Flow control method, program, and liquid tank device

Abstract

To provide a flow control method, a program, and a liquid tank device that can appropriately control a quality of a liquid flowing out of a tank.SOLUTION: A flow control method of the present invention for a tank into which a liquid flows in and out includes: a flow state calculation step of deriving parameters related to the flow state of the liquid as a calculation result; and a flow range adjustment step of adjusting the flow range of the liquid based on the calculation result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow control method, a program, and a liquid tank device. [Background technology]

[0002] Even if the final product is a solid, there have traditionally been many manufacturing processes that handle liquids or liquid substances during the process, including plastic and other resin products. In the future, it is expected that processes using liquid substances as intermediates will continue to increase not only in chemical products and composite resin materials with advanced functions, but also in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, and bio-manufacturing. Examples of chemical products and composite resin materials with advanced functions include optical films for liquid crystal panels and CFRTP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermo Plastics).

[0003] Furthermore, social demands such as the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are on the rise. As a result, there is a need to rethink the mass production and mass consumption economic activities of the past and to move towards on-demand manufacturing, which provides "only what is needed, to the people who need it, at the time they need it." Therefore, it is expected that on-demand production styles, which use liquid materials and switch between different varieties and products on a single line depending on demand, will continue to expand in the future.

[0004] With the advancement of computer performance, it is now possible to analyze any object or phenomenon using computer simulation. However, it is not easy to visualize the state and characteristics of an object, which change from moment to moment during the manufacturing process. Therefore, simulations have traditionally been used mostly to determine material composition and process parameters during the design stage before manufacturing begins. However, as manufacturing styles are becoming more on-demand, it is expected that in the future there will be an increasing number of cases where it is not worthwhile in terms of time and cost to perform simulations to determine conditions every time a product is changed.

[0005] Meanwhile, with the introduction of cloud computing, etc., it is expected that computing power will continue to improve dramatically in the future. Therefore, it is expected that product quality and production efficiency will be improved by, for example, visualizing the state of an object that changes during the manufacturing process and appropriately adjusting material composition and process parameters based on the results.

[0006] In manufacturing processes that handle liquids, a stock tank is sometimes installed to constantly store a certain amount of liquid for degassing or as a "stopgap" in case a problem occurs during the process. However, even if the liquid is constantly flowing in and out, if the tank has a large capacity, due to its structure, the entire contents may not be constantly refreshed and some of the liquid may remain. Liquid that remains in the tank for a long time may deteriorate or solidify and become foreign matter. If such deteriorated matter, foreign matter, or other abnormal substances leak out of the tank, it can cause problems with product quality.

[0007] In this way, rapid replacement of all tank contents is required to prevent the occurrence of abnormal substances and stabilize quality, or to enable rapid changeover of materials in on-demand production. On the other hand, once an abnormal substance does occur, it must be controlled to prevent the abnormal substance from leaking as much as possible so that production can be maintained and continued without stopping the process. In this way, controlling the quality of liquid materials in on-demand production requires balancing these conflicting requirements.

[0008] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for monitoring in real time the properties or flow rate of fluids flowing in and out of tanks in order to automate product quality control and reduce losses throughout the factory. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology related to a fluid simulation function that performs calculations at intervals close to real time in order to improve the accuracy of monitoring control and the functionality of training devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-237653 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-048144 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, although the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 visualize the internal state of a plant, etc., their purpose is limited to early detection of abnormalities and grasping of deterioration status, and it is difficult to maintain or control production quality.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flow control method, a program, and a liquid tank device that can appropriately control the quality of a liquid that flows out of a tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The above problems can be solved by the following means.

[0013] 1. A method for controlling flow in a tank into which a liquid flows and flows out, comprising: a flow state calculation step of deriving parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; and a flow range adjusting step of adjusting the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result. Flow control methods.

[0014] 2. A quality parameter detection step of detecting a parameter related to the quality of the liquid as a quality parameter, In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid is adjusted based on the calculation result and the quality parameter. 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0015] 3. A calculation input parameter acquisition step of acquiring parameters related to the tank and / or parameters related to the liquid that can be used to calculate the flow state of the liquid as calculation input parameters; the flow state calculation step of deriving the calculation result based on the calculation input parameters; an abnormality candidate extraction step of extracting parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material that may be abnormal as abnormal candidates based on a comparison between the calculation result and a range set as a target; a determining step of determining whether the flow state of the liquid material is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidate; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid, as an adjustment parameter, when the flow state of the liquid is determined to be abnormal in the determining step, 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0016] 4. A calculation input parameter acquisition step of acquiring parameters related to the tank and / or parameters related to the liquid that can be used to calculate the flow state of the liquid as calculation input parameters; the flow state calculation step of deriving the calculation result based on the calculation input parameters; an abnormality candidate extraction step of extracting parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material that may be abnormal as abnormal candidates based on a comparison between the calculation result and a range set as a target; said quality parameter detection step; a determining step of determining whether the flow state of the liquid material is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidate and the quality parameters; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid, as an adjustment parameter, when the flow state of the liquid is determined to be abnormal in the determining step, 3. The flow control method according to claim 2.

[0017] 5. The calculation result is at least one of a residence time and a residence time distribution. 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0018] 6. The calculation result is at least one of a density distribution, a viscosity distribution, a flow velocity distribution, a temperature distribution, a pressure distribution, a marker particle distribution, and a substitution rate. 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0019] 7. The calculation input parameters are at least one of the temperature, density, pressure, inflow amount, outflow amount, inflow rate, outflow rate, volume, and viscosity of the liquid, the dimensions of the tank, and the initial position, size, density, viscosity, and temperature of marker particles contained in the liquid. 4. The flow control method according to claim 3.

[0020] 8. The quality parameter is a temporal change in at least one of the density, viscosity, and color of the liquid material in the tank or after it has flowed out of the tank, and the presence or absence, number, shape, size, and type of abnormalities contained in the liquid material. 3. The flow control method according to claim 2.

[0021] 9. In the quality parameter detection step, the quality parameter is detected using at least one of a detector using ultrasonic waves as a detection medium, a detector using electromagnetic waves as a detection medium, a camera, and a colorimeter. 3. The flow control method according to claim 2.

[0022] 10. In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid material is adjusted from a wide range to a narrow range. 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0023] 11. In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid material is adjusted so that it is a wide range when the flow state of the liquid material is normal, and so that it is a narrow range when the flow state of the liquid material is abnormal. 11. The flow control method according to item 10.

[0024] 12. In the flow range adjusting step, a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid is adjusted as an adjustment parameter to adjust the flow range of the liquid; The adjustment parameter is at least one of a temperature, a density, a pressure, an inflow amount, an outflow amount, an inflow velocity, an outflow velocity, a volume, and a viscosity of the liquid. 12. The flow control method according to claim 11.

[0025] 13. Visualizing the calculation results; 2. The flow control method according to claim 1.

[0026] 14. A computer for a liquid tank device having a tank into which a liquid flows in and out, a flow state calculation step of deriving parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result, program.

[0027] 15. A tank into which liquid material flows and flows out; a flow state calculation unit that derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; a flow range adjusting unit that adjusts the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result, Liquid tank equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, the quality of the liquid flowing out of the tank can be appropriately controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1A] Schematic diagram illustrating the flow range of liquid material in a tank [Figure 1B]Schematic diagram illustrating the flow range of liquid material in a tank [Figure 2] Flow chart of flow control in embodiment 1 [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a liquid tank device used for flow control in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Flow chart of flow control in embodiment 2 [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a liquid tank device used for flow control in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-1. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-2. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The following description describes embodiments of the present invention. The advantages and features of one or more embodiments of the present invention can be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. It should be noted that the following detailed description and drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] The following description refers to the drawings and describes one or more embodiments of the invention, although the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0032] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow range A1 of a liquid material 1 in a tank 11. FIG.

[0033] The flow control method of the present invention is a method for controlling flow in a tank 11 into which a liquid material 1 flows and flows out, and includes at least a flow state calculation step and a flow range adjustment step. In the flow state calculation step, the flow control method of the present invention derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 as calculation results. In the flow range adjustment step, the flow control method of the present invention adjusts the flow range of the liquid material 1 based on the calculation results derived in the flow state calculation step.

[0034] In the present invention, the expression "based on the calculation results" includes not only cases where the calculation results are directly based on the calculation results, but also cases where the calculation results are indirectly based on, for example, abnormality candidates extracted from the calculation results, judgment results based on the abnormality candidates, etc.

[0035] The material, size, shape, etc. of the tank 11 are not particularly limited. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the tank 11 constitutes a tank system 10 together with, for example, an inlet section 12 and an outlet section 13. The tank 11 stores the liquid material 1 while causing it to flow. The inlet section 12 allows the liquid material 1 to flow into the tank 11. The outlet section 13 allows the liquid material 1 to flow out of the tank 11. The inlet section 12 and the outlet section 13 are formed, for example, by piping.

[0036] The liquid material 1 refers to a material having fluidity such as a liquid. The liquid material 1 may be not only a liquid but also a solution, a dispersion, etc. The liquid material 1 may be any of a raw material, an intermediate, a final product, etc. in the manufacturing process of some product.

[0037] In the present invention, the region in which the contents in the tank 11 (including the liquid material 1 and the abnormal material 2) move over time is called the flow region A1, and the region in which the contents do not change their position or change it very little over time is called the stagnation region A2. The spatial range representing the flow region A1 is called the flow range. The abnormal material 2 includes deteriorated materials formed by the deterioration of the liquid material 1, foreign materials formed by the solidification of the components contained in the liquid material 1, etc.

[0038] In the flow control method of the present invention, the flow range of the liquid material 1 is adjusted from a wide range to a narrow range in the flow range adjustment step. When the flow range of the liquid material 1 is adjusted to a wide range, the retention area A2 is eliminated or becomes relatively narrow, as shown in FIG. 1A. This allows the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 to be quickly replaced, reducing the occurrence of abnormal material 2. When the flow range of the liquid material 1 is adjusted to a narrow range, the retention area A2 is generated or the originally generated retention area A2 becomes wider, as shown in FIG. 1B. This allows abnormal material 2 to be appropriately retained in the tank 11, reducing its outflow, or to flow out slowly or uniformly without flowing out all at once. The flow control method of the present invention can adjust the flow range as described above based on the calculation results derived in the flow state calculation step, thereby appropriately controlling the quality of the liquid material 1 flowing out of the tank 11 through computational processing.

[0039] In the flow control method of the present invention, in the flow range adjusting step, it is preferable to adjust the flow range of the liquid material 1 so that it is wide when the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal, and so that it is narrow when the flow state of the liquid material 1 is abnormal. This makes it possible to more appropriately control the quality of the liquid material 1 flowing out of the tank 11.

[0040] The flow control method of the present invention may include a determination step of determining whether the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal or abnormal. In this case, the flow control method of the present invention may adjust the flow range of the liquid material 1 in the flow range adjustment step only when the flow state of the liquid material 1 is determined to be abnormal in the determination step.

[0041] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of flow control according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a liquid material tank device 100 used for flow control according to the first embodiment.

[0042] The liquid material tank device 100 in the first embodiment includes a tank system 10, a calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20, a control unit 40, a flow range adjustment unit 50, and a display unit 60.

[0043] First, in the calculation input parameter acquisition step (step S1), the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20 acquires parameters related to the tank 11 and / or parameters related to the liquid material 1 that can be used to calculate the flow state of the liquid material 1 as calculation input parameters.

[0044] An example of a parameter relating to the tank 11 that can be an input parameter for the calculation is the dimensions of the tank 11 .

[0045] Examples of parameters related to the liquid 1 that can be used as calculation input parameters include the temperature, density, pressure, inflow amount, outflow amount, inflow rate, outflow rate, volume, and viscosity of the liquid 1, as well as the initial position, size, density, viscosity, and temperature of marker particles contained in the liquid 1. The calculation input parameters used in the present invention may be one or more.

[0046] Marker particles are particles used for calculating the flow state. The marker particles may be particles originally contained in the liquid material 1, or may be particles added to the liquid material 1 for calculating the flow state.

[0047] The calculation input parameters may be actual measured values ​​or set values. When the calculation input parameters are actual measured values, the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20 may be a device capable of measuring the calculation input parameters. When the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20 is a measuring device, the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20 may be provided in the inlet unit 12 or the tank 11. When the calculation input parameters are set values, the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20 may acquire the set values ​​that serve as the calculation input parameters from outside, for example, through communication, user input, or the like.

[0048] The liquid material tank device 100 may have one or more calculation input parameter acquisition units 20.

[0049] The control unit 40 has a fluid simulation unit 41 and a judgment unit 44 as functional units. The control unit 40 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU executes various control programs to drive and control the liquid material tank device 100 and performs various arithmetic processing. The RAM provides the CPU with working memory space and stores temporary data. The RAM may include non-volatile memory. The ROM stores various control programs executed by the CPU, setting data, etc. Rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory may be used instead of the ROM.

[0050] The fluid simulation unit 41 includes a flow state calculation unit 42 and an abnormality candidate extraction unit 43. The fluid simulation unit 41 performs fluid simulation and calculates the flow state of the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 as needed. Specifically, in the fluid simulation unit 41, the flow state calculation unit 42 and the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43 function as follows.

[0051] In the flow state calculation step (step S2), the flow state calculation unit 42 derives, as calculation results, parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1. It is preferable that the flow state calculation unit 42 derives, as calculation results, parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 based on the calculation input parameters acquired by the calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20.

[0052] Examples of parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 include residence time, residence time distribution, density distribution, viscosity distribution, flow velocity distribution, temperature distribution, pressure distribution, marker particle distribution, and replacement rate. One or more of these parameters may be used. The parameter may be at least one of residence time and residence time distribution. The parameter may be at least one of density distribution, viscosity distribution, flow velocity distribution, temperature distribution, pressure distribution, marker particle distribution, and replacement rate.

[0053] Furthermore, the parameter relating to the flow state of the liquid material 1 may be a two-dimensional distribution of scalar values ​​calculated from parameters relating to the flow states of two or more liquid materials 1. This simplifies the calculation results, making it easier to perform rapid and appropriate flow control.

[0054] The display unit 60 visualizes the calculation results derived by the fluidity state calculation unit 42 by displaying them. The display unit 60 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). For example, the display unit 60 displays the calculation results in real time as needed, allowing the user to check the fluidity state of the liquid material 1 in real time.

[0055] Next, in the abnormality candidate extraction step (step S3), the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43 extracts parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 that may be abnormal as abnormal candidates based on a comparison between the calculation results derived by the flow state calculation unit 42 and a range set as a target. The calculation results of the parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 are extracted as abnormal candidates, for example, when they satisfy any predetermined condition (for example, when they exceed a threshold value).

[0056] Next, in the judgment process (step S5), the judgment unit 44 judges whether the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidates extracted by the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43. In the judgment process, for example, a plurality of abnormality candidates are evaluated based on preset conditions to judge whether the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal or abnormal. The preset conditions include the importance of the influence that parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 have on the quality of the final product, and the priority order in the causal relationships between parameters that determine the quality.

[0057] Next, in the flow range adjusting step (step S6), the flow range adjusting unit 50 adjusts the flow range of the liquid material 1 by adjusting the adjustment parameters.

[0058] The adjustment parameter is a parameter related to the liquid material 1 that affects the flow range of the liquid material 1. Examples of parameters related to the liquid material 1 that can be adjustment parameters include the temperature, density, pressure, inflow amount, outflow amount, inflow rate, outflow rate, volume, and viscosity of the liquid material 1. The present invention may use one or more adjustment parameters.

[0059] In the flow range adjustment process (step S6), the flow range of the liquid material 1 may be adjusted in either the case where the judgment result in the judgment process is abnormal or normal, or in both cases.

[0060] In the flow range adjusting step (step S6), it is preferable to adjust the flow range of the liquid material 1 at least when it is determined in the determining step that the flow state of the liquid material 1 is abnormal.

[0061] If the flow state of the liquid material 1 is determined to be abnormal in the determination step, the flow range adjustment unit 50 adjusts the flow range of the liquid material 1, for example, to be narrower than the range at that time. As a result, even if an abnormal material 2 has already occurred, the abnormal material 2 can be intentionally retained to prevent it from flowing out, or the abnormal material 2 can be caused to flow out slowly or uniformly.

[0062] If the determination step determines that the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal, the flow range adjustment unit 50 adjusts the flow range of the liquid material 1, for example, to be wider than at that time. This allows the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 to be replaced quickly, and reduces the occurrence of abnormal materials 2.

[0063] After a certain time has elapsed since the flow range adjustment step (step S6), the control unit 40 determines in step S7 whether or not to continue using the liquid tank device 100. If the use of the liquid tank device 100 is not to be continued, the flow control ends. If the use of the liquid tank device 100 is to be continued, the flow control is performed again from the calculation input parameter acquisition step (step S1).

[0064] The control unit 40 determines whether or not to continue using the liquid material tank device 100, for example, depending on whether or not the outflow amount of the liquid material 1 has reached a preset amount.

[0065] [Embodiment 2] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of flow control according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a liquid material tank device 100 used for flow control according to the second embodiment.

[0066] The liquid tank device 100 in the second embodiment includes a tank system 10, a calculation input parameter acquisition unit 20, a quality parameter detection unit 30, a control unit 40, a flow range adjustment unit 50, and a display unit 60.

[0067] The calculation input parameter acquisition step (step S1), flow state calculation step (step S2), and abnormality candidate extraction step (step S3) in the second embodiment are the same as the respective steps in the first embodiment.

[0068] The flow control method in embodiment 2 includes a quality parameter detection step (step S4) after the abnormality candidate extraction step (step S3). In the quality parameter detection step (step S4), the quality parameter detection unit 30 detects parameters related to the quality of the liquid material 1 as quality parameters.

[0069] The quality parameters are, for example, the density, viscosity, and color of the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 or after it has flowed out of the tank 11, and the temporal change in at least one of the presence or absence, number, shape, size, and type of abnormalities 2 contained in the liquid material 1. The quality parameters used in the present invention may be one or more.

[0070] The quality parameter detection unit 30 is, for example, a sensor. The quality parameter detection unit 30 can detect the quality parameter using at least one of a detector that uses ultrasonic waves as a detection medium, a detector that uses electromagnetic waves as a detection medium, a camera, and a colorimeter.

[0071] In the determination step (step S5) in the second embodiment, the determination unit 44 determines whether the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidates extracted by the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43 and the quality parameters detected by the quality parameter detection unit 30. In the determination step, for example, one or more abnormality candidates and one or more quality parameters are evaluated based on preset conditions to determine whether the flow state of the liquid material 1 is normal or abnormal. Note that the preset conditions may include the importance of the influence of parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 on the quality of the final product, or the priority of the causal relationships between parameters that determine the quality. Alternatively, the preset conditions may include the degree of agreement or consistency between the abnormality candidates extracted by the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43 and the quality parameters detected by the quality parameter detection unit 30.

[0072] As in the first embodiment, after the determination step (step S5), in the flow range adjustment step (step S6), the flow range adjustment unit 50 adjusts the adjustment parameters to adjust the flow range of the liquid material 1. The adjustment parameters are, for example, parameters related to the liquid material 1 that correspond to an abnormality candidate when the abnormality candidate extracted by the abnormality candidate extraction unit 43 matches the quality parameters detected by the quality parameter detection unit 30.

[0073] After a certain time has elapsed since the flow range adjustment step (step S6), the control unit 40 determines in step S7 whether or not to continue using the liquid tank device 100. If the use of the liquid tank device 100 is not to be continued, the flow control ends. If the use of the liquid tank device 100 is to be continued, the flow control is performed again from the calculation input parameter acquisition step (step S1).

[0074] The flowcharts shown in Figures 2 and 4 are merely examples, and the flow of the flow control method of the present invention is not limited to these. For example, in the flowchart of Figure 4, the quality parameter detection step (step S4) may be performed before steps S1 to S3, or may be performed simultaneously with steps S1 to S3.

[0075] Next, embodiments 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, which are specific examples of embodiment 2, will be described.

[0076] [Embodiment 2-1] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-1. In this example, a viscosity increase region A3 occurs after a certain time has elapsed from a state in which the inflow velocity is 0.05 m / s and the flow range ratio is 95%. In embodiment 2-1, a viscosity distribution is calculated and derived in real time as a parameter related to the flow state of the liquid material 1. Furthermore, in embodiment 2-1, a temporal change in the viscosity of the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 is detected as a quality parameter. In the abnormality candidate extraction process, the viscosity distribution is extracted as an abnormality candidate from the calculation results, which are parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 at the timing when the viscosity increase region A3 occurs. Next, if the viscosity distribution identified as an abnormality candidate and the detected temporal change in viscosity match or show a certain degree of consistency, the flow state of the liquid material 1 is determined to be abnormal. In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the inflow velocity is reduced to 0.02 m / s, and the flow range ratio is adjusted to 60%, which is narrower than 95%. As a result, the area including the viscosity increase area A3 where the abnormal matter 2 is likely to exist becomes the retention area A2, thereby reducing the outflow of the abnormal matter 2. In this example, the inflow speed is used as the adjustment parameter. This embodiment 2-1 is suitably applied, for example, when the liquid material 1 is a raw material or intermediate used in a resin product such as a film whose product thickness varies depending on the viscosity.

[0077] [Embodiment 2-2] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-2. In this example, the density difference between the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 and the liquid material 1 to be introduced is 10 kg / m 3, the outflow of the abnormal object 2 is detected after a certain time has elapsed since the state in which the ratio of the flow range was 90%. In embodiment 2-2, the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution in the tank 11 are calculated and derived in real time as parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1. Also, in embodiment 2-2, the change over time in the number of outflowing abnormal objects 2 is detected as a quality parameter. In the abnormality candidate extraction step, the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution are extracted as abnormality candidates from the calculation results, which are parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 at the time the abnormal object 2 flows out. Next, if the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution, which are abnormality candidates, match or show a certain consistency based on the change over time in the number of detected abnormal objects 2, it is determined that the flow state of the liquid material 1 is abnormal. In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the density difference between the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 and the liquid material 1 to be flowed in is 50 kg / m 3 The density of the liquid material 1 to be introduced is increased so that the ratio of the flow range is adjusted to 70%, which is narrower than 90%. This increases the residence time distribution, causing a residence area A2 to form in the upper part of the tank 11, making it easier for abnormal materials 2 to remain in the residence area A2, thereby reducing the outflow of abnormal materials 2. In this example, the density of the liquid material 1 to be introduced is used as the adjustment parameter. This embodiment 2-2 is suitably applied, for example, when the liquid material 1 is a raw material, intermediate, or final product of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., where the presence or absence of abnormal materials 2 is a major factor in product quality.

[0078] [Embodiment 2-3] 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of flow control according to embodiment 2-3. In this example, when the volume of the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 is 50,000 m 3, the outflow of the abnormal object 2 is detected after a certain time has elapsed since the state in which the ratio of the flow range was 90%. In embodiment 2-3, as in embodiment 2-2, the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution in the tank 11 are calculated and derived in real time as parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1. In embodiment 2-3, the change over time in the number of outflowing abnormal objects 2 is detected as a quality parameter. In the abnormality candidate extraction step, the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution are extracted as abnormality candidates from the calculation results, which are parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material 1 at the time the abnormal object 2 flows out. Next, the flow state of the liquid material 1 is determined to be abnormal based on the marker particle distribution and / or residence time distribution, which are abnormality candidates, and the change over time in the number of detected abnormal objects 2. In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when the volume of the liquid material 1 in the tank 11 is 60,000 m 3 The inflow rate of the liquid material 1 is reduced so that the ratio of the flow range is adjusted to 80%, which is narrower than 90%. This increases the residence time distribution, causing a residence area A2 to form in the upper part of the tank 11, making it easier for the abnormal material 2 to remain in the residence area A2, thereby reducing the outflow of the abnormal material 2. In this example, the inflow rate of the liquid material 1 is used as the adjustment parameter. Similar to embodiment 2-2, embodiment 2-3 is suitably applied when the liquid material 1 is, for example, a raw material, intermediate, or final product of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., where the presence or absence of the abnormal material 2 is a major factor in the product quality.

[0079] As described above, the flow control method of the present invention is a flow control method for a tank into which a liquid material flows in and out, and includes a flow state calculation step and a flow range adjustment step. In the flow state calculation step, the flow control method of the present invention derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result. In the flow range adjustment step, the flow control method of the present invention adjusts the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result derived in the flow state calculation step. This allows the flow control method of the present invention to appropriately control the quality of the liquid material flowing out of the tank.

[0080] The program of the present invention causes a computer of a liquid material tank device having a tank into which a liquid material flows in and out to function as a control unit that performs a flow state calculation step and a flow range adjustment step. In the flow state calculation step, the control unit derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as calculation results. In the flow range adjustment step, the control unit adjusts the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation results derived in the flow state calculation step.

[0081] The liquid tank device of the present invention includes a tank into which a liquid flows in and out, a flow state calculation unit, and a flow range adjustment unit. The flow state calculation unit derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid as a calculation result. The flow range adjustment unit adjusts the flow range of the liquid based on the calculation result derived by the flow state calculation unit.

[0082] The above description has described and illustrated in detail the embodiments of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are for the purposes of explanation and example only, and are not intended to be limiting. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Liquids 2 Abnormal object 10 Tank System 11. Tank 12 Inlet 13 Outflow section 20 Calculation input parameter acquisition section 30 Quality parameter detection unit 40 Control Unit 41 Fluid Simulation Department 42 Flow state calculation section 43 Abnormality candidate extraction part 44 Judgment Department 50 Flow range adjustment section 60 Display section 100 Liquid tank device A1 Flow area A2 Retention area A3 Viscosity increase region

Claims

1. A method for controlling flow in a tank into which a liquid flows and flows out, comprising: a flow state calculation step of deriving parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; and a flow range adjusting step of adjusting the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result. Flow control methods.

2. a quality parameter detection step of detecting a parameter related to the quality of the liquid as a quality parameter; In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid is adjusted based on the calculation result and the quality parameter. The flow control method according to claim 1 .

3. a calculation input parameter acquisition step of acquiring, as calculation input parameters, parameters related to the tank and / or parameters related to the liquid that can be used to calculate the flow state of the liquid; the flow state calculation step of deriving the calculation result based on the calculation input parameters; an abnormality candidate extraction step of extracting parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material that may be abnormal as abnormal candidates based on a comparison between the calculation result and a range set as a target; a determining step of determining whether the flow state of the liquid material is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidate; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid, as an adjustment parameter, when the flow state of the liquid is determined to be abnormal in the determining step, The flow control method according to claim 1 .

4. a calculation input parameter acquisition step of acquiring, as calculation input parameters, parameters related to the tank and / or parameters related to the liquid that can be used to calculate the flow state of the liquid; the flow state calculation step of deriving the calculation result based on the calculation input parameters; an abnormality candidate extraction step of extracting parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material that may be abnormal as abnormal candidates based on a comparison between the calculation result and a range set as a target; said quality parameter detection step; a determining step of determining whether the flow state of the liquid material is normal or abnormal based on the abnormality candidate and the quality parameters; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid, as an adjustment parameter, when the flow state of the liquid is determined to be abnormal in the determining step, The flow control method according to claim 2 .

5. The calculation result is at least one of a residence time and a residence time distribution. The flow control method according to claim 1 .

6. the calculation result is at least one of a density distribution, a viscosity distribution, a flow velocity distribution, a temperature distribution, a pressure distribution, a marker particle distribution, and a substitution rate; The flow control method according to claim 1 .

7. the calculation input parameters are at least one of the temperature, density, pressure, inflow amount, outflow amount, inflow rate, outflow rate, volume, and viscosity of the liquid, the dimensions of the tank, and the initial position, size, density, viscosity, and temperature of marker particles contained in the liquid; The flow control method according to claim 3.

8. The quality parameter is a temporal change in at least one of the density, viscosity, and color of the liquid material in the tank or after it has flowed out of the tank, and the presence or absence, number, shape, size, and type of abnormalities contained in the liquid material. The flow control method according to claim 2 .

9. In the quality parameter detection step, the quality parameter is detected using at least one of a detector using ultrasonic waves as a detection medium, a detector using electromagnetic waves as a detection medium, a camera, and a colorimeter. The flow control method according to claim 2 .

10. In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid material is adjusted from a wide range to a narrow range. The flow control method according to claim 1 .

11. In the flow range adjusting step, the flow range of the liquid material is adjusted to be a wide range when the flow state of the liquid material is normal, and to be a narrow range when the flow state of the liquid material is abnormal. The flow control method according to claim 10.

12. In the flow range adjusting step, a parameter related to the liquid that affects the flow range of the liquid is adjusted as an adjustment parameter to adjust the flow range of the liquid; The adjustment parameter is at least one of a temperature, a density, a pressure, an inflow amount, an outflow amount, an inflow velocity, an outflow velocity, a volume, and a viscosity of the liquid. The flow control method according to claim 11.

13. Visualizing the calculation results; The flow control method according to claim 1 .

14. A computer for a liquid tank device having a tank into which a liquid flows in and out, a flow state calculation step of deriving parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; a flow range adjusting step of adjusting the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result, program.

15. a tank into which a liquid flows and into which the liquid flows; a flow state calculation unit that derives parameters related to the flow state of the liquid material as a calculation result; a flow range adjusting unit that adjusts the flow range of the liquid material based on the calculation result, Liquid tank equipment.

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