REMOTE MONITORING OF CARBON NANOTUBE SENSOR

• US 20110125412A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hach Company (Veralto Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hach Company (Veralto Corp.)
• Inventors: Fair, Christopher Patrick, Scholpp, Charles, Fitzgerald, Terrance William, SALZER, Corey Alan, Young, Russell Martin, Lee, John Edwin, Carpenter, Frank Howland JR., Rajasekharan, Vishnu Vardhanan, Carrabba, Michael Mario
• Application Number:
  US12/952,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20110125412A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/22
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/02 Analysing fluids using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14 ; constructional or flow details for analysing fluids G01N29/222; optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

The present invention provides a remote monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a fluid treatment system and/or the qualities, characteristics, properties, etc., of the fluid being processed or treated by the fluid treatment system. The present invention also relates to carbon nanotube sensors.

Claims

1. A remote monitoring system, comprising:

one or more sensors located within a water treatment system being monitored,

a remote computer disposed at a first distant location from the water treatment system, and

an analyzer for manipulating data obtained from the one or more sensors of the water treatment system,

wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more carbon nanotube sensors,

wherein the data is transmitted from the water treatment system to the remote computer using a mode of transmission, and

wherein the remote computer generates an output from the manipulated data.

2. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the one or more carbon nanotube sensors comprise one or more hydrophilic carbon nanotube sensors.

3. The remote monitoring system of claim 1,

wherein the remote monitoring system comprise one or more additional sensors located with the water treatment system being monitored,

wherein the analyzer manipulates data obtained from the one or more sensors and the one or more additional sensors to form manipulated combined data,

wherein the combined manipulated data is transmitted from the water treatment system to the remote computer using a mode the mode of transmission, and

wherein the remote computer generates an output from the manipulated combined data.

4. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more additional sensors does not contact the water in the water treatment system.

5. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more additional sensors not in contact with the water uses look-down ultrasonic technology.

6. The remote monitoring system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more additional sensors not in contact with the water uses radar technology.

7. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the water treatment system comprises a water treatment core facility, wherein the water treatment core facility is a water treatment facility for the distribution of potable drinking water to the public.

8. The remote monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the water treatment system further comprises a distribution system.

9. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the water treatment system comprises a water treatment core facility, wherein the water treatment core facility is a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

10. The remote monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the water treatment system further comprises a collection system.

11. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is located at a second distant location from the water treatment system.

12. The remote monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the first and second distant locations are co-located.

13. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is associated with the remote computer of the remote monitoring system.

14. The remote monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the analyzer is located on the remote computer.

15. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the remote computer is only connected or linked to the water treatment system via the mode of transmission.

16. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the remote computer comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, an Internet or web server, a database, or an ftp server.

17. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors detect or measure qualities of water in the water treatment system.

18. The remote monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors are located at a plurality of locations within the water treatment system.

19. The remote monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors detect or measure one or more of the following qualities of water in the water treatment system:

temperature, chemical composition, total organic carbon (TOC), fluid quantity, flow rate or fluid velocity, waste product, contaminant, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, pressure, turbidity, permeate flow, chlorine or fluorine concentration, water or fluid level, or equipment status or operation.

20. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the mode of transmission is via one or more of the following:

the Internet, TCP/IP, MODBUS RTU, MODBUS ASCII, MODBUS TCP, XML, cellular modem, Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Ethernet, file transfer protocol (ftp), email, such as SMTP, cellular phone network, such as CDMA and TDMA, radios or remote terminal units (RTU) coupled to radio frequency transmitters, satellite transmission, SDI-12, existing telephone or communication networks or wiring, a standard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), dial-up modem using landline or telephone, a wireless network, such as wi-fi, a wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), local area network (LAN), or metropolitan area network (MAN), a cable internet connection, short message system (SMS), a point to point link, global system for mobile communications (GSM, 3GSM), general packet radio services (GPRS), evolution-data optimized (EV-DO), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), or advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS).

21. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted from the water treatment system to the remote computer continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user using the mode of transmission.

22. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted directly from the one or more sensors to the remote computer using the mode of transmission.

23. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer comprises a source code or a software program.

24. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer compares the data to expected or historical data or information.

25. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyzer manipulates the data continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user.

26. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the output comprises one or more of the following:

data, alarm, analysis result, or analysis report.

27. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the water treatment system includes an electronic control system.

28. The remote monitoring system of claim 27, wherein the electronic control system is a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) or a Progammable Logic Controller (PLC).

29. The remote monitoring system of claim 27, wherein the data is transmitted from the electronic control system to the remote computer using the mode of transmission.

30. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a remote viewing device, wherein the output is sent or uploaded to the remote viewing device via a mode of communication.

31. The remote monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the remote viewing device is one or more of the following:

personal computer or terminal, web or Internet server, file transfer protocol (ftp) server, cell phone, pager, or handheld device.

32. The remote monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the output is sent or uploaded to the remote viewing device continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user using the mode of communication.

33. The remote monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the mode of communication is one or more of the following:

Internet, TCP/IP, MODBUS RTU, MODBUS ASCII, MODBUS TCP, XML, Ethernet, facsimile, file transfer protocol (ftp), voice or text messaging, text to voice messages, Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, electronic mail, pager, human voice calling, short message system (SMS) messages, instant messaging or groupware protocols, public switched telephone network (PSTN), cellular network, SDI-12, wireless network, satellite communication, a wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), dial-up modem, radio communication, global system for mobile communications (GSM, 3GSM), general packet radio services (GPRS), evolution-data optimized (EV-DO), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), or advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS).

34. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a remote database associated with the remote computer for storing the data.

35. The remote monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a local computer located at or near the water treatment system.

36. The remote monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the analyzer is associated with the local computer of the remote monitoring system.

37. The remote monitoring system of claim 36, wherein the analyzer is located on the local computer.

38. The remote monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the data is transmitted from the local computer to the remote computer using the mode of transmission.

39. The remote monitoring system of claim 38, wherein the data transmitted from the local computer to the remote computer includes observational data.

40. The remote monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the local computer is a logger device.

41. The remote monitoring system of claim 40, wherein the analyzer is located on the logger device.

42. The remote monitoring system of claim 40, wherein the logger device has one or more sensor ports for receiving data from the one or more sensors.

43. The remote monitoring system of claim 40, wherein the logger device is water-tight and enclosed.

44. A method for monitoring a water treatment system comprising the following steps:

(a) transmitting data collected from one or more sensors in the water treatment system to a remote computer disposed at a first distant location from the water treatment system, and

(b) generating an output based on the data, wherein the data is transmitted from the water treatment system to the remote computer using a mode of transmission,

wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more carbon nanotube sensors.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more carbon nanotube sensors comprise one or more hydrophilic carbon nanotube sensors.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the water treatment system comprises a water treatment core facility, wherein the water treatment core facility is a water treatment facility for the distribution of potable drinking water to the public.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the fluid treatment system further comprises a distribution system.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the water treatment system comprises a water treatment core facility, wherein the water treatment core facility is a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the water treatment system further comprises a collection system.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the remote computer is only connected or linked to the water treatment system via the mode of transmission.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the remote computer comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, an Internet or web server, a database, or an ftp server.

52. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more sensors detect or measure qualities of water in the water treatment system.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more sensors are located at a plurality of locations within the water treatment system.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more sensors detect or measure one or more of the following qualities of water in the water treatment system:

temperature, chemical composition, total organic carbon (TOC), fluid quantity, flow rate or fluid velocity, waste product, contaminant, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, pressure, turbidity, permeate flow, chlorine or fluorine concentration, water or fluid level, or equipment status or operation.

55. The method of claim 44, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors does not contact the water in the water treatment system.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors not in contact with the water uses look-down ultrasonic technology.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors not in contact with the water uses radar technology.

58. The method of claim 44, wherein the mode of transmission is via one or more of the following:

the Internet, TCP/IP, MODBUS RTU, MODBUS ASCII, MODBUS TCP, XML, cellular modem, Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Ethernet, file transfer protocol (ftp), email, such as SMTP, cellular phone network, such as CDMA and TDMA, radios or remote terminal units (RTU) coupled to radio frequency transmitters, satellite transmission, SDI-12, existing telephone or communication networks or wiring, a standard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), dial-up modem using landline or telephone, a wireless network, such as wi-fi, a wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), local area network (LAN), or metropolitan area network (MAN), or a cable internet connection, short message system (SMS) a point to point link, global system for mobile communications (GSM, 3GSM), general packet radio services (GPRS), evolution-data optimized (EV-DO), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), or advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS).

59. The method of claim 44, wherein the data is transmitted from the water treatment system to the remote computer continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user using the mode of transmission.

60. The method of claim 44, wherein the data is transmitted directly from the one or more sensors to the remote computer using the mode of transmission.

61. The method of claim 44, wherein the method comprises the following step:

(c) manipulating the data using an analyzer.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the analyzer comprises a source code or a software program.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein step (c) comprises comparing the data to expected or historical data or information.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the analyzer compares the data continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the manipulating step (c) is performed after step (a).

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the analyzer is located at a second distant location from the water treatment system.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the first and second distant locations are co-located.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein the analyzer is associated with the remote computer of the remote monitoring system.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the analyzer is located on the remote computer.

70. The method of claim 61, wherein the water treatment system includes an electronic control system.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the electronic control system is a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) or a Progammable Logic Controller (PLC).

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the data is transmitted from the electronic control system to the remote computer using the mode of transmission.

73. The method of claim 61, wherein the data is transmitted from a local computer to the remote computer during step (a), and wherein the local computer is located at or near the water treatment system.

74. The method of claim 61, wherein step (c) is performed prior to step (a).

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the data is transmitted from a local computer to the remote computer during step (a), and wherein the local computer is located at or near the water treatment system.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the local computer is a logger device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the analyzer is located on the logger device.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein the logger device has one or more sensor ports for receiving data from the one or more sensors.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein the logger device is water-tight and enclosed.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the data transmitted from the local computer to the remote computer includes observational data.

81. The method of claim 75, wherein the analyzer is associated with the local computer of the remote monitoring system.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the analyzer is located on the local computer.

83. The method of claim 44, wherein the output comprises one or more of the following:

data, alarm, analysis result, or analysis report.

84. The method of claim 44, wherein the method comprises the following step of

(c) communicating the output to a remote viewing device using a mode of communication, wherein step (c) is performed after step (b).

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the remote viewing device is one or more of the following:

personal computer or terminal, web or Internet server, file transfer protocol (ftp) server, cell phone, pager, or handheld device.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the output is downloaded or viewed using the remote viewing device.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein the output is sent or uploaded to the remote viewing device continuously, in real time, at periodic or selected intervals, on condition, or on demand by a user using the mode of communication.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein the mode of communication is one or more of the following:

Internet, TCP/IP, MODBUS RTU, MODBUS ASCII, MODBUS TCP, XML, Ethernet, facsimile, file transfer protocol (ftp), voice or text messaging, text to voice messages, Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, electronic mail, pager, human voice calling, short message system (SMS) messages, instant messaging or groupware protocols, public switched telephone network (PSTN), cellular network, SDI-12, wireless network, satellite communication, a wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), local area network (LAN), or metropolitan area network (MAN), dial-up modem, radio communication, global system for mobile communications (GSM, 3GSM), general packet radio services (GPRS), evolution-data optimized (EV-DO), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), or advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS).

89. The method of claim 44, wherein the method comprises the following step:

(c) storing the data on a remote database associated with the remote computer, wherein step (c) is performed after step (b).

90. A method for monitoring a water treatment system comprising the following steps:

(a) collecting data from one or more sensors located in the water treatment system, and

(b) transmitting the data to a remote computer disposed at a first distant location from the water treatment system using a mode of transmission.

wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more carbon nanotube sensors.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the one or more carbon nanotube sensors comprise one or more hydrophilic carbon nanotube sensors.

92. The method of claim 90, wherein the method comprises the following step:

(c) generating an output based on the data.

93. The method of claim 90, wherein step (c) is performed after step (b).

94. The method of claim 90, wherein the method comprises the following step:

(d) communicating the output to a remote viewing device using a mode of communication, wherein step (d) is performed after step (b).

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the method comprises the following step:

(e) manipulating the data using an analyzer.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein step (e) is performed prior to step (b).

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the analyzer is associated with a local computer.

98. The method of claim 95, wherein step (e) is performed after step (b).

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the analyzer is associated with the remote computer.

100. An electrochemical sensing apparatus comprising:

a electrode body including one or more pressure sensors, and one or more temperature sensors, and one or more counter electrodes, and one or more working electrodes,

wherein each working electrode of the one or more working electrodes comprises an array of carbon nanotubes.

101. The electrochemical sensing apparatus of claim 100, wherein the carbon nanotubes are hydrophilic carbon nanotubes.