PROCESS-SCOPE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the observation, monitoring, control and regulation of process sequences inside explosion-proof reaction vessels, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as its use for the in-line or in-situ observation, monitoring, control and regulation of such process sequences.

[0002] Devices for monitoring production and / or development and research processes are used primarily in laboratory facilities and / or large-scale production plants, for example, in the petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and / or food industries, as known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,965,601. For this purpose, the reactor vessels are equipped with viewing windows that allow direct optical observation of the material flow, in particular the reaction progress, or rather, the behavior and condition of the reaction material. It is understood that these observation devices and their lens systems are exposed to extreme physical and chemical stresses and therefore must be constructed with particularly robustness.Unfortunately, these devices require relatively large observation windows built into the respective containers, which, however, are subject to undesirable wear, corrosion, leakage or even bursting under extreme loads, thus impairing the availability of the systems.

[0003] Therefore, endoscopic or videoscopic devices, such as those known from EP-0'996'865, with relatively small viewing windows, are increasingly being used. These endoscopic devices are also only suitable for direct process observation by a specialist, i.e., they do not allow electronic image analysis for process control.

[0004] A proven device for evaluating observed process data is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 6,570,647 and comprises at least one electro-optical measuring probe with an optical sensor head attachable to the reactor, an optical fiber, and an optoelectronic sensor whose electrical signals are fed to a computer-controlled evaluation unit. This device allows different measurements to be performed simultaneously and can be used for offline or online analysis.

[0005] Endoscopic or videoscopic devices, such as those described in DE-198'28'688, are also known, with which the processes inside the process reactors can be monitored and controlled at intervals or continuously in real time. These devices comprise an electro-optical endoscope and, alternatively, other non-optical sensors, whose signals are fed to an evaluation and control device. These endoscopic or videoscopic devices will also be referred to as "process scopes" below.

[0006] Another endoscopic device for monitoring potentially explosive areas with light or image transmission by means of optical fibers is disclosed in US 8 194 380.

[0007] It is clear to those skilled in the art that these known process scopes are not directly suitable for use in potentially explosive environments. Detailed explosion protection regulations exist for such environments, as will be explained further below.

[0008] Explosion protection is a field of safety technology and serves to prevent damage to people and property caused by technical or chemical products, systems, and other equipment. Its primary goal is to prevent explosions caused by ignition from hot surfaces (e.g., heated electronic components), sparks (e.g., from electrostatic discharge), shortwave radiation and intense light (e.g., from their energy absorption), or other ignition sources, which can lead to the rupture or bursting of pressure vessels due to excessive pressure waves.

[0009] Effective explosion protection, also referred to as explosion protection, is required by law in a wide variety of industrial sectors, for example in mining (firedamp explosions, mine gas or coal dust ignitions), in power plants (steam boilers), in the chemical industry (chemical reactors), in the petrochemical industry, i.e. in the oil and gas industry (pipelines, tank farms, gas boilers), but also in the processing industry (flour dust explosions in mills or grain storage facilities) or in the wood processing industry.

[0010] Therefore, various regulations, standards (e.g., IEC or EN) and legal provisions exist for explosion protection, such as the ATEX directives of the European Union or the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the USA. In particular, potentially explosive systems are divided into generally recognized zones according to their hazard potential, as follows: Zone 0 / 20: Area with the highest hazard level (i.e. with temperatures above the flash point); Zone 1 / 21: Area with a high hazard level (i.e. with possible temperatures above the flash point, where the probability of explosion is reduced by suitable monitoring devices); Zone 2 / 22: Area with a low probability of explosion; Zone NH: Area without particular risk of explosion (non-hazardous).

[0011] The equipment and devices used in these zones must meet special requirements. For example, equipment with operational ignition sources may not be used in Zone 2 / 22. For equipment with ignition hazards that is intended for use in Zone 1 / 21, the effectiveness of the ignition source prevention measures must not be impaired even in the event of a malfunction. In Zone 0 / 20, the design of the equipment must also eliminate highly unlikely operating situations that could lead to an ignition source. In particular, this equipment must be adapted to its specific use, e.g. with a pressure- and / or flame-resistant enclosure or with special intrinsic safety for the equipment's own power supply (e.g. outside the danger zone), for the electronic circuits (e.g. by means of potting compound), for self-generated light (e.g. with a cold light source) or with measures to limit the equipment temperature (e.g.by heat conduction), especially to keep the surface temperature below the ignition temperature. NH (non-hazardous) refers to zones where there is no potential danger.

[0012] Devices for the inspection and observation of explosion-proof reaction vessels, particularly chemical reactors in the chemical industry, have been known for some time. For example, DE-10'2013'020'896 describes a device for the continuous inspection of a vessel for industrial production in an explosion-proof area. This device has an explosion-proof housing (for an ultrasonic wave transducer and corresponding transmitting and receiving electronics) with explosion-proof cable glands and can therefore be used in explosion-proof areas. Unfortunately, this device is only suitable for material testing, i.e., checking for cracking and corrosion formation. It does not allow for the observation of process-specific parameters, nor does this system permit in-process observation of the chemical processes.

[0013] Optical inspection devices are widespread today, especially those with explosion-proof video endoscope housings. These devices, as described in US-2007 / 0177010, for example, require only a camera head module to be inserted into hazardous zone 0 or 1, while a corresponding master device with power supply can remain in zone 2 or NH. This endoscope is also only suitable for damage and corrosion inspection of open, i.e., switched-off, machines, chemical reaction vessels, or turbines. These types of devices also do not allow for in-process observations, or the analysis and control of an ongoing production process.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a process scope, i.e. a device for observing and monitoring chemical and physical processes inside containers or reactors in explosion-proof areas, particularly in large-scale plants, which allows the observation and monitoring for controlling a production process during operation intermittently or continuously, i.e. in any case in-line or in-situ without interrupting the production process.

[0015] This object is achieved according to the invention with a device according to claim 1 and in particular with a zone-separated videoscope (process scope) which is suitable for use in explosion-protected areas, particularly in large-scale production plants. The process scope according to the invention comprises zone-separated assemblies and has a protective housing which can be used in danger zone 1 / 21 or 2 / 22, i.e., free from ignition sources and explosion-proof, as well as an observation tube with a robust tube tip which can be used in danger zone 0 / 20 or 1 / 21, i.e., free from ignition sources and explosion-proof. Optical cables or fiber optic cables in rod form are provided for the light transmission from the illumination device to the tube tip and for the image transmission from the tube tip to the electro-optical camera.A single-mode or multi-mode fiber optic data cable, typically up to approximately 500 m long, is provided for data transmission, preferably of uncompressed image data, from the electro-optical camera to the data acquisition, data analysis, and data recording system.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the tube tip has at least one observation front window and at least one illumination front window, wherein the respective front windows are arranged adjacent to one another. In another embodiment, the tube tip has a centrally arranged observation front window and a concentrically arranged illumination front window. In a further embodiment, at least one observation front window and / or at least one illumination front window is a biplane element or an element in the shape of a cylindrical segment or a truncated cone.

[0017] It is understood that these front windows may be provided with a cleaning unit (not shown), in particular with a unit with which a gaseous or liquid flow film can be generated over the outer surface of at least one of the front windows in order to prevent the accumulating of reaction material on these front windows.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tube tip has a pressure-resistant double barrier. This double barrier comprises a distally arranged first sealing barrier and a proximally arranged second sealing barrier. In the first sealing barrier, at least one first seal is provided between each of the mating surfaces of the precisely fitting tube components, and in the second sealing barrier, at least one second seal is provided between each of the mating surfaces of the precisely fitting tube components. This double barrier is pressure-tight for a process pressure of at least 100 bar and, with an uncooled tube, is heat-resistant up to approximately 350°C.

[0019] In a further development of the tube tip according to the invention, the illumination and / or observation front windows are provided with internal or external optical means, in particular a prism and / or a facet and / or a diaphragm and / or a lens, and are suitably aligned for use, for example, in parallactic distance measurement.

[0020] Furthermore, in this refinement, the front windows arranged laterally in the tube tip are secured with a retaining plate. To minimize the adhesion of particles from the particle stream and to keep the light and image cone as clear as possible, the tube tip, around which particles flow, has an outer contour, in particular a diamond-like, horseshoe-shaped, or other flow-optimized contour, which is suitable for reducing the abrasion generated by the particle stream on the outside of the tube syringe. Furthermore, the interior of the tube tip can be filled with a flowable, particularly pourable, material.

[0021] According to the invention, a lighting device, an electronic control circuit, and an electro-optical or spectroscopic camera are arranged in the housing. Furthermore, this housing is preferably coupled to a flow-through device to prevent explosion-causing ignitions. This flow-through device allows the housing to be flooded with a heat-dissipating protective gas (especially air) and, at the same time, to be provided with an increased internal pressure, for example, by introducing more gas into this housing than is discharged at the same time. The housing, which is advantageously made of anodized aluminum, is in contact with the electro-optical camera and the lighting device, which typically has a 10 W light source, for heat dissipation.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the flow device comprises a shielding gas supply unit connected to the housing via a supply line. This supply unit includes a pressure regulator and a throttle valve controlled by an electronic control unit. This control unit is preferably also arranged in the housing. The shielding gas supply line is attached to a first connection opening of the housing, and the shielding gas exhaust line is attached to a second connection opening of the housing.

[0023] It is understood that the first and second connection openings as well as the components provided inside the housing, in particular the lighting device, the electronic control circuit, the electro-optical or spectroscopic camera, the electronic control unit, and any additional webs and ribs, are arranged in such a way that they form a complex hollow body with the housing, through which fluids can flow. This hollow body enables rapid and complete shielding gas exchange with high convection (heat transfer). The targeted arrangement of the individual components allows for the generation of a flow-optimized flow rate, i.e., a laminar volume flow.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the first and second connection openings are arranged substantially diagonally opposite one another.

[0025] According to the invention, the electronic control unit arranged in the housing is connected to an external power supply unit via a first explosion-proof cable feedthrough for a power cable, and the electro-optical or spectroscopic camera arranged in the housing is connected to an external data acquisition, data analysis, and data recording system via a second cable feedthrough for a data cable. Normally, the external power supply unit and the external data acquisition, data analysis, and data recording system do not meet any special requirements with regard to explosion protection, i.e., they can only be used in the NH danger zone and are also arranged in this area. For the device according to the invention, however, the power supply unit is provided with a safety device which ensures that the current for the light to be generated is limited in order to avoid inadmissible light intensities.

[0026] Further particular embodiments and developments of the process scope according to the invention have the features of the subclaims.

[0027] The process scope according to the invention allows for the first time a process-accompanying in-line or in-situ observation for the control of process sequences in explosion-protected areas, for example in large-scale reactor vessels in the chemical or petrochemical industry, in particular in a multi-zone reactor and at exceptionally high pressures, as used for the production of polymer particles from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) and described, for example, in US-5,698,642 or in particular in reactors with exceptionally high temperatures, as used, for example, in the combustion of solid fuels in power plants.

[0028] In a multi-zone reactor, the polymerization of polymer particles can be monitored in-line or in-situ in the individual polymerization zones, and the observation results can be used to optimize the process. This electro-optical device is particularly suitable for in-process image analysis, for example, for determining current particle parameters such as direction of motion, speed, surface texture, size, shape, and the fill level of the polymer particles in the reactor vessel and / or for optimizing the current production process.

[0029] In the following, the term "distally arranged" refers to the area of ​​the tube tip, regardless of the spatial position and arrangement of the respective elements in this area.

[0030] The terms "in-line" or "in-situ" are intended to express that the observation does not take place offline or online, but rather directly in the process and without taking samples.

[0031] The term "free from ignition sources" is intended to encompass all means by which the lighting devices, in particular LEDs and their power supply, are designed and controlled in such a way that even in the event of a fault (e.g., with a short circuit and emission peak), the guideline values ​​according to the explosion protection requirements for device components in the area of ​​Zone 0 / 20 or 1 / 21 are met.

[0032] The present invention will be explained in more detail below using an embodiment and with the aid of the figures.

[0033] It shows: Fig. 1: Schematic-spatial representation of a process scope according to the invention; Fig. 2: Schematic representation of the electronic circuit of the process scope according to the invention; Fig. 3: Schematic top view of an opened housing according to the invention; Fig. 4: Schematic longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a tube tip according to the invention with at least one optical illumination light guide; Fig. 5: Schematic front view of a tube tip according to the invention with three illumination front windows and one observation front window; Fig. 6: Schematic longitudinal section through a tube tip according to the invention with at least one optical illumination light guide and with asymmetrical front windows; Fig. 7: Schematic longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a tube tip according to the invention with an annular illumination light guide; Fig.Fig. 8: Schematic longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a tube tip according to the invention with an annular illumination light guide and with asymmetrical front windows; Fig. 9: Schematic longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of a tube tip according to the invention with laterally arranged front windows; Fig. 10: Schematic bottom view of the embodiment according to. Fig. 9 ; Fig. 11 schematic representation of a spatial view of the embodiment according to Fig. 9 ; Fig. 12 schematic longitudinal section through the embodiment according to Fig. 9 with additional holding plate.

[0034] The schematic-spatial representation in Fig. 1 clarifies the arrangement of the individual components of the process scope 1 according to the invention. In particular, the observation tube 3 with its tube tip 3' projects into the area with the highest danger level, i.e., into Zone 0 / 20 or into Zone 1 / 21. It proves to be essential for the invention that the tube tip 3' and the observation tube 3 do not have any active components. The protective housing 2 is provided with a holder 10 for attachment to a container or reactor, in particular to ensure a trouble-free connection to these. A controller display 20 allows the reading of device-specific data, such as temperature, internal pressure, etc. The housing 2 fulfills the IEC / EN requirements for housings in Zone 1 / 21 or 2 / 22, i.e.has a so-called pressurized "Ex p" flow device 7, 8, 9, 12, 15 inside according to these guidelines, for flowing this housing 2 with a protective gas, in particular air, and for providing it with an increased internal pressure of approximately 5 to 20 mbar, preferably approximately 10 mbar. For this purpose, the housing is connected to a protective gas supply line 7 and a protective gas exhaust 8. The protective gas supply is fed from the NH zone and regulated in zones 1 / 21 or 2 / 22 by means of a pressure regulator 9 and a throttle valve 12 controlled by an electronic control unit 11. The power supply is ensured via a power cable 16. A data cable 18, which has a length of, for example, over 300 m to 500 m, connects the camera data to a data acquisition, data analysis and data recording system 19 located in the zone NH.An alarm device 25 in the NH zone allows monitoring of the electronic control unit 11 arranged in the protective housing. It is understood that, in a further development, the data acquisition, data analysis, and data recording system 19 comprises at least one analysis module with which the required parameters for the control and regulation for optimizing the aforementioned process sequences can be determined and measured, in order to use the device as a video-based unit for the process-accompanying real-time measurement of desired parameters for the control and regulation for optimizing. Such desired and / or required parameters for the control and regulation for optimizing, determined by appropriately provided image analysis modules, are, for example, in multi-phase processes: the velocity of solids, bubbles, droplets; the size distribution of solid particles, bubbles, droplets (e.g., Particle Size Distribution (PSD) of solid particles in gas); parameters that characterize the morphology of solid particles (broken particle count, shape factors such as sphericity, aspect ratio, convexity, etc.); parameters that characterize the current process conditions (e.g., bulk / not-bulk conditions); threshold values ​​for triggering alarms in the event of unfavorable process conditions (e.g., junk alarm); parameters for distance measurements (e.g., surface height of a bed); other parameters determined on the basis of the image data and relevant for the control and regulation of the process

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the electronic circuitry of the process scope 1 according to the invention and its spatial arrangement in the special danger zones. It is clear that in zone 0 / 20 (or zone 1 / 21) only passive components are provided, i.e. only the observation tube 3 with its tube tip 3' protrudes into this area. The rear protective housing 2 is fastened to the vessel or reactor to be observed (not shown) with a robust and stable holder 10. In the interior 15 of the protective housing 2 there is provided an illumination device 4, an electro-optical or spectroscopic camera 6, an electronic protection circuit 5 for the illumination device 4 and an electronic control unit 11 for regulating the protective gas flow and the internal pressure generated by the same in the housing interior 15.

[0036] The power supply unit 17, the data acquisition, data analysis and data recording system and an alarm device 25 are arranged in the non-hazardous zone NH.

[0037] The Fig. 3 The schematic plan view of an open housing 2 according to the invention shown clearly illustrates the arrangement of the electronic components. An optical, in particular fiber-optic, illumination light guide 21 guides the light from the illumination device 4 into the observation tube 3 and further to the tube tip 3'. An optical waveguide, in particular an endoscopic image guide 23, e.g. with a rod lens or a fiber bundle, guides the image information via an objective 24 from the tube tip 3' back to the electro-optical camera 6 of an endoscope 22. The illumination device 4 and the electronic control unit 11 are preferably arranged in the housing interior 15 such that they are continuously surrounded by the protective gas, which flows from a first connection opening 13 to a second connection opening 14.In addition, the control unit 11 de-energizes all electronic components when the excess pressure inside the housing collapses, for example, when the housing is opened. The controller display 20 is mounted in the lid of the protective housing 2 and displays, among other things, the internal temperature (typically -15 °C to 50 °C), the relative humidity, and the internal pressure.

[0038] The mount 10 allows for secure attachment of the Process Scope 1 to a vessel or reactor. The protective housing 2 is advantageously made of anodized aluminum, while the observation tube 3 has a tube casing 35 made of stainless steel.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a tube tip 3' according to the invention with at least one optical illumination light guide 21. According to the invention, the tube tip 3' has a pressure-resistant double barrier 51. This double barrier 51 comprises a distally located, first sealing barrier 44 and a proximally located second sealing barrier 49, wherein for the first sealing barrier 44, between each of the mating surfaces of the precisely fitting tube components, in particular between a tube closure piece 36 and a front window holder 34, as well as between a front-side illumination front window 32 and the front window holder 34, as well as between a front-side observation front window 31 and the front window holder 34, at least one first front seal 43, an illumination front window seal 42, and an observation front window seal 41,and at least one second tube closure seal 48, a tube jacket seal 47, a light guide seal 46, and an image guide seal 45 are provided for the second sealing barrier 49 between each of the mating surfaces of the precisely fitting tube components, in particular between the tube closure piece 36 and a tube jacket 35, as well as between the tube jacket 35 and the image guide mount 33, as well as between the image guide mount 33 and the optical image guide 23, and between the image guide mount 33 and the illumination light guide 21. This double barrier is pressure-tight for a process pressure of at least 100 bar. The tube tip 3' has a heat resistance of up to approximately 350 °C when the tube 3 is uncooled. It is understood that this temperature resistance can be increased by suitable cooling of the tube tip 3'.

[0040] In a further development of the tube tip 3' according to the invention, this has additional illumination light guides. Fig. 5 The schematic front view of a tube tip 3' with several illumination light guides shown shows, in addition to the illumination front window 32, a second illumination window 32' and a third illumination window 32" as well as a maximized observation front window 31. These windows are held in a front window holder 34, which is connected to the tube jacket 35 via a tube closure piece 36.

[0041] The Fig. 6 The schematic longitudinal section through a tube tip 3' according to the invention with at least one optical illumination light guide shown in FIG. 1 shows a frontal illumination window 39 in the form of an asymmetric truncated cone and a frontal observation window 38 in the form of an asymmetric truncated cone. This asymmetric embodiment allows a non-orthogonal attachment of the tube tip 3' to the container or reactor and leads to a different viewing angle into the interior of the container or reactor. It is understood that several asymmetric illumination windows can also be provided in this embodiment. The Fig. 6 The sealing elements shown correspond to those in the Fig. 4 and meet the requirements of a first sealing barrier 44. The person skilled in the art, knowing the embodiment described above, will easily be able to provide a second sealing barrier 49 in order to realize a double barrier 51.

[0042] The Fig. 7 The schematic longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a tube tip 3' according to the invention shows a centrally arranged image guide 23 with a concentrically arranged annular illumination light guide 21''. Furthermore, the associated front windows 31 and 32" have conically shaped side surfaces, in particular to avoid reflections and radiation losses at the side walls. Sapphire glass has proven to be a particularly suitable material for use as a front window for the process scope according to the invention.

[0043] The Fig. 8 The schematic longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a tube tip 3' according to the invention shows an asymmetrically frustoconical observation front window 38 and an annular illumination front window 39 with asymmetrically frustoconical side surfaces. The associated illumination light guide 21" can be formed from a ring-shaped optical fiber bundle. These embodiments allow the creation of an observation and detection direction angled to the tube axis, particularly for distance measurement.

[0044] The Fig. 9 The longitudinal section shown makes it clear that the front windows 31, 32 can also be arranged laterally in the tube tip 3', in particular if the field of view is to be directed into the lower region of the container, as is advantageously considered for a parallactic distance measurement to determine the fill level. For this purpose, a first optical illumination light guide 21 is coupled to the illumination front window 32, preferably via a lens system 55, in order to be able to illuminate the largest possible area (width, depth). In addition, an additional optical supplementary illumination light guide 21' for the structured or patterned projection light required for a parallactic measurement is coupled to a projection optics 55, which, for example,For projecting a grating or line pattern, such as those used on reticles in optical measuring and aiming devices, or, more simply, as a two-part bright / dark field. The optical image guide 23 is coupled to a facet 53 of the front observation window 31 and can thus essentially capture at least the illuminated image field. In this embodiment, the first sealing barrier 44 is arranged laterally between the optical elements 31, 32 in the tube tip 3', and the second sealing barrier 49 is provided behind it.

[0045] It is understood that the interior of the tube tip 3' can be filled with a filling material, in particular with a flowable or pourable material, in particular in order to further minimize the risk of explosion.

[0046] Fig. 10 shows the underside of the Fig. 9 illustrated embodiment of the tube tip 3' and makes clear the arrangement of the two front windows 31, 32 held in the base 37 of the tube jacket 35, the geometric offset of which is essential for the parallactic distance measurement.

[0047] The Fig. 11 The illustration shows the embodiment as shown in the Fig. 9, 10 described, i.e. an embodiment in which the tube tip 3' projects into the reaction vessel and is thus exposed to the particle flow therein. In order to reduce the associated abrasion and adhesion of particles, the outer contour of the tube tip can be designed in a suitable manner, in particular diamond-shaped, flow-optimized or have a horseshoe-shaped cross-section. It is understood that the person skilled in the art can take further measures to counteract position-related abrasion, in particular by attaching baffles or particle-deflecting fluid countercurrents. It is understood that with these means the light and image cones are also kept clear for, for example, the parallactic measurement of particles and the image quality can thus be improved.

[0048] The Fig. 12 schematically illustrated longitudinal section through the embodiment according to Fig. 9 has an additional holding plate 56. This holding plate 56 is intended to prevent material adhesion, which would reduce the resolution and accuracy of the measurement results of, for example, a parallactic distance measurement, and can be made of any antistatic material, in particular a metallic or transparent material, with or without recesses. The embodiment shown here comprises separate front windows 32, 32' for each of the illumination light guides 21, 21', which facilitates the coupling of the projection optics 54, or the lens system, to them.

[0049] It is understood that the observation tube and / or its tube tip can be fixedly or movably attached to the vessel or reactor and, in particular, can extend into the vessel interior. In particular, prismatic bodies can be provided on the outside of the tube tip to direct the illumination and field of view, for example, into the lower part of the vessel. Furthermore, the individual assemblies and components inside the protective housing can be designed to be free of ignition sources. In particular, the electronic control circuit can be encapsulated, or the camera can be additionally encapsulated. This camera can be controlled remotely and have a frame rate of, for example, up to 1,000 fps, or an image resolution in the range of, for example, several megapixels. A bending radius of less than 6 to 10 cm is advantageously maintained for the image guide fibers.Likewise, the light source can be coupled with cooling fins, and special means can be provided for coupling the light (preferably from an LED) into the light guide or the light guide fiber bundle. The light emission at the tube tip typically has an emission power of approximately 600 mW for continuous light, or 20 mW / mm², i.e., approximately 200 lm. In a preferred embodiment, the protective housing is designed for an overpressure of 5 to 20 mbar, preferably 10 mbar, and is made of a metal with good thermal conductivity, in particular anodized aluminum. The tube tip can withstand process temperatures of, for example, -50 °C to 100 °C or 150 °C when uncooled, and temperatures of up to 1,500 °C when cooled with a cooling jacket, and can withstand process pressures of, for example, up to 42 bar or 65 bar. The observation tube can be rigid or flexible and can be several meters long.Of course, this process scope can also be equipped with various electro-optical cameras, especially with different frame rates, resolutions, monochrome or color resolution, etc. It goes without saying that the optical properties, such as focus, magnification, or light intensity, can be adjusted remotely. Likewise, pulsed illumination can be used for observation instead of continuous light, which is coordinated with the camera's image acquisition sequence.

[0050] The advantages of this process scope are immediately apparent to those skilled in the art and are particularly evident in its robustness, ease of use, and high-resolution image processing. In particular, this process scope proves to be safe and resistant to environmental influences, is vibration-proof, corrosion-proof, chemical-resistant, resistant to heavy rain, moisture-proof, salt mist-proof, resistant to icing / freezing rain, explosion-proof, abrasion-proof, sand- and dust-proof, exhibits high optical and mechanical stability, prevents the ingress of foreign objects due to its tightly sealed mechanical connections and secured input and output ports, shields against electromagnetic interference, and is universally applicable. In particular, the process scope according to the invention allows the inspection of containers or reactors in nuclear and pharmaceutical plants, or in the petrochemical or oil industries. Bezugszeichenliste:

[0051] 1Process Scope 2Protective Housing 3Observation Tube 3Tube Tip 4Illumination Device 5Electronic Protection Circuit 6Electro-optical or spectroscopic Camera 7Protective Gas Supply Line 8Protective Gas Extractor, Pressure Relief Valve 9Pressure Regulator 10Bracket for Attachment to a Vessel or Reactor 11Electronic Control Unit 12Throttle Valve 13First Connection Opening 14Second Connection Opening 15Housing Interior 16Power Cable 17Power Supply Unit 18Data Cable 19Data Acquisition,Data Analysis and Data Recording System 20 Controller Display 21 Optical Illumination Light Guide 21 Additional Illumination Light Guide 21 Annular Illumination Light Guide 22 Endoscope 23 Optical Image Guide 24 Lens 25 Alarm Indicator 31 Observation Front Window 32 Illumination Front Window 32 Second Illumination Front Window 32 Third Illumination Front Window 32 Annular Illumination Front Window 33 Image and Light Guide Mount 34 Front Window Holder 35 Tube Jacket 36 Tube Closure Piece 37 Tube Jacket Base 38 Asymmetric Observation Front Window 39 Asymmetric Illumination Front Window 41 Observation Front Window Seal 42 Illumination Front Window Seal 43 Front Seal 44 First Seal Lock 45 Image Guide Seal 46Light guide seal 47Tube jacket seal 48Tube closure seal 49Second seal lock 51Double lock 53Facet 54Projection optics 55Lens system 56Retaining plate 57Interior of the tube tip,

Claims

1. A device (1), in particular a process scope, for observing, monitoring, controlling and regulating chemical and physical process sequences inside explosion-proof reaction vessels in large-scale technical plants and during operation, i.e. without interrupting the production and / or development and research process, which device (1) has an observation tube (3) with a tube tip (3'), an electro-optical or spectroscopic camera (6), a housing (2) with an electronic protection circuit (5) and an illumination device (4), as well as a power supply unit (17) and a data acquisition, data analysis and data recording system (19) with image processing electronics, characterized in that the device comprises zone-separated assemblies such that the observation tube and the tube tip (3') contain only passive components, are free of ignition sources and are suitable for use in an explosion-protected area, in particular in hazard zone 0 / 20 or 1 / 21 of an explosion-protected area, wherein the housing (2) is suitable for use in an explosion-protected area, in particular in the highest hazard zone 1 / 21 and / or second-highest hazard zone 2 / 22 of an explosion-protected area, wherein the power supply unit (17) and the data acquisition system as well as the data analysis and data recording system (19) are suitable for use in an explosion-protected area, in particular in hazard zone NH of an explosion-protected area, wherein optical waveguides in rod form are provided both for the light transmission from the illumination device (4) to the tube tip (3') and for the image transmission from the tube tip (3') to the electro-optical or spectroscopic camera (6), and a single-mode or multi-mode fiber optic data cable (18) is provided for the data transmission of the image data from the electro-optical or spectroscopic camera (6) to the data acquisition, data analysis and data recording system (19).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube tip (3') has an explosion-proof double barrier (51), which double barrier (51) comprises a distally arranged first sealing barrier (44) and a proximally arranged second sealing barrier (49), wherein at the first sealing barrier (44) between each of the fitting surfaces of the tube components (31 and 34, 32 and 34, 34) of the tube tip (3') lying precisely against each other there is at least one first seal (41, 42, 43) is provided and at least one second seal (45, 46, 47, 48) is provided in the second seal barrier (51) between each of the mating surfaces of the tube components (23 and 33, 33 and 21, 33 and 35, 35 and 36) of the tube tip (3') which lie precisely against one another, wherein at least one first seal and at least one second seal of the double barrier (51) are designed to be pressure-tight for a process pressure of approximately 100 bar and have a process temperature resistance of at least 150 °C.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube tip (3') a) has at least one observation front window (31) and at least one illumination front window (32), which front windows (31, 32) are arranged adjacent to one another, or b) has a centrally arranged observation front window (31) and a preferably annular illumination front window (32) arranged concentrically thereto, wherein c) at least one observation front window (31) and / or at least one illumination front window (32) or a common illumination and observation front window (not shown) is designed in the form of a biplanar optical element or in the form of an asymmetrical truncated cone.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one illumination front window (31) and the at least one observation front window (32) and / or the common illumination and observation front window are arranged frontally or laterally in the tube tip (3') and are made in particular of sapphire glass.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the illumination and / or observation front windows (31, 32) are provided with internal or external optical means, in particular a prism and / or a facet (53) and / or an aperture (54) and / or a lens (55), and are suitably aligned for use for distance measurement.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the front windows (31, 32, 32') arranged laterally in the tube tip (3') are secured with a retaining plate (56), in particular also in order to minimize the adhesion of particles from the particle stream.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube tip (3') around which the flow passes has an outer contour, in particular diamond-shaped, flow-optimized or with a horseshoe-shaped cross-section, which is suitable for reducing the adhesion of particles and the abrasion generated by the particle flow on the outside of the tube tip (3') projecting into the container.

8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the interior of the tube tip (3') is filled with a flowable material, in particular a free-flowing material.

9. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the respective front windows (31, 32) of the tube tip (3') is provided with a cleaning unit (not shown), in particular with a unit with which a liquid or gaseous flow film can be generated intermittently or continuously over the outer surface of at least one of the respective front windows (31, 32).

10. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (2) is coupled to an "Ex p" flow-through device (7, 8, 9, 12, 15), in order to flood it with a protective gas, in particular air, and to provide it with an increased internal pressure of approximately 5 to 20 mbar, preferably of approximately 10 mbar.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the flow-through device (7, 8, 9, 12, 15) comprises a protective gas supply unit (not shown), which comprises a protective gas supply line (7) connected to the housing (2) and a protective gas outlet (8) connected to the housing (2), in particular a pressure relief valve, as well as a pressure regulator (9) and a throttle valve (12) controlled by an electronic control unit (11) arranged in the housing (2), wherein the protective gas supply line (7) is fastened to a first connection opening (13) of the housing (2) and the protective gas outlet (8) is fastened to a second connection opening (14) of the housing.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and second connection openings (13, 14) as well as an illumination device (4) provided inside the housing (2), an electronic protection circuit (5), at least one electro-optical or spectroscopic camera (6), an electronic control unit (11) and any additional ribs or baffles (not shown) are arranged in such a way that they form a complex and completely flow-through hollow body (15) which communicates with the interior of the tube tip (3'), which has a time-optimized (rapid) and complete protective gas exchange with high convection and a flow-optimized flow rate (laminar volume flow).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the tube tip (3') projecting into the reaction vessel comprises means for shielding the same, in particular in the form of a shielding plate arranged on the upstream side.

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube tip (3') is provided with means for cooling the same, for example in the form of a water-cooled cooling jacket.

15. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data acquisition, data analysis and data recording system (19) comprises at least one analysis module with which parameters required for the control, regulation and optimization of the said process sequences can be determined and measured in order to use the device as a video-based measuring unit for the in-process real-time measurement of parameters required for the control and optimization.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the analysis module has several and / or different electro-optical and / or spectroscopic cameras, with different recording functions, such as frame rate, monochrome or polychrome image resolution with different brightness and / or colour resolution, and / or with different optical properties, such as focus, magnification or light intensity and / or with different image processing electronics.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that these cameras are remotely adjustable, e.g. their focus and zoom.

18. Use of a device according to claim 1 for the in-line or in-situ observation, monitoring, control and regulation of chemical and physical process sequences inside explosion-proof reaction vessels in large-scale technical plants and during operation, i.e. without interrupting the production and / or development and research process.