EP3694576A1

EP3694576A1 - Device and method for degassing of dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing installations

Info

Publication number: EP3694576A1
Application number: EP18789036.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick BEßLER; Stefan EBERLEIN; Andreas HEMM
Original assignee: Vivonic GmbH
Current assignee: Vivonic GmbH
Priority date: 2017-10-12
Filing date: 2018-10-12
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Also published as: US20200330670A1; KR20200071751A; RU2020115545A; US11813389B2; RU2020115545A3; WO2019073017A1; DE102017218209A1; CN111201050A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing installations, having - a filter element (53) through which dialysis concentrate can flow, - wherein the filter element (53) converts a dialysis concentrate containing gas bubbles at the inlet side to a dialysis concentrate free of gas bubbles at the outlet side. The invention further relates to a mixing installation (M) having a device (10) according to the invention, and to a method for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing installations (M), said method having the following steps: - the dialysis concentrate to be measured and containing gas bubbles is introduced (100) into the filter element (53), - gases are filtered out (200), - the dialysis concentrate free of gas bubbles is conveyed out (300), - the density of the dialysis concentrate free of gas bubbles is measured (400).

Description

Device and method for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic

Density measurement in mixing plants

The invention relates to a device and a method for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants

background

Many areas of medical technology require liquid solutions with a given composition. These liquid solutions are often made on site.

For example, dialysis fluid for dialysis is produced inter alia by the addition of dialysis concentrates to purified water. Frequently, the purified water is purified by membrane filtration in reverse osmosis systems. So purified water is called permeate. In the majority of dialysis treatments, a liquid acid concentrate (A concentrate) and a liquid basic concentrate (B concentrate) are diluted with the permeate, the A concentrate usually consisting of an acidic component, dissolved salts and glucose and the B Concentrate usually consists of dissolved sodium bicarbonate.

In the preparation of dialysis concentrates are used in particular for the A-concentrates method in which larger containers are first dissolved in dry or slurried form with purified water or permeate, so that they then in a dialysis machine together with further permeate and the B-concentrate be prepared for ready-to-use dialysis fluid at the site of patient treatment.

During the preparation of the dialysis concentrates, the dissolution process of the substances to be dissolved is monitored, for which purpose a density measurement is usually carried out. It can Other measurements related to concentration can also be used, eg ion-selective measurements or laboratory analyzes.

However, it has been shown that, particularly in the case of the central production of relatively large amounts of dialysis concentrate-as a result of the process-gas bubbles frequently form or gas bubbles enter the prepared concentrate frequently. This can be caused by solution processes and / or by the mechanical mixing process itself. These gas bubbles lead to a falsification of measurements, so that the actual density of the substance mixture is not measured.

Although it would be possible in principle to rest a prepared dialysis concentrate and to wait for outgassing, but this is due to the necessary time (up to several hours) impractical, since dialysis concentrates are consumed in a rule promptly to planning for a smooth Course of treatments in a dialysis center. In addition, there is no general rule as to when (different) mixtures may be expected to degas (almost) completely.

Also, it would be desirable if not only the mixture of the final product but also the ongoing mixing process e.g. for process control could be monitored so that a measurement error caused by gas bubbles is reduced or avoided.

task

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which allows timely measurement with reduced errors due to gas bubbles.

Brief description of the invention

The object is achieved by a device for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants. The device has an overflowable Filter element, wherein the überströmbare filter element on the input side a gas bubble-containing dialysis concentrate transferred to an output side gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate, ie by means of the overflowable filter element a timely measurement is allowed, which also allows a control during manufacture. Under gas bubble-free any reduction of the gas bubble content is understood, which allows a sufficient reduction of the gas bubble content in the context of the subsequent density measurement. The device for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement can be easily integrated into existing mixing plants.

In one embodiment of the invention, a further filter element for removing impurities is arranged in front of the overflowable filter element. The further filter element can be both part of the device for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing plants as well as part of a mixing plant.

Thus, the filter element can be protected from interfering substances, e.g. unsolved salts, to be protected.

In one embodiment of the invention, gas that is filtered by the overflowable filter element is removable by means of an overflow, i. accumulated gas from the gas bubbles can be easily removed from the filter.

The object is also achieved by a mixing plant, which provides a device according to the invention for the degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing plants, i. By means of the mixing plant with the overflowable filter element a timely measurement is allowed, which also allows a control during manufacture.

In one embodiment of the invention, the gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate is fed to a density meter. In the context of the invention, density measurement is understood as meaning all types of measurement which permit a conclusion as to the composition of the dialysis concentrate as to whether a desired dissolution of the dialysis concentrate Starting substances was achieved. This also includes the measurement of individual components that are representative of the total resolution, because the other components have, for example, a proportional concentration and dissolution rate. Numerous methods of measurement are familiar to the person skilled in the art, for example with the aid of ultrasound, optical or electrical signals.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate after the measurement is made available again to the mixing process, i. the return of the measured dialysis concentrate does not change the total amount of dialysis concentrate produced for the treatment of a human or animal, in particular no dialysis concentrate is discarded.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mixing plant has a mechanical mixing device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the mixing plant and / or the device for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants further comprises valves to regulate the flow through the overflowable filter element, i. through the valves, the inflow and / or outflow can be controlled, so that the filter element is used only when needed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the valves, which regulate the flow through the overflowable filter element, is actuated in a clocked manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the mixing plant further comprises valves to prevent the backflow through the overflowable filter element.

By means of the reflux valves, a certain direction can be predetermined. As a result, for example, a backflow of gas bubbles can be prevented. The apparatus and mixing apparatus according to the invention are also distinguished by the fact that the new components to be added are flushable and thus cleaning, rinsing and disinfection methods can be further easily carried out.

The object is also achieved by a method for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing plants. The method comprises a step of introducing the dialysis concentrate to be measured into the overflowable filter element, a step of filtering out gases, a step of discharging the gas bubble free dialysis concentrate and a step of measuring the density of the gas bubble free dialysis concentrate, i. By means of the method, a timely measurement is allowed, which also allows a control during production or a subsequent dosing of the permeate (solvent) to the necessary amount.

In one embodiment of the invention, the density of a reference liquid is measured before the actual measurement.

Thus, a comparison value is available with which the functionality of the meter can be tested.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the density of a reference liquid is subsequently measured to measure the density of the gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate.

Thus, a comparison value is available after the measurement, with which the functionality of the meter can be tested.

The reference liquid can also be designed as a rinse solution. This cleans the filter as well as the meter.

Further advantageous embodiments are subject of the dependent claims and the detailed description. Brief description of the figures

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. In these shows:

1 is a first schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention,

2 is a second schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention,

3 shows a third schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention,

4 shows a fourth schematic illustration according to embodiments of the invention,

5 shows a fifth schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention,

6 is a sixth schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention, FIG.

7 is a sixth schematic representation according to embodiments of the invention, and

Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart according to embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description

Hereinafter, the invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the figures. It should be noted that various aspects are described, each of which may be used individually or in combination, i. Any aspect may be used with different embodiments of the invention, unless explicitly illustrated as a mere alternative.

Furthermore, in the following, for the sake of simplicity, usually only one entity will be referred to. Unless explicitly stated, however, the invention may also have several of the entities concerned. As such, the use of the words "a,""an" and "an" is to be understood merely as an indication that at least one entity is used in a simple embodiment. In the mixing plant M shown in FIG. 1, permeate is introduced by means of permeate inlet 1 in a mixing vessel 18. The inlet can be controlled for example by means of a valve 2. Furthermore, a concentrate raw material is metered into the mixing container. The concentrate raw material is present, for example, in a dry form or, for example, also with liquid constituents or as a slurry. The undissolved constituents may be present, for example, as powder or granules, with or without a solid crystal structure.

The mixture or preparation of the dialysis concentrate can then be carried out in the mixing container 18 by any mixing method (for example whisk 46).

In the process, an entry of gas bubbles into the dialysis concentrate takes place as a result of the process.

These would distort the density measurement during quality control and therefore the gas bubbles should be removed before the measurement. The purpose of this is the

Inventive device 10.

An apparatus 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants M is shown in FIG. 1 within the dashed boundary. The device 10 has an overflowable filter element 53, wherein the overflowable filter element 53 on the input side (from valve 43) converts a gas bubble-containing dialysis concentrate into a dialysis concentrate free of gas bubbles on the output side (in the direction of valve 42).

The variant of the device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement shown in FIG. 5 is designed so that it only has to be connected to exactly three points in order to be functionally integrated.

With a line, the device is connected to a line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing tank 18 to the line junction, on which lines to the valve 2 on Permeatzulaufseite, the valve 6 on the drain side and the pump 7, which between Permeate inlet and the (optional) further filter element 12 may be arranged to remove impurities lead.

With a further line, the device 10 according to the invention can be connected on the other side of the (optional) further filter element 12 for the removal of contaminants.

With a further line, the device 10 according to the invention can be connected to the line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing / removal valve 24 from above into the mixing container 18. In the vicinity of the points where the three lines of the device can be connected to the mixing plant, in each case a valve 43, 48, 49 can be arranged.

Embodiments which have these three valves are particularly advantageously characterized by a high degree of flexibility. These embodiments of the device 10 according to the invention can be particularly easily separated from a mixing plant or connected to a mixing plant because they have valves in the connection area. In addition, the use of the optional valves 48, 49 disposed in the apparatus 10 of the invention near the connection points near the mixing vessel 18 and between the mixing / extraction valve 24 and the mixing vessel, permits control of the liquid flow in coordination. Thus, particularly advantageously, different flow paths can be used for different operating modes. For example, a venting operation via the valve 49 between the mixing / extraction valve 24 and the mixing vessel 18 and a measuring operation via the valve between the mixing vessel 18 and the pump 7th

It is particularly advantageous in this embodiment that it has great flexibility in terms of connections and operating modes.

Furthermore, maintenance and service are made particularly advantageous in this case because the device 10 according to the invention can be hydraulically separated from the mixing plant. Variants of this embodiment are conceivable in which one of the two valves is omitted, because the line branch, in which they would be arranged, is eliminated.

The variant of the device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants shown in Figure 2 is designed so that it must be connected in the context of a mixing plant shown in Figure 1 at only three points in order to be functionally integrated.

With a line, the device 10 of the invention can be connected to a line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing tank 18 to the line node, on the lines to the valve 2 on Permeatzulaufseite, the valve 6 on the drain side and the pump 7, which between permeate inlet and the (optional ) further filter element 12 is arranged to remove impurities lead. At this line of the device, the density meter 41 is connected.

With a further line, the device 10 according to the invention can be connected to the line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing / removal valve 24 from above into the mixing container 18.

The three above-described lines of the device are connected to the overflowable filter element 53.

A device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement thus has, in a minimal embodiment, only the following elements: the overflowable filter element 53, the density measuring device 41 and three lines. Other embodiments may have further elements starting from this minimal embodiment.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 is preferred because it requires a small number of lines and components. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the degassed by the overflowable filter element liquid is returned after the measurement on the suction side of the pump 7 in the mixing plant. By this arrangement, a pressure difference between the primary side and the secondary side of the overflowable filter element is advantageously achieved and also ensures a flow of the liquid through the density meter 41. It is possible to adapt the device to the mixing plant with a suitable design of line cross sections of the hydraulic lines so that operation with open or closed mixing / extraction valve 24 is possible.

It is particularly advantageous in this embodiment that it has a simple structure and removes unwanted air bubbles very well.

In a further preferred embodiment according to FIG. 3, a device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants is designed in such a way that, in the context of a mixing plant shown in FIG. 1, it must be connected to only exactly two points in order to be functionally integrated ,

With a line, the device 10 according to the invention can be connected to a line of the mixing plant, which on the side facing away from the pump 7 of the (optional) further filter element 12 attaches to the removal of impurities. This line is connected to the overflowable filter element 53, to which attach two further lines. One of these two further line 10 of the invention for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurements is, as I said, the overflowable filter element 53 and can be connected at the other end to the line of the mixing plant, which from the mixing / extraction valve 24 (of above) into the mixing container 18. Optionally, a valve 50 and / or a check valve 51 or a throttle 51 can be switched on in this line. The second further line leads from the overflow ble filter element 53 via the density meter 41 to the first further line, wherein the connection point is selected so that the optionally present elements valve 50 and / or check valve 51 or throttle 51 between the connection point and the overflowable filter element 53 lie. In the second further line of the device 10 according to the invention, a further valve 42 and / or a further check valve 52 or a throttle 52 may be arranged between the density measuring device 41 and the connection point.

In summary, this preferred embodiment according to Figure 3 of the device 10 according to the invention for the degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing systems designed so that it is connected in parallel to the mixing / extraction valve 24. This embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention can advantageously be operated both open and when the mixing / extraction valve 24 is closed. With particular advantage, in the venting of the overflowable filter element 53, the mixing / removal valve 24 can be kept closed. As a result, a particularly high fluid flow through the filter element 53 and the line through valve 50 and check valve 51 or throttle 51 can be conducted in a particularly advantageous manner. Due to the high flow, undesirable gas accumulations, e.g. Air, to be flushed out of these elements.

Particularly advantageously, the liquid flows can be controlled via the primary and secondary side of the filter element 53 by means of the optional valves 42, 50. This controllability is particularly advantageous in the venting of the device for degassing of dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants.

Alternatively, the optional valves 42, 50 are controlled clocked. The optional check valves 51, 52 or throttles 51, 52 can advantageously be spring-loaded and prevent backflow and make it possible to set different liquid pressures on the primary and secondary side of the filter. As a result, the liquid flows can advantageously be controlled continuously. When operating the device 10 according to the invention with a closed mixing / extraction valve 24, the optional check valves 51, 52 or throttles 51, 52 can advantageously be designed as static throttles.

Particularly advantageous, this embodiment allows a forced ventilation of the device. In addition, this embodiment of the inventive apparatus 10 particularly advantageously enables the selective control of liquid flows for different operating modes of the apparatus and / or the mixing plant, such as e.g. Measuring mode, rinsing mode, disinfection mode. It is particularly advantageous in this embodiment that it has a simple structure and removes unwanted air bubbles very well.

In a further preferred embodiment according to FIG. 4, a device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants is designed such that it must be connected in the context of a mixing plant shown in FIG. 1 at only exactly two points in order to be functionally integrated ,

With a line, the device is connected to a line of the mixing plant, which attaches on the side facing away from the pump 7 of the (optional) further filter element 12 for the removal of contaminants. This line is connected to the overflowable filter element 53, to which attach two further lines.

With another line, the device is connected to a line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing tank 18 to the line junction, on the lines to the valve 2 on permeate inlet side, the valve 6 on the drain side and the pump 7, which between permeate inlet and the (optional) further filter element 12 is arranged to remove impurities lead. At this line of the device 10 according to the invention, the density meter 41 is connected. Between this end of the device 10 according to the invention and the filter element 53 and the device 10 according to the invention is characterized by two parallel line branches. In one branch are optionally a valve 50 and / or a check valve 51 or a throttle 51. The other branch leads from the overflow ble filter element 53 via the Density meter 41 an optional further valve 42 and / or an optional further check valve 52 or throttle 52nd

In this embodiment, the output of the device 10 according to the invention can be connected to the suction line of the pump 7 of the mixing plant. As a result, in the connected operation and when the mixing / extraction valve 24 is opened, the device 10 according to the invention can be operated with lower liquid flows than in other embodiments of the inventive device 10 for degassing of dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants. With closed mixing / removal valve 24, the rivers are much higher.

Particularly advantageously, by means of the optional valves 42, 50, the liquid flows can be controlled via the primary and secondary side of the filter element 53 which can be flowed over. This controllability is particularly advantageous in the venting of the inventive device 10 for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing plants.

Alternatively, the optional valves 42, 50 are controlled clocked. The optional check valves 51, 52 or throttles 51, 52 may advantageously be spring-loaded serve in this embodiment, mainly the flow regulation, since even the low pressure on the suction side of the pump 7 prevents backflow.

Particularly advantageously, this embodiment can be operated at low flows when the mixing / extraction valve 24 is open.

Particularly advantageous in this embodiment already prevents the relatively lower pressure on the suction side of the pump 7 prevents backflow of the pumped liquids.

A forced flushing is particularly advantageous with this embodiment possible. In addition, this embodiment of the inventive device particularly advantageously allows the targeted control of liquid flows for different operating modes of the device 10 according to the invention and / or the mixing plant, such as measuring operation, rinsing operation, disinfection operation. It should be considered in this design that gas bubbles, eg air, could be returned to the pump.

In a further preferred embodiment according to FIG. 6, a device according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants is designed such that in the context of a mixing plant shown in FIG. 1 it has to be connected to only exactly three points in order to be functionally integrated.

With a line, the device is connected to a line of the mixing plant, which leads from the mixing vessel 18 to the line node, on which lines to the valve 2 on Permeatzulaufseite, the valve 6 on the drain side and the pump 7, which between permeate inlet and the (optional) further Filter element 12 is arranged to remove impurities lead. In the device according to the invention, this line is connected to the overflowable filter element 53, to which attach two further lines. In this line of the device, the density meter 41 is arranged and it can be arranged between the density meter 41 and the connection point with the mixing system, a valve 42 and / or a check valve 52 or a throttle 52.

Another line of the device 10 according to the invention for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurements starts at the filter element 53 which can be overflowed and can be connected at the other end to the line of the mixing system, which from the mixing / removal valve 24 (from above) into the mixing container 18 leads. In this line, optionally, a further valve 50 and / or a further check valve 51 or a further throttle 51 can be switched on.

With another line, the device 10 according to the invention can be connected to a line of the mixing plant, which on the side facing away from the pump 7 (optional) another filter element 12 attaches to remove contaminants and leads to the mixing / extraction valve 24. In this line of the device can optionally be used 43 another valve.

This particularly advantageous embodiment combines several advantages of various aforementioned particularly advantageous embodiments in itself. Thus, it has, in a particularly advantageous manner, a comparatively simple ensemble of hydraulic flow paths, as is the case with the abovementioned minimal embodiment.

For this purpose, the liquid flows via the primary and secondary side of the filter element 53 can be controlled particularly advantageously by means of the optional valves 42, 50. This controllability allows special advantages in forced ventilation or flushing or disinfection of the lines of the device for degassing of dialysis concentrates for the automatic density measurement in mixing plants. In addition, the use of optional valves 42, 43, 50 in the connection area between the device and the mixing system particularly advantageously facilitates a simplification of maintenance and service because individual flow paths through the device can be hydraulically separated from the mixing system. The optional check valves 51, 52 or throttles 51, 52 can advantageously be spring-loaded and prevent backflow and make it possible to set different liquid pressures on the primary and secondary side of the filter. As a result, the liquid flows are advantageously controlled continuously.

By means of the invention, a timely measurement with reduced errors through gas bubbles can now be made possible. Also, not only the mixture as the final product, but also the mixture in the ongoing mixing process can be monitored without falsification of the measurements by gas bubbles, ie the concentration or density can be measured quickly, thereby improving the quality and safety for patients , The overflowable filter element 53 may in all embodiments - although hereinafter referred to as a filter element - also consist of several parallel and / or serial filter elements. These filter elements may be the same or different.

In one embodiment of the invention, a further filter element 12 is arranged upstream of the overflowable filter element 53 (in the direction of flow) for removing impurities. The further filter element 12 can both be part of the device 10 for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants and also part of a mixing plant M.

Thus, the overflowable filter element 53 can be protected from disturbing substances, such as e.g. Dirt, raw material particles, undissolved salts, etc. are protected. Thus, the functionality of the overflow ble filter element 53 is increased.

According to embodiments of the invention, the gas which is filtered by the overflowable filter element 53 as gas bubbles is removable by means of an overflow towards valve 50, i. the gas bubbles are retained by the filter element 53 on the primary side and washed away with the overflow. A separation of the gas (air bubbles) from the filter element 53 can take place via optional valves 50 and 51. In this case, no Verwurf or no loss of dialysis concentrate occurs because the measured medium and the medium afflicted with gas bubbles can be brought together again after the measurement and fed to the mixing vessel. The gas continues to flow in the direction of mixing container 18 and exits there. Larger gas bubbles escape into the environment, smaller gas bubbles can be torn by the fluid flow into the located at the bottom of the mixing container 18 dialysis concentrate. But this is without damage, since here also in normal mixed operation gas bubbles can be introduced.

For example, the dialysis concentrate may be withdrawn after the valve 24, as indicated by the dashed line and the double arrow. In order to convey the dialysis concentrate or permeate in the line system, a pump 7 or more pumps may be provided. Without further ado, the device 10 can be used as a retrofit element for conventional mixing plants. However, it may be provided that the device 10 is already integrated in a mixing plant M.

The gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate can be passed to a density meter 41, which is part of the device 10 or the mixing plant M. The filtered dialysis concentrate, which is free of gas bubbles on the secondary side of the overflowable filter element 53, can thus be measured without errors.

The gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate can be readily measured in a meter, e.g. the density meter 41, the mixing process are made available again. For this purpose, optional valves 42, 52 may be provided. The optional valves can be actuated in a clocked manner.

In embodiments of the invention, the mixing plant M comprises a mechanical mixing device 46, e.g. a whisk. Wherein, whisker is to be understood generally, and it may e.g. so that a magnetically driven agitator can be understood.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the mixing plant M and / or the device 10 further valves 42,43,48,49.50 to regulate the flow through the filter element 53 überströmbare. Hereby, the device 10 or the mixing plant M can also be separated from the flow, whereby e.g. the maintenance is facilitated, i. the device 10 can be operated parallel to the mixing circuit. Furthermore, flow-reducing elements may be provided so that e.g. the flow through the overflow filter 53 is less than the flow through the mixing / extraction valve 24.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the mixing plant M and / or the device 10 further comprises valves 51, 52 in order to prevent the backflow through the filter element 53 which can be overflowed. Obviously, the valves 52 and 42 as well as 51 and 50 may each be implemented as a single valve. The valves 51, 52 can eg Be check valves. In order to realize suitable flows, the (non-return) valves 51, 52 may be designed with different restoring forces and / or throttles (stenoses) may be used in the measuring circuit. Chokes can also be designed as static chokes.

After the mixture and the transfer of the dialysis concentrate can be rinsed and / or disinfected by the valve circuits 42,43,48,49.50 single, multiple or all flow paths of the mixing plant M or the integrated device 10. Liquids can be discarded via an outlet (valve 6).

FIG. 7 shows by way of example for all variants the use of a device 10 according to the invention for degassing dialysis concentrates in an alternative mixing plant M. Here, the (mixing) container 18 constitutes a swap body which does not need to be rinsed and which can be designed as a disposable container. Often, the disposable container is then also referred to as a raw material container. For the mixture permeate is filled into the container 27 by means of the permeate inlet 1. The feed may e.g. be controlled by a valve 2. In addition, the container 18 is connected to the mixing plant M, so that the terminal 19 is connected to the container 18. By this compound, liquid - e.g. by means of the pump 7 via the valve 17 - introduced from the container 27 into the container 18. Furthermore, container 18 is connected to port 21. Through this connection, the container 18 is flowed through during mixing and the liquid is passed from the container 18 via the valve 26 back into the container 27. Due to this flow through the container 18, the concentrate raw material is dissolved in the container 18. The flow through the container 18 causes a pressure in the container 18, so that it is designed as a pressure vessel.

Via valve 13 (with valve 17 closed), the ready-mixed dialysis concentrate can e.g. Bottled in storage containers, not shown, and from there the dialysis machines are made available.

During mixing (for online control or evaluation of the mixing progress) or after completion of the mixing, the device 10 (which may be introduced into the mixing plant M as a Bypass is integrated) the density of the liquid with the already dissolved concentrate raw material is measured / checked.

The container 18 is decoupled from the mixing plant M after the mixing process, so that the connections 19 and 21 are connected to the connection 20 as indicated in FIG. 2 during the rinsing process. For rinsing the mixing plant M, all flow paths are purged with permeate or, if disinfected, disinfected with disinfectant solution. By controlling the valve 26, either the mixing line (valve 26 open) or the mixing tank (valve 26 closed) can be rinsed flushed. On the flushing line (shown above valve 26) a spray head is mounted in the mixing tank, with which the rinsing liquid or disinfectant solution is distributed to the tank wall. Thus, the container 27 is rinsed or disinfected. The integrated device 10 with all its flow paths can be cleaned by the corresponding valve circuits with. By means of the valve 6, the liquid can be disposed of in the drain after cleaning the mixing plant.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a process for degassing dialysis concentrates for automatic density measurement in mixing plants M according to FIG.

The method starts with the step of introducing 100 of the gas-bubble-containing dialysis concentrate to be measured into the overflowable filter element 53. The overflowable filter 53 filters out gas bubbles in step 200. Subsequently, the gas bubble-free dialysis concentrate is discharged in step 300 and measured in step 400 with a suitable (density) measuring device 41.

In a further embodiment of the method, a reference liquid is initially measured with the measuring device 41 in an optional method section prior to step 100. In this case, for example, the permeate can serve as a reference liquid. Since the permeate has, for example, a certain density (and / or a certain conductivity), the permeate can serve as the reference liquid. In yet another embodiment of the method, the density of a reference liquid in an optional method section is measured with the measuring device 41 even after step 400. In this case, for example, the permeate can serve as a reference liquid. Since the permeate has, for example, a certain density (and / or a certain conductivity), the permeate can serve as the reference liquid.

Without further ado, the overflowable filter element 53 can be designed so that the change of the medium to be measured can be carried out quickly and without residues.

Furthermore, by corresponding positions of the valves 42, 43, 48, 49 and 50 different flows can be realized, so that on the one hand, the device 10 is easy to maintain, but also, for example. easy to clean / disinfect. Also, by means of the valves 42, 43, 48, 49 and 50, not only the direction but also the flow itself can be regulated by primary or secondary circulation of the filter element 53 which can be flowed over.

For example, it may be provided in the case of cleaning / disinfection that the medium flowing through is discharged via drain valve 6. A control of the flushing could be done via the measuring device 41.

With the presented invention, a safe automatic method for timely / simultaneous density determination of the dialysis concentrate with elimination of the validation error is made possible by gas bubbles during an ongoing mixing process. Waiting times, operating errors or inaccuracies are reduced or completely avoided during the procedures.

By the optional method with the verification of the measuring device 41 with a reference liquid before use for a mixing operation, the function of the measuring device can be ensured.

Already during the mixing a process control is possible. As a result, the degree of dissolution of the filled concentrate raw material can be determined. A method for diluting dialysis concentrate to certain target density values is also possible with this method and apparatus.

The mixing device M according to the invention comprises, in one embodiment, a control device 80 which is configured such that the pumps and valves are actuated by connecting lines, not shown, and the signals of the sensor 41 are read in the same manner, so that the method according to the invention is fully or partially automated can.

Claims

speech

Device (10) for E ntgasung of dialysis concentrates fac the automatic density measurement in mixing plants, comprising

i an excitable filter element (53),

i wherein the a> -stressable filter element (53) feeds on the input side a gas-bleach-containing dialysis concentrate into a dialysis concentrate free of gas bubbles on the output side.

Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (53) which can be amplified comprises a plurality of parallel and / or serial identical or different filter elements

Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein G as, which is filtered by the filter element (53) which can be amplified, can be removed by means of an overflow.

Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (10) further comprises valves (42, 43, 48, 49, 50) to regulate flow through the 3-way filter element (53).

Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the valves (42, 43, 48, 49, 50) which regulate the flow through the filter element (53), which can be excited, is actuated in a clocked manner.

Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (10) further comprises valves (51, 52) for preventing the flow of Raack flow through the filter element (3) which can be prevented by 3 +.

Mixing plant (M) comprising a device (10) according to one of the preceding speech.

Mixing plant (M) according to claim 7, wherein the gas-bleach-free dialysis concentrate is gefänänt to a density meter ± t (41).

Mixing plant (M) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the gasbląschenschen dialysis concentrate after measurement the mixing process is again postponed. Mixing plant (M) according to one of the preceding addresses 7 to 98, wherein a further filter element (12) for removing contaminants is arranged in front of the 3 + -stricable filter element (53).

Mixing plant (M) according to one of the preceding speech 7 to 10, wherein the mixing plant has a mechanical or physical mixing device (46).

Mixing plant (M) according to one of the preceding addresses 7 to 1 1, wherein the mixing plant has a Mischbeh ± lter (18) in which the dissolution of the raw material by means of Lasssigkeitszirkulation by the Mischstoffbeh ± lter (18) ausgefaänrt.

Mixing plant (M) according to one of the preceding addresses 7 to 12, wherein the mixing plant further comprises valves (42,43,48,49.50) to regulate the flow through the 3 ±> erstrmmbare filter element (53).

Mixing plant (M) according to any one of the preceding addresses 7 to 13, wherein the mixing plant (M) further comprises valves (51, 52) to prevent the flow of rack flow through the 3 -> Erstr0mbare filter element (53).

Process for the degassing of dialysis concentrates fac The automatic density measurement in mixing plants (M) comprising the steps:

Introduce (100) the gas-bubble-containing dialysis concentrate to be measured into the 3 ± -stressable filter element (53),

i filtering (200) of gases,

i discharging (300) the gas-bladder-free dialysis concentrate,

i Measuring (400) the density of the gas-bleach-free dialysis concentrate.

A method according to claim 1 5, wherein the following method steps are carried out:

i Measuring the density of a reference liquid.

The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein subsequent to the step of measuring the density of the gas bubble free dialysis concentrate, the density of a reference liquid is measured.