 10T. For example, the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D can receive a ratio from the system computer 130 and determine the amounts of concentrate and diluent based on that ratio to obtain the desired concentration. Therefore, the concentrate metering electronics 114C, the diluent metering electronics 114D, and / or the system computer 130 can be configured to perform any suitable portion of the batch operation and / or the mixture concentration routine.

[0073] from Figure 1 It should be understood that the concentrate source 10C includes a concentrate supply device 12C, a concentrate flow meter 110C, and a concentrate valve 120C. Similarly, the diluent source 10D includes a diluent supply device 12D, a diluent flow meter 110D, and a diluent valve 120D. Therefore, the concentrate source 10C can supply a predetermined amount of concentrate to the mixing tank 10T, and the diluent source 10D can supply a predetermined amount of diluent to the mixing tank 10T. However, batch operation may not produce the desired concentrate concentration of the mixed fluid or mixture in the mixing tank 10T. Therefore, the mixture concentration meter 140 can be used to determine the concentration of the mixture and provide the mixture concentration to the system computer 130, enabling a second batch operation to correct the mixture concentration.

[0074] Therefore, with two inlets, such as the concentrate source 10C and diluent source 10D described above, equipped with batch flow meters such as Coriolis flow meters or ultrasonic flow meters, the mixing / dilution process can be automated by simultaneously adding the two components, wherein one flow meter is used for the diluent and the other for the concentrate. The two flow meters at the inlets, such as the concentrate flow meter 110C and the diluent flow meter 110D, can operate as a system and can automatically perform mixing with minimal user input. Small adjustments can also be automatically made at the end of the batch by using the mixture concentration meter 140 installed in the mixing tank 10T.

[0075] User input can be the initial concentration of the concentrate and the target volume or mass and concentration of the mixture. In an exemplary configuration, since the Coriolis technology measures both mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate (and the corresponding total amount), the technology can work in conjunction with both mass-based and volumetric concentrations. Therefore, the user may need to select the concentration type they wish to use. Thus, a processor, such as the processor in the concentrate metering electronics 114C, diluent metering electronics 114D, and / or system computer 130 described above, can calculate the amount of each component to be added:

[0076] ; and [1]

[0077] [2]

[0078] in:

[0079] T c =The total amount of concentrate (e.g., volume or mass, which can be a calculated value);

[0080] T d = The total amount of diluent (e.g., volume or mass, which can be a calculated value);

[0081] T m =Target quantity of mixture (e.g., volume or mass, which can be user input);

[0082] C t =Target final concentration (e.g., %, which can be user input); and

[0083] C c =Concentration of the original concentrate (e.g., %, which can be a user input or a calculated value).

[0084] It should be understood that, for the concentration C of the original concentrate c Only when the concentration is determined by mass, the initial concentration of the concentrate may not be required as user input. More specifically, for example, a Coriolis meter on the concentrate inlet, such as the concentrate source 10C described above, can measure the concentration after an initial, brief period of stable flow using a concentration determination routine (e.g., concentration determination software). This measurement can then be automatically integrated into the calculations above for subsequent mixture calculation routines.

[0085] After making any necessary user input, the user can submit this input through the user interface, and the total amount of concentrate T added. c and the total amount of added diluent T dThat is, the predetermined or "to be added" amount is calculated. The batch operation is then "ready to begin," and the user can start or execute the batch operation through the same interface. Once the batch operation is initiated, the system, such as system 10, can immediately and simultaneously add the total amount T of concentrate. c and the total amount of added diluent T d The concentrate is added in batches to a mixing tank, such as the mixing tank 10T described above. Preferably, the concentrate inlet and the diluent inlet are two separate streams entering the mixing tank, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the concentrate source 10C and the diluent source 10D are independent inlets into the mixing tank 10T.

[0086] In addition to inlet flow rate measurements such as Coriolis flow rate measurements, the concentration of the final mixed solution or mixture can be measured using, for example, the mixture concentration meter 140 described above. By way of illustration, concentration measurements can be performed using a fork-type density meter (“FDM”) installed directly in the mixing tank, a Coriolis flow rate meter installed in the circulation loop outside the mixing tank, etc. Combining one of these measurements will efficiently provide a check / validation meter for the dilution process of previous batch operations and enable minor calibrations. For batch systems with flow rate meters at both inlets of the mixing tank, these adjustments can be easily and automatically performed after the first batch operation. If the concentration of the resulting mixture is too high, more diluent can be added. After the FDM or recirculating Coriolis meter provides the final concentration check as input, the amount of diluent to be added for calibration will be automatically calculated:

[0087] [3]

[0088] in:

[0089] T d = The amount of diluent to be added for correction;

[0090] C m =Concentration of the uncorrected mixture (measured by a testing instrument);

[0091] C t = Correct (original target) concentration; and

[0092] T m =Amount of uncorrected mixture.

[0093] Similarly, if the concentration is too low after the first batch operation, more concentrate can be added. After the concentration of the mixture is provided as input to the FDM or recirculating Coriolis meter, the amount of concentrate to be added for correction will be automatically calculated:

[0094] [4]

[0095] T c =The amount of concentrate to be added for correction;

[0096] T ci =The initial amount of the original concentrate used for uncorrected mixtures (e.g., mixtures obtained after the first batch operation);

[0097] C t =Correct (original target) concentration;

[0098] T m =Amount of the uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture; and

[0099] C c =Concentration of the original concentrate.

[0100] It should be understood that the system can have Figure 1 Various alternatives to the topology shown, or more specific architectures, are presented. Two exemplary architectures are described below.

[0101] First Exemplary Architecture

[0102] The first architecture can be considered to have a similar reference. Figure 1 The topology of system 10 is described. Therefore, for simplicity, the discussion of the first architecture will refer to... Figure 1 The system 10 is described, and more specific features of the first architecture are described. The first architecture involves using an industrial personal computer (“IPC”) as the system computer 130 for data acquisition, calculation, and user interface. The IPC can be configured to act as a Modbus master for the inlet flow meter system. The concentrate source 10C and diluent source 10D, which may be referred to as the inlet control system, may be equipped with metering electronics or transmitters that support standard batching software, Modbus remote terminal unit (“Modbus-RTU”) or transmission control protocol (“TCP”) communication, and concentration measurement routines or software, such as the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D described above. In the case of automatically determining the concentration of the original concentrate, the concentration measurement routines or software may be located in the concentrate flow meter, for example, referencing Figure 1 The described concentrate flow meter 110C. It should be understood that in this architecture, the mixture concentration verification meter may need to be equipped with concentration measurement routines or software.

[0103] In this first architecture, the system computer 130 interacts with the concentrate source 10C and the diluent source 10D by: relaying data via an interface, automatically configuring batching targets on the concentrate source 10C and the diluent source 10D, and actuating batching processing on each of the concentrate source 10C and the diluent source 10D. A metering electronics or transmitter equipped with batching software will independently perform batching and all controls (e.g., relays, valve / pump timing, automatic overload compensation (“AOC”), etc.) after being actuated by the IPC. Preferably, the LOI used for this first architecture is web interface software. The web interface software program can run on the system computer 130 and interact with it via a connected capacitive touchscreen display. The specific arrangement and variables of the algorithms or software used for the first architecture are described below.

[0104] Figure 2 The configuration for reference is shown. Figure 1 A data processing diagram 200 of a flow meter system 100 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described. (See diagram 200.) Figure 2 As shown, the data processing schematic 200 includes a system computer 130, referred to as an IPC in the first architecture, which is communicatively coupled to a concentrate metering electronics 114C and a diluent metering electronics 114D. The concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D are shown as including an algorithm section, a calculated value section, and a control output section. In the algorithm section, operating algorithms and batch operation software for both the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D are shown. In the calculated value section, density values, mass flow rates (“MFR”), and cumulative MFR values ​​are shown. However, the concentrate metering electronics 114C also includes concentrate concentration determination software and concentrate concentration values, while the diluent metering electronics 114D does not.

[0105] The system computer 130 is shown as including a user input value section, an algorithm section, and a calculated value section. The user input values ​​include the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, which are target values ​​for the mixture in the mixing tank 10T. The algorithm section is shown as including batch target software and a final concentration algorithm. The calculated value section includes the target amount of concentrate and the target amount of diluent.

[0106] The operating algorithms in the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D calculate density and mass flow rates based on sensor signals from the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D, respectively. Concentrate concentration determination software can determine the concentrate concentration value of the concentrate in the concentrate sensor assembly 112C. It should be understood that the diluent can be assumed to be 100% pure, and therefore the diluent metering electronics 114D does not include concentration determination software or concentration values; however, alternative diluent metering electronics may include diluent concentration determination software, for example, in applications where purity is not particularly high.

[0107] The batch operation algorithms in the concentrate metering electronics 114C and / or the diluent metering electronics 114D can control the MFR of the concentrate and diluent based on the target amount of the concentrate and the target amount of the diluent, respectively. For example, the batch operation algorithm can control the operation of the concentrate supply device 12C, the diluent supply device 12D, the concentrate valve 120C, and / or the diluent valve 120D to achieve the target amount of the concentrate and the target amount of the diluent.

[0108] The batch target software in system computer 130 can calculate batch target values ​​based on the target amount and target concentration values ​​of the mixture. For example, the batch target software can receive the concentration value of the concentrate from the concentrate metering electronics 114C and calculate the amount of diluent and concentrate that will cause the mixture in mixing tank 10T to have the target amount and target concentration of the mixture.

[0109] The final concentration algorithm can calculate the actual concentration value of the mixture based on the signal from the mixture concentration meter 140. The final concentration algorithm can be run after the mixing tank 10T has been filled. However, it should be understood that the final concentration algorithm can be based on a general concentration algorithm that can be executed at any time during non-batch operations. Therefore, the final concentration algorithm can be executed after a batch operation is run to determine the final concentration value.

[0110] The system computer 130 can compare the final concentration value with the target concentration value. If the final concentration value differs from the target concentration value, for example, by exceeding a threshold amount, another batching operation can be performed. Therefore, the batching target software can again calculate the target batch value based on the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, as described above, but can also consider the difference between the final concentration and the target concentration. This corrective batching operation can simply involve adding a certain amount of diluent if the final concentration is too high, and adding a certain amount of concentrate if the final concentration is too low.

[0111] As can be understood, system computer 130 does not control the flow of concentrate or diluent. Instead, system computer 130 outputs target amounts of concentrate and diluent to concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D, respectively. Alternative architectures may be employed, examples of which are described below.

[0112] Second Exemplary Architecture

[0113] Figure 3 A system 30 for dual-source flow control in batch processing is shown. (Example) Figure 3 As shown, system 30 includes a concentrate source 30C and a diluent source 30D. The concentrate source 30C and diluent source 30D are shown as including a concentrate supply device 32C and a diluent supply device 32D, which are fluidly coupled to the flow meter system 300. The flow meter system 300 is fluidly coupled to the above-mentioned reference... Figure 1 The mixing tank 10T is described. The flow metering system 300 includes a concentrate flow meter 310C and a diluent flow meter 310D, which are fluidly coupled to a concentrate supply device 32C and a diluent supply device 32D, respectively, to receive the concentrate and diluent. The concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D are also shown as fluidly coupled to the above reference. Figure 1 The concentrate valve 120C and diluent valve 120D are described. The concentrate valve 120C and diluent valve 120D are fluidly coupled to the mixing tank 10T.

[0114] Concentrate flow meter 310C and diluent flow meter 310D are shown as including concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D, respectively, and a shared metering electronics 314, which differs from concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D. Metering electronics 314 is electrically coupled to concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D. Metering electronics 314 may be mechanically coupled to concentrate sensor assembly 112C and / or diluent sensor assembly 112D, or may not be mechanically coupled to concentrate sensor assembly 112C and / or diluent sensor assembly 112D.

[0115] Unlike the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D described above, metering electronics 314 is not communicatively coupled to the concentrate supply device 32C and the diluent supply device 32D. Instead, system computer 330 is communicatively coupled to the concentrate supply device 32C and the diluent supply device 32D to control the supply of concentrate and diluent. Metering electronics 314 is also communicatively coupled, for example, electrically coupled to system computer 330. System computer 330 is also communicatively coupled to the above-mentioned reference... Figure 1 The mixture concentration meter 140 is described.

[0116] The metering electronics 314, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 330, concentrate supply device 32C, diluent supply device 32D, and mixture concentration meter 140 can be communicatively coupled to each other via any suitable port, cable, protocol, etc. For example, Figure 3 As shown, the metering electronics 314, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 330, and mixture concentration meter 140 are shown as being communicatively coupled to each other via a non-shared communication line indicated by dashed lines. However, the dashed lines could represent a single bus, such as a Modbus line, coupled to each of the metering electronics 314, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 330, and mixture concentration meter 140. In such a configuration, the system computer 330 can act as the host for the metering electronics 314, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, and mixture concentration meter 140. Regardless of how the metering electronics 314, concentrate valve 120C, diluent valve 120D, system computer 330, and mixture concentration meter 140 communicate with each other, the concentration of the mixture can be determined and controlled.

[0117] Regarding the fluid coupler, the concentrate supply device 32C and the diluent supply device 32D can respectively supply concentrate and diluent to the concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D. For example, the concentrate supply device 32C and the diluent supply device 32D may include tanks, conduits, pumps, valves, etc., controlled by the system computer 330 to supply concentrate and / or diluent to the concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D and / or control the flow rates of the concentrate and / or diluent. The concentrate can be any suitable concentrate that can be diluted, such as, for example, a very high concentration alcohol / water mixture, an acid or alkali with a very acidic or alkaline pH value, a cleaning compound that can be used by a professional service or consumer according to concentration, etc. The diluent can be any suitable diluent for the concentrate, such as water, alcohol, diesel, etc.

[0118] Concentrate flow meter 310C and diluent flow meter 310D are respectively configured to receive and measure concentrate and diluent. For example, concentrate flow meter 310C and diluent flow meter 310D can be configured to measure the flow rate, density, viscosity, etc. of concentrate and diluent. The measured values ​​can be referred to as fluid parameter values. Concentrate flow meter 310C and / or diluent flow meter 310D can also be configured to determine other values, such as the concentration of concentrate, based on the measured values. However, compared with a reference... Figure 1 Unlike the concentrate flow meter 110C and diluent flow meter 110D described, the concentrate flow meter 310C and / or diluent flow meter 310D may not be configured to determine the amount of diluent and concentrate that will result in the desired concentration of the mixture.

[0119] For reference Figure 1 Described, the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D are respectively configured to sense one or more observable characteristics of the concentrate and the diluent. For example, the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D may be respectively configured to sense the vibration frequency of a measuring conduit, teeth, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D may sense the time delay between two conduits in each of the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D, such as the time delay caused by the Coriolis force. Other flow meters may be used, such as flow meters that sense, for example, the transmission time between a pair of ultrasonic transducers. The concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D may provide a signal carrying information reflecting the sensed characteristic (e.g., voltage ratio) to the metering electronics 314.

[0120] Metering electronics 314 are configured to receive signals from and / or provide signals to the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D. Metering electronics 314 can process the signals received from the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D to determine one or more fluid parameter values ​​sensed by the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D. Therefore, concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D may include signal conditioning circuitry, a digital-to-analog converter, one or more processors, a memory, an amplifier, input ports, and / or output ports, etc. However, compared with reference... Figure 1 The described concentrate metering electronic device 114C differs from the diluent metering electronic device 114D in that the metering electronic device 314 may not calculate other values, such as the concentration of the concentrate.

[0121] For example, metering electronics 314 may not include a concentration determination routine that determines the concentration based on a measured density value. Metering electronics 314 may also not include batch operations, such as controlling the amount (e.g., total mass and / or volume) of concentrate and diluent supplied to mixing tank 10T. Therefore, metering electronics 314 may not provide signals to concentrate valve 120C and diluent valve 120D for controlling the flow of concentrate and diluent. Alternatively, system computer 330 may determine values ​​based on density and / or MFR provided by metering electronics 314, such as determining the concentration of the concentrate. For example, system computer 330 may include a concentration determination routine that determines the concentration based on a measured density value.

[0122] System computer 330 can also provide signals to concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D to stop the flow of concentrate and diluent. Alternatively or additionally, system computer 330 can also provide signals that a predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent has been provided. It should be understood that the signals sent to concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D can occur at some time before the predetermined amount of concentrate and / or diluent is provided using the automatic overflow compensation routine. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, a certain volume of fluid is located between the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D and the mixing tank 10T, respectively. The timing of the signals provided to the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D can be adapted to the fluid volume between the concentrate valve 120C and the diluent valve 120D and the mixing tank 10T.

[0123] Therefore, the concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D can supply predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent to the mixing tank 10T. The concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D can also supply predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent substantially simultaneously, but any suitable relative timing, flow rate, start time, and / or stop time can also be used. It should be understood that once the system computer 330 knows the predetermined amounts of concentrate and diluent, the concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D can initiate batch operation. Alternatively, the flow rates of the concentrate and diluent can be controlled using, for example, a pump, to obtain the desired throughput, equal flow times of the concentrate and diluent, etc.

[0124] Therefore, in this second architecture, instead of the concentrate flow meter 310C and the diluent flow meter 310D each having their own batch transmitters, metering electronics 314 can be used to perform dual metering at each inlet: concentrate and diluent. That is, metering electronics 314 receives and processes signals from the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D to determine fluid parameters such as mass flow rate, density, viscosity, etc. Therefore, the metering electronics can be a combination of some or all of the functions of the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D described above, in the form of a single form factor. Unlike the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D described above, metering electronics 314 can be non-mechanically coupled to the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D.

[0125] exist Figure 3 In the system 30 shown, the metering electronics 314 can be communicatively coupled to a single system computer 330 equipped with batching software for determining the original concentrate and concentration measurement software. Therefore, the system computer 330 can be similar to the reference... Figure 1 The system computer 130 is described. More specifically, the system computer 330 can be responsible for providing the LOI, performing all calculations, and simultaneously performing batch control for both inlets. Because the system computer 330 controls both the concentrate source 30C and the diluent source 30D, it may require more than twice the discrete outputs for pump or valve actuation. In a simple single-stage batching scenario, the system computer 330 may require at least two discrete outputs. Similar to... Figure 1 The system computer 130 shown may also need to provide external input for the concentration measurement of the mixture concentration meter 140. This can be done via a channel on the system computer 330, for example, by using a 4-20mA signal or the Digital Addressable Remote Sensor High-Speed ​​Channel (“HART”) protocol.

[0126] Therefore, as can be understood, the algorithms / software for batch targets, batch operations, concentrations, and final concentrations in System 30, as well as the allocation methods for concentration values ​​and target values, differ from those in System 10, as explained in more detail below.

[0127] Figure 4 A reference is shown Figure 3 A data processing diagram 400 of a flow meter system 300 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described. (See diagram 400.) Figure 4As shown, the data processing schematic 400 includes a system computer 330, which is communicatively coupled to a metering electronics device 314. The system computer 330 may be referred to as a transmitter, and the metering electronics device 314 may be referred to as a core processor, to perform operations in conjunction with a reference... Figure 1 The IPC described, as well as the concentrate metering electronics 114C and the diluent metering electronics 114D, are distinguished in terms of their functions, but any suitable terminology may be used. These distinctions become apparent in the discussion below.

[0128] As shown above (refer to the reference) Figure 3 As described, metering electronics 314 are electrically coupled to concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D. Metering electronics 314 is shown as including an algorithm section, a calculated value section, and a control output section. In the algorithm section, an operating algorithm is shown. In the calculated value section, density values, mass flow rate (“MFR”), and cumulative MFR values ​​are shown. The operating algorithm in metering electronics 314 calculates density and mass flow rate values ​​based on sensor signals from concentrate sensor assembly 112C and diluent sensor assembly 112D. Therefore, metering electronics 314 can be considered as performing core processing to determine, for example, other measured fluid parameter values ​​from which other values ​​can be determined. The measured fluid parameter values ​​are provided to system computer 330.

[0129] The system computer 330 is shown to include a user input value section, an algorithm section, and a calculated value section. The user input values ​​include the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, which are target values ​​for the mixture. The algorithm section is shown to include concentrate concentration determination software, batch target software, batch operation, and a final concentration algorithm. The calculated value section includes the concentrate concentration, final concentration, target amount of concentrate, and target amount of diluent.

[0130] The concentrate concentration determination software can determine the concentrate concentration value in the concentrate sensor assembly 112C. It should be understood that the diluent can be assumed to be 100% pure, and therefore the system computer 330 does not include concentration determination software or concentration value of the diluent.

[0131] The batch operation algorithm in system computer 330 can control the MFR of concentrate and diluent based on the target amount of concentrate and diluent, respectively. For example, the batch operation algorithm can control the operation of concentrate supply device 32C, diluent supply device 32D, concentrate valve 120C and / or diluent valve 120D to achieve the target amount of concentrate and diluent.

[0132] The batch target software in system computer 330 can calculate batch target values ​​based on the target amount and target concentration values ​​of the mixture. For example, the batch target software can receive the concentration value of the concentrate from the concentrate flow meter 310C and calculate the amount of diluent and concentrate that will cause the mixture in mixing tank 10T to have the target amount and target concentration of the mixture.

[0133] The final concentration algorithm can calculate the actual concentration value of the mixture based on the signal from the mixture concentration meter 140. The final concentration algorithm can be run after the mixing tank 10T has been filled. However, it should be understood that the final concentration algorithm can be based on a general concentration algorithm that can be executed at any time during non-batch operations. Therefore, the final concentration algorithm can be executed after a batch operation is run to determine the final concentration value.

[0134] The system computer 330 can compare the final concentration value with the target concentration value. If the final concentration value differs from the target concentration value, for example, by exceeding a threshold amount, another batching operation can be performed. Therefore, the batching target software can again calculate the target batch value based on the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, as described above, but can also consider the difference between the final concentration and the target concentration. This corrective batching operation can simply involve adding a certain amount of diluent if the final concentration is too high, and adding a certain amount of concentrate if the final concentration is too low.

[0135] As will be understood, the aforementioned first and second architectures utilize two flow meters that independently measure the flow of concentrate and diluent to the 10T mixing tank. The architecture using a single flow meter is discussed below.

[0136] Third Exemplary Architecture

[0137] Figure 5 A system 50 for dual-source flow control in batch processing is shown. (Example) Figure 5 As shown, system 50 includes a concentrate source 50C and a diluent source 50D. The concentrate source 50C and diluent source 50D are shown as including a concentrate supply device 52C and a diluent supply device 52D, which are fluidly coupled to a flow meter system 500. The flow meter system 500 is fluidly coupled to the above-mentioned reference... Figure 1 The mixing tank 10T is described. The flow meter system 500 includes a concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD, which is fluidly coupled to a concentrate supply device 52C and a diluent supply device 52D via a mixer 520 to receive concentrate and diluent.

[0138] The concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD is also shown fluidly coupled to the mixing tank 10T. Unlike the concentrate valve 120C and diluent valve 120D described above, there is no valve between the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD and the mixing tank 10T. Instead, a mixer 520 is located between the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD and the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D. It should be understood that the mixer 520 is not necessarily used to mix the two fluids together in the mixer 520, but can receive and deliver one of the concentrate and diluent supplied by the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D, respectively. That is, the concentrate and diluent can be supplied to the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD asynchronously.

[0139] The concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD is shown as including a sensor assembly 512CD and a metering electronics 514CD. The metering electronics 514CD is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly 512CD. The metering electronics 514CD may be mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly 512CD or may not be mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly 512CD. Similar to the above reference. Figure 3 The described metering electronics 314, 514CD, are non-communically coupled to the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D. Alternatively, the system computer 530 is communicatively coupled to the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D to control the supply of concentrate and diluent. The metering electronics 514CD are also communicatively coupled, for example, electrically coupled to the system computer 530. The system computer 530 is also communicatively coupled to the above-mentioned reference... Figure 1 The mixture concentration meter 140 is described.

[0140] The metering electronics 514CD, system computer 530, concentrate supply device 52C, diluent supply device 52D, and mixture concentration meter 140 can be communicatively coupled to each other via any suitable port, cable, protocol, etc. For example, Figure 1As shown, the metering electronics 514CD, system computer 530, and mixture concentration meter 140 are illustrated as being communicatively coupled to each other via a non-shared communication line indicated by dashed lines. However, dashed lines could represent individual buses, such as Modbus lines, coupled to each of the metering electronics 514CD, system computer 530, and mixture concentration meter 140. In such a configuration, the system computer 530 can act as the host for the metering electronics 514CD, concentrate supply device 52C, diluent supply device 52D, and mixture concentration meter 140. Regardless of how the metering electronics 514CD, system computer 530, concentrate supply device 52C, diluent supply device 52D, and mixture concentration meter 140 communicate with each other, the concentration of the mixture in the mixing tank 10T can be determined and controlled.

[0141] Regarding the fluid coupler, the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D can respectively supply concentrate and diluent to the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD. For example, the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D may include tanks, conduits, pumps, valves, etc., which are controlled by the system computer 530 to supply concentrate and / or diluent to the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD and / or control the flow rate of the concentrate and / or diluent. The concentrate can be any suitable concentrate that can be diluted, such as, for example, a very high concentration alcohol / water mixture, an acid or alkali with a very acidic or alkaline pH value, a cleaning compound that can be used by a professional service or consumer according to concentration, etc. The diluent can be any suitable diluent for the concentrate, such as water, alcohol, diesel, etc.

[0142] The concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD is configured to receive and measure both concentrate and diluent. For example, the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD can be configured to measure the flow rate, density, viscosity, etc., of both the concentrate and diluent. The measured values ​​can be referred to as fluid parameter values. The concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD can also be configured to determine other values, such as the concentration of the concentrate, based on the measured values. However, compared to a reference... Figure 1 Unlike the concentrate flow meter 110C and diluent flow meter 110D described, the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD may not be configured to determine the amount of diluent and concentrate that will result in the desired concentration of the mixture.

[0143] For reference Figure 1As described, sensor assembly 512CD is configured to sense one or more observable characteristics of the concentrate and diluent. For example, sensor assembly 512CD may be configured to sense the vibration frequency of a measuring conduit, teeth, etc. Alternatively or additionally, sensor assembly 512CD may sense the time delay between two conduits in sensor assembly 512CD, such as the time delay caused by Coriolis force. Other flow meters may be used, such as flow meters that sense, for example, the transmission time between a pair of ultrasonic transducers. Sensor assembly 512CD may provide a signal to metering electronics 514CD carrying information reflecting the sensed characteristic (e.g., voltage ratio).

[0144] The metering electronics 514CD is configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly 512CD and / or provide signals to the sensor assembly 512CD. The metering electronics 514CD can process the signals received from the sensor assembly 512CD to determine one or more fluid parameter values ​​sensed by the sensor assembly 512CD. Therefore, the metering electronics 514CD may include signal conditioning circuitry, a digital-to-analog converter, one or more processors, a memory, an amplifier, input ports, and / or output ports, etc. The metering electronics 514CD can also calculate other values, such as the concentration of a concentrate.

[0145] For example, the metering electronics 514CD may include a concentration determination routine that determines the concentration based on a measured density value. However, the metering electronics 514CD may also not include batch operations, such as controlling the amount (e.g., total mass and / or volume) of concentrate and diluent supplied to the mixing tank 10T. Therefore, the metering electronics 514CD may not be supplied to the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D for controlling the flow rates of the concentrate and diluent. Alternatively, the system computer 530 may determine values ​​based on the density and / or MFR provided by the metering electronics 514CD, for example, determining the concentration of the concentrate. For example, the system computer 530 may include a concentration determination routine that determines the concentration based on a measured density value.

[0146] System computer 530 can also provide signals to concentrate supply device 52C and diluent supply device 52D to stop the flow of concentrate and diluent. Alternatively or additionally, system computer 530 can also provide signals that a predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent has been provided. It should be understood that the signals sent to concentrate supply device 52C and diluent supply device 52D can occur at some time before the predetermined amount of concentrate and / or diluent is provided using the automatic overflow compensation routine. For example, as... Figure 1As shown, a certain volume of fluid is located between the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D and the mixing tank 10T, respectively. The timing of the signals provided to the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D can be adapted to the fluid volume between the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D and the mixing tank 10T.

[0147] Therefore, the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD can supply a predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent to the mixing tank 10T. The concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD can also supply the predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent substantially asynchronously or at different times, but any suitable relative timing, flow rate, start time, and / or stop time can be used. It should be understood that once the system computer 530 knows the predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent, the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD can initiate batch operation. Alternatively, the flow rates of the concentrate and diluent can be controlled using, for example, a pump, to obtain the desired throughput, equal flow time of the concentrate and diluent, etc.

[0148] Therefore, in this third architecture, instead of each of the concentrate-diluent flow meters 510CD having its own batch transmitter, metering electronics 514CD can be used to meter each of the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D. That is, metering electronics 514CD receives and processes signals from sensor assembly 512CD to determine fluid parameters such as mass flow rate, density, viscosity, etc. Therefore, metering electronics 514CD can be a combination of some or all of the functions of the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D described above, in the form of a single form factor. Unlike the concentrate metering electronics 114C and diluent metering electronics 114D described above, metering electronics 314 can be non-mechanically coupled to the concentrate sensor assembly 112C and the diluent sensor assembly 112D.

[0149] exist Figure 5 In the system 50 shown, the metering electronics 514CD can be communicatively coupled to a single system computer 530 equipped with batching software for determining the original concentrate and concentration measurement software. Therefore, the system computer 530 can be similar to the reference... Figure 1 The system computer 130 is described. More specifically, the system computer 530 can be responsible for providing the LOI, performing all calculations, and simultaneously performing batch control for both inlets. Because the system computer 530 controls both the concentrate source 50C and the diluent source 50D, it may require more than twice the discrete outputs for pump or valve actuation. In a simple single-stage batching scenario, the system computer 530 may require at least two discrete outputs. Similar to... Figure 1 The system computer 130 shown, and system computer 530 may also need to provide external input for the concentration measurement of the mixture concentration meter 140. This can be done via a channel on system computer 530, for example, by using a 4-20mA signal or the Digital Addressable Remote Sensor High-Speed ​​Channel (“HART”) protocol.

[0150] Therefore, as can be understood, the algorithms / software for batch targets, batch operations, concentrations, and final concentrations in System 50, as well as the allocation methods for concentration values ​​and target values, differ from those in System 30, as explained in more detail below.

[0151] Figure 6 A reference is shown Figure 5 A data processing diagram 600 of a flow meter system 500 for batch processing dual-source flow control is described. (See diagram 600.) Figure 6 As shown, the data processing schematic 600 includes a system computer 530, which is communicatively coupled to a metering electronic device 514CD. (Refer to the above...) Figure 5 As described, the metering electronics 514CD is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly 512CD. The metering electronics 514CD is shown as including an algorithm section, a calculated value section, and a control output section. In the algorithm section, an operating algorithm is shown. In the calculated value section, density values, mass flow rates (“MFR”), and cumulative MFR values ​​are shown. The operating algorithm in the metering electronics 514CD calculates the density and mass flow rate values ​​based on sensor signals from the concentrate sensor assembly 512CD. Therefore, the metering electronics 514CD can be considered as performing core processing to determine, for example, other measured fluid parameter values ​​from which other values ​​can be determined. The measured fluid parameter values ​​are provided to the system computer 530.

[0152] The system computer 530 is shown to include a user input value section, an algorithm section, and a calculated value section. The user input values ​​include the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, which are target values ​​for the mixture. The algorithm section is shown to include concentrate concentration determination software, batch target software, batch operation, and a final concentration algorithm. The calculated value section includes the concentrate concentration, final concentration, target amount of concentrate, and target amount of diluent.

[0153] The concentrate concentration determination software can determine the concentrate concentration value in the sensor assembly 512CD. It should be understood that the diluent can be assumed to be 100% pure, and therefore the system computer 530 does not include software for determining the concentration of the diluent or the concentration value of the diluent.

[0154] The batch operation algorithm in system computer 530 can control the MFR of concentrate and diluent based on the target amount of concentrate and diluent, respectively. For example, the batch operation algorithm can control the operation of concentrate supply device 52C and diluent supply device 52D to achieve the target amount of concentrate and diluent, respectively.

[0155] The batch target software in system computer 530 can calculate batch target values ​​based on the target amount and target concentration values ​​of the mixture. For example, the batch target software can receive the concentration value of the concentrate from the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD and calculate the amount of diluent and concentrate that will cause the mixture in mixing tank 10T to have the target amount and target concentration of the mixture.

[0156] The final concentration algorithm can calculate the actual concentration value of the mixture based on the signal from the mixture concentration meter 140. The final concentration algorithm can be run after the mixing tank 10T has been filled. However, it should be understood that the final concentration algorithm can be based on a general concentration algorithm that can be executed at any time during non-batch operations. Therefore, the final concentration algorithm can be executed after a batch operation is run to determine the final concentration value.

[0157] The system computer 530 can compare the final concentration value with the target concentration value. If the final concentration value differs from the target concentration value, for example, by exceeding a threshold amount, another batching operation can be performed. Therefore, the batching target software can again calculate the target batch value based on the target amount and target concentration of the mixture, as described above, but can also consider the difference between the final concentration and the target concentration. This corrective batching operation can simply involve adding a certain amount of diluent if the final concentration is too high, and adding a certain amount of concentrate if the final concentration is too low.

[0158] Fourth Exemplary Architecture

[0159] Figure 7 A system 70 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown. Figure 7 The system 70 shown is similar to Figure 5 The system 50 shown differs from system 70 in that it is configured to measure the concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture. For example, unlike system 50, a concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be configured to measure the density of the concentrate-diluent mixture and determine its concentration using a two-component concentrate-density array. The concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture measured by the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be either the concentration of the concentrate or the concentration of the diluent.

[0160] like Figure 7As shown, system 70 includes a concentrate source 70C and a diluent source 70D. The concentrate source 70C and diluent source 70D are shown as including a concentrate supply device 72C and a diluent supply device 72D, which are fluidly coupled to a flow meter system 700. The flow meter system 700 is fluidly coupled to the above-mentioned reference... Figure 1 The mixing tank 10T is described. The flow meter system 700 includes a concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD, which is fluidly coupled to a concentrate supply device 72C and a diluent supply device 72D via a mixer 520 to receive concentrate and diluent.

[0161] The concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD is also shown fluidly coupled to the mixing tank 10T. There is no valve between the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD and the mixing tank 10T. Alternatively, a mixer 520 is located between the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD and the concentrate supply device 72C and the diluent supply device 72D. It should be understood that the mixer 520 can be used to mix the two fluids together in the mixer 520, and can also receive and deliver one of the concentrate and diluent supplied by the concentrate supply device 52C and the diluent supply device 52D, respectively. That is, the concentrate and diluent can be supplied to the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD synchronously as a concentrate-diluent mixture, or asynchronously as separate concentrate and diluent fluid flows.

[0162] A concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD is shown comprising a sensor assembly 712CD and metering electronics 714CD. The metering electronics 714CD is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly 712CD. The metering electronics 714CD may be mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly 712CD or may not be mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly 712CD. Similar to the reference above. Figure 5 The described metering electronics 514CD are non-communicatingly coupled to the concentrate supply device 72C and the diluent supply device 72D. Alternatively, the system computer 730 is communicatively coupled to the concentrate supply device 72C and the diluent supply device 72D to control the supply of concentrate and diluent. The metering electronics 714CD are also communicatively coupled, for example, electrically coupled to the system computer 730. The system computer 730 is also communicatively coupled to the above-referenced... Figure 1 The mixture concentration meter 140 is described.

[0163] The metering electronic device 714CD, system computer 730, concentrate supply device 72C, diluent supply device 72D, and mixture concentration meter 140 can be similar to the reference. Figure 5 The described methods are communicatively coupled to each other. The metering electronics 714CD can be configured to communicate with each other in a manner similar to that of a reference device. Figure 5 The described metering electronics 514CD receives signals from the sensor assembly 712CD and / or provides signals to the sensor assembly 712CD to determine one or more fluid parameter values. The system computer 730 can be similar to [reference needed]. Figure 5 The system described is configured for computer 530.

[0164] As discussed above, Figure 7 The concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD shown can be configured to determine the concentration of a concentrate-diluent mixture. More specifically, a table of concentration-density related values ​​can be stored in the metering electronics 714CD. Therefore, the frequency of the concentration-density mixture in the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be measured, and this frequency can be compared with density values ​​in the table to determine the concentration of at least one component in the concentrate-diluent mixture. For example, the table can store concentration values ​​as a percentage of the concentrate. Other values, such as temperature values, can also be used to determine the appropriate density value in the table. The concentration values ​​of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be used in various ways, including controlling the flow rate of the concentrate and / or diluent to ensure correct concentration and volume, as described in more detail below.

[0165] Figure 8 A reference is shown Figure 7 A data processing diagram 800 of a flow meter system 700 for batch processing dual-source flow control is shown. (See diagram 800.) Figure 8 As shown, the data processing schematic 800 includes a system computer 730, which is communicatively coupled to a metering electronic device 714CD. (Refer to the above...) Figure 7 The metering electronics 714CD is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly 712CD. The metering electronics 714CD is shown as including an algorithm section, a calculated value section, and a control output section. In the algorithm section, an operating algorithm is shown. In the calculated value section, density values, mass flow rates (“MFR”), and cumulative MFR values ​​are shown. The operating algorithm in the metering electronics 714CD calculates the density and mass flow rate values ​​based on sensor signals from the concentrate sensor assembly 712CD. Therefore, the metering electronics 714CD can be considered as performing core processing to determine, for example, other measured fluid parameter values ​​from which other values ​​can be determined. The measured fluid parameter values ​​are provided to the system computer 730.

[0166] System computer 730 is shown as including a user input value section, an algorithm section, and a calculated value section, which includes a reference... Figure 5 The system computer 530 describes all algorithms and values. Similar to reference... Figure 5 The described system computers 530 and 730 can compare the final concentration value with the target concentration value. If the final concentration value differs from the target concentration value, for example, by exceeding a threshold amount, another batching operation can be performed. Therefore, the batching target software can again calculate the target batch value based on the target amount and target concentration of the mixture as described above, but can also take into account the difference between the final concentration and the target concentration. This corrective batching operation can simply involve adding a certain amount of diluent if the final concentration is too high, and adding a certain amount of concentrate if the final concentration is too low.

[0167] However, the system computer 730 can also flow the concentrate and diluent to achieve the desired concentration and amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank 10T. That is, the above equations [1] and [2] can be used to determine the amount of concentrate-diluent mixture to be added to the mixing tank 10T. In this case, the target amount T of the mixture in equations [1] and [2] is... m This is the difference between the original target quantity of the mixture calculated for the first batch operation and the actual quantity of the concentrate-diluent mixture. The actual quantity of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank 10T can be determined based on the cumulative flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture measured by the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD.

[0168] The concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture, measured by the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD, can be adjusted during batch operation. For example, if the concentration of the concentrate-density mixture at the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD is less than the desired concentration of the mixture, such as the target mixture concentration, the diluent flow rate can be reduced and / or the concentrate flow rate can be increased. Conversely, if the concentration of the concentrate-density mixture at the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD is greater than the desired concentration of the mixture, the concentrate flow rate can be reduced and / or the diluent flow rate can be increased. These adjustments can be made using, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (“PID”) controller in the metering electronics 714CD and / or the system computer 730.

[0169] The amount of concentrate-diluent mixture in the first batch operation can also be controlled to be lower than the target amount of concentrate-diluent mixture in mixing tank 10T. For example, if the concentration measured by the mixture concentration meter 140 is significantly lower than the target concentration, the amount of concentrate-diluent mixture can be reduced. That is, the amount setpoint of the concentrate-diluent mixture can be reduced to ensure that a sufficient amount of concentrate can be added to the concentrate-diluent mixture in mixing tank 10T during the calibration batch operation. The difference between the amount setpoint of the concentrate-diluent mixture and the target amount can be determined, for example, based on Equation [3].

[0170] More specifically, the continuous cumulative flow rate or continuously calculated amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture in mixing tank 10T can be used as the amount T of the uncorrected mixture in equation [3]. m Similarly, the continuously calculated concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be used as the uncorrected concentration C of the mixture in Equation [3]. m Therefore, the amount T of diluent to be added can be calculated continuously. d The continuously calculated amount T of diluent to be added. d This can be used as a constraint on the amount setpoint of the concentrate-diluent mixture to ensure that there is sufficient shortfall for subsequent correction batches. For example, the difference between the amount setpoint of the concentrate-diluent mixture and the target amount can be constrained to be logically greater than the target amount T of the diluent obtained using Equation [3]. d and the target amount T of the concentrate c The most positive value.

[0171] As is understandable, because Figure 7 The concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can also calculate the concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD, so Equation [4] can also be used in a similar manner. That is, the continuously updated concentration of the concentrate in the concentrate-diluent mixture measured by the concentrate-diluent flow meter 710CD can be used as the initial amount T of the concentrate in Equation [4]. ci Other values ​​of Equation [4] can be obtained as described above with reference to Equation [3]. The amount of concentrate to be added can be used as a constraint on the difference between the setpoint and the target setpoint, which is also described above with reference to Equation [3]. As will be understood, both Equation [3] and Equation [4] can be used. That is, the difference between the amount of concentrate to be added calculated continuously according to Equation [4] and the amount of diluent to be added calculated continuously according to Equation [3] and the amount of concentrate-diluent mixture calculated continuously can be used as a constraint.

[0172] The comparison may also include the pipeline volume between the concentrate supply device 72C and the diluent supply device 72D. For example, the pipeline volume can be added to the sum of the most positive number or positive value of the continuously calculated amount of concentrate and the amount of diluent to be added (in the case of measurement error). Thus, the difference between the continuously calculated amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture and the target amount can be constrained to both the amount of concentrate and / or diluent required to obtain the target amount of the mixture in the mixing tank 10T and the volume of the concentrate-diluent mixture between the concentrate supply device 72C and the diluent supply device 72D and the mixing tank 10T.

[0173] The aforementioned features of systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 can be implemented using any suitable method. Exemplary methods are described below.

[0174] Methods for dual-source flow control

[0175] Figure 9 A method 900 for dual-source flow control for batch processing is shown. For example... Figure 9 As shown, in step 910, method 900 allows at least one of the concentrate and diluent to flow into a mixing tank. In step 920, method 900 measures and continuously accumulates the flow rate of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture. When the accumulated flow rate equals the desired total amount, method 900 stops the flow of at least one of the concentrate, diluent, and concentrate-diluent mixture. The desired total amount can be the desired total amount of the concentrate, diluent, or concentrate-diluent mixture. The flow of the concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture may occur simultaneously or may not occur simultaneously.

[0176] The flow of concentrate and diluent into a mixing tank can include both substantially synchronous and substantially asynchronous flow. For example, the concentrate and diluent may flow into the mixer or mixing tank simultaneously. If the concentrate and diluent flow into the mixer simultaneously, the concentrate-diluent mixture may flow into the mixing tank. Synchronous flow refers to the simultaneous flow of the concentrate and diluent. Alternatively, the concentrate and diluent may flow in at different times. Asynchronous flow refers to the flow of the concentrate and diluent at different times. It should be understood that synchronous and asynchronous flow can occur in the same process. For example, synchronous flow may be used for a master batch or initial batch, while asynchronous flow may be used for correction. It should also be understood that asynchronous flow can refer to a situation where only one of the concentrate or diluent flows in without a corresponding subsequent flow from the other.

[0177] As can be understood from the foregoing description of systems 10, 30, 50, and 70, the flow rate of the concentrate can be measured by a concentrate flow meter or a concentrate-diluent flow meter. Alternatively or alternatively, the flow rate of the diluent can be measured by one of a diluent flow meter and a concentrate-diluent flow meter. Alternatively or alternatively, the flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture can be measured by a concentrate-diluent flow meter. The concentrate flow meter, diluent flow meter, and / or concentrate-diluent flow meter used in method 900 can be the concentrate flow meter 110C, 310C, diluent flow meter 110D, 310D, and concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD, 710CD described above, respectively, but any suitable flow meter may also be used.

[0178] The flow of the concentrate can be stopped when the measured flow rate of the accumulated concentrate equals the expected total amount of the concentrate. Alternatively, the flow of the diluent can be stopped when the measured flow rate of the accumulated diluent equals the expected total amount of the diluent. Alternatively, the flow of the concentrate-diluent mixture can be stopped when the accumulated flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture equals the expected total amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture. It should be understood that the flow of the concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture can be stopped when the accumulated flow rate of another of the concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture equals the corresponding expected total amount. For example, the flow of both the concentrate and the diluent can be stopped when the accumulated flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture equals the expected total amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture. Method 900 can also obtain the expected total amount and continuously compare the expected total amount with the accumulated flow rate.

[0179] The expected total amount may be the same as or different from the target total amount. Therefore, the expected total amount may be based on the target final concentration and the target final amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture. For example, the expected total amount may be based on the target final concentration, and the target final amount of the mixture may include equations [1] and [2] described above, but any suitable expression may also be used. It should be understood that the expected total amount may not be a value compared to the total amount of concentrate and diluent. For example, the reference total amount of concentrate may be slightly smaller than the expected amount of concentrate to accommodate, for example, the pipeline volume between concentrate valve 120C and mixing tank 10T. Therefore, accumulating the measured flow rate of the concentrate and comparing the accumulated measured flow rate of the concentrate may include comparing the reference total amount value of the concentrate with the accumulated measured flow rate value of the concentrate. If the two values ​​are equal, the concentrate valve 120C may be closed.

[0180] Alternatively or concurrently, method 900 may further include measuring the concentration of the mixture of concentrate and diluent in the mixing tank and comparing the measured concentration with a target final concentration of the mixture. The concentration of the mixture can be measured by a mixture concentration meter 140 in the mixing tank 10T, but any suitable device can be used, such as a Coriolis flow meter fluidly coupled to the recirculation loop of the mixing tank. Thus, method 900 can compare the measured concentration of the mixture of concentrate and diluent in the mixing tank with a target final concentration of the mixture.

[0181] If the measured concentration is less than the target final concentration, this allows method 900 to add concentrate to the mixture of concentrate and diluent in the mixing tank. For example, the amount of concentrate added to the mixture of concentrate and diluent in the mixing tank can be determined according to the above equation [4], but any suitable expression may also be used. Alternatively or additionally, if the measured concentration is greater than the target final concentration, method 900 can add diluent to the mixture of concentrate and diluent in the mixing tank. For example, the amount of concentrate added to the mixture of concentrate and diluent can be determined using the above equation [3], but any suitable expression or relationship may also be used.

[0182] system

[0183] The aforementioned method 900 can be performed on systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 described above. As described above, systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 include flow meter systems 100, 300, 500, and 700, but any suitable flow meter system may also be used. As can be understood from the preceding discussion, the flow meter systems 100, 300, 500, and 700 configured to perform method steps may include: a concentrate flow meter 110C, 310C configured to measure the flow rate of a concentrate; a diluent flow meter 110D, 310D configured to measure the flow rate of a diluent; a concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD, 710CD configured to measure the flow rate of a concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture; and system computers 130, 330, 530, and 730 communicatively coupled to the concentrate flow meter 110C, 310C, the diluent flow meter 110D, 310D, and the concentrate-diluent flow meter 510CD, 710CD.

[0184] At least one of the system computers 130, 330, 530, 730, concentrate flow meters 110C, 310C, diluent flow meters 110D, 310D, and concentrate-diluent flow meters 510CD, 710CD can be configured to perform the method 900 described above, but any suitable method may also be used. It should be understood that in the flow meter systems 100, 300, 500, 700, the concentrate flow meters 110C, 310C, diluent flow meters 110D, 310D, and concentrate-diluent flow meters 510CD, 710CD configured to perform the method 900 or a portion thereof described above may include metering electronics 114C, 114D, 314, 514CD, 714CD configured to perform the method 900 or a portion thereof. Therefore, the dual-source flow control systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 for batch processing may include a mixing tank 10T and flow metering systems 100, 300, 500, and 700 fluidly coupled to the mixing tank 10T. Systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 may also include concentrate supply devices 12C, 32C, 52C, and 72C fluidly coupled to the flow metering systems 100, 300, 500, and 700, and diluent supply devices 12D, 32D, 52D, and 72D.

[0185] As described above, systems 10, 30, 50, and 70 include concentrate flow meters 110C and 310C, diluent flow meters 110D and 310D, and concentrate-diluent flow meters 510CD and 710CD, but any suitable flow meter may also be used. Exemplary flow meters that can be used as concentrate flow meters are described below, similar to those referenced above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The described concentrate flow meter 110C, 320C.

[0186] Exemplary flow meter

[0187] Figure 10 A vibration meter 1005 configured for batch processing with dual-source flow control is shown. (Example) Figure 10As shown, the vibration meter 1005 is a Coriolis flow meter, which includes a sensor assembly 1001 and metering electronics 1020. The vibration meter 1005 is configured to perform the same algorithm and store the same values ​​as the concentrate flow meter 110C or diluent flow meter 110D described above, but any suitable configuration may also be used. The sensor assembly 1001 responds to the mass flow rate and density of the process material. The metering electronics 1020 is connected to the sensor assembly 1001 via lead 1010 to provide density, mass flow rate, and temperature information, as well as other information, to, for example, a system computer along path 1026.

[0188] The sensor assembly 1001 includes a pair of manifolds 1015 and 1015', flanges 1011 and 1011' with flange necks, a pair of parallel conduits 1013 and 1013', an actuator 1018, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) 1019, and a pair of pickup sensors 1017l and 1017r. Conduits 1013 and 1013' have two substantially straight inlet and outlet branches that converge toward each other at conduit mounting blocks 1012 and 1012'. Conduits 1013 and 1013' are bent at two symmetrical locations along their length and are substantially parallel throughout their length. Supports 1014 and 1014' define axes W and W' about which each conduit 1013 and 1013' oscillates. Branches of conduits 1013, 1013' are fixedly attached to conduit mounting blocks 1012 and 1012', which in turn are fixedly attached to manifolds 1015 and 1015'. This provides a continuously closed material path through sensor assembly 1001.

[0189] When flanges 1011 and 1011' are connected to a process line (not shown) carrying the process material being measured, the material enters the inlet end of the vibration meter through an orifice in flange 1011 and is guided through manifold 1015 to a surfaced conduit mounting block 1012. Within manifold 1015, the material is separated and guided through conduits 1013 and 1013'. Upon exiting conduits 1013 and 1013', the process material is recombined into a single flow within surfaced block 1012' and manifold 1015', and is subsequently routed to the outlet end of the process line (not shown) connected via flange 1011'.

[0190] Conduits 1013 and 1013' are selected and properly mounted to conduit mounting blocks 1012 and 1012' so that they have substantially the same mass distribution, moment of inertia, and Young's modulus with respect to the bending axes W--W and W'--W', respectively. These bending axes pass through struts 1014 and 1014'. Since the Young's modulus of the conduit varies with temperature, and this variation affects the calculation of flow rate and density, an RTD 1019 is mounted to conduit 1013' to continuously measure the temperature of conduit 1013'. The temperature of conduit 1013', and therefore the voltage appearing across RTD 1019 when a given current flows, is controlled by the temperature of the material passing through conduit 1013'. The temperature-dependent voltage appearing across RTD 1019 is used by metering electronics 1020 in a known manner to compensate for any changes in the elastic modulus of conduits 1013 and 1013' due to variations in conduit temperature. RTD 1019 is connected to metering electronics 1020 via leads.

[0191] Both conduits 1013 and 1013' are driven by actuators 1018 in opposite directions around their respective bending axes W and W' in a first out-of-phase bending mode, referred to as a vibration meter. The actuator 1018 may include any of many known arrangements, such as a magnet mounted to conduit 1013' and a counter-coil mounted to conduit 1013, with alternating current flowing through the counter-coil to cause both conduits 1013 and 1013' to vibrate. A suitable drive signal is applied to the actuator 1018 via leads by a metering electronics device 1020.

[0192] Metering electronics 1020 receives RTD 1019 and sensor signals appearing on leads 1010 carrying left and right sensor signals, respectively. Metering electronics 1020 generates drive signals appearing on leads leading to driver 1018 and causing conduits 1013, 1013' to vibrate. Metering electronics 1020 processes the left and right sensor signals, as well as RTD 1019, to calculate the mass flow rate and density of the material passing through sensor assembly 1001. This information, along with other information, is applied as a signal to path 1026 by metering electronics 1020.

[0193] Mass flow measurement can be generated based on the following relationship:

[0194] Formula [5]

[0195] in:

[0196] It is the measured mass flow rate;

[0197] FCF is the flow calibration factor;

[0198] Δt is the time difference of the measurement; and

[0199] Δt0 is the zero flow time difference.

[0200] The measured time difference Δt includes the operationally derived (i.e., measured) time difference value, which includes the time difference between the picked-up sensor signals, for example, where the time difference is caused by the Coriolis effect related to the mass flow rate through the vibration meter 1005. The measured time difference Δt is a direct measurement of the mass flow rate of the flowing material as it flows through the vibration meter 1005. The zero flow time difference Δt0 includes the time difference at zero flow. The zero flow time difference Δt0 is a zero flow value that can be determined at the factory and programmed into the vibration meter 1005. The zero flow time difference Δt0 is an exemplary zero flow value. Other zero flow values ​​determined under zero flow conditions can be used, such as phase difference, time difference, etc. The value of the zero flow time difference Δt0 may not change even if the flow conditions change. The mass flow rate of the material flowing through the vibration meter 1005 is determined by multiplying the difference between the measured time difference Δt and the reference zero flow value Δt0 by the flow calibration factor FCF. The flow calibration factor FCF is proportional to the physical stiffness of the vibration meter.

[0201] Regarding density, the resonant frequency of the vibration of each conduit 1013, 1013' can be a function of the square root of the spring constant of the conduit 1013, 1013' divided by the total mass of the conduits 1013, 1013' containing material. The total mass of the conduits 1013, 1013' containing material can be the mass of the conduits 1013, 1013' plus the mass of the material inside the conduits 1013, 1013'. The mass of the material in the conduits 1013, 1013' is proportional to the density of the material. Therefore, the density of the material can be proportional to the square of the period of oscillation of the conduits 1013, 1013' containing the material multiplied by the spring constant of the conduits 1013, 1013'. Therefore, by determining the period of oscillation of the conduits 1013, 1013' and by appropriately scaling the result, an accurate measurement of the density of the material contained in the conduits 1013, 1013' can be obtained. The metering electronics 1020 can use sensor signals and / or drive signals to determine the period or resonant frequency. The catheters 1013 and 1013' can oscillate in more than one vibration mode.

[0202] When the vibration meter 1005 is in a no-flow or zero-flow condition, the vibration meter 1005 can be calibrated using the factory zero-flow value. At any time, the user can additionally and optionally perform button calibration to obtain a button zero-flow value. Additionally or alternatively, the vibration meter can automatically perform calibration to obtain an automatic zero-flow value. The zero-flow value used to measure the flow rate of the fluid can be the factory zero-flow value, the button zero-flow value, the automatic zero-flow value, or any other suitable zero-flow value.

[0203] During the zero calibration of the vibration meter 1005, measured values, saved values / constants, user settings, saved tables, etc., can be used. Calibration can monitor and compensate for the conditions of the vibration meter 1005. Conditions can include, but are not limited to, user-input conditions, measurement conditions, inferred conditions, etc. Conditions can include temperature, fluid density, flow rate, meter specifications, viscosity, Reynolds number, post-calibration compensation, etc. In addition, different constants, such as flow rate calibration factor (FCF), can be applied based on operating conditions or user preferences, for example, but not limited to.

[0204] An initial zero flow value can be determined during calibration, which is part of the initial factory setup of the vibration meter 1005. This may require placing the vibration meter 1005 under no-flow or zero-flow conditions and determining the time difference, phase difference, etc., between the left and right sensor signals. The determined value is stored as an initial zero flow value in one or more memories and used as a reference zero flow value. By way of example, for Equation [5] discussed above, the reference zero flow value may be the term Δt0, which may be the no-flow or zero-flow time difference between the left and right sensor signals. Once the reference zero flow value is determined, a flow calibration factor (FCF) can be established, which, as can be understood from Equation [5] above, may be an indicator of the time difference Δt of the measurement. measured The slope of the line relating mass flow rate (FCF) to mass flow rate (t). FCF can be stored in one or more memories.

[0205] Figure 11 A metering electronics device 1020 configured for batch processing with dual-source flow control is shown. (Example) Figure 11 As shown, the metering electronics 1020 includes an interface 1021 and a processing system 1022. The metering electronics 1020 receives, for example, vibration responses from a sensor assembly (e.g., sensor assembly 1001). The metering electronics 1020 processes the vibration responses to obtain the flow characteristics of the flowing material flowing through the sensor assembly 1001. The metering electronics 1020 can also perform inspection, verification, calibration routines, etc., to ensure accurate measurement of the flow characteristics of the flowing material.

[0206] Interface 1021 can receive from Figure 10 The sensor signal of one of the pickup sensors 1017l and 1017r is shown. Interface 1021 can perform any necessary or desired signal conditioning, such as formatting, amplification, buffering, etc., in any manner. Alternatively, some or all of the signal conditioning can be performed in the processing system 1022. Additionally, interface 1021 enables communication between the metering electronics 1020 and external devices. Interface 1021 is capable of any form of electronic, optical, or wireless communication. Interface 1021 can provide information based on vibration response. Interface 1021 can be coupled to a digitizer (e.g., an encoder / decoder (CODEC)), wherein the sensor signal includes analog sensor signals. The digitizer samples and digitizes the analog sensor signals, generating digital sensor signals.

[0207] The processing system 1022 operates the metering electronics 1020 and processes flow measurement values ​​from the sensor assembly 1001. The processing system 1022 executes one or more processing routines, thereby processing the flow measurement values ​​to generate one or more flow characteristics. The processing system 1022 is communicatively coupled to the interface 1021 and configured to receive information from the interface 1021.

[0208] Processing system 1022 may include a general-purpose computer, a microprocessor system, logic circuits, or some other general-purpose or custom-designed processing device. Alternatively or additionally, processing system 1022 may be distributed among multiple processing devices. Processing system 1022 may also include any type of integrated or separate electronic storage medium, such as storage system 1024.

[0209] Storage system 1024 can store vibration meter parameters and data, software routines, constant values, and variable values. In one embodiment, storage system 1024 includes routines executed by processing system 1022, such as operating routine 1024a, calibration routine 1024b, and mass flow rate routine 1024c of vibration meter 1005. Storage system 1024 can store values ​​used in routines such as temperature correction, calibration, and zero offset. Storage system 1024 can also store other types of values, such as statistical values ​​such as the average, standard deviation, confidence interval, etc., of the various values ​​discussed herein. Storage system 1024 can also store values ​​in a tabular format, where each row in the table corresponds to a sample of a time series, such as a time series of parameter data.

[0210] For the vibration meter 1005 described above, operating routine 1024a can use sensor signals received by interface 1021 to calculate density values. For example, sensor signals from one of the pickup sensors 1017l and 1017r can be used to determine the resonant frequency at each conduit 1013 and 1013'. The resonant frequency can be used to determine density value 1024d. Calibration routine 1024b can perform the zero verification, flow calibration factor (“FCF”) determination, and / or mass flow error relationship determination and / or correction described above, but any suitable calibration routine can also be used. Calibration routine 1024b can determine FCF 1024g.

[0211] The mass flow rate routine 1024c can determine the mass flow rate value 1024e based on the sensor signals received by interface 1021. The mass flow rate value 1024e can be determined based on the sensor signals (e.g., the time delay 1024f between the left and right pickup sensor signals) and the FCF 1024g value. The concentrate concentration determination algorithm 1024h and the batch operation software 1024i are also shown, which are referenced above. Figure 1 and 2 The following descriptions are provided. These can be used to determine the concentrate concentration 1024j and the cumulative MFR 1024k value. Batch target values, such as the concentrate batch target value 1024l, can also be stored. The processing system 1022 can compare the cumulative MFR 1024k with the concentrate batch target 1024l amount (adjusted by AOC or not) to determine whether the concentrate flow should be stopped.

[0212] As described above, flow meter systems 100, 10, 30, 50, 70, and method 900 can perform dual-source flow control for batch processing. That is, by allowing the concentrate and diluent to flow and continuously measuring and accumulating the flow rates of the concentrate and diluent during batch processing, the flow can continue uninterrupted. Furthermore, continuously comparing the measured and accumulated flow rates of the concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture with the desired amount of the concentrate, diluent, and / or concentrate-diluent mixture ensures that accurate amounts of concentrate and diluent are dispensed into the mixing tank.

[0213] Furthermore, measuring the concentration of the mixture in the mixing tank and comparing it with the desired concentration enables automatic calibration batching. For example, if the measured concentration is lower than the desired concentration, a small amount of concentrate can be dispensed into the mixing tank. Alternatively, if the measured concentration is higher than the desired concentration, a small amount of diluent can be dispensed into the mixing tank. The aforementioned calibration batching can be initiated and executed automatically. Similarly, the difference between the continuous cumulative amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture and the target amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture can be compared with the amount of concentrate and / or diluent to be added to the mixture to ensure that the amount of mixture in mixing tank 10T is sufficiently low. Therefore, subsequent calibration batching can achieve both the target amount and concentration of the mixture in mixing tank 10T.

[0214] The detailed description of the embodiments described above is not an exhaustive description of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors within the scope of this specification. In fact, those skilled in the art will recognize that specific elements of the embodiments described above can be combined or eliminated differently to create other embodiments, and such other embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of this specification. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described above can be combined, in whole or in part, to produce additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of this specification.

[0215] Therefore, while specific embodiments have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made within the scope of this specification, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The teachings provided herein can be applied to other dual-source flow control systems for batch processing, and not only to the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the scope of the embodiments described above should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for dual-source flow control in batch processing, the method comprising: At least one of the concentrate and diluent flows into the mixing tank; Measure and continuously accumulate the flow rate of at least one of the concentrate, the diluent, and the concentrate-diluent mixture; as well as When the accumulated flow rate equals the desired total flow rate, stop the flow of at least one of the concentrate, the diluent, and the concentrate-diluent mixture.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Stopping the flow when the accumulated flow equals the desired total flow includes at least one of the following: When the cumulative measured flow rate of the concentrate equals the desired total amount of the concentrate, the flow of the concentrate is stopped; When the cumulative measured flow rate of the diluent equals the desired total amount of diluent, the flow of the diluent is stopped; as well as The flow of the concentrate-diluent mixture is stopped when the cumulative flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture equals the desired total volume of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The flow rate of the concentrate is measured by one of a concentrate flow meter and a concentrate-diluent flow meter. The flow rate of the diluent is measured by one of the diluent flow meter and the concentrate-diluent flow meter. as well as The flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture is measured by the concentrate-diluent flow meter.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The flow of the concentrate and the diluent into the mixing tank includes one of the following: The concentrate and the diluent flow substantially synchronously into the mixing tank; and The concentrate and the diluent are introduced into the mixing tank substantially asynchronously.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The process of bringing the concentrate and the diluent into the mixing tank substantially synchronously includes: mixing the concentrate and the diluent and bringing the concentrate-diluent mixture into the mixing tank.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Continuously accumulated measured flow includes: flow measured continuously accumulated over time.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Obtain the desired total amount; as well as The expected total is continuously compared with the accumulated flow.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The expected total amount is based on the target final concentration and target final amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The desired total amount, based on the target final concentration and the target final amount of the concentrate-diluent mixture, includes: ;as well as ； in: T c =Total amount of concentrate; T d =Total amount of diluent; T m =Target amount of concentrate-diluent mixture; C t =Target final concentration; and C c =Concentration of the original concentrate.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising: Measure the concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank; as well as The measured concentration is compared with the target final concentration of the concentrate-diluent mixture.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: If the measured concentration is less than the target final concentration, then the concentrate-diluent mixture is added to the mixing tank.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The amount of concentrate added to the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank is determined according to the following relationship: ； T c =The amount of concentrate to be added for correction; T ci =The initial amount of the original concentrate used for uncorrected mixtures; C t =Correct (original target) concentration; T m =Amount of the uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture; and C c =Concentration of the original concentrate.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: If the measured concentration is greater than the target final concentration, a diluent is added to the concentrate-diluent mixture in the mixing tank.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The amount of diluent added to the mixture of the concentrate and the diluent is determined using the following relationship: ； in: T d = The amount of diluent to be added for correction; C m =Concentration of the uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture; C t = Correct (original target) concentration; and T m =Amount of uncorrected concentrate-diluent mixture.

15. A flow metering system (100, 300, 500, 700) for batch processing dual-source flow control, said flow metering system (100, 300, 500, 700) comprising: One of the following: Concentrate flow meter (110C, 310C) configured to measure the flow rate of concentrate and diluent flow meter (110D, 310D) configured to measure the flow rate of diluent. as well as Concentrate-diluent flow meter (510CD, 710CD), configured to measure at least one of the flow rate of the concentrate, the flow rate of the diluent, and the flow rate of the concentrate-diluent mixture; as well as System computers (130, 330, 530, 730), said system computers being communicatively coupled to one of the following: The concentrate flow meter (110C, 310C) and the diluent flow meter (110D, 310D); and The concentrate-diluent flow meter (510CD, 710CD). The concentrate flow meter (110C, 310C), the diluent flow meter (110D, 310D), and the concentrate-diluent flow meter (510CD, 710CD) are configured, along with at least one of the system computers (130, 330, 530, 730), to perform the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The flow meter system (100, 300, 500, 700) according to claim 15, wherein, At least one of the concentrate flow meter (110C, 310C), the diluent flow meter (110D, 310D), and the concentrate-diluent flow meter (510CD, 710CD), configured to perform the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, comprises: a metering electronics (114C, 114D, 314, 514CD, 714CD) configured to perform the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A system (10, 30, 50, 70) for batch processing dual-source flow control, said system (10, 30, 50, 70) comprising: Mixing tank (10T); as well as The flow meter system (100, 300, 500, 700) according to claim 15 or any one of claim 16 is fluidly coupled to the mixing tank (10T).

18. The system (10, 30, 50, 70) according to claim 17, further comprising: Concentrate supply units (12C, 32C, 52C, 72C) and diluent supply units (12D, 32D, 52D, 72D) are fluidly coupled to the flow meter system (100, 300, 500, 700).

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