Apparatus and method for fluid treatment units connected in parallel
First Claim
1. A method for the treatment of fluid with a plurality of N fluid treatment units connected in parallel, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing N threshold values, Fk, where each k is a distinct integer from one to N, each Fk is a number between zero and one, and each Fk+1 is greater than Fk ;
b) determining the fractional capacity of each one of said N fluid treatment units;
c) treating fluid with N fluid treatment units until any k number of said N fluid treatment units each have a fractional capacity less than or equal to Fk ;
d) selecting for regeneration the one of said N fluid treatment units having the least remaining capacity;
e) taking the said selected fluid treatment unit out of service; and
f) subjecting to regeneration the said selected fluid treatment unit while treating fluid with all of the N-1 remaining said fluid treatment units.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for operating a system of two or more fluid treatment units connected in parallel, which fluid treatment units need to be regenerated as they become depleted, whereby a method is provided for determining when to initiate a regeneration and which unit to regenerate as well as an apparatus for implementing the same. The decision when to regenerate is based on the number of fluid treatment units in service and the fractional capacity of each fluid treatment unit in service. The fluid treatment selected for regeneration is the one with the least or nearly the least remaining capacity. The apparatus comprises a plurality of fluid treatment units; control valves to selectively connect each fluid treatment unit to a source of untreated fluid, a destination for treated fluid, and a source of regenerant; and a master controller to automatically implement the method of operation by controlling the valves appropriately.
50 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for the treatment of fluid with a plurality of N fluid treatment units connected in parallel, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing N threshold values, Fk, where each k is a distinct integer from one to N, each Fk is a number between zero and one, and each Fk+1 is greater than Fk ; b) determining the fractional capacity of each one of said N fluid treatment units; c) treating fluid with N fluid treatment units until any k number of said N fluid treatment units each have a fractional capacity less than or equal to Fk ; d) selecting for regeneration the one of said N fluid treatment units having the least remaining capacity; e) taking the said selected fluid treatment unit out of service; and f) subjecting to regeneration the said selected fluid treatment unit while treating fluid with all of the N-1 remaining said fluid treatment units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for the treatment of fluid with a plurality of N fluid treatment units connected in parallel, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing N threshold values, Fk, where each k is a distinct integer from one to N, each Fk is a number between zero and one, and each Fk+1 is greater than Fk ; b) determining the fractional capacity of each one of said N fluid treatment units; c) treating fluid with N fluid treatment units until any k number of said N fluid treatment units each have a fractional capacity less than or equal to Fk ; d) selecting for regeneration the one of said N fluid treatment units which is; 1) the fluid treatment unit having the least remaining capacity, unless two or more of said N fluid treatment units have remaining capacities which are the same as or which differ by less than a first predetermined amount from said least remaining capacity, in which case; 2) the one of said fluid treatment units having remaining capacities which are the same as or which differ by less than a first predetermined amount from said least remaining capacity having the greatest length of time since last regeneration, unless two or more of said fluid treatment units having remaining capacities which are the same as or which differ by less than a first predetermined amount have lengths of time since last regeneration which are the same as or which differ by less than a second predetermined amount from said greatest length of time since last regeneration, in which case; 3) the one of said fluid treatment units having lengths of time since last regeneration which are the same as or which differ by less than a second predetermined amount from said greatest length of time since last regeneration having the lowest unit number; e) taking the said selected fluid treatment unit out of service; and f) subjecting to regeneration the said selected fluid treatment unit while treating fluid with all of the N-1 remaining said fluid treatment units. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for the treatment of fluid comprising:
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1) a plurality of N fluid treatment units, each one of said fluid treatment units comprising an inlet, an outlet, and means for treating fluid; 2) means for automatically connecting and disconnecting each one of said inlets to a source of untreated fluid and each one of said outlets to a destination for treated fluid; 3) means for automatically regenerating each one of said fluid treatment units; 4) means for automatically determining the total flow through each one of said fluid treatment units; 5) means for automatically determining the remaining capacity of each one of said fluid treatment units; 6) means for automatically determining the fractional capacity of each one of said fluid treatment units; 7) means for providing N threshold values, Fk, where each k is a distinct integer from one to N, each Fk is a number between zero and one, and each Fk+1 is greater than Fk ; 8) means for determining whether any k number of said N fluid treatment units each have a fractional capacity less than or equal to Fk ; 9) means for initiating a regeneration when any k number of said N fluid treatment units each have a fractional capacity less than or equal to Fk ; and 10) means for automatically determining which one of said fluid treatment units to regenerate based on the remaining capacities of each one of said fluid treatment units. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification