DE19963799C2 - Disposal and supply station for the automated transfer of liquid laboratory chemicals from large containers to small containers and for the disposal of liquid laboratory residues - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a decanting and transfer station Dosing of liquid laboratory chemicals from large containers in Small containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

The technical background of the present invention is the supply of Chemical laboratories with the required liquid chemicals. Actually Laboratory workstation, d. H. usually the deduction, the chemicals are in the form of Small containers such as plastic bottles are required. For delivery to the laboratory there there are usually two alternatives, namely on the one hand delivery in small containers or delivery in large containers, such as barrels. If the Laboratory chemicals are delivered in small containers, this has the advantage that the chemicals can be used in the laboratory immediately after unpacking, however, the price of chemicals in small containers is usually that Multiple of that in case of delivery in bulk. During delivery in large containers, however, there is the problem in the prior art that the liquid chemicals can be transferred from the large containers to small containers have to. This is usually done by hand, either outdoors or in a walk-in fume cupboard to pollute the surrounding air and the Avoid people with chemical fumes if possible. In the event that the liquid Laboratory chemicals are delivered in the form of barrels, the transfer takes place in usually with the help of barrel pumps.  

It is also known to add chemicals to drums by compressed air Drain. To do this, however, special pressure-resistant special drums must be used become.

In any case, the transfer process according to the prior art is an unpleasant, time consuming and by no means harmless affair with an integrated and automated management of media flow in a laboratory stands in the way.

A station for the transfer and dosing of liquid laboratory chemicals after the preamble of claim 1 is described in DE 41 30 665 A1. This previously known device comprises a filling station with a filling space for filling of certain containers of predetermined shape and size with detergents Containing liquids from a storage container, which is also in the interior the filling station is located below the filling room. The transfer is carried out by a Feed pump in a feed line that becomes one above the one to be filled Container arranged filling member extends. At this previously known transfer station are several safety precautions to avoid improper Filling process provided, taking into account a plurality of security criteria be such. B. shape and / or size of the container to be filled, its exact Positioning, splash-proof filling, visual observation, e.g. B. by a TV camera, and filling to prevent foam formation. In this known Transfer station, the transfer line extends between a single removal station to a single tap.

DE 91 12 312 U1 describes a dispensing device for liquids, in particular for Mineral oil products, described, wherein several storage containers are provided, the are connected by lines to a common tap. It is a matter of an automatic dispenser with control buttons on which the desired liquid is dosed is weighed what is acknowledged by the issuing of a receipt.

DE 195 40 884 A1 describes a system with a gas bubble sensor for measuring the Volume of liquids flowing through, depending on the deviation of the recorded gas content from a permissible value of Volume flow of the liquid is influenced in the sense that it increases Gas content is reduced at least until the gas content of the liquid permissible value reached. Conversely, if the gas content is below the permissible  Value of the volume flow are increased until the gas portion of the liquid accepted value.

DE 691 27 368 T2 describes a device for controlling the air flow through a Suction hood described with various means of determining Functional criteria and for the execution of control processes if a Flow signal exceeds a predetermined minimum flow rate signal value or to provide a predetermined minimum flow rate.

Based on the prior art mentioned, it is the task of the present Invention, a station for the transfer of liquid laboratory chemicals provide a largely automated filling of laboratory chemicals that delivered in large containers such as drums, in small containers enable.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims are on advantageous further developments of the station directed.

According to the present invention is a station for decanting and Dosing of liquid laboratory chemicals from large containers to small containers intended. The station has at least one removal station for removing liquid laboratory chemicals from a large container, such as a barrel, on. There is also a pump and a dispensing station for metering Filling of the large container using the pump and the removal station withdrawn liquid laboratory chemical in small containers. It is programmable Control for automated control and monitoring of the transfer and Dosing process by appropriate control of the pump and the dispensing station intended.

The station has a fume cupboard with an integrated volume flow controller on. The trigger device can either be an upward or downward deduction be down

The volume flow controller is opened by the control during a filling process controlled a higher volume flow compared to the volume flow, which is activated during the time in which no filling process is carried out.

There is one gas bubble sensor per sampling station for the detection of gas bubbles in one Extraction line between the large container and the pump. Furthermore, a circulation to the return line is provided to in front of actual transfer process to circulate the corresponding liquid laboratory chemical to detect gas bubbles.

The controller can only release the refilling process when the gas bubble sensor indicates that there are no more gas bubbles in the sampling line.

The programmable controller can, for example, the filling quantity (claim 2) and / or chemical to be filled, d. H. in the case of multiple tapping stations, pumps and  Tap stations, select one of the tapping stations (claim 3). Manual work in the course of decanting is therefore no longer necessary largely.

In particular, a can be used as the input device for the programmable controller Touch screen may be provided. The only interface for the user is therefore the Touch screen and the tap / s. Manual work is largely for the user decreased.

A schematic flow diagram of the decanting station can be shown on the touch screen current status displays. The user is therefore always on the current status (fill levels, pressures, etc.) of the decanting station.

The control can circulate the respective one before each filling process Laboratory chemical using the sampling line, the pump and the circulation line To run.  

The controller can be used to issue a chip card reader Access authorization. The granting of an access authorization by means of a chip card reader also enables billing with responsible cost center.

In terms of integrated management of media supply for laboratories, the Station also a disposal station for disposing of liquid laboratory waste Have small containers in a large container. The large container can be, for example KTC (cubic transport container) with a capacity of 1000 liters his. The decanting station thus becomes the central interface for the entrance and exit of chemicals in laboratories.

The disposal station can be designed for disposal using the gas pendulum process be to the pollution of the location of the transfer station with chemical vapors to keep as low as possible.

The disposal station can be a hand suction lance for suctioning liquids from small containers. This means that residual liquids from bottles or the like can be disposed of in a large container.

The following are other advantages and features of the present Invention based on the detailed description of an embodiment and the accompanying figures of the drawings can be seen in more detail.

FIG. 1 shows different views of mechanical components of a filling station according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow diagram showing a supply station of the transfer station;

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram showing a disposal station of the transfer station according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the automated control system with its inputs and outputs according to the present invention,

Fig. 5 shows the main menu of a display on a touch screen as an input device of a programmable controller,

Fig. 6 shows another view of the display on a touch screen,

Fig. 7 shows the submenu "barrel change" of the main menu of Fig. 5 and

Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram of an automated tapping operation.

With reference to FIG. 1, the mechanical components of the decanting cabin (decanting station) 1 according to the invention will now be shown first. The housing of the decanting cabin 1 is made of stainless steel. The rectangular housing is provided with a baffle and is intended to accommodate a work table (not shown in FIG. 1) and to accommodate several dosing stations.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the decanting station 1 has a walk-in trigger 2 with an exhaust duct 3 and an integrated volume flow controller 51 with a function display according to DIN 12924 T1. Alternatively, the setting work table can have a vacuumed, removable and rollable stainless steel tub.

In addition to work lights 4, the decanting station 1 also has a pump chamber 55 for receiving several pumps 7 and a media station 53 for the electrical and pneumatic supply to the decanting station 1 , which opens to the front through a door 54 . A leak sensor 5 is provided in the pump chamber 55 . The housing of the decanting station 1 stands on articulated feet 6 , which are adjustable in terms of level compensation. The media station 53 serves to accommodate the control, the pneumatics and the power electronics, which will be explained in detail later.

In Fig. 1, the stainless steel setting table is not shown, which consists of a square frame and is provided with lockable rollers. There is a removable stainless steel tub on the table. As an alternative to the walk-in fume cupboard according to FIG. 1, the trough can be connected to an exhaust air system so that pollutants are sucked off downwards. In any case, an extract air volume flow controller with function monitoring (function display) according to DIN 12924 T1 is provided in the fume cupboard. Will be explained in more detail later, is a programmable controller in the filling station 1, that is provided in the media station 53 which controls the flow rate regulator 51 during a tapping operation at 100% power and at low time on a suction for the cabin of 20%. In the event that sufficient suction cannot take place, which is detected by an exhaust air quantity sensor ( 57 in FIG. 4) in the extraction device, a termination of a refilling process that is currently taking place is automatically triggered as a safety measure. An overflow or spillage of a chemical can also be detected by a moisture sensor ( 59 in FIG. 4) in the bottom trough of the decanting station 1 , which likewise leads to the immediate termination of decanting processes that are currently taking place.

A concentration sensor ( 58 in FIG. 4) can be provided in the extraction device, which monitors the concentration of chemicals in the extracted air. In the event that a concentration limit is exceeded, a filling process that is currently in progress is automatically terminated by stopping the corresponding pump. Thus, for example, an overflow of the chemical to be filled in a small container can be quickly detected and further damage can be prevented. After the concentration has dropped below the limit, the transfer and operation of the pump can be released again.

The flow diagram of the supply station in the decanting station 1 is now explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The aim of this supply station is to automatically fill liquid laboratory chemicals from large containers such as the barrel 47 shown into small containers 25 in doses. A suction tube 48 with a fill level sensor 12 is inserted into the barrel 47 on a removal head 49 . Furthermore, a gas line 10 opens into the removal head 49 and is led to the fume cupboard 2 through a gas vent 26 . The suction pipe 48 is connected with self-closing couplings to a removal line 52 which is connected on the input side to a compressed air pump 7 '. On the output side, the compressed air pump 7 'is connected to a dispensing station, which is generally designated by 50 , by means of a manual shut-off valve 23 and a pneumatic valve 24 . The pump 7 'is controlled by a programmable controller 28 , which also controls an electrovalve 29 , which in turn commands the pneumatic control for the pneumatic valve 24 . In the compressed air supply to the pump 7 'there is a pressure indicator 30 and an electrovalve 32 which can be opened by a manual commissioning switch 27 . A pressure indicator 31 is also provided in the compressed air (pneumatic) supply for the pneumatic valve 24 .

A plurality of dosing stations 50 , one for each chemical, can be provided to enable simultaneous tapping of several different chemicals. As shown, the metering stations on the removal side have a removal station with a drum removal head 49 with adjustable suction tube 48 , a fill level measurement 12 , a circulation line, which will be explained later and not shown in the figure, and a diaphragm compressed air pump 7 '. Automated metering can take place by means of a quantity counter on the pump 7 '. The chemical removal head 49 is provided with self-closing couplings 56 as shown.

On the filling side, the metering station 50 is provided with a self-ventilating 3/2 pneumatic valve 24 , a membrane shut-off valve and height-adjustable dispensing points. Furthermore, what is not shown in FIG. 2, a container sensor can be provided which indicates the presence of a small container at the dispensing station 50 of the programmable controller 28 .

Fig. 3 shows a waste disposal station which may be incorporated also in the transfer station. 1 The disposal station is intended to dispose of liquid laboratory chemical residues from small containers in a large container, such as a KTC (cubic transport container) 8 . The suction from the small containers takes place by means of a compressed air pump 7 . If the small container to be disposed of is designed for this purpose, a gas line can be connected to the small container for gas exchange by means of a self-closing coupling 16 for gas exchange in order to exchange liquid. Accordingly, in this case the medium hose of the small container is connected to the self-closing coupling 14 for the medium to be disposed of. The chemical to be disposed of is then introduced into the large container 8 via the media line in the head 9 by means of the pump 7 . The gas line 10 is also passed through the head again and ends in the upper region of the large container 8 . Furthermore, a closure sensor 13 is provided, which indicates whether the head 9 is properly resting on the large container 8 and closes it gas-tight.

In the pneumatic supply of the pump 7 , a pressure display 19 and an electro valve 20 are provided, which can be opened by means of a manual start switch 21 .

A pressure display 18 is also provided in a second pneumatic branch 17 , which is used to flush the station with compressed air.

A manual suction lance 15 can also be attached to the self-closing coupling 14 with a likewise self-closing coupling 22 , with which even very small containers can be emptied.

It should be noted that all hoses of the transfer station are made of PTFE with a stainless steel jacket. All electrical components are available in Ex zone 1 versions.

Fig. 4 shows the central position of the programmable controller 28. The programmable controller 28 is supplied with the following information on the input side:

• The signal from a container sensor 38 , which indicates the presence of a small container 25 at a dispensing station 50 ,
• the quantity detection for the automatic dosing from the compressed air pump 7 ',
• an activation signal from a pressure switch 37 , and
• a signal from a gas bubble sensor 33 in the extraction line 52 between the suction pipe 48 in the large container 47 and the pump 7 ',
• a signal from a touch screen 39 as an input device,
• A signal from a keyboard with an infrared interface (not shown),
• - A signal from a (not shown) scanner device, for example Reading barcodes on labels,
• a signal from the level sensors 12
• a signal from a chip card reader 45 ,
• a signal from the exhaust air quantity sensor 57 ,
• a signal from the concentration sensor 58 ,
• a signal from the moisture sensor 59 in the floor pan, and
• a signal from the scale 60 , if present.

The programmable controller has the following outputs:

• - The electrical control signal for a return valve 35 ,
• a control signal for the pneumatic supply to the pump 7 ',
• the control signal for a pneumatic valve 24 ,
• the control signal to control the volume flow controller 51 in the extraction device 2 to full power (100%) during the decanting process,
• - Outputs for a database interface 46 and a label printer 44 . The database interface 46 can be connected to a database and / or a storage program in the sense of an integrated media management, so that chemicals can be reordered automatically if it is detected that the level of the chemical in question has fallen below a certain value. The printed labels could have a barcode, a short description of the filled chemical and a security label. By reading the barcode with a scanner device, automatic billing at the responsible cost center and information transfer to the database and / or the storage program can be connected.

With reference to FIG. 4 and the flow diagram of FIG. 8, an automated refilling and dosing process according to the present invention will now be explained.

In a first step S1, a chip card must be inserted into the chip card reader 45 so that the programmable controller 28 recognizes whether authorization is present and, if so, which cost center has to bear the costs for the chemical to be filled.

In total, three different authorization levels can be provided, namely User (only transfer authorization), administrator (additional barrel change and Manual operation) and service (additional access to the program of the control itself).

In the event that one of the above authorization levels is present, the user can select a barrel and thus one of several available chemicals on the touch screen 39 in a step S2. If an invalid selection is made, the process is ended in step S3. In a step S4, the programmable controller 28 uses the fill level sensors to check whether there is sufficient fill level in the selected drum. The level sensors can be dispensed with if the remaining quantity is calculated on the basis of the volume of the large container and the volume already filled.

In a step S5, in the event that the fill level is sufficient, a schematic flow diagram as shown in FIG. 6 with current status displays is displayed on the touch screen 39 . At the same time, the control 28 switches on the pump 7 ′, closes the metering valve 24 and opens the return valve 35 . In this state, therefore, liquid circulates from the suction pipe 48 via the extraction line 52 through the gas bubble sensor 33 to the pump 7 'and is returned from there by means of a circulation return line 34 through the open return valve 35 to the drum extraction head 49 .

In a step S6, the user can select the delivery rate and the exit. The refilling process is started in a step S7, a check being carried out in a step S8 to determine whether the container sensor 38 indicates that a small container is actually present at the dispensing station 50 . As long as the gas bubble sensor 33 indicates in a step S9 that gas bubbles are still present in the extraction line 52 , the return valve 35 remains open and the metering valve 24 is closed. Only when the gas bubble sensor 33 indicates in a step S9 that there are no more gas bubbles now does the actual small container filling process begin in a step S10. For this purpose, the controller 28 continues to switch the pump 7 'to its on state, but the return valve 35 is now closed and the metering valve 24 is opened.

During this filling process, the controller 28 continuously monitors whether the desired filling quantity has already been reached by means of the quantity counting device (in Ex version) of the pump 7 '(step S11). As soon as it is detected that the fill level (delivery quantity) selected by the user in step S6 has been reached (step S12), the control switches off the pump, the return valve is closed and the metering valve is also closed. The process then goes back to step S2, where the user can either select a new filling process or can instruct the process to be ended in accordance with step S3.

As an alternative or in addition to the quantity metering device of the pump (piston stroke multiplied by the number of strokes), a scale 60 can be provided on which the small container is placed during the transfer. This scale 60 can detect the presence of a small container and thus replace the container sensor 38 . Since the controller is connected to a database, as will be explained later, the mass of the filled chemical, which is detected via the scale 60 , can be converted into the filled volume by means of the density of the chemical retrieved from the database. Since the scales directly measure the mass of the filled chemical, the gas bubble sensor can be omitted if necessary.

Fig. 5, the display of the main menu displays on the touch screen 39 as it is to the user after the issue of the access authorization in step 1 shown in a step S2. The various chemicals are identified in text fields. For each existing chemical, the fill levels are given in percent or in meters and are also shown graphically. Furthermore, a bar shows the percentage of the desired filling quantity that has already been filled into the small container. From this information, for example, the remaining filling time can be estimated at a glance.

The field "convey" enables the selection of the corresponding chemical, as in the text field is designated in step S2. In addition, radio buttons for the Submenus "barrel change" and "manual mode" are available as active buttons.

When the "Manual operation" submenu is selected, the flow diagram of the decanting station is included the current states and values of the sensors, valves, pumps and the like. displayed. The fields of the named components are activated, for example one Perform a service process or another process that is not fully automated expires. In the course of a service process, all components of the Transfer station operated and checked individually. It should be noted, however, that on Because of the control according to the invention, most of the refilling processes fully automated and controlled via the touch screen alone.

FIG. 6 shows the display on the touch screen 28 as it is shown to the user in step S5. In this case, a start field 40 , a chemical name field 41 , quantity selection keys 42 , a delivery quantity specification and, moreover, a schematic flow diagram 43 with current status displays are provided. In the delivery quantity selection buttons, the delivery quantities to be dosed and filled can be selected in step S6. The current status indicators in the schematic flow diagram 43 show the status of the various input and output signals of the control unit, so that the user is always informed about the current status of the filling before and during the filling process.

Fig. 7 shows the sequence of the "barrel change" submenu. This submenu can be selected by activating the corresponding option field in the main menu according to FIG. 5 if the corresponding authorization level was previously recognized.

First, a chemical can be selected from a database. In the database In addition to the chemical itself, the physical (e.g. density), chemical and safety-relevant characteristics of the chemical in question. On this Contents of the database can a. also used when printing out the labels become.

After the chemical has been selected, the user can select one of several predetermined container sizes (for example 101 , 201 , 601 , 1001 , 2001 ). After the container size has been selected, the "barrel change" submenu is ended and the process returns to the haptic menu according to FIG. 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling station

2

hood

3

culvert

4

lamp

5

leak sensor

6

Hinged

7

pump

8th

KTC (Cubic Transport Container)

9

head

10

gas pipe

11

media line

12

level sensor

13

closure sensor

14

self-locking coupling

15

lance

16

self-locking coupling

17

E-room flushing

18

pressure indicator

19

pressure indicator

20

solenoid valve

21

manual commissioning

22

self-locking coupling

23

Hand-off valve

24

pneumatic valve

25

small container

26

gas vent

27

manual commissioning

28

control

29

solenoid valve

30

pressure indicator

31

pressure indicator

32

solenoid valve

33

Gas bubble sensor

34

circulation line

35

Return valve

36

check valve

37

pressure switch

38

tank sensor

39

Touch Screen

40

start button

41

Chemical choice (barrel selection)

42

Fordermengenwahl

43

Flow diagram with status display

44

label printers

45

Chip card reader

46

Interface database

47

large containers

48

suction tube

49

removal head

50

Zapf station

51

Volume flow controller

52

withdrawal line

53

media station

54

Door of the media station

55

pump room

56

self-closing clutch

57

Air quantity sensor

58

Concentration sensor

59

humidity sensor

60

Libra

Claims (10)

1st station for the transfer and dosing of liquid laboratory chemicals from large containers to small containers, comprising:
at least one removal station ( 48 , 49 , 52 ) for removing a liquid chemical from a large container ( 47 ),
at least one pump ( 7 '),
and a dispensing station ( 50 ) for metered filling of the liquid laboratory chemical removed from the large container ( 47 ) by means of the pump ( 7 ') and the removal station ( 48 , 49 ) into small containers ( 25 ),
characterized by
that a device for entering the desired filling quantity
and a programmable control ( 28 ) for the automated control and monitoring of the decanting and dosing process by appropriate control of the at least one pump ( 7 ') and the dispensing station ( 50 ) are provided,
that a gas bubble sensor ( 33 ) for sampling gas bubbles in a sampling line ( 52 ) between the large container and the pump
and a circulation return line ( 34 ) are provided,
that the control unit ( 28 ) only releases the decanting process when the gas bubble sensor ( 33 ) indicates that no gas bubbles occur in the extraction line ( 52 ),
and that a discharge device ( 2 , 3 ) with an integrated volume flow controller ( 51 ) is provided, which is controlled by the control ( 28 ) during a filling process to a higher volume flow. 2. Station according to claim 1, characterized in that the programmable controller ( 28 ) controls the filling quantity. 3. Station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in each case a plurality of tapping stations, pumps and dispensing stations are provided and one of the tapping stations can be selected by means of the programmable controller ( 28 ). 4. Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a touch screen ( 39 ) is provided as an input device for the programmable controller ( 28 ). 5. Station according to claim 4, characterized in that a schematic flow diagram ( 43 ) of the decanting station ( 1 ) is shown on the touch screen ( 39 ). 6. Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller ( 28 ) performs a circulation of the respective laboratory chemical by means of the removal line ( 52 ), the pump ( 7 ') and the circulation return line ( 34 ) before each filling operation. 7. Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller ( 28 ) is connected to a chip card reader ( 45 ) for granting access authorization. 8. Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a disposal station for disposing of liquid laboratory waste from small containers in a large container ( 8 ). 9. station according to claim 8, characterized, that the disposal station is designed for disposal by means of the gas pendulum process is. 10. Station according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the disposal station has a hand suction lance ( 15 ) for suctioning liquids from small containers.