CONTROLS OF A FILTRATION SYSTEM

• US 20090218285A1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seccua GmbH
• Original Assignee: Seccua GmbH
• Inventors: Hank, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,354,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/650
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/22 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas

Abstract

A control device for a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, the control device comprising an integrity test unit for performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit, and a reaction unit for determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test.

Claims

1. A control device for a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, wherein the control device comprises:

an integrity test unit for performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit;

a reaction unit for determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test;

the integrity test unit being arranged for performing the integrity test for checking the functional integrity of a filter membrane for filtering the fluid;

the integrity test unit being arranged for checking the functional integrity of the filter membrane by means of applying a test pressure to the filter membrane and by measuring the time response of the test pressure at the filter membrane.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the integrity test unit is arranged for performing the integrity test in an automatic or user-defined manner.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the integrity test unit is arranged for checking the functional integrity of the filter membrane by conveying and detecting a test substance essentially impermeable to the filter membrane in the functional state of the filter membrane.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction unit switches off at least a part of the filtration unit if the functional integrity of the filtration unit is compromised as identified by the integrity test unit.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction unit generates an alarm message if the functional integrity of the filtration unit is compromised as identified by the integrity test unit.

6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the alarm message comprises a telenotification to a user.

7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the telenotification is performed by at least one communication path selected from the group consisting of a telecommunication network, a mobile telephone network, the Internet, a WLAN, an Intranet, a Bluetooth network, an infrared network and an electric power network.

8. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a restart unit arranged for identifying a restored functional integrity of the filtration unit after a malfunction and for restarting the filtration unit.

9. The control device according to claim 1, arranged as a monolithic integrated circuit.

10. The control device according to claim 1, configured as a retrofit kit for installation into an existing filtration unit.

11. A filtration unit for filtering a fluid, wherein the filtration unit comprises a control device according to claim 1.

12. The filtration unit according to claim 11, comprising at least one filter membrane for filtering the fluid.

13. The filtration unit according to claim 12, wherein the at least one filter membrane is selected from the group consisting of a fine filter membrane, a microfilter membrane, an ultrafilter membrane, and a nanofilter membrane.

14. The filtration unit according to claim 12, further comprising an inlet connection for feeding the fluid to be filtered to the filter membrane.

15. The filtration unit according to claim 12, further comprising a filter fluid connection for discharging the fluid filtered by the filter membrane.

16. The filtration unit according to claim 12, further comprising an outlet connection for discharging fluid that has not flown through the filter membrane.

17. The filtration unit according to any one of claims 14 through 16, further comprising at least one valve capable of adjusting the inlet connection, the fluid filter connection, or the outlet connection.

18. The filtration unit according to claim 17, wherein the control device is arranged for controlling the at least one valve.

19. The filtration unit according to claim 18, wherein the control device for controlling the at least one valve is arranged for adjusting an operating mode selected from the group consisting of a filtration mode for conveying the fluid from the inlet connection through the at least one filter membrane to the filter fluid connection, a membrane rinsing mode for conveying the fluid from the inlet connection along the at least one filter membrane to the outlet connection, and a reflux mode for conveying the fluid from the filter fluid connection through the at least one filter membrane to the outlet connection.

20. The filtration unit according to claim 11, further comprising at least one pump for conveying the fluid through the filtration unit.

21. The filtration unit according to claim 11, arranged as a small-scale system for water treatment.

22. The filtration unit according to claim 21, arranged for disinfecting drinking water and/or service water, for removing Legionellae from sanitary facilities in hospitals, schools and/or swimming pools, or for removing germs from pool water in swimming pools.

23. A method of controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, the method comprising:

performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit;

determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test;

wherein the integrity test is performed for checking the functional integrity of a filter membrane for filtering the fluid;

wherein the integrity test is performed for checking the functional integrity of the filter membrane by applying a test pressure to the filter membrane and by detecting the time response of the test pressure at the filter membrane.

24. A computer-readable data carrier, on which a program for controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid is stored, wherein said program, when executed by a processor, controls or performs the method according to claim 23.

25. A program element for controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, wherein said program element, when executed by a processor, controls or performs the method according to claim 23.