Method for filling and / or cleaning measuring cell of measuring device, viscometer and / or densitometer

Abstract

To provide a method that fills and / or cleans a measurement cell of a measuring device, viscometer and / or densitometer, specifically, a rotational viscometer, introduces a sample to a measurement cell via a sample tube by a pump, and determines kinetic viscosity and / or density of the sample in the measurement cell.SOLUTION: According to the present method, specifically, a funnel-shape reversibly openable accommodation container (4) for a sample (2), specifically, a filling funnel is arranged in a sample tube (7) between a pump (1) and a measurement cell (3). The accommodation container (4) is opened, and the sample (2) is introduced into the accommodation container (4). Then, the accommodation container (4) is connected to the pump (1) via a pressure pipe (9) in such a way that, when pressure is introduced into the accommodation container (4), a part of the sample (2) is dispensed out of the accommodation container (4), and introduced into the measurement cell (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for filling and / or cleaning a measuring cell of a measuring device, specifically a viscometer and / or a densitometer, as described in the known requirements of claim 1, and to a measuring device as described in the known requirements of claim 11.

Background Art

[0002] From the prior art, various devices for determining the viscosity of a liquid are known.

[0003] A rotational viscometer determines the viscosity from the balance that occurs when a measuring body and a measuring cup containing the liquid to be measured rotate concentrically relative to each other. Here, a measuring device having a hollow cylinder filled with the liquid to be measured as a central component is known. Inside the hollow cylinder, a measuring part is arranged concentrically in the liquid.

[0004] According to the Searle principle, a measuring part having a drive part is rotated in a standing cup, and the torque generated by, for example, a spring element is measured based on the power input of the rotation motor or the path difference between the measuring parts, and the viscosity of the fluid is evaluated.

[0005] According to the Couette principle, the inner measuring part is interlocked with the rotating outer measuring cup and the liquid rotating together with it. Here too, corresponding measured values, such as the rotational speed, torque, rotation angle, etc., are evaluated for the viscosity.

[0006] A variant of the Couette principle is known, for example, from AT No. 516058 B1. Here, a rotatable outer hollow cylinder is filled with the liquid to be measured, and a measuring cylinder is rotatably mounted in this liquid. The measuring cylinder rotates together with the liquid to be measured when the outer hollow cylinder rotates.

[0007] Rotary viscometers equipped with a rotating and / or stationary measuring cup can be constructed to allow for continuous filling and / or cleaning of the measuring cell. Configurations that allow the measuring sample to pass automatically through the measuring cell, and configurations that allow for cleaning of the measuring system consisting of the measuring cell, sample collection device, and supply and discharge pipes, enable automated cycles by so-called sample collectors, sample collection devices, and cleaning stations. Such automated rotary viscometers capable of continuous filling are, for example, the applicant's SVM viscometers, known, for example, from AT No. 406 425 B8 and AT No. 516 058 A1.

[0008] After measuring a sample, it is necessary to clean the measuring cell or the entire measuring system, including the measuring cell and the supply and discharge pipes of the measuring device, to remove any remaining sample residue. A combination of a measuring device and an automated sample feeder with a cleaning function eliminates this need for manual cleaning. However, to ensure reliable automatic cleaning, the sample changer or sample feeder must be pre-programmed to pre-define parameters such as the number of cleaning cycles and the drying time after sample measurement. These parameters, however, depend heavily on the sample itself and its interaction with the cleaning agent or solvent. If the number of cleaning cycles, the cleaning time, or the drying time is incorrectly selected, sample residue may remain in the measuring cell or device, or the selected cleaning time may be too long, wasting resources and measurement time.

[0009] Another drawback of the apparatus and measurement methods known from the prior art is that, each time a measurement is repeated, the sample must be removed, for example, from the sampler pipe or ampoule and introduced into the measurement cell. As a result, as mentioned above, cleaning is time-consuming, and therefore, when repeatedly measuring a uniform sample, the measurement time becomes significantly longer. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple, automated, and reproducible method for determining the viscosity and / or density of a sample, thereby significantly reducing measurement time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This problem is solved by the configuration described in claim 1. Here, in the sample tube between the pump and the measuring cell, a sample container, specifically a funnel-shaped, reversibly openable container, specifically a filling funnel, is provided. When the container is opened, the sample is introduced into the container. The container is connected to the pump via a pressure tube, and when pressure is introduced into the container, a portion of the sample is discharged from the container and introduced into the measuring cell.

[0012] The method according to the present invention easily ensures that a predetermined portion of the sample is supplied to the measuring cell multiple times, and in this case, there is no need to clean the sample tube or measuring cell between each measurement. Furthermore, the configuration according to the present invention makes it particularly easy to supply the sample to the measuring cell, and therefore, it is possible to supply the sample even when there are few skilled personnel. In addition, by introducing the sample into the measuring cell with a pump, the pressure in the containment container and therefore in the measuring cell can be easily reproduced or easily maintained at a constant level by the pump.

[0013] Particularly advantageous embodiments of the method according to the present invention are defined in more detail by the configurations described in the dependent claims.

[0014] Preferably, the containment container is equipped with a pump connection and a sample outlet, the pump connection being located above the sample column and / or sample outlet in the direction of gravity, specifically on the lid of the containment container, and the pump is an air pump, the air being introduced into the containment container via the pump and pressure tube, the sample being specifically subjected to a predetermined pressure, and the pressure inside the containment container causing the sample to be introduced into the sample tube and measurement cell via the sample outlet.

[0015] In this configuration, the pressure tube merges with the containment container above the sample outlet, creating an air space in the upper region of the containment container. The air supplied from the pump applies pressure to the sample, introducing it into the measurement cell from the sample outlet. During this process, neither the pump nor the pressure tube comes into direct contact with the sample.

[0016] To enable multiple measurements of larger quantities of sample, the following configuration is also possible: a sample discharge tube is provided extending from the measurement cell, through which the sample is discharged from the measurement cell, specifically to a waste container; and at least one valve is provided in the sample discharge tube and / or measurement cell that can close the sample discharge tube, thereby blocking the flow of sample from the sample tube to the measurement cell and / or from the measurement cell into the sample discharge tube when the sample in the measurement cell reaches the desired filling volume. The ability to discharge the sample in the measurement cell through the sample discharge tube, and the introduction of new sample material into the measurement cell via a containment container, makes it possible to easily measure large quantities of sample material or to repeat measurements multiple times, without the need to painstakingly clean the measurement cell or measuring device.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one sensor may be located in the sample discharge tube, the state of which is supplied to a control unit, and the sensor may detect the presence of a sample in the sample discharge tube and / or the measurement cell. Specifically, when the sensor detects a sample, the pump may be stopped and / or the valve may be closed. By placing the sensor in the sample discharge tube, it is easy to detect whether the sample has already passed through the measurement cell or has reached the measurement cell, thereby enabling automatic measurement of the sample. The sensor in the sample discharge tube further ensures that the measurement cell is completely filled with the sample and helps to avoid measurement errors.

[0018] To facilitate cleaning of the measuring cell, sample tube, and sample discharge tube, the measuring cell and / or sample tube and / or containment container and / or sample discharge tube may be configured such that, after measurement, sample residue is removed by a cleaning agent introduced specifically through the containment container, and after cleaning, air is pumped through them to dry the measuring cell and / or sample tube and / or containment container and / or sample discharge tube.

[0019] To obtain further data on the sample, two sensors, specifically photoelectric sensors, may be placed inside the sample tube or sample discharge tube, and the time required for the sample to travel from the first sensor to the second sensor may be measured, and based on this, the flow behavior of the sample may be inferred.

[0020] An advantage of the method according to the present invention is that it is possible to perform measurements multiple times. Therefore, particularly preferably, after the first measurement in the measuring cell, the measured sample is discharged from the measuring cell by a pump, and then a further amount of sample is introduced into the measuring cell by a pump through a containment container, and a new measurement is performed, so that the sample is exchanged and measured multiple times.

[0021] To facilitate the calculation of the amount of sample needed to fill the measuring cell, a mathematical model may be used to calculate the time required for the sample to fill the measuring cell. This mathematical model may take into account the temperature of the sample and / or the measuring cell, thereby enabling the repeated introduction of a predetermined amount of sample into the measuring cell.

[0022] When measuring viscosity and / or density multiple times, it is necessary to bring the sample to a predetermined temperature. Therefore, preferably, the system may be configured to include a tempering unit that heats or cools the sample in the container to a predetermined temperature. The tempering unit makes it particularly easy to set the temperature of the sample, thereby ensuring that the sample is always at the same temperature or under the same measurement conditions when repeating measurements multiple times.

[0023] Specifically, when measuring used oil, suspended solids or wear particles may be present in the oil or sample, and such particles can adversely affect the reproducibility or accuracy of the measurement. To prevent such particles from entering the measurement cell, preferably, specifically, a magnetic unit, specifically an electromagnet or permanent magnet, may be placed in the area of ​​the containment container, and the magnetic unit may be configured to separate magnetic particles in the sample, thereby preventing the magnetic particles from entering the measurement cell.

[0024] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that can easily and repeatedly measure a sample under the same conditions without much effort. This problem is solved by the configuration described in claim 11. According to the present invention, in the sample tube between the pump and the measuring cell, a container for accommodating the sample, specifically, a funnel-shaped reversible closable container, specifically, a filling funnel, is arranged. The sample can be introduced into the container, and the container is connected to the pump. When pressure is introduced into the container by the pump, a part of the sample is configured to be discharged from the container and introduced into the measuring cell through the sample tube. With the configuration of the measuring device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily fill the sample to be measured into the container and transport the sample into the measuring cell by the pump.

[0025] A particularly preferred configuration of the measuring device is realized by the fact that the container has a pump connection part and a sample outlet, and the pump connection part is arranged above the sample outlet in the direction of gravity, specifically, on the lid of the container.

[0026] After measuring the first part of the sample, in order to enable further measurement of the sample or to discharge the sample from the measuring cell, preferably, a sample discharge tube is arranged downstream of the measuring cell. By the sample discharge tube, the sample can be discharged from the measuring cell, specifically, into the waste container. At least one valve is arranged in the sample discharge tube and / or in the measuring cell, and the valve may be configured to be able to block the flow of the sample from the measuring cell or the flow of the sample in the sample discharge tube.

[0027] In order to make the filling of the measurement cell particularly easily detectable, preferably, at least one sensor, specifically a photoelectric sensor, is arranged in the sample discharge pipe, and the presence of the sample in the sample discharge pipe and / or the measurement cell is detected by the sensor. In this case, specifically, when the sample is detected by the sensor, the pump may be configured to be stoppable by the control unit and / or the valve may be configured to be closable.

[0028] In order to make it easy to determine the flow behavior of the sample or other values, two sensors, specifically photoelectric sensors, are arranged in the sample pipe or the sample discharge pipe, and the measuring device includes an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit can calculate the time required for the sample to reach from the first sensor to the second sensor, and based on this, the flow behavior of the sample may be configured to be calculated.

[0029] As described above with respect to the method, repeatedly performing the measurement is particularly easy to execute because the measuring device includes a control unit. The control unit can discharge the measured sample from the measurement cell by the pump after the measurement in the measurement cell, and through the storage container, the pump can introduce an accurate additional predetermined amount of the sample into the measurement cell, and thus the measurement can be repeatedly carried out continuously.

[0030] The temperature of the sample can be set particularly easily because the measuring device includes a tempering unit arranged in the region of the storage container or around the storage container, and the sample in the storage container can be heated or cooled to a predetermined temperature by the tempering unit.

[0031] To allow for the removal of any suspended solid or metallic particles that may occasionally occur from the sample, or to prevent them from entering the measurement cell, a magnetic unit, specifically an electromagnet or permanent magnet, may be positioned in the area of ​​the containment container, and the magnetic unit may be configured to separate and / or retain magnetic particles in the sample within the containment container.

[0032] To allow the containment container to be easily filled with further samples or cleaning agents, a pressure relief valve may be located inside or connected to the containment container, capable of releasing pressure from the containment container, and the pressure relief valve may be specifically configured to be located in the area of ​​the lid of the containment container or in the pressure tube.

[0033] Further advantages and configurations of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] The present invention will be described below, with reference to the drawings, particularly based on effective, but not limiting, embodiments. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a measuring device according to the present invention, which includes a pressure release valve and two sensors. [Figure 3] This figure shows a measuring device according to a further embodiment of the present invention, which includes a tempering unit. [Figure 4] This figure shows one embodiment of a measuring device equipped with a magnetic unit. [Figure 5] This figure shows one embodiment of a measuring device according to the present invention, which is equipped with various pressure tubes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Figure 1 schematically shows a measuring device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The measuring device 10 comprises a pump 1 connected to a containment container 4 via a pressure tube 9. A sample 2 is placed in the containment container 4, and its viscosity and / or density is determined by the measuring device 10. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the containment container 4 is formed in the shape of a funnel or as a filling funnel. The containment container 4 comprises a lid 43, which is reversibly openable, and the sample 2 can be placed into the containment container 4 through this lid 43. The measuring device 10 further comprises a measuring cell 3 in which viscosity and / or density is measured. The measuring cell 3 is connected to the containment container 4 via a sample tube 7. A sample outlet 42 is located at the funnel-shaped end of the containment container 4, and the sample tube 7 is connected to this sample outlet 42. The containment container 4 further comprises a pump connection 41 located on the lid 43 of the containment container 4. Alternatively, the pump connection 41 may be located inside the containment container 4. The pressure pipe 9 is located at the pump connection 41, thereby connecting the containment container 4 to the pump 1. In this embodiment, the sample outlet 42 of the containment container 4 is located at the lowest end of the funnel-shaped containment container 4, so the pump connection 41 is located above the sample column in the direction of gravity, that is, above the sample 2 placed in the containment container 4, and similarly above the sample outlet 42 in the direction of gravity.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, pump 1 is configured as an air pump and sends air into the containment container 4 via the pressure tube 9 and the pump connection 41. The air flowing into the containment container 4 above the sample column or sample 2 creates pressure in the containment container 4, after which the sample 2 is introduced into the measurement cell 3 via the sample tube 7. Subsequently, the viscosity and / or density of the sample 2 are measured in the measurement cell 3.

[0037] The measuring device 10 further includes a sample discharge pipe 5 located downstream of the measuring cell 3, through which the sample 2 is discharged from the measuring cell 3 into, for example, a waste container (not shown). A valve 6 is located inside the sample discharge pipe 5, which allows the sample discharge pipe 5 to be closed. Therefore, for example, when the amount of sample 2 filling the measuring cell 3 reaches a desired value, the valve 6 is closed, thereby blocking the flow of sample 2 in the sample pipe 7, the sample discharge pipe 5, and / or in the measuring cell 3. Optionally, the valve 6 may be located directly inside the measuring cell 3 or at its outlet, thereby blocking the flow of sample 2 to another location in the measuring device 10.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the measuring device 10 is formed as a rotational viscometer, and the measuring cell 3 is formed as the measuring cell 3 of the rotational viscometer. Optionally, the measuring device 10 may be formed as a densimeter or other viscometer, in which case the measuring cell 3, optionally a plurality of measuring cells 3, or the measuring device or measuring unit may comprise, for example, one rotational viscometer and one bending resonator for measuring the viscosity and / or density of the sample 2. Therefore, the measuring device may comprise, for example, one bending resonator for measuring density, and the measuring cell 3 of this bending resonator is filled and / or cleaned according to the present invention. Optionally, the measuring cell 3 may be formed as a sensor for determining the refractive index, and the refractive index is determined in the measuring cell 3 of the measuring device 10, and based on this, the density or viscosity of the sample 2 is determined.

[0039] The measuring device 10 includes a sensor 8 positioned inside the sample discharge pipe 5. The state or measurement value of the sensor 8 is sent to a control unit (not shown), and the sensor 8 detects the presence of sample 2 in the sample discharge pipe 5 and / or the measuring cell 3. The sensor 8 may be formed as, for example, a photoelectric sensor, an inductive sensor, or a capacitive sensor. When the sensor 8 records that the measuring cell 3 is completely filled with sample 2 because sample 2 has already reached the sensor 8, the presence of sample 2 is detected by the sensor 8 and transmitted to the control unit, after which, for example, the pump 1 is stopped and / or the valve 6 is closed.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a measuring device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As described with respect to Figure 1, the measuring device 10 comprises a pump 1, a containment container 4, a sample tube 7, and a measuring cell 3. Two sensors 8a and 8b are arranged inside the sample discharge tube 5 of the embodiment in Figure 2. Specifically, these two sensors 8a and 8b are formed as photoelectric sensors, inductive sensors, or capacitive sensors, and are capable of detecting when a sample 2 passes through sensors 8a and 8b. Since sensors 8a and 8b are connected to a control unit, when a sample 2 passes through each sensor 8a and 8b, this is transmitted to the control unit. By placing the first sensor 8a in front of the second sensor 8b in the sample discharge tube 5, for example, the time required for the sample 2 to flow from the first sensor 8a to the second sensor 8b is measured, and the flow behavior of the sample 2 is determined or inferred from this time.

[0041] The measuring device 10 in Figure 2 further includes a pressure relief valve 45. The pressure relief valve 45 is located inside or connected to the pressure pipe 9. The pressure inside the container 4, supplied by the pump 1, is released through the pressure relief valve 45, which facilitates adding the sample 2 to the funnel or container 4. Optionally, the pressure relief valve 45 may be located in other areas of the measuring device 10, for example, on the lid 43 of the container 4, or in the upper area above the sample column of the container 4.

[0042] The method according to the present invention will be described below illustratively with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0043] First, the lid 43 of the containment container 4 is opened, and the sample 2 to be measured for density and / or viscosity is poured into the containment container 4. Then, the containment container 4 or the lid 43 is closed again, ensuring that it is airtight to the surroundings. Next, air is introduced through the pump 1 and pressure tube 9 into the upper region above the sample column of the containment container 4, increasing the pressure inside the containment container 4. By increasing the pressure inside the containment container 4, the sample 2 is introduced into the measurement cell 3 via the sample tube 7. Here, when the sample 2 reaches the measurement cell 3, the valve 6 is closed, interrupting the flow of sample 2. Then, the measurement of sample 2 is performed in the measurement cell 3, and the density and / or viscosity of sample 2 are determined. Once the measurement is complete, the valve 6 is opened again, and further pressure is sent through the containment container 4 and sample tube 7 by the pump 1, thereby discharging the sample 2 in the sample discharge tube 5 from the measurement cell 3. As shown in Figure 2, the sample then passes through the first sensor 8a and the second sensor 8b, thereby inferring the flow characteristics or flow velocity of sample 2. If it is necessary to perform density and / or viscosity measurements multiple times, for example, after the first measurement, the measured sample 2 is discharged from the measurement cell 3 via the sample discharge pipe 5, and fresh or further sample 2 present in the containment container 4 is introduced into the measurement cell 3 via the pump 1 and sample pipe 7. As soon as the desired amount of sample 2 is introduced back into the measurement cell 3, the valve 6 is closed again, and the measurement in the measurement cell 3 is repeated. In this way, the measurement of sample 2, or the measurement of a specified amount of individual samples 2, is performed automatically multiple times in succession. This simplifies handling and automates the series of measurements required when measuring sample 2 multiple times, or when measuring a large quantity of sample 2, making it easy to perform even with a limited number of skilled personnel.

[0044] Instead of the embodiment of the measuring device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensor 8 or sensors 8a, 8b may be placed inside the sample discharge pipe 5 or sample pipe 7 before the valve 6, or they may be placed directly at the outlet of the measuring cell 3.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a measuring device 10 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the measuring device 10 has a tempering unit 11 positioned in the area of ​​the containment container 4. The tempering unit 11 makes it possible to set the temperature of the sample 2 in the containment container 4, thereby pre-defining the flow behavior and temperature of the sample 2. The tempering unit 11 can heat or cool the sample 2, making it possible to always achieve the same conditions when measuring the sample 2 in the measuring cell 3. Instead of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to position the tempering unit 11 around the entire circumference of the containment container 4 and to act on the sample tube 7 and / or the measuring cell 3 to set a constant temperature inside the containment container 4.

[0046] Figure 4 schematically shows a measuring device 10 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the measuring device 10 has a magnetic unit 12. The magnetic unit 12 is formed as an electromagnet and is positioned in the area of ​​the filling funnel, i.e., the containment container 4. The magnetic unit 12 acts as a magnetic trap in the area of ​​the containment container 4, and can prevent suspended particles in the sample 2, which may sometimes occur, from leaving the containment container 4, or can capture them in the area of ​​the magnetic unit 12. In particular, in the case of used oil, worn magnetic members that repeatedly occur can be captured in this way, avoiding adverse effects on the measurement or preventing worn magnetic members from entering the measuring cell 3.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after measuring the sample 2 in the measuring cell 3, a cleaning agent is placed in the containment container 4, and this cleaning agent is transported by the pump 1 to the sample tube 7, the measuring cell 3, and the sample discharge tube 5. Subsequently, the cleaning agent is reciprocated by the pump 1 through all the components of the measuring device 10, reliably and simply cleaning the measuring cell 3 and the components of the measuring device 10. Furthermore, by configuring the pump 1 as an air pump, air can be introduced into the measuring cell 3 via the pressure tube 9, the containment container 4, and the sample tube 7, blowing away any residue of the cleaning solution through the sample discharge tube 5, or drying the individual components of the measuring device 10. Moreover, by configuring the pump 1 as an air pump, pressure can be generated inside the measuring device 10, thereby blowing away and removing the sample 2 or its residue, for example, by opening and closing the valve 6 with a pulsating motion. This allows particles, for example, that are present in the containment container 4 and captured by the magnetic unit 12 to be pushed out or blown away and removed from the containment container 4 and the sample discharge tube.

[0048] Alternatively, instead of configuring pump 1 as an air pump, another gas or protective gas may be pumped into the containment container 4 to form the required pressure.

[0049] Although optional, the amount of sample 2 to be introduced into the measurement cell 3 can also be calculated using a mathematical model. In this case, the mathematical model preferably takes into account the temperature of sample 2 and / or the measurement cell 3, and the predetermined amount of sample 2 calculated thereby is introduced into the measurement cell 3. Therefore, the opening time of valve 6 or the on-time of pump 1 can be adjusted to match the result of this mathematical model.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a measuring device according to a further embodiment, which is an arbitrary embodiment of the present invention. The pump is equipped with a plurality of pressure tubes 9, which can guide the airflow from the pump 1 in various ways, for example, via a multi-port valve. Thus, the pressure of the air and therefore the pressure in the containment container 4 can be changed, for example, by switching the valve in various ways, making it possible to alternately generate excess and underpressures. As a result, the sample 2 is drawn into the tube or pressurized, and not only the flow direction but also the pressure relationship in the measuring cell 3 can be changed and set.

[0051] Instead of forming the containment container 4 in the funnel shape shown in Figures 1 to 5, other shapes, such as a square or a circle, are also conceivable. For example, a funnel shape that tapers downwards from a square base is also included in the meaning of the present invention.

[0052] Optionally, if at least one further physical parameter of the sample 2 and / or cleaning solution is determined during operation, in addition to the viscosity of the cleaning agent flowing through the measuring cell 3, the quality of the cleaning process of the present invention and the cleanliness of the measuring cell 3 or the measuring system or measuring device 10 can be determined more effectively in one embodiment not shown. For example, one further parameter for the viscosity, density, refractive index, and / or turbidity of the cleaning agent passing through the measuring cell 3 can be measured by at least one measuring unit or further measuring device 10 additionally located within and / or downstream of the measuring cell 3. The measured viscosity, and / or measured density, and / or measured refractive index, and / or measured turbidity can also be used to determine the cleanliness of the measuring device 10 or the measuring cell 3. In addition, it is preferable that at least one further measuring device be located downstream of the measuring cell 3 in the measuring device 10, but it may be located upstream or downstream by changing the cleaning direction or flow direction. Therefore, for example, it is possible to combine a viscometer with a densimeter, as described, for example, in WO 2020124111 or AT 522151A1.

[0053] Instead of the rotational viscometer configuration described in the above embodiment, the measuring device itself can be configured as a densimeter, for example, as a bending resonator. Alternatively, as described above, the viscometer may be combined with a densimeter or bending resonator, each having two separate measuring cells 3. In this way, the density of the medium or sample 2 passing through the measuring cell 5 can be determined by the bending resonator or densimeter, although this is optional.

[0054] Alternatively, a further measuring cell 3 or further measuring unit may be located before or after the measuring cell 3 in the measuring device 10, or before or after the measuring device 10. This measuring unit determines the turbidity and / or refraction of the medium or sample 2 that has passed through the measuring cell 5. Such a measuring device for determining the turbidity of a liquid is based on the reduction in the intensity of light rays as they pass through the fluid medium. The degree of turbidity is calculated by the scattering of light rays by fine particles present in the medium and is determined in known commercial systems by measuring the attenuation of transmission or by measuring diffuse light in a lateral configuration.

Claims

1. A method for filling and / or cleaning a measuring device (10), a viscometer and / or density meter, in particular a measuring cell (3) of a rotational viscometer, comprising: introducing a sample (2) into the measuring cell (3) via a sample line (7) by means of a pump (1); and determining the dynamic viscosity and / or density of the sample (2) in the measuring cell (3), a reversibly openable, particularly funnel-shaped container (4), particularly a filling funnel, for the sample (2) is arranged in the sample line (7) between the pump (1) and the measuring cell (3), The container (4) is opened and the sample (2) is placed in the container (4); The container (4) is connected to the pump (1) via a pressure line (9), so that when pressure is introduced into the container (4), a portion of the sample (2) is expelled from the container (4) and introduced into the measuring cell (3).

2. the container (4) comprises a pump connection (41) and a sample outlet (42), the pump connection (41) being arranged above the sample column and / or the sample outlet (42) in the direction of gravity, specifically on the lid (43) of the container (4); The pump (1) is an air pump, and air is introduced into the container (4) via the pump (1) and a pressure tube (9), and a predetermined pressure is applied to the sample (2) in the container (4); 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the container (4) causes the sample (2) to be introduced into the sample tube (7) and the measuring cell (3) via the sample outlet (42).

3. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a sample outlet line (5) extending from the measuring cell (3) by means of which the sample is discharged from the measuring cell (3), in particular into a waste container, and providing at least one valve (6) in the sample outlet line (5) and / or in the measuring cell (3) that is capable of closing the sample outlet line (5), whereby, when the sample (2) in the measuring cell (3) has reached a desired filling level, the flow of the sample (2) in the sample line (7) to the measuring cell (3) and / or from the measuring cell (3) into the sample outlet line (5) is interrupted.

4. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one sensor (8) is arranged in the sample outlet line (5), the state of which is supplied to a control unit, and by which the presence of the sample (2) in the sample outlet line (5) and / or in the measuring cell (3) is detected, in particular when the sample (2) is detected by the sensor (8), the pump (1) is stopped and / or the valve (6) is closed.

5. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that after the measurement, the measuring cell (3) and / or the sample line (7) and / or the container (4) and / or the sample outlet line (5) are cleaned of residues of the sample (2) by a cleaning agent introduced in particular via the container (4), and after cleaning, air is pumped through the measuring cell (3) and / or the sample line (7) and / or the container (4) and / or the sample outlet line (5) to dry them.

6. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that two sensors (8a, 8b), in particular photoelectric sensors, are arranged in the sample tube (7) or in the sample outlet tube (5), and the time required for the sample (2) to travel from the first sensor (8a) to the second sensor (8b) is measured, and on the basis of this the flow behavior of the sample (2) is inferred.

7. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after a first measurement in the measuring cell (3), the measured sample (2) is discharged from the measuring cell (3) by means of the pump (1), and then a further amount of sample (2) is introduced into the measuring cell (3) by means of the pump (1) via the receiving container (4) and a new measurement is performed, in particular by replacing and measuring the sample (2) several times.

8. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time required for the sample (2) to fill the measuring cell (3) is calculated by means of a mathematical model, which takes into account the temperature of the sample (2) and / or the measuring cell (3), whereby a predetermined amount of sample (2) is introduced into the measuring cell (3), in particular repeatedly.

9. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a temperature control unit (11) is provided for heating or cooling the sample (2) in the container (4) to a predetermined temperature.

10. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a magnetic unit, in particular an electromagnet (12) or a permanent magnet, is arranged in the region of the container (4), by which magnetic particles in the sample (2) are separated and thereby prevented from entering the measuring cell (3).

11. A measuring device (10) for measuring the dynamic viscosity and / or density of a sample (2), in particular for carrying out the method according to claim 1, in particular a viscometer or rotational viscometer, comprising at least one measuring cell (3) and a pump (1), said pump (1) being connected to said measuring cell (3) via a sample line (7), a reversibly closable, particularly funnel-shaped, container (4), particularly a filling funnel, for receiving the sample (2) is arranged in the sample line (7) between the pump (1) and the measuring cell (3), The sample (2) can be placed in the container (4), the container (4) is connected to the pump (1), and when pressure is introduced into the container (4) by the pump (1), a portion of the sample (2) is discharged from the container (4) and can be introduced into the measurement cell (3) via the sample tube (7).

12. 12. The measuring device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the container (4) comprises a pump connection (41) and a sample outlet (42), the pump connection (41) being arranged above the sample outlet (42) in the direction of gravity, specifically on the lid (43) of the container (4).

13. 13. The measuring device (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a sample outlet pipe (5) is arranged downstream of the measuring cell (3) by means of which the sample can be discharged from the measuring cell (3), in particular into a waste container, and at least one valve (6) is arranged in the sample outlet pipe (5) and / or in the measuring cell (3), by means of which the flow of the sample (2) from the measuring cell (3) or the flow of the sample (2) in the sample outlet pipe (5) can be blocked.

14. 14. The measuring device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one sensor (8), in particular a photoelectric sensor, is arranged in the sample discharge pipe (5), by means of which the presence of the sample (2) in the sample discharge pipe (5) and / or the measuring cell (3) can be detected, in particular in such a way that when the sample (2) is detected by the sensor (8), the pump (1) can be stopped by a control unit and / or the valve (6) can be closed.

15. 14. The measuring device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that two sensors (8a, 8b), in particular photoelectric sensors, are arranged in the sample tube (7) or the sample discharge tube (5), and the measuring device (10) comprises an evaluation unit by means of which the time required for the sample (2) to travel from the first sensor (8a) to the second sensor (8b) can be calculated and, based on this, the flow behavior of the sample (2) can be calculated.

16. 12. The measuring device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the measuring device (10) comprises a control unit which, after a measurement in the measuring cell (3), can discharge the measured sample (2) from the measuring cell (3) by means of the pump (1) and can introduce a precise further predetermined amount of sample (2) into the measuring cell (3) via the receiving container (4) by means of the pump (1), so that measurements can be performed repeatedly multiple times in succession.

17. The measuring device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a temperature control unit (11) arranged in the area of ​​the container (4) or around the container (4), by means of which the sample (2) in the container (4) can be heated or cooled to a predetermined temperature.

18. Specifically, the measuring device (10) described in claim 11 is characterized in that a magnetic unit (12), specifically an electromagnet or a permanent magnet, is arranged in the area of ​​the storage container (4), and the magnetic unit (12) is capable of separating magnetic particles in the sample (2) and / or maintaining them in the storage container (4).

19. 12. The measuring device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that a pressure relief valve (45) is arranged in the container (4) or connected to the container (4) and is capable of releasing pressure from the container (4), the pressure relief valve (45) being arranged in particular in the area of ​​the lid of the container (4) or in a pressure line (9).

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