Automated multiple stream analysis system
First Claim
1. An automated multiple stream analysis system comprising, in combination:
- A. a plurality of sample loops respectively connected in fluid communication with a plurality of process streams for accommodating continuous flow of sample fluids therethrough representive of the fluids flowing in the various process streams ona real-time basis;
B. at least one multiport valve having a plurality of sets of interconnected inlet and outlet ports, each connected in series with a different one of said sample loops, a common outlet port, and means connecting any selected one of said inlet ports in fluid flow communication with said common outlet port for extracting a sample of the fluid flowing into said said selected inlet port and routing the flow of said extracted fluid sample to said common outlet port;
C. an analytical instrument connected with said common outlet port to receive said extracted sample for immediate analysis;
D. an instrument computer for developing analytical data pertaining to each sample analysis;
E. a sample selection computer operating to automatically control said multiport valve connecting means to extract fluid samples from said sample loop in accordance with an operator established schedule and to compare said analytical data for each sample analysis with a corresponding analytical control table to signal if any of the element concentrations in an analyzed sample exceeds pre-established limits; and
F. a process computer linked to said sample selection computer and operating in response to said analytical data to control the process involving the process streams.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated analysis system includes a pair of sample selection subsystems whose operations are coordinated by a host computer pursuant to developing analytical data useful to a process computer in controlling an industrial process. Each subsystem includes a sample selection computer operating to control one or more multiport valves in extracting fluid samples on a scheduled or demand basis from sample loops connected with the various process streams involved with the process. The extracted samples are injected into a spectrometer for analysis. An instrument computer converts the spectrometer responses to analytical data indicative of the constituent concentrations found in an analyzed sample.
204 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An automated multiple stream analysis system comprising, in combination:
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A. a plurality of sample loops respectively connected in fluid communication with a plurality of process streams for accommodating continuous flow of sample fluids therethrough representive of the fluids flowing in the various process streams ona real-time basis; B. at least one multiport valve having a plurality of sets of interconnected inlet and outlet ports, each connected in series with a different one of said sample loops, a common outlet port, and means connecting any selected one of said inlet ports in fluid flow communication with said common outlet port for extracting a sample of the fluid flowing into said said selected inlet port and routing the flow of said extracted fluid sample to said common outlet port; C. an analytical instrument connected with said common outlet port to receive said extracted sample for immediate analysis; D. an instrument computer for developing analytical data pertaining to each sample analysis; E. a sample selection computer operating to automatically control said multiport valve connecting means to extract fluid samples from said sample loop in accordance with an operator established schedule and to compare said analytical data for each sample analysis with a corresponding analytical control table to signal if any of the element concentrations in an analyzed sample exceeds pre-established limits; and F. a process computer linked to said sample selection computer and operating in response to said analytical data to control the process involving the process streams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification