Accurate blending module and method

• US 7,072,742 B1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kasei Bioprocess, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Technikrom, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Sanderson, James, Bellafiore, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Von Buhr, Maria N.
• Application Number:
  US10/688,391
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 700/239, 700265-272, 366131-137, 366/143
• US Class Current: 700/265
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 21/02 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An accurate blending module for retrofitting existing laboratory or industrial systems or use as a standalone device and a method of use. The module includes a proportioning submodule that receives and merges at least two liquid feeds. The merged stream flows to a blending submodule. The resulting blended liquid stream flows through a detection submodule which detects a characteristic of the blended liquid stream. The detection submodule sends a corresponding signal to a controller. The controller adjusts the proportioning submodule based on the signal.

Claims

1. A portable accurate blending module for retrofitting existing laboratory or industrial systems comprising:

a) a proportioning submodule adapted to receive and merge at least two liquid feeds;

b) a blending submodule in communication with the proportioning submodule, said blending submodule blending a merged liquid stream received from the proportioning submodule;

c) a detection submodule in communication with the blending submodule so that a blended liquid stream from the blending submodule flows therethrough, said detection submodule detecting a characteristic of the blended liquid stream;

d) a controller in communication with the detection submodule so that the characteristic of the blended liquid stream may be received therefrom,

e) said controller also in communication with the proportioning submodule and adjusting the proportioning submodule based upon the detected characteristic;

f) a skid upon which the proportioning, blending and detection submodules are mounted; and

g) means for connecting the accurate blending module to the existing laboratory or industrial system.

2. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the skid is provided with rollers so that the skid may be rolled across a surface.

3. The accurate blending module of claim 1 further comprising a purge valve in communication with an outlet of the detection submodule, said purge valve in communication with the controller so that said controller opens the purge valve when the detected characteristic exceeds a predetermined tolerance.

4. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a programmable logic controller.

5. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a personal computer.

6. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the blending submodule includes a pump.

7. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the controller also communicates with the blending submodule.

8. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the proportioning submodule includes a valve.

9. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the blending submodule includes an in-line mixer.

10. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the blending submodule includes a recirculating mixer.

11. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the blending submodule includes a fixed volume.

12. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the blending submodule includes a bubbletrap.

13. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the detection submodule includes an ultraviolet sensor.

14. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the detection submodule includes an conductivity sensor.

15. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the detection submodule includes a near infrared sensor.

16. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the detection submodule includes a pH sensor.

17. A method for retrofitting a laboratory or industrial system so that it receives an accurately blended liquid stream including the steps of:

a) providing a portable accurate blending module having a proportioning submodule, a blending submodule, a detection submodule and a controller;

b) connecting at least two liquid feeds to the accurate blending module;

c) connecting the accurate blending module to the existing laboratory or industrial system;

d) merging the two liquid feeds with the proportioning submodule of the accurate blending module so that a merged liquid stream is produced;

e) blending the merged liquid stream with the blending submodule of the blending module of the accurate blending module so that a blended liquid stream is produced;

f) detecting a characteristic of the blended liquid stream and generating a corresponding signal with the detection submodule of the accurate blending module; and

g) receiving the signal with the controller and adjusting the proportioning submodule with the controller based upon the received signal.

18. A portable module for blending liquids comprising:

a) a proportioning submodule adapted to receive and merge at least two liquid feeds;

b) a blending submodule in communication with the proportioning submodule, said blending submodule blending a merged liquid stream received from the proportioning submodule;

c) a detection submodule adapted to connect to a laboratory or industrial system and in communication with the blending submodule so that a blended liquid stream from the blending submodule flows therethrough and to the laboratory or industrial system, said detection submodule detecting a characteristic of the blended liquid stream;

d) a controller in communication with the detection submodule so that the characteristic of the blended liquid stream may be received therefrom; and

e) said controller also in communication with the proportioning submodule and adjusting the proportioning submodule based upon the detected characteristic.

19. The accurate blending module of claim 18 further comprising a purge valve in communication with an outlet of the detection submodule, said purge valve in communication with the controller so that said controller opens the purge valve when the detected characteristic exceeds a predetermined tolerance.