Water purification plant for the needs-optimised execution of operations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purification plant for creating a medical solution, in particular dialysis water, which is able to be operated in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, with a control unit, characterised in that the control unit is programmed to sense, preferably on the basis of sensor data, whether it is necessary to operate the water purification plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode, and if operation of the water purification plant in the second operating mode has been sensed as being necessary, to determine whether it is possible to switch from the first operating mode into the second operating mode at a current time, and if the determination yields that it is possible to switch into the second operating mode at the current time, to output a control instruction to the water purification plant and / or at least one component thereof in order to operate the latter in the second operating mode, and if the determination yields that it is not possible to switch into the second operating mode at the current time, to determine a future time at which the control unit will output a control instruction to the water purification plant and / or at least one component thereof in order to operate the latter in the second operating mode.

Description

[0001] Water treatment plant for demand-optimized

[0002] Execution of operational processes

[0003] The present invention relates to a water treatment plant for the demand-optimized execution of operating processes, in particular for the coordinated integration of maintenance modes into a treatment operation of the water treatment plant-

[0004] Renal replacement therapy procedures, such as peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis treatments, usually require special dialysate solutions that are prepared or mixed from ultrapure water.

[0005] In dialysis centers, this water is usually provided via a complex reverse osmosis (RO) system, sometimes with multiple upstream and downstream filter stages. After the ultrapure water has been produced through water treatment, it is enriched with, for example, glucose and various ions and / or mixed with pre-prepared dialysis concentrates. The goal here is to ensure that different substance concentrations prevail between the blood and dialysate sides during dialysis treatment, thus achieving substance exchange and water reduction as part of the treatment process. Coordination of the individual operational and technical processes is crucial here. Cleaning, regeneration, or mixing processes within a water treatment system always require scheduling with upcoming treatment processes in the dialysis center or maintenance processes of the water treatment system itself.Coordination of different system components and processes is crucial to ensure that life-saving dialysis treatments run smoothly.

[0006] Currently, typical routine procedures or maintenance work on the water treatment system, such as necessary filter backwashes, are scheduled to ensure the smoothest possible dialysis process. These appointments are typically scheduled late at night or early in the morning, although a more efficient appointment, such as during a treatment break during the day, would be possible.

[0007] Furthermore, in many cases, such routine procedures are not always absolutely necessary and could be delayed, for example, if a filter's capacity is not yet exhausted. However, many routine measures are traditionally performed on suspicion and unnecessarily, resulting in increased water and energy consumption.

[0008] Technical means are therefore required for time-, water-, and energy-efficient control of water treatment systems, for example in the context of planned dialysis treatments in a dialysis center.

[0009] Against this background, the present invention has the task of mitigating or even completely eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] This object is achieved by a water treatment system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Accordingly, a water treatment system for producing medical solution, in particular dialysis water, is provided, which can be operated in a first operating mode, for example, a treatment mode or a mode for providing medical solution for dialysis treatment, and a second operating mode, for example, a maintenance mode for filter regeneration.

[0011] The water treatment unit comprises a control unit programmed to detect, preferably based on sensor data, whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required.

[0012] In other words, a filter is not regenerated on suspicion, but only when the control unit detects, for example based on sensor data reflecting remaining filter capacity, that filter regeneration is actually necessary.

[0013] If operation of the water treatment system in the second operating mode has been detected as necessary, for example, because the filter capacity is only 10%, the control unit determines whether switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is currently possible. In other words, it first checks whether the filter can be regenerated immediately, for example, because the water treatment system is not currently operating to produce medicinal solution.

[0014] If the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is possible at the current time, the control unit preferably issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component, e.g. the filter module to be regenerated, to operate it in the second operating mode (e.g. filter regeneration). However, if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is not possible at the current time, e.g. because an ongoing dialysis treatment has been detected for which medical solution must be generated, the control unit determines a future time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode.

[0015] For example, the control unit identifies a time window after the end of the current treatment and controls the filter module for filter regeneration within this time window.

[0016] Thus, the control unit is preferably designed to automatically and without human interaction determine a future time window or point in time during which the water treatment plant and / or at least one component will be operated in the second operating mode. Maintenance processes can thus be flexibly and automatically integrated into a planned daily routine.

[0017] In addition, by recording whether, for example, a maintenance process is absolutely necessary, unnecessary maintenance processes can be avoided, for example at fixed intervals (the filter is regenerated every 2 weeks, regardless of its remaining capacity), thus saving resources.

[0018] A first operating mode preferably refers to an operating mode that prevents maintenance operations on the water treatment system or components thereof, for example, an operation for generating dialysis water and / or medical solution, in particular dialysate, for an ongoing dialysis treatment. A second operating mode preferably refers to an operating mode for performing a maintenance operation on the water treatment system or at least one component thereof and / or an internal system operation, such as a mixing operation of a dialysis concentrate with generated dialysis water. A second operating mode can, for example, relate to a backwash or regeneration operation of a filter, a refilling of concentrate, a replacement operation of a component, etc.

[0019] An "internal process" is preferably understood to mean a process that relates to the internal operation of the water treatment plant, for example, a mixing process in which liquid or solid dialysis concentrate is mixed with dialysis water to produce dialysate. The finished dialysate is then dispensed to at least one treatment device in the first operating mode.

[0020] The control unit may further be programmed to compare sensor data regarding at least one system-specific and / or component-specific parameter with at least one threshold value stored in a database when determining whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required.

[0021] For example, the pressure in a line upstream and / or downstream of a filter can be measured. If the pressure in the line upstream of the filter exceeds a corresponding threshold, it can be concluded that a backwash process is necessary. If the pressure in the line downstream of the filter falls below a corresponding threshold, it can be concluded that a backwash process is necessary. Furthermore, a pressure drop across the filter at a defined minimum flow can be measured.

[0022] This can either digitally record whether a certain process is required (e.g. pressure above 1 bar: yes; pressure below 1 bar: no) or a more differentiated evaluation can be carried out in which a requirement value is calculated which, for example, reflects on a scale of 0% to 100% how necessary it is to carry out a certain process or second operating mode. For example, a pressure above 2 bar measured upstream of the filter can correspond to a requirement value of 75% (filter clogged); a pressure between 0.5 and 1 bar can correspond to a requirement value of 50% (filter slightly clogged but still acceptable); and a pressure below 0.5 bar can correspond to a requirement value of 80% (filter damaged). If the pressure downstream of the filter is measured, reduced measured pressure values ​​can indicate that the filter is clogged.If a pressure drop across the filter is detected at a defined minimum flow, a relatively large pressure drop across the filter may indicate that the filter is clogged.

[0023] The control unit can further be programmed to determine, when determining whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required, an urgency value, preferably taking into account sensor data relating to at least one plant-specific and / or component-specific parameter and / or at least one threshold value stored in a database for the second operating mode, which reflects an urgency with which the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof is to be operated in the second operating mode.

[0024] For example, after it has been detected that a corresponding operation with a certain necessity value (e.g. 80%) is required in a second operating mode, an associated urgency value can be determined for this second operating mode, for example on the basis of historical data.

[0025] For example, historical data may indicate that if the requirement value for a filter backwash is 75%, an urgency value of 90% (e.g. on a scale of 0% to 100%) is appropriate, since experience shows that the water treatment system will fail quickly if the filter is not backwashed promptly in this situation.

[0026] The second operating mode can be linked in the control unit to the associated requirement value and the associated urgency value.

[0027] The determined urgency values ​​also allow a prioritization of a specific second operating mode concerning one component (e.g. filter backwash) over another second operating mode concerning another component (e.g. replacement of a membrane of a reverse osmosis system), which cannot be carried out in parallel.

[0028] In a case where it has been detected that it is necessary to operate a plurality of components of the water treatment plant in a second operating mode, the control unit can be programmed to determine an urgency value for each of the components and / or for each of the second operating modes, preferably taking into account sensor data with regard to at least one component-specific parameter and / or at least one threshold value stored in a database.

[0029] For example, filter backwashing is associated with an urgency value of 80%, while replacing a reverse osmosis system membrane is associated with an urgency value of 50%. In this case, filter backwashing is prioritized, and the control unit issues a control command for filter backwashing at the next possible identified time.

[0030] In other words, the control unit may be further programmed, if it has been detected that a plurality of components should be operated in a second operating mode, to select the component and / or the second operating mode associated with the most urgent or highest urgency value and to issue a control instruction at the determined future time to operate the selected component in the selected second operating mode.

[0031] When automatically determining the future point in time for issuing the control instruction, planning data which reflect planned operation of the water treatment plant and which include, for example, planned treatments are preferably taken into account.

[0032] The control unit can therefore be programmed to take into account planning data which reflect a planned future operation of the water treatment plant when determining the future time for issuing the control instruction, wherein the planning data include at least one future time period in which the water treatment plant is operated in the first operating mode and / or a further operating mode which prevents the operation of the water treatment plant from being switched to the second operating mode.

[0033] Certain scheduled operations may therefore block or inhibit switching of the operation of the water treatment plant or at least one component thereof to the second operating mode.

[0034] The further operating mode can, for example, be a mixing process, which must be carried out before a planned treatment. Switching the operation of the water treatment plant, for example, to a second operating mode for filter backwashing is therefore not possible either during the treatment (e.g. first operating mode) or during the mixing process (e.g. further operating mode), and the time windows of these operating modes are thus blocked for the second operating mode of filter backwashing. Alternatively or additionally, the planning data for operation in the second operating mode can specify a certain temporal relationship to operation in the first operating mode, preferably that the second operating mode is to be carried out before or after a time period in which operation in the first operating mode takes place.

[0035] For example, if a mixing process of concentrate and dialysis water is assumed as the second operating mode, the planning data can specify that this second operating mode must always take place before a planned treatment (e.g. first operating mode).

[0036] In the case of conflicting objectives, for example, where multiple maintenance processes need to be planned or performed within the same time frame, prioritization can be performed. For example, an activated carbon filter can only be backwashed if no concentrate is being mixed. The concentrate mixing can only begin once the filter backwash is complete (and may include a predetermined waiting time). Both processes may only be started when the treatment devices are not in the hot disinfection (HSD) mode.

[0037] If, for example, it is determined that the remaining capacity of a filter before backwashing is not sufficient for a mixing process within the concentrate mixing system, a scheduling is automatically carried out so that backwashing of the filter is given priority first and only then is the mixing process carried out, e.g. during a treatment break.

[0038] To further prevent conflicting objectives, certain components can also include certain buffers. For example, the capacity limit of the activated carbon filter can be set so that backwashing can be delayed for several hours in an emergency, e.g., if a mixing process is immediately required. In other words, the threshold values ​​used to determine the required values ​​can include tolerance ranges.

[0039] Preferably, there is an automatic feedback between the specific future point in time of the control instruction and the planning data in such a way that a specific point in time is automatically integrated into the planning data.

[0040] The control unit can thus be programmed to integrate a specific future point in time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode into the planning data and thereby automatically generate updated planning data.

[0041] Based on the sensor data or the planning data, new blocked time windows can be generated, which can then be used to determine a time for issuing a control instruction in the future and to generate the control data underlying the control instruction.

[0042] This is the case, for example, if the control unit detects that one or more filters are reaching their capacity limit or that the capacity is just below a limit value.

[0043] Accordingly, a time window is required for backwashing, which, for example, must be allocated as promptly as possible by the control unit. In addition to the identified time window, data can then be generated for other components of the water treatment system that block the operation of these components in a second operating mode during this time window. For example, neither the concentrate mixing system nor a treatment device should be activated during filter backwashing.In other words, the control unit may be further programmed to determine, based on the determined future point in time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode, at least one future time period in which another component of the water treatment plant may not be operated in the second operating mode.

[0044] In other words, depending on the scheduling of a future time for the execution of a routine process, the planning data can be dynamically adjusted so that, for example, new blocked time windows (also called blocking time or blocking window) are generated.

[0045] For example, it may be determined that an activated carbon filter needs to be backwashed within the next 24 hours. An appointment can then be booked for the following night, taking into account other off-peak times, such as mixing or emptying processes of the concentrate mixing system. At the same time, new off-peak times are generated for other system components, such as the mixing system, for the scheduled backwash process.

[0046] The scheduling or the automatic determination of the time or time window for executing a routine process is therefore preferably always selected such that the time window of the routine process does not lie within a time blocking window of another routine process, wherein the respective time blocking windows of the components are included in planning data.

[0047] Certain routine processes cannot be performed in parallel for technical reasons. For example, filter backwashing cannot be performed in parallel with ongoing treatment or mixing processes. For this reason, planning data can include blocking times for various routine and non-routine processes, which can be used to control the water treatment system, among other things.

[0048] Non-routine operations may include, for example, unscheduled maintenance operations, which may require at least a partial shutdown of the water treatment system. Consequently, certain routine operations, such as filter backwashing or hot disinfection, are not possible during shutdown periods.

[0049] Preferably, in a water treatment plant according to the invention, the first operating mode corresponds to an operation of the plant for producing medical water for an ongoing treatment, in particular a dialysis treatment, and the second operating mode corresponds to a maintenance mode or maintenance process of at least one component of the water treatment plant, preferably a cleaning process, a regeneration process or an exchange process and / or an internal plant process for producing medical solution, preferably a process for mixing dialysis concentrate with water.

[0050] The control unit can be designed to communicate wirelessly, preferably via WLAN or Bluetooth, with the water treatment system and / or at least one sensor, which provides sensor data regarding the operation of the water treatment system and / or at least one component of the water treatment system. In principle, wired communication between the control unit and the water treatment system and / or at least one sensor is also conceivable.

[0051] The control unit can be designed separately from the water treatment system and located, for example, in a smartphone, tablet, or external computer. Furthermore, the aforementioned data processing steps can be performed either by the control unit or by a data processing unit that can be designed separately from the water treatment system or built into it. The data processing unit can be part of the control unit or can be designed separately from it.

[0052] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a water treatment plant for producing medical solution, in particular dialysis water, preferably a water treatment plant according to the present invention, which is operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, comprising the steps:

[0053] - Determining, preferably on the basis of sensor data, whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required, and

[0054] - if operation of the water treatment plant in the second operating mode has been detected as necessary, determining whether switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is possible at a current time, and

[0055] - if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is possible at the current time, issuing a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode, and

[0056] - if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is not possible at the current time, determining a future time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode.

[0057] A method according to the invention can comprise one or more of the functionalities disclosed above in the context of a water treatment plant and in particular a correspondingly designed control unit of such a water treatment plant as method steps.

[0058] All features disclosed above in the context of a water treatment plant according to the invention are therefore also applicable to a method according to the invention, even if an explicit disclosure is omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0059] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product containing machine-readable instructions which, when read by a control unit, for example a water treatment plant, provide it with the functionality of a water treatment plant according to the present invention.

[0060] Furthermore, the invention relates to a data carrier which contains machine-readable instructions which, when read by a control unit, a processor or a computer, enable the latter to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0061] A computer program product according to the invention and / or a data carrier according to the invention can be used, for example, to retrofit a conventional water treatment plant within the meaning of the present invention.

[0062] In other words, aspects of the present invention can be described as follows:

[0063] One aspect of the present invention relates to a water treatment plant for producing medical water, in particular dialysis water, comprising:

[0064] - at least one module for water treatment, preferably a reverse osmosis system, - at least one sensor for detecting at least one parameter of a

[0065] Water quality and / or operation of the water treatment plant,

[0066] - at least one data processing unit which is programmed to receive the at least one parameter from the at least one sensor as well as planning data regarding a planned operation of the water treatment plant and to generate at least one control instruction on the basis of the received data, and

[0067] - a control unit which is programmed to receive the at least one control instruction from the data processing unit and to control at least one component of the water treatment plant in accordance with the control instruction.

[0068] The present technical problem is therefore preferably solved by an efficient water treatment plant (also referred to as a water treatment system) for demand-optimized planning of routine processes.

[0069] The water treatment system can comprise various components, e.g. a reverse osmosis (RO) system, filter stages, valves, water softeners and / or a concentrate mixing system, which are each connected to one another via one or more fluid lines, at least one sensor for detecting one or more operating or water quality parameters, and a control unit.

[0070] The at least one sensor preferably sends the measured values ​​or sensor data generated therefrom to a data processing device, wherein the data processing device can also be included in the water treatment system or the control unit.

[0071] The data processing device also receives planning data, wherein the planning data may include request and / or blocking data. Taking into account the planning data and sensor data, the data processing device preferably generates a control instruction, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the control instruction, read it in, and, based thereon, control at least one component of the water treatment system based on the control instruction.

[0072] Processes corresponding to a second operating mode can be routine operations such as maintenance or repair operations of individual components of the water treatment system, such as backwashing one or more filter stages, mixing processes within a concentrate mixing system, or hot disinfection of the piping systems (HSD). Filter backwashing is particularly essential for activated carbon filters, as they become clogged with particles after a certain period of use and consequently offer insufficient filtration performance and fluid flow. In such a case, the capacity of the activated carbon filter is exhausted.

[0073] Using appropriate sensors, e.g., flow sensors, which can be located in the filter heads, the remaining capacity (e.g., in the form of remaining operating time until the capacity limit) of an activated carbon filter can be determined by the data processing device, preferably using historical data, and stored, for example, in a request file in a database, preferably as a threshold value. The threshold value can be used to determine whether filter maintenance is required (e.g., when the filter capacity is below 10%).

[0074] Depending on the filter type, the pressure drop across the filter is not suitable as a parameter.

[0075] In principle, it is therefore conceivable that water quality could be a criterion with regard to certain marker substances, which in turn are detected by appropriate sensors. In other words, it can be determined whether the filter is still reliably removing certain substances from the water.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the at least one data processing unit is part of the water treatment plant or is formed separately therefrom.

[0077] The data processing device can also be implemented as part of the water treatment system. Alternatively, the data processing device is separate from the water treatment system and communicates with it preferably via wireless / wired communication means (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G, etc.).

[0078] The sensors can also be connected to the data processing device via such wireless communication means.

[0079] It is also conceivable that the sensors are connected to each other via a mesh network and only communicate with the nearest devices within the mesh network.

[0080] This offers the advantage, among other things, that even larger distances, e.g. between the data processing device and the most distant sensor in the mesh network, can be bridged wirelessly.

[0081] The data processing device may, for example, be a computer, a server, or another type of computing unit (e.g., FPGA, RasPI, Arduino...), wherein the computing unit is configured to receive, read, and process planning data and sensor data.

[0082] By comparing the planning data and the sensor data, the data processing unit and / or control unit can generate a control instruction based on various criteria. Criteria can include, for example, efficiency criteria or availability criteria.

[0083] For example, backwash processes of different filter stages can be coordinated with each other in terms of their residual capacity (and thus necessity and / or urgency), so that a demand-oriented and energy- and water-saving control of the water treatment system is achieved.

[0084] Since filter backwashing is only required when the filter capacity is exhausted or when several filters are backwashed simultaneously, efficient control of the water treatment system is possible.

[0085] On the other hand, from the point of view of availability criteria, certain routine operations such as backwashing can be brought forward, even though a certain filter capacity limit is not exceeded.

[0086] From the point of view of availability, the water treatment system is always able to react to changing conditions, e.g. longer or changed treatment times, and to provide highly pure water.

[0087] The planning data taken into account may include requirement and / or blocking data.

[0088] Requirements data preferably include predefined specifications, which may include the type and scope as well as the necessity of certain routine processes.

[0089] For example, the requirement data can specify that a mixing process in the concentrate mixing plant should always take place before a scheduled treatment. The start or end of a routine process, e.g., a mixing process, can be specified in advance either relatively, i.e., a certain time before the next routine process starts, or absolutely, i.e., always at a specific time of day.

[0090] On the other hand, requirement data can include, for example, minimum filter capacities or limit values ​​for certain marker substances in the water, so that a routine process, e.g. a filter backwash, is automatically planned or executed as soon as one or more of the stored criteria are met and it has been detected that the process is necessary.

[0091] Requirements data may also include further specifications, e.g. regarding a backwash or mixing duration or a maximum operating time of a component of the water treatment system.

[0092] The at least one sensor of the water treatment plant that generates sensor data can measure at least one of a temperature, a conductivity, an optical transmission of the water treated by the water treatment plant and / or a pressure in a pipe, a performance of a component of the water treatment plant, a time period since a last maintenance of at least one component of the water treatment plant, or another parameter that reflects the operation of the water treatment plant and / or the performance of at least one component thereof.

[0093] Preferably, a control instruction issued at the specific future time relates to the execution of a routine operation.

[0094] Preferably, the planning data relate at least in part to the execution of a medical treatment to be carried out, preferably a dialysis treatment.

[0095] Preferably, the control instruction contains a future time window in which the control unit must control at least one component of the water treatment system according to the control instruction. In other words, the control instruction can be issued not only when the specific future time window is reached, but rather in advance and only executed when the specific future time window is reached.

[0096] At this point, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the combinations of features explicitly mentioned herein, but the features disclosed in the present application can also be claimed in any other combinations or in isolation.

[0097] Further advantages, features and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures, in which like reference numerals designate like or similar components.

[0098] This shows:

[0099] Fig. 1 shows a water treatment system according to the invention, which can be used, for example, in a dialysis center, and

[0100] Fig. 2 shows a process flow which is carried out by a control unit of a water treatment plant according to the invention, for example.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 1, a water treatment system of one embodiment comprises a filter 1 and / or a pre-filtration stage, a softener 2, an activated carbon filter 3 and a reverse osmosis system 4 (RO), by means of which water, for example tap water, is treated to ultrapure water / dialysis water.

[0102] The dialysis water discharged from the RO system 4 is mixed with a liquid or solid concentrate in a mixing device 5 to produce dialysis concentrate, which is delivered to several (hemo)dialysis machines (HD) via a dialysis concentrate delivery device 6 and a ring line. The dialysis machines produce dialysate from the dialysis concentrate. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to deliver dialysate instead of dialysis concentrate to the dialysis machines.

[0103] The operation of the water treatment plant should therefore be coordinated with the treatments carried out by the dialysis machines.

[0104] Fig. 2 shows a process flow which is carried out by a control unit of a water treatment plant according to the invention, for example.

[0105] First, in step S1, the water treatment plant is operated in a first operating mode, for example to provide dialysis concentrate for an ongoing treatment.

[0106] In step S2, the control unit checks whether operation in a second operating mode, for example a maintenance mode (e.g. filter backwash), is required.

[0107] For this purpose, the control unit can determine a requirement value and / or an urgency value for the 2nd operating mode.

[0108] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the second operating mode is, for example, filter backwash.

[0109] For example, a pressure upstream of the filter increased to 2 bar, measured by a sensor, results in a requirement value of 70% and a comparison with historical data of the water treatment plant results in an urgency value of 90%, which indicates that the filter backwash must be carried out as quickly as possible in order not to endanger the operation of the water treatment plant.

[0110] In step S3, a check is then made to determine whether the filter backwash can be performed directly at the current time. This can be done using sensor data ("Is the system currently pumping dialysis concentrate into the ring line?" If so, then treatment is ongoing) or planning data stored, for example, in a database ("treatment scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m."; the current time is 4 p.m., meaning treatment is ongoing).

[0111] If it turns out that a direct switch to a second operating mode is possible, then in step S4, for example, the filter backwash is preferably carried out directly and a specific current time window is provided for this second operating mode.

[0112] If a current, direct switch to the 2nd operating mode is not possible, e.g. due to an ongoing treatment, a future time or a time window for carrying out the filter backwash is determined in step S5.

[0113] When determining the future point in time or time window, planning data can be read out and taken into account, which, for example, already contain other planned or blocked time windows in which, for example, treatments are carried out or another maintenance process is running that is incompatible with the filter backwash.

[0114] Once the future time has been determined, a control instruction is generated in step S6 which is intended to initiate the desired second operating mode, e.g. filter backwashing, at this time.

[0115] Different second operating modes can be prioritized.

[0116] For example, both a filter backwash and a water softener regeneration may each have been determined with a requirement value of 80%. First, it can be checked whether it is possible to perform both of these processes at the specified future time. If this is not the case, prioritization can be performed based on urgency values ​​by selecting the second operating mode (filter backwash or water softener regeneration) associated with a higher urgency value. In other words, the most urgent second operating mode is selected according to step S7.

[0117] In step S8, a control instruction is then issued to execute the selected second operating mode (e.g. filter backwash) at the specific future time (e.g. tomorrow at 12:30).

Claims

Water treatment plant for demand-optimized Execution of operational processes Claims 1. A water treatment system for producing medical solution, in particular dialysis water, which is operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, comprising a control unit, characterized in that the control unit is programmed to detect, preferably on the basis of sensor data, whether operation of the water treatment system and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required, and if operation of the water treatment system in the second operating mode has been detected as required, to determine whether switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is possible at a current time, and if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is possible at the current time, to issue a control instruction to the water treatment system and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode,and if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is not possible at the current time, to determine a future time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode.

2. Water treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to compare sensor data with respect to at least one plant-specific and / or component-specific parameter with at least one threshold value stored in a database when determining whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required.

3. Water treatment plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to determine, when determining whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required, preferably taking into account sensor data relating to at least one plant-specific and / or component-specific parameter and / or at least one threshold value stored in a database for the second operating mode, an urgency value which reflects an urgency with which the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof is to be operated in the second operating mode.

4. Water treatment plant according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed, in a case in which it has been detected that it is necessary to operate a plurality of components of the water treatment plant in a second operating mode, to determine an urgency value for each of the components and / or for each of the second operating modes, preferably taking into account sensor data with regard to at least one component-specific parameter and / or at least one threshold value stored in a database.

5. Water treatment plant according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to select the component and / or the second operating mode associated with the most urgent urgency value and to issue a control instruction at the determined future time to operate the selected component in the selected second operating mode.

6. Water treatment plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to take into account planning data which reflect a planned future operation of the water treatment plant when determining the future point in time for issuing the control instruction, wherein the planning data include at least one future time period in which the water treatment plant is operated in the first operating mode or a further operating mode which prevents the operation of the water treatment plant from being switched to the second operating mode.

7. Water treatment plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planning data for operation in the second operating mode specify a certain temporal relationship to operation in the first operating mode, preferably that the second operating mode is to be carried out before or after a time period in which operation in the first operating mode takes place.

8. Water treatment plant according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to determine a specific future point in time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate the same in the second operating mode, to integrate and thereby generate updated planning data.

9. Water treatment plant according to claim 8, characterized in that the control unit is further programmed to determine, based on the determined future point in time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode, at least one future time period in which another component of the water treatment plant may not be operated in the second operating mode.

10. Water treatment plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first operating mode corresponds to an operation of the plant for producing medical water for an ongoing treatment, in particular a dialysis treatment, and the second operating mode corresponds to a maintenance mode of at least one component of the water treatment plant, preferably a cleaning process, a regeneration process or a replacement process and / or a plant-internal process for producing medical solution, preferably a process for mixing concentrate with water.

11. Water treatment plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is designed to communicate wirelessly and preferably via WLAN or Bluetooth with the water treatment plant and / or at least one sensor which provides sensor data regarding operation of the water treatment plant.

12. Water treatment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is formed completely or at least partially separately from the water treatment system and is arranged, for example, in a smartphone, tablet or external computer.

13. A method for operating a water treatment plant for producing medical solution, in particular dialysis water, preferably a water treatment plant according to one of the preceding claims, which is operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, comprising the steps: - Determining, preferably on the basis of sensor data, whether operation of the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof in the second operating mode is required, and - if operation of the water treatment plant in the second operating mode has been detected as necessary, determining whether switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is possible at a current time, and - if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is possible at the current time, issuing a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode, and - if the determination shows that switching to the second operating mode is not possible at the current time, determining a future time at which the control unit issues a control instruction to the water treatment plant and / or at least one component thereof to operate it in the second operating mode.

14. A computer program product containing machine-readable instructions which, when read by a control unit of a water treatment plant, provide the control unit with the functionality of a water treatment plant according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A data carrier containing machine-readable instructions which, when read by a control unit, a processor or a computer, enable the latter to carry out a method according to claim 13.

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