CA1037291A - Automatic cleaning of sensing probes - Google Patents
Automatic cleaning of sensing probesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1037291A CA1037291A CA228,986A CA228986A CA1037291A CA 1037291 A CA1037291 A CA 1037291A CA 228986 A CA228986 A CA 228986A CA 1037291 A CA1037291 A CA 1037291A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- probes
- probe
- cleaning
- receptacle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
- B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
- B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
- B08B3/12—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
Landscapes
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method for cleaning the sensing probes in a water quality monitoring apparatus, when the probes become coated with a build-up of slime, algae or particulate matter, which comprises the steps of continuously removing particulate matter from the body of the liquid, moving a part of the body of liquid into a confined zone surrounding the probe and applying ultrasonic energy to the confined liquid to remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the liquid confining surface areas.
A method for cleaning the sensing probes in a water quality monitoring apparatus, when the probes become coated with a build-up of slime, algae or particulate matter, which comprises the steps of continuously removing particulate matter from the body of the liquid, moving a part of the body of liquid into a confined zone surrounding the probe and applying ultrasonic energy to the confined liquid to remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the liquid confining surface areas.
Description
-` ~03~729~ .
BACKGROUND OI;' THE INVl-~.N'rION
lhe current public interest in pollution control has created the need for surveilance and monitoring of en-vironmental conditions particularly related to plant effluent, waterways, sewers, lakes and rivers. The acquisition of ac-curate and reliable data regarding water quality as affected by industrial wastes, treatment plant effluent, meterological and other factors is necessary for effecting enforcement of standards for pollution control, as well as for analysis and planning.
Automated water quality monitoring systems include monitors at field stations connected by telemetry to a cen-tral control data receiving station and rely on the use of automatic unattended measurement procedures operated on a continuous basis, or intermittently, at a predetermined fre-quency. Sophisticated instrumentation for automatically ana-lyzing physical and chemical parameters, such as pH, conduc-tivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorides and turbidity of plant effluent and waterways have been utilized in the art. It is recognized that instrument reliability is adversely affected by the fouling of the sampling system or malfunc-tion of the analyzer components that are continously exposed to polluted water. Heavy build-up of slime, algae or par-ticulate matter on the sensing probes, which may comprise solid state or liquid membrane electrodes, and on the surface areas confining the water surrounding the probes, with re-sulting stagnation of flow deleteriously affects the --1- ~k -ph/J~
` 1037Z91 sensitivity of the probes resulting in inaccurate measurements or measurement failure.
In order to obtain reliable data it has been found necessary to clean the sensing probes manually at frequent pe-riodic intervals, preferably, at least daily. Monitoring stations which are remotely located at substantial distances from a central receiving station must be visited daily by service personnel to effect manual cleaning of the probes and associated apparatus. This requires extensive travel, as well as a sub-stantial expenditure of labor by the service personnel, andrepresents a significant cost in the maintenance of monitoring stations in the system under consideration. It also has been found that manual removal or displacement of the sensing probes from the monitoring apparatus for manual cleaning disturbs the stability of the calibration resulting in unreliable data.
SUMMARY OF THE IN'ilENTIO~
The present invention relates to a method utilizing ultrasonic energy in combination with centrifuge means for automatically cleaning the sensing probes and associated ap-paratus of water quality monitoring apparatus so as to maintainthe same in clean condition for maximum sensitivity and relia-bility, in order to obtain accurate data for effective enforce-ment of environmental pollution control standards.
The use of ultrasonic electrode cleaning apparatus is known. Typical of such apparatus is the EIL Ultrasonic Electrode Cleaner, Model U 28, manufactured by Cambridge Instru-ment Co., Inc. of Great Britain.
ph/Jo ' . , ` iO37Z91 The use of centrifuge apparatus for removing settleable solids or particulate matter from liquids is known. Typical of such apparatus is the Bauer Centri-Cleaner* Liquld Cyclone No.
600-3 manufactured by Bauer Brothers Co., of Springfield, Ohio.
Another is the Vulcan Hydro-Clone V 20*, manufactured by Vulcan Laboratories, Inc. of Pontiac, Michigan.
Insofar as is known to me ultrasonic energy and centri-fuge action have never been used, in combination, for cleaning the sensing probes and associated apparatus of water quality monitoring systems. I have found that the use of a centrifuge for removing particulate matter or settleable solids, such as sand, grit, stones etc., from the effluent or water to be tested, before it contacts the sensing probes, reduces the likelihood ~
injury to the sensing probes and also results in a very marked re-duction in over-all build-up of objectionable materials on the surfaces of the probes and associated apparatus, so that sub-sequent cleaning of the probes and associated apparatus by ultrasonic energy is highly efficient.
The removal of particulate matter or settleable solids from the water before the water contacts the sensing probes is highly desirable in all monitoring situations involving the use of sensing probes, and particularly, in situations involving the`
use of glass electrodes of pH measurements and liquid membrane electrodes for measuring dissolved oxygen. Particulate matter has abrasive characteristics and would tend to erode the elec-trodes. In the case of liquid membrane electrodes, the use of very thin Teflon* membranes is desirable for obtaining maximum , * Trade Mark ph/~o ,,. . : - . . ~ , : -sensitivity to dissolved oxygen changes. Such membranes are fragile and would be subject to excessive degradation if re-quired to withstand the quality of ultrasonic energy necessary by itself for cleaning the probes of normal build-up of algae, slime etc., and also settleablematerial incorporated in the build-up. Obviously, in such cases thicker and less sensitive membranes would need to be used to withstand the rigors of such ultrasonic energy for long periods. By reason of the use of a centrifuge, the settleable material is removed before it has an opportunity to contact the membranes and, as a result, the sensing probes require shorter intervals of th~ applicatlon of ultrasonic energy to effect cleansing of the probes. This allows the use of thinner membranes with greater sensitivity of measurement. In a series of comparative tests conducted over a period of several months it was found with the uti-lization of conventional cleaning practices, with resultant clogging in the sensing zones, that the deviation of measure-ments from the true value ranged from 1 to 2 parts per million.
With the use of my invention the deviation was reduced to 0.22 parts per million, a figure which is within the tolerance of 0.25 parts per million established for an accurate system. In the case of stagnant flow, without cleaning, the deviation could be as high as l0 parts per million.
Broadly stated, my invention is defined a~ a mathod for cleaning a sensing probe in a liquid quality monitoring system which comprises the steps of: continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing nh/~
. ~ .
' ~L037~91 the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
moving a portion of the liquid from the vessel into a recep-tacle having an associated ultrasonic transducer, the receptacle surrounding the probe; and applying ultrasonic energy to the re-ceptacle to substantially remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The drawing is the schematic representation of a spe-cific embodiment of my invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing, there is diagrammatically shown a field station 10 which includes functional components such as an automatic monitor 11 and utilities, all conventional and well known in the art.
Each monitor 11 comprises a flow chamber module 12 which includes an influent pipe 13, a plurality of stainless steel sen-sor cones or funnels 14, preferably six in number, an overflow drain 16 and individual sensor probes 17 inserted in respective funnels 14 and having _ 5 _ ph/~) ' '' ' ':. ' ~ '' " ~ '. '. : ' - .' ' '. .. : : . - ' ' . , , :
. ~ . . . .
1~37%91 associated leads and plugs, not shown. Each monitor 11 also includes an analyzer module 18 in which the electronic signals from the sensor probes 17 are converted to a linear output, am-plified to the necessary output voltage and displayed on indica-ting meters 19. The monitor 11 also includes a telemetry module 21 connected to the central receiving station or control center, not shown. The utilities include electric and telephone services and the necessary pumps and piping. The central station re-ceives data from each monitoring station at periodic intervals in accordance with a predetermined program.
The foregoing components are conventional and from no part of the present invention.
In accordance with my invention I provide each monitor 11 with a fourth module constituting an ultrasonic generator 22 connected by cables 25 to transducers 23 associated with each of the funnels 14 in the flow chamber module 12~ This module in-cludes timing apparatus for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic generator 22. The generator may comprise any well known type, for example, Model U28, EIL Ultrasonic Electrode Cleaner manufactured by Cambridge Instrument Company, Inc., and the transducer funnels 14, 23 may comprise either the flow type or dip types, examples of which are Models EIL No. 47 2843 300 and EIL No. 47 2843 400, respectively, both also manufactured by Cambridge Instrument Company, Inc. of Great Britain.
Desirably, the ultrasonic generator 22 should have the camability of operating a multiple number of transducers 23 se-quentially with a power output of approximately 100 watts and a ph/~) 1037Z~l frequcncy output of approximately ~0.0 kilohertz. The timing apparatus, not shown, associated with the generator 22 includes two timers, the first, for sequentially applying a manually pre-set interval of ultrasonic power to each transducer 23 for the total cleaning cycle of the multiple sensing probes and the se-cond, for starting and stopping the cleaning cycle and energizing :
and de-energizing an associate relay, not shown, which functions to transmit a signal to the central receiving station, indicat-ing that the ultrasonic cleaning is in process. This signal is employed in the data acquisition apparatus to notify the cen-tral station that the data being transmitted by the monitor 11 to the receiving station during the ultrasonic cleaning interval is unreliable and should be rejected by the data processing equipment.
The delivery of water to the flow chamber 12 from a stream, waterway or plant effluent being monitored is effected by any suitable pump means, if the required pressure is not avail-able. The pump may be of the displacement or submer.sible type, or both, if the conditions require. For illustrative purposes .
the drawing shows a submersible pump 24 connected in ser.es with a secondary or booster pump 26, the latter being connected to the inlet of a centrifuge 27 of any suitable type for example, a Hydro-Clone* separator, Model No. V50, manufactured by Vulcan Laboratories, Inc. of Pontiac, Michigan or a Bauer Centri-Clea-ner* Liquid Cyclone, manufactured by the Bauer Brothers of Springfield, Ohio.
*Trade Mark ph/
`~
1037~91 In the centrifuge 27 the solids and particulate mat-ter accumulate in a bottom reservoir for easy separation and disposal and the clean liquid discharged from the centrifuge is conducted by conduit 28 to the transducer funnels 14,23 in the flow chamber 12. The liquid in each funnel 14 completely surrounds a probe 17 associated therewith. The centrifuge 27 operates continuously to remove particulate matter from the water so that all of the water coming in contact with the sen-sing probes 17 and the surfaces of the funnels is free of such matter. This not only reduces the likelihood of erosion of the sensing probes 17 but also reduces clogging and stagnation of flow in the funnels 14 and results in a very marked reduction in overall build-up of any objectionable materials on the sen-sing probes 17 and on the surfaces of the funnels 14. Thus, whatever build-up may occur is more effectively removed by the ultrasonic energy to which the probes 17 and funnel surfaces are subjected during the cleaning cycles. It will be under-stood that a modified form of apparatus may comprise a plura-lity of sensing probes associated with a single transducer fun-nel of sufficient size to encompass the plurality of probes.In such case the probes would be cleaned simultaneously and not sequentially.
The cleaning intervals in which the sensing probes 17 are subjected to ultrasonic energy may be varied depending upon the types and characters of the probes being cleanedO
have found, for example, in most cases, that subjecting an in-dividual probe to ultrasonic energy for an interval of 5-1 ph/ ~
. ~ ~ "
` 10~72~1 minutes, in a 2~ hour peri~ is-adequate to cleanse tile probe and the funnel to maintain the same in clean condition for maximum sensitivity and accuracy. The application of ultra-sonic energy for longer intervals would tend to degrade the probe. The timing apparatus in each generator module 22 auto-matically programs the sequential application of ultrasonic energy to the probes 17 in each flow module 12. After the clean-ing intervals, the data transmitted to the central receiving station has sustained accuracy and reliabilty.
The automatic cleaning of the sensing probes 17 with minimum disturbance, in accordance with my invention, very materially reduces the frequency of service required to maintain the probes and funnels at optimum operating conditions. Thus, the intervals between visits by service personnel for manual examination, cleaning and calibration of the probes may be ex-tended to once in every three to four week period, instead of daily visits, as in current practices. Also, the use of prior art devices and procedures for cleansing the probes which included the use of filters, dilution methods, periodic chemical cleaning, jet water spray and mechanical wipes are eliminated through the use of my invention.
It will be understood that apparatus for obtaining a composite sample of water for laboratory analysis or turbidity measurement by a turbidimeter may be installed upstream of the centrifuge 27.
Various changes coming within the spirit of my in-vention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art;
hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.
_ g _ -Ph/J ~
BACKGROUND OI;' THE INVl-~.N'rION
lhe current public interest in pollution control has created the need for surveilance and monitoring of en-vironmental conditions particularly related to plant effluent, waterways, sewers, lakes and rivers. The acquisition of ac-curate and reliable data regarding water quality as affected by industrial wastes, treatment plant effluent, meterological and other factors is necessary for effecting enforcement of standards for pollution control, as well as for analysis and planning.
Automated water quality monitoring systems include monitors at field stations connected by telemetry to a cen-tral control data receiving station and rely on the use of automatic unattended measurement procedures operated on a continuous basis, or intermittently, at a predetermined fre-quency. Sophisticated instrumentation for automatically ana-lyzing physical and chemical parameters, such as pH, conduc-tivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorides and turbidity of plant effluent and waterways have been utilized in the art. It is recognized that instrument reliability is adversely affected by the fouling of the sampling system or malfunc-tion of the analyzer components that are continously exposed to polluted water. Heavy build-up of slime, algae or par-ticulate matter on the sensing probes, which may comprise solid state or liquid membrane electrodes, and on the surface areas confining the water surrounding the probes, with re-sulting stagnation of flow deleteriously affects the --1- ~k -ph/J~
` 1037Z91 sensitivity of the probes resulting in inaccurate measurements or measurement failure.
In order to obtain reliable data it has been found necessary to clean the sensing probes manually at frequent pe-riodic intervals, preferably, at least daily. Monitoring stations which are remotely located at substantial distances from a central receiving station must be visited daily by service personnel to effect manual cleaning of the probes and associated apparatus. This requires extensive travel, as well as a sub-stantial expenditure of labor by the service personnel, andrepresents a significant cost in the maintenance of monitoring stations in the system under consideration. It also has been found that manual removal or displacement of the sensing probes from the monitoring apparatus for manual cleaning disturbs the stability of the calibration resulting in unreliable data.
SUMMARY OF THE IN'ilENTIO~
The present invention relates to a method utilizing ultrasonic energy in combination with centrifuge means for automatically cleaning the sensing probes and associated ap-paratus of water quality monitoring apparatus so as to maintainthe same in clean condition for maximum sensitivity and relia-bility, in order to obtain accurate data for effective enforce-ment of environmental pollution control standards.
The use of ultrasonic electrode cleaning apparatus is known. Typical of such apparatus is the EIL Ultrasonic Electrode Cleaner, Model U 28, manufactured by Cambridge Instru-ment Co., Inc. of Great Britain.
ph/Jo ' . , ` iO37Z91 The use of centrifuge apparatus for removing settleable solids or particulate matter from liquids is known. Typical of such apparatus is the Bauer Centri-Cleaner* Liquld Cyclone No.
600-3 manufactured by Bauer Brothers Co., of Springfield, Ohio.
Another is the Vulcan Hydro-Clone V 20*, manufactured by Vulcan Laboratories, Inc. of Pontiac, Michigan.
Insofar as is known to me ultrasonic energy and centri-fuge action have never been used, in combination, for cleaning the sensing probes and associated apparatus of water quality monitoring systems. I have found that the use of a centrifuge for removing particulate matter or settleable solids, such as sand, grit, stones etc., from the effluent or water to be tested, before it contacts the sensing probes, reduces the likelihood ~
injury to the sensing probes and also results in a very marked re-duction in over-all build-up of objectionable materials on the surfaces of the probes and associated apparatus, so that sub-sequent cleaning of the probes and associated apparatus by ultrasonic energy is highly efficient.
The removal of particulate matter or settleable solids from the water before the water contacts the sensing probes is highly desirable in all monitoring situations involving the use of sensing probes, and particularly, in situations involving the`
use of glass electrodes of pH measurements and liquid membrane electrodes for measuring dissolved oxygen. Particulate matter has abrasive characteristics and would tend to erode the elec-trodes. In the case of liquid membrane electrodes, the use of very thin Teflon* membranes is desirable for obtaining maximum , * Trade Mark ph/~o ,,. . : - . . ~ , : -sensitivity to dissolved oxygen changes. Such membranes are fragile and would be subject to excessive degradation if re-quired to withstand the quality of ultrasonic energy necessary by itself for cleaning the probes of normal build-up of algae, slime etc., and also settleablematerial incorporated in the build-up. Obviously, in such cases thicker and less sensitive membranes would need to be used to withstand the rigors of such ultrasonic energy for long periods. By reason of the use of a centrifuge, the settleable material is removed before it has an opportunity to contact the membranes and, as a result, the sensing probes require shorter intervals of th~ applicatlon of ultrasonic energy to effect cleansing of the probes. This allows the use of thinner membranes with greater sensitivity of measurement. In a series of comparative tests conducted over a period of several months it was found with the uti-lization of conventional cleaning practices, with resultant clogging in the sensing zones, that the deviation of measure-ments from the true value ranged from 1 to 2 parts per million.
With the use of my invention the deviation was reduced to 0.22 parts per million, a figure which is within the tolerance of 0.25 parts per million established for an accurate system. In the case of stagnant flow, without cleaning, the deviation could be as high as l0 parts per million.
Broadly stated, my invention is defined a~ a mathod for cleaning a sensing probe in a liquid quality monitoring system which comprises the steps of: continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing nh/~
. ~ .
' ~L037~91 the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
moving a portion of the liquid from the vessel into a recep-tacle having an associated ultrasonic transducer, the receptacle surrounding the probe; and applying ultrasonic energy to the re-ceptacle to substantially remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The drawing is the schematic representation of a spe-cific embodiment of my invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing, there is diagrammatically shown a field station 10 which includes functional components such as an automatic monitor 11 and utilities, all conventional and well known in the art.
Each monitor 11 comprises a flow chamber module 12 which includes an influent pipe 13, a plurality of stainless steel sen-sor cones or funnels 14, preferably six in number, an overflow drain 16 and individual sensor probes 17 inserted in respective funnels 14 and having _ 5 _ ph/~) ' '' ' ':. ' ~ '' " ~ '. '. : ' - .' ' '. .. : : . - ' ' . , , :
. ~ . . . .
1~37%91 associated leads and plugs, not shown. Each monitor 11 also includes an analyzer module 18 in which the electronic signals from the sensor probes 17 are converted to a linear output, am-plified to the necessary output voltage and displayed on indica-ting meters 19. The monitor 11 also includes a telemetry module 21 connected to the central receiving station or control center, not shown. The utilities include electric and telephone services and the necessary pumps and piping. The central station re-ceives data from each monitoring station at periodic intervals in accordance with a predetermined program.
The foregoing components are conventional and from no part of the present invention.
In accordance with my invention I provide each monitor 11 with a fourth module constituting an ultrasonic generator 22 connected by cables 25 to transducers 23 associated with each of the funnels 14 in the flow chamber module 12~ This module in-cludes timing apparatus for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic generator 22. The generator may comprise any well known type, for example, Model U28, EIL Ultrasonic Electrode Cleaner manufactured by Cambridge Instrument Company, Inc., and the transducer funnels 14, 23 may comprise either the flow type or dip types, examples of which are Models EIL No. 47 2843 300 and EIL No. 47 2843 400, respectively, both also manufactured by Cambridge Instrument Company, Inc. of Great Britain.
Desirably, the ultrasonic generator 22 should have the camability of operating a multiple number of transducers 23 se-quentially with a power output of approximately 100 watts and a ph/~) 1037Z~l frequcncy output of approximately ~0.0 kilohertz. The timing apparatus, not shown, associated with the generator 22 includes two timers, the first, for sequentially applying a manually pre-set interval of ultrasonic power to each transducer 23 for the total cleaning cycle of the multiple sensing probes and the se-cond, for starting and stopping the cleaning cycle and energizing :
and de-energizing an associate relay, not shown, which functions to transmit a signal to the central receiving station, indicat-ing that the ultrasonic cleaning is in process. This signal is employed in the data acquisition apparatus to notify the cen-tral station that the data being transmitted by the monitor 11 to the receiving station during the ultrasonic cleaning interval is unreliable and should be rejected by the data processing equipment.
The delivery of water to the flow chamber 12 from a stream, waterway or plant effluent being monitored is effected by any suitable pump means, if the required pressure is not avail-able. The pump may be of the displacement or submer.sible type, or both, if the conditions require. For illustrative purposes .
the drawing shows a submersible pump 24 connected in ser.es with a secondary or booster pump 26, the latter being connected to the inlet of a centrifuge 27 of any suitable type for example, a Hydro-Clone* separator, Model No. V50, manufactured by Vulcan Laboratories, Inc. of Pontiac, Michigan or a Bauer Centri-Clea-ner* Liquid Cyclone, manufactured by the Bauer Brothers of Springfield, Ohio.
*Trade Mark ph/
`~
1037~91 In the centrifuge 27 the solids and particulate mat-ter accumulate in a bottom reservoir for easy separation and disposal and the clean liquid discharged from the centrifuge is conducted by conduit 28 to the transducer funnels 14,23 in the flow chamber 12. The liquid in each funnel 14 completely surrounds a probe 17 associated therewith. The centrifuge 27 operates continuously to remove particulate matter from the water so that all of the water coming in contact with the sen-sing probes 17 and the surfaces of the funnels is free of such matter. This not only reduces the likelihood of erosion of the sensing probes 17 but also reduces clogging and stagnation of flow in the funnels 14 and results in a very marked reduction in overall build-up of any objectionable materials on the sen-sing probes 17 and on the surfaces of the funnels 14. Thus, whatever build-up may occur is more effectively removed by the ultrasonic energy to which the probes 17 and funnel surfaces are subjected during the cleaning cycles. It will be under-stood that a modified form of apparatus may comprise a plura-lity of sensing probes associated with a single transducer fun-nel of sufficient size to encompass the plurality of probes.In such case the probes would be cleaned simultaneously and not sequentially.
The cleaning intervals in which the sensing probes 17 are subjected to ultrasonic energy may be varied depending upon the types and characters of the probes being cleanedO
have found, for example, in most cases, that subjecting an in-dividual probe to ultrasonic energy for an interval of 5-1 ph/ ~
. ~ ~ "
` 10~72~1 minutes, in a 2~ hour peri~ is-adequate to cleanse tile probe and the funnel to maintain the same in clean condition for maximum sensitivity and accuracy. The application of ultra-sonic energy for longer intervals would tend to degrade the probe. The timing apparatus in each generator module 22 auto-matically programs the sequential application of ultrasonic energy to the probes 17 in each flow module 12. After the clean-ing intervals, the data transmitted to the central receiving station has sustained accuracy and reliabilty.
The automatic cleaning of the sensing probes 17 with minimum disturbance, in accordance with my invention, very materially reduces the frequency of service required to maintain the probes and funnels at optimum operating conditions. Thus, the intervals between visits by service personnel for manual examination, cleaning and calibration of the probes may be ex-tended to once in every three to four week period, instead of daily visits, as in current practices. Also, the use of prior art devices and procedures for cleansing the probes which included the use of filters, dilution methods, periodic chemical cleaning, jet water spray and mechanical wipes are eliminated through the use of my invention.
It will be understood that apparatus for obtaining a composite sample of water for laboratory analysis or turbidity measurement by a turbidimeter may be installed upstream of the centrifuge 27.
Various changes coming within the spirit of my in-vention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art;
hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.
_ g _ -Ph/J ~
Claims (5)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for cleaning a sensing probe in a liquid quality monitoring system which comprises the steps of:
(a) continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
(b) moving a portion of said liquid from said vessel into a receptacle having an associated ultrasonic transducer, said receptacle surrounding said probe; and (e) applying ultrasonic energy to said receptacle to substantially remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of said probe and said receptacle.
(a) continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
(b) moving a portion of said liquid from said vessel into a receptacle having an associated ultrasonic transducer, said receptacle surrounding said probe; and (e) applying ultrasonic energy to said receptacle to substantially remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of said probe and said receptacle.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the ultra-sonic energy has a power of substantially 100 watts and a frequency of substantially 80.0 kilohertz.
3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the ultra-sonic energy is periodically applied to the liquid so as to permit operation of the probe during the periods between such applications of ultrasonic energy for data acquisition.
4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the ultra-sonic energy is applied for an interval of 5-10 minutes.
5. A method for cleaning a plurality of sensing probes in a liquid quality monitoring system which comprises the steps of:
(a) continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
(b) moving a portion of said stream of liquid into a plurality of receptacles, each associated with an ultrasonic transducer, each of said receptacles surrounding a respective probe, and (c) sequentially applying a preset interval of ultra-sonic energy to each of said receptacles to substantially remove desposits of foreign matter from the surfaces of said probes and receptacles and to permit operation of the probes for data acquisition during periods between successive applications of such ultrasonic energy.
(a) continuously removing particulate matter from a sample stream of liquid containing the same by centrifugation in a closed vessel under pressure;
(b) moving a portion of said stream of liquid into a plurality of receptacles, each associated with an ultrasonic transducer, each of said receptacles surrounding a respective probe, and (c) sequentially applying a preset interval of ultra-sonic energy to each of said receptacles to substantially remove desposits of foreign matter from the surfaces of said probes and receptacles and to permit operation of the probes for data acquisition during periods between successive applications of such ultrasonic energy.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US47935174A | 1974-06-14 | 1974-06-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1037291A true CA1037291A (en) | 1978-08-29 |
Family
ID=23903647
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA228,986A Expired CA1037291A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1975-06-10 | Automatic cleaning of sensing probes |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5133689A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1037291A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1491068A (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU662647B2 (en) * | 1992-08-13 | 1995-09-07 | Lawrence Alexander Campbell | Electrochemical membrane sensor |
| GB2269674B (en) * | 1992-08-13 | 1995-10-11 | Lawrence Alexander Campbell | Electrochemical membrane sensor |
| EP0989404B1 (en) * | 1998-09-23 | 2008-06-25 | WTW Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstätten GmbH & Co. KG | Analyser for water and waste water |
| CN107328904A (en) * | 2017-07-23 | 2017-11-07 | 安徽亿纵电子科技有限公司 | A kind of oxygen content of water test system |
| CN107449708B (en) * | 2017-07-26 | 2019-09-10 | 太原理工大学 | A method of it simulating polymorphic combination coalmass crevasse and barriering effect is moved to water transport |
| CN107655957B (en) * | 2017-09-20 | 2019-07-05 | 中冶华天南京工程技术有限公司 | A kind of device applied to villages and small towns river heavy metal pollution on-line monitoring |
| CN111060655A (en) * | 2019-12-28 | 2020-04-24 | 安徽正熹标王新能源有限公司 | Battery is electrolyte selective examination device for production line |
| CN113686941A (en) * | 2021-08-10 | 2021-11-23 | 朱浩奇 | Chemical sensor |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3563514A (en) * | 1968-03-11 | 1971-02-16 | Borg Warner | Plasticizer with full diameter rotor |
| JPS547237B2 (en) * | 1972-05-10 | 1979-04-05 |
-
1975
- 1975-06-03 GB GB2397775A patent/GB1491068A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-06-09 JP JP6865275A patent/JPS5133689A/en active Pending
- 1975-06-10 CA CA228,986A patent/CA1037291A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB1491068A (en) | 1977-11-09 |
| JPS5133689A (en) | 1976-03-22 |
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