Fluid Sensing Chamber Self-Cleaning Additive Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems in fluidic environments face fouling issues due to biofilm growth, salt buildup, and solution clinging, leading to erroneous measurements and significant maintenance costs, compromising the integrity and quality of chemical formulations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fluid sensing chamber with movable parts, integrated additive dispensing, and self-cleaning capabilities, utilizing fluid parameter sensors to select and deliver additives based on measured parameters, and including a processor for automated operation, calibration, and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are immersed into fluidic environments for measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but sensor fouling occurs leading to erroneous measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function into separate segments: a fluid sensing chamber receives fluid samples for measurement, while the sensors remain protected within the chamber. This segmentation allows measurements to be taken without direct prolonged exposure of sensors to the bulk fluid environment, reducing fouling accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid sensing chamber acts as an intermediary between the fluid sample and the sensors. The chamber provides a controlled interface where fluid parameters can be measured without the sensors being directly immersed in the potentially fouling fluid environment, thus protecting sensor integrity while enabling measurements.
2Productivity
If sensors are continuously exposed to fluidic environments, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but maintenance costs increase due to periodic cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-cleaning capabilities where the fluid sensing chamber can be cleaned in-place without requiring removal or disassembly of the sensors. This self-service approach maintains continuous monitoring capability while reducing maintenance complexity and costs by allowing routine cleaning to be performed automatically or with minimal intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing function is extracted from direct fluid immersion by using a fluid sensing chamber that can be separately cleaned. This allows the chamber to be removed or cleaned independently of the sensors, preserving sensor integrity while enabling easy maintenance of the sensing system.
3Reliability
If manual maintenance of sensing elements is performed periodically, then sensor integrity is maintained, but operational time is lost and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-cleaning of the fluid sensing chamber without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown. This self-service capability maintains sensor integrity by keeping the sensing chamber clean while eliminating operational downtime and reducing labor costs associated with manual maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operational capability by allowing cleaning of the fluid sensing chamber without interrupting the monitoring process. This ensures uninterrupted useful action while maintaining sensor integrity, eliminating time loss associated with manual maintenance shutdowns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures accurate chemical formulations by maintaining sensor integrity through in-place cleaning and calibration, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring precise measurement and delivery of additives within fluidic environments.
Implementation Method 1
fluid parameter sensors corresponding with values of fluid parameters of the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
fluid parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, Dissolved Gas, Redox
Implementation Method 3
fluid parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, Dissolved Gas, Redox
Implementation Method 4
cause the additive dispensing system to dispense the selected additive into the working fluid through the fluid sensing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An additive management system is disclosed. The system includes an additive selection system, which selects an additive for dispensing into a working fluid. The system also includes an additive dispensing system having a fluid sensing chamber with sensors. The system also includes an additive delivery system, which delivers the selected additive to the additive dispensing system, and a processor which causes the fluid sensing chamber to receive a sample of the working fluid, receives measurement signals from the one or more fluid parameter sensors corresponding with the values of fluid parameters of the working fluid, and determines values for fluid parameters of the working fluid based on the measurement signals. The processor also causes the additive delivery system to deliver the selected additive to the additive dispensing system and causes the additive dispensing system to dispense the selected additive into the working fluid through the fluid sensing chamber.