U.S. patent application number 10/492810 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for device method and computer programme product for carrying out a process for the filtration of fluids.
Invention is credited to Jornitz, Maik, Oldendorf, Christian, Reif, Oscar-Werner.
Application Number | 20040238420 10/492810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7706924 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040238420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oldendorf, Christian ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
Device method and computer programme product for carrying out a
process for the filtration of fluids
Abstract
The invention relates to a filtration system and method for
carrying out a process for the filtration of fluids, comprising at
least one filtration device with at least one filtration element
comprising readable data and a check and/or test apparatus to which
the filtration device may be connected, by means of data and
testing means lines. The check and/or testing device is connected
to a process controller, by data exchange means, for regulation and
control of the filtration process and the process controller is
connected to a filtration databank, by means of data exchange
means, which comprises data sets for at least one filter element
and/or for each filtration device and/or for the filtration
process. The invention further relates to a computer programme
product for carrying out a filtration process on fluids whereby
programme components may be called up from a programme memory which
support the carrying out of the filtration process.
Inventors: |
Oldendorf, Christian;
(Gottingen, DE) ; Reif, Oscar-Werner; (Hannover,
DE) ; Jornitz, Maik; (Bellport, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CASELLA & HESPOS
274 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
|
Family ID: |
7706924 |
Appl. No.: |
10/492810 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 22, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP02/13118 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/91 ; 210/143;
210/94; 210/96.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2201/54 20130101;
B01D 35/143 20130101; G06Q 10/20 20130101; B01D 2201/4046 20130101;
B01D 2201/52 20130101; B01D 2201/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/091 ;
210/094; 210/143; 210/096.1 |
International
Class: |
B01D 035/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 22, 2001 |
DE |
101 57 798.2 |
Claims
1. (canceled).
2. (canceled).
3. (canceled).
4. (canceled).
5. (canceled).
6. (canceled).
7. (canceled).
8. (canceled).
9. (canceled).
10. (canceled).
11. (canceled).
12. (canceled).
13. (canceled).
14. (canceled).
15. (canceled).
16. (canceled).
17. (canceled).
18. (canceled).
19. (canceled).
20. (canceled).
21. (canceled).
22. (canceled).
23. (canceled).
24. (canceled).
25. (canceled).
26. (canceled).
27. (canceled).
28. (canceled).
29. (canceled).
30. (canceled).
31. A filtration system for carrying out a filtration process for
fluids, comprising at least one filtration apparatus having at
least one filter element that has legible data, a monitoring and/or
test set to which the filtration apparatuses can be connected via
data and test equipment lines, wherein the improvement is that the
monitoring and/or test set (4) can be connected via data
interchange means (11) to a process control device (5) for
closed-loop and open-loop control of the filtration process, and in
that the process control device (5) can be connected via data
interchange means to a filter element database (6), which has data
records for at least each filter element (8) and/or each filtration
apparatus (2, 3) and/or for the filtration process.
32. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the
process control device (5, 5') has an electronic memory element
(15) which can be associated with each filtration apparatus (2, 3)
and in which data can be stored for each of the filter elements (8)
of the filtration apparatuses (2, 3) and/or the filtration process
to be carried out.
33. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the
legible data (9) for the filter elements (8) represents at least
individualizing identification data for the filter element (8).
34. The filtration system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the
identification data is machine-legible and/or can be read
visually.
35. The filtration system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the
identification data comprises numbers or letters or alphanumeric
characters and/or bar codes and/or data matrices and/or electronic
elements.
36. The filtration system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the
electronic elements are in the form of transponders.
37. The filtration system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the
filter element database (6) is arranged externally.
38. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the
filter element database (6') is integrated in the monitoring and/or
test set (4) or in the process control device (5').
39. The filtration system as in claim 31, wherein the data records
for the filter element database (6, 6') contain identification
data, limiting data and product release data for each of the filter
elements (8) and/or the filtration apparatus (2, 3) and/or for the
filtration process.
40. The filtration system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the
article numbers and individual numbers for the filter elements (8)
and for the filtration apparatuses (2, 3) and codes for the
filtration process may be used as identification data.
41. The filtration system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the
integrity data for the filter elements (8), temperature details,
pressure details, pH values, a substance concentration, flow
details, operating times, life, flow rates for fluid to be filtered
or for filtrate, the number of permissible sterilization and/or
cleaning cycles of the filtration process can be used as limiting
data.
42. The filtration system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the
integrity data, determined by the manufacturer, for the filter
elements (8) can be used as product release data.
43. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the data
interchange means (11, 12, 13) represents a data network.
44. The filtration system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the
Internet is used as the data network.
45. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein beams, in
particular light or radio-frequency beams, are used as the data
interchange means (11, 12, 13).
46. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the data
interchange means (11, 12, 13) is a mobile data storage medium.
47. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the test
equipment lines (10) are lines for test gases.
48. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the data
lines (10) are connected to measurement instruments for
determination of filtration process data.
49. The filtration system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the
electronic memory elements are in the form of external transponders
which are preferably arranged with the filtration apparatuses (2,
3).
50. The filtration system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the
filter elements (8) are chosen from the group of filter cartridges,
filter capsules, filter cassettes, filter winding modules, flat
filter elements or a combination of them.
51. A method for carrying out a filtration process for fluids via
filter elements which are located in filtration apparatuses, in
which at least a minimum amount of identification data is supplied
to a monitoring and/or test set, the improvement wherein the
filtration process is started, is carried out and/or is stopped on
reaching a limiting data item via a process control device (5, 5'),
which is connected to the monitoring and/or test set (4) by
supplying the identification data, by providing limiting data and
product release data from a filter element database (6, 6') and by
determining integrity and/or filtration process data while carrying
out the filtration process and by comparison of the data.
52. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the following steps
are carried out: a) the individualizing identification data for
each filter element (8) for each filtration apparatus (2, 3) and/or
identification data for the filtration process to be carried out
are/is entered in the process control device (5, 5'), b) the
identification data according to a) is transferred to the filter
element database (6, 6') and a check is carried out to determine
whether the filter elements (8) and/or filtration apparatuses (2,
3) specified for the filtration process have been selected, and
whether the filter elements (8) and/or the filtration apparatus (2,
3) have/has been released for this purpose, c) the filtration
system (1) is inhibited if at least one filter element (8) and/or
one filtration apparatus (2, 3) has been chosen incorrectly or if
at least one filter element (8) is inhibited, d) limiting data and
product release data for each of the filter elements (8) for each
filtration apparatus (2, 3) and/or each filtration apparatus (2, 3)
and/or for the filtration process are called up from the filter
element database (6, 6') by the process control device (5, 5'), and
this data is entered, or is added and entered, in the electronic
memory element (15) that is associated with the respective
filtration apparatus (2, 3) for storage of limit values and product
release values for process data and/or integrity data, e)
permissible tolerance values are determined and stored, f) the
filtration process is started by the process control device (5,
5'), g) process data and/or integrity data are/is measured by the
monitoring and/or test set (4) and this data is entered, or is
added and entered, in the respective memory element (15), h) a
comparison process is carried out to determine whether the measured
process data and/or integrity data or their/its sums exceed/exceeds
one of the permissible tolerance values, i) the filtration process
is terminated and the filtration system 1 is inhibited when one of
the tolerance values is reached or exceeded and the filter elements
(8) in the filter element database (6) are inhibited.
53. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the identification
data is entered by machine by a reader.
54. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the filter element
database (6') is connected to an external database (14) at least at
times, in order to interchange data.
55. The method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the connection for
an external database (14) is made via a data network.
56. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the filter element
database (6, 6') is connected to a mobile data storage medium in
order to interchange data.
57. The method as claimed in claims 51, wherein the process control
device (5) is connected to the external filter element database (6)
via a data network.
58. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the current process
data is stored as a record in the filter element database (6,
6').
59. A computer program product for carrying out a filtration
process for fluids as claimed in claim 51, wherein the program
parts can be called up from a program memory and assist the process
of carrying out the filtration process.
60. The computer program product as claimed in claim 59, wherein
program parts can be called up from the program memory which assist
the communication between the filter elements (8) and/or the
filtration apparatuses (2, 3) and the monitoring and/or test set
(4) and/or a process control device (5, 5') and/or the filter
element database (6, 6').
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a
filtration process for fluids, comprising at least one filtration
apparatus having at least one filter element that has legible data,
a monitoring and/or test set to which the filtration apparatuses
can be connected via data and test equipment lines.
[0002] The invention also relates to a method for carrying out a
filtration process for fluids via filter elements which are located
in filtration apparatuses, in which at least a minimum amount of
identification data is supplied to a monitoring and/or test
set.
[0003] The invention likewise relates to a computer program product
for carrying out a filtration process for fluids as claimed in one
of claims 21 to 28.
[0004] A filtration system for carrying out a filtration process is
known from EP 0 700 313 B1. The filtration system comprises a
filtration apparatus having a filter element, which has legible
data, and a monitoring appliance, to which the filtration apparatus
can be connected via data and test equipment lines. The legible
data is arranged on an electronic label, whose data can be read by
a reading device, which is adjacent to the electronic label, and
can be supplied to the monitoring unit. The aim of this is to
identify in particular whether a specified filter has been
installed. Provision is also made for the number of operating hours
of the filter to be stored and for the filtration appliance or
filtration system to be switched off when the maximum permissible
number of operating hours has been reached. The electronic label
and the reading device form an electronic identification system, in
an interactive version of which data for the filtration appliance
is stored in the label.
[0005] The known filtration system has the disadvantage that, even
as an interactive system, it is essentially restricted to the
checking of the filter elements. No provision is therefore made for
complete monitoring of the filtration process in the known
filtration system.
[0006] Another disadvantage is that, when using an interactive
system, the electronic label or each filter element must be
equipped with a memory. This on the one hand increases the price of
the filter elements and on the other hand only a restricted amount
of memory space can be made available.
[0007] The object of the present invention is thus to provide a
filtration system in which, on the one hand, the entire filtration
process, and, on the other hand, the filter elements and/or the
filtration apparatuses, can be monitored in a financially
worthwhile and cost-effective manner.
[0008] This object is achieved in conjunction with the
precharacterizing clause of claim 1 in that the monitoring and/or
test set can be connected via data interchange means to a process
control device for closed-loop and open-loop control of the
filtration process, and in that the process control device can be
connected via data interchange means to a filter element database,
which has data records for at least each filter element and/or each
filtration apparatus and/or for the filtration process.
[0009] Since the monitoring and/or test set can be connected to a
process control device for closed-loop and open-loop control of the
filtration process, the entire filtration process can be monitored
and controlled. Since the process control device can be connected
to a filter element database, the filter elements and the
filtration apparatuses need only be identified. There is therefore
no need for a complex and relatively expensive memory element
directly with the filter elements. After identification of the
respective filter elements or filtration apparatuses, the data
which is required for monitoring can be obtained easily,
cost-effectively and reliably from the filter element database. One
particular advantage is that only one filter element database is
required. It is even possible to arrange just one single filter
element database centrally at the manufacturer's premises.
[0010] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
process control device has an electrical memory element which can
be associated with each filtration apparatus and in which data can
be stored for each of the filter elements of the filtration
apparatuses and/or the filtration process to be carried out. The
data which has been read from the filter element database can be
stored in the electronic memory element, and can be associated with
the filter elements or filtration apparatuses. It is also possible
to store new data determined while the filtration process is taking
place.
[0011] According to a further preferred embodiment of the
invention, the legible data for the filter elements represents at
least individualizing identification data for the filter element.
The identification data may in this case be legible or be read
visually and/or by machine. If read visually, the identification
data must be entered manually, so that input errors may occur. If
the identification data is machine-legible, transmission errors are
avoided.
[0012] Identification data may comprise numbers or letters or
alphanumeric characters and/or bar codes and/or data matrices
and/or electronic elements. It is also possible for the electronic
elements to be in the form of transponders.
[0013] An external filter element database (which is arranged, for
example, at the manufacturer's premises) has the advantage that it
is always up-to-date and the latest knowledge can be included in
the filtration process. However, it is also possible to arrange the
filter element database in the monitoring and/or test set or in the
process control device, and to integrate it in this device. This
database can then be updated with the aid of data from an external
database.
[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment of the
invention, the data records in the filter element database comprise
identification data, limiting data and product release data for
each of the filter elements and/or the filtration apparatus and/or
for the filtration process. In this case, article numbers and
individual numbers for the filter elements and for the filtration
apparatuses as well as codes for the filtration process are used as
identification data. Integrity data for the filter elements,
temperature details, pressure details, pH values, a substance
concentration, flow details, operating times, life, flow rates for
fluid to be filtered or for filtrate, the number of permissible
sterilization and/or cleaning cycles of the filtration process can
be used as limiting data. At the same time, integrity data,
determined by the manufacturer for the filter elements can be used
as product release data. The large number of data items which can
be used allow complex and reliable monitoring of the filtration
process.
[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the
invention, the data interchange means, that is to say in particular
the connection between the process control device and the filter
element database, represents a data network. An intranet or the
Internet may be used, in particular, in this case as the data
network. Beams, in particular light beams, infrared beams or
radio-frequency beams, may also be used as the data interchange
means. It is also possible to use mobile data storage media for
interchanging data.
[0016] Filter cartridges, filter capsules, filter cassettes, filter
winding modules, flat filter elements or combinations of them may
be used, in particular, as the filter elements.
[0017] The known methods for carrying out a filtration process for
fluids have the disadvantages mentioned above.
[0018] A further object of the invention is therefore to improve
the known methods such that cost-effective and reliable monitoring
of a filtration process can be carried out.
[0019] This object is achieved in conjunction with the
characterizing clause of claim 21 in that the filtration process is
started, is carried out and/or is stopped on reaching a limiting
data item via a process control device, which is connected to the
monitoring and/or test set by supplying the identification data, by
providing limiting data and product release data from a filter
element database and by determining integrity and/or filtration
process data while carrying out the filtration process and by
comparison of the data.
[0020] The supply and reading of the identification data and
limiting data associated with the identification data, and product
release data from the filter element database, in conjunction with
the determination of integrity and/or filtration data while
carrying out the filtration process ensure that the filtration
process is carried out in a complex, reliable manner.
[0021] Since the filter elements, which have to be replaced
frequently, need be directly associated only with identification
data, the method can at the same time be carried out
cost-effectively.
[0022] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
method for carrying out a filtration process is carried out in the
following steps:
[0023] a) the individualizing identification data for each filter
element for each filtration apparatus and/or identification data
for the filtration process to be carried out are/is entered in the
process control device,
[0024] b) the identification data according to a) is transferred to
the filter element database and a check is carried out to determine
whether the filter elements and/or filtration apparatuses specified
or permissible for the filtration process have been selected, and
whether the filter elements and/or the filtration apparatus
have/has been released for this purpose,
[0025] c) the filtration system is inhibited if at least one filter
element and/or one filtration apparatus has been chosen incorrectly
or if at least one filter element is inhibited,
[0026] d) limiting data and product release data for each of the
filter elements for each filtration apparatus and/or each
filtration apparatus and/or for the filtration process are called
up from the filter element database by the process control device,
and this data is entered, or is added and entered, in the
electrical memory element that is associated with the respective
filtration apparatus for storage of limit values and product
release values for process data and/or integrity data,
[0027] e) permissible tolerance values are determined and
stored,
[0028] f) the filtration process is started by the process control
device,
[0029] g) process data and/or integrity data are/is measured by the
monitoring and/or test set and this data is entered, or is added
and entered, in the respective memory element,
[0030] h) a comparison process is carried out to determine whether
the measured process data and/or integrity data or their/its sums
exceed/exceeds one of the permissible tolerance values,
[0031] i) the filtration process is terminated and the filtration
system is inhibited when one of the tolerance values is reached or
exceeded and the filter elements in the filter element database are
inhibited.
[0032] The association of identification data and corresponding
data in the filter element database reliably ensures that filter
elements and/or filtration apparatuses which are not permissible
are identified and that the filtration system is inhibited. Calling
up limiting data and product release data makes it possible to
check whether limiting data has already been reached, so that the
filtration process can be inhibited even before it is actually
started. The association of identification data with the filter
elements and process data makes it possible to determine and to
store the permissible tolerance values even before the actual
filtration process is started, so that this data is available for
the monitoring of the filtration process. Measurement of the
process and integrity data as well as entering and adding this data
in the appropriate memory element allow the specific process and/or
integrity data to be easily compared with the permissible tolerance
values, and the filtration system to be inhibited if the
permissible tolerance values are exceeded. The storage of the
current process data and the filter element database reliably avoid
filter elements and filtration apparatuses which have exceeded the
permissible tolerance values possibly being used again.
[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment of the
invention, the current process data is stored as a record in the
filter element database.
[0034] The recording of the current process data makes it possible
to understand relatively easily why permissible tolerance values
have been exceeded and the filtration system has been
inhibited.
[0035] A further object of the invention is to propose a computer
program product for carrying out a filtration process.
[0036] This object is achieved in conjunction with the
precharacterizing clause of claim 29 in that program parts can be
called up from a program memory and assist the process of carrying
out the filtration process.
[0037] Since the supporting program parts can be called up from a
program or program memory, this considerably simplifies the design
of an appropriate apparatus and the method.
[0038] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention,
program parts can be called up from the program memory which assist
the communication between the filter elements and/or the filtration
apparatuses and the monitoring and/or test set and/or a process
control device and/or the filter element database.
[0039] The program parts which assist communication allow and speed
up the automatic communication in particular between the filter
elements and the process control device and the filter element
database even when a large amount of data has to be
interchanged.
[0040] Further preferred embodiments are described in the dependent
claims.
[0041] Further details of the invention will become evident from
the following comprehensive description and from the attached
drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention
by way of example, and in which:
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus for
carrying out a filtration process for fluids with an external
filter element database,
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus for
carrying out a filtration process for fluids, with a filter element
database which is integrated in a process control device and with
an external database, and
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a method procedure
for carrying out a filtration process.
[0045] A filtration system 1 for carrying out a filtration process
for fluids essentially comprises filtration apparatuses 2, 3, a
monitoring and/or test set 4, a process control device 5 and a
filter element database 6.
[0046] The first filtration apparatus 2 and the second filtration
apparatus 3 are connected in series and are connected to one
another via a fluid line 7. Depending on the filtration process,
one or more filtration apparatuses 2, 3 may be used, or may be
connected in series or else in parallel. In the example, the first
filtration apparatus 2 has two filter elements 8. The filtration
apparatus 3 has one filter element 8. The filter elements 8 may be
same or may differ. At their upper end, the filter elements 8 have
legible data 9, which is read by a reader that is not illustrated.
The reader that is not illustrated passes on the legible data 9 via
the monitoring and/or test set 4 to the process control device
5.
[0047] The filtration apparatuses 2, 3 are connected via data and
test equipment lines 10 to the monitoring and/or test set 4. The
monitoring and/or test set 4 is connected to the process control
device 5 via data interchange means 11. As is shown in FIG. 1, the
process control device 5 is connected to the filter element
database 6 via data interchange means 12. The filter element
database 6 is in the form of an external database, as shown in FIG.
1. A data or computer network is used as the data interchange
means.
[0048] As is shown in FIG. 2, the filter element database 6' is
integrated in the process control device 5'. The filter element
database 6' may in particular be connected to an external database
14 via data interchange means 13.
[0049] The process control device 5, 5' provides closed-loop and
open-loop control for the filtration process via control lines,
which are not illustrated, and actuating and control elements. The
process control device 5 has an electronic memory element 15, which
can be associated with each filtration apparatus 2, 3 and each
filter element 8 and in which data can be stored for the respective
filter elements 8 of the filtration apparatuses 2, 3 and/or for the
filtration process to be carried out.
[0050] In order to carry out the method, the identification data
which is arranged on the filter elements 8 is entered in the memory
element 15. Furthermore, the filter element and process data from
the filter element database 6, 6' is entered in the memory element
15. The process control device 5, 5' then checks whether
permissible filter elements 8 and/or filtration apparatuses 2, 3
are being used. If filter elements 8 or filtration apparatuses 2, 3
which are not permissible are being used, the filtration system 1
is inhibited, and the filter elements 8 and/or the filtration
apparatuses 2, 3 are identified in the filter element database 6,
6' as being inhibited. If they are being used permissibly, the
limiting data and product release values are called from the filter
element database 6, 6' and/or from the electronic memory element
15. If any limiting data has been reached, the filtration system is
inhibited, and the fact that the limiting data has been reached is
stored in the filter element database 6, 6'.
[0051] If the limiting data has not been exceeded, the permissible
tolerance values are determined and are stored in the electronic
memory element 15. The filtration process is then actually started.
Controlled by the process control device 5, the process and
integrity data is measured and is entered and added in the
electronic memory element 15. If the sum of the specific process
and/or integrity data exceeds the permissible tolerance values, the
filtration system 1 is inhibited, and the fact that the filtration
system 1 and/or the filter elements 8 has or have been inhibited is
stored in the filter element database 6, 6'. The current process
data is likewise stored in the filter element database 6, so that,
if the filtration process is carried out more than once, it is
possible to access the most recent, current process data in the
filter element database 6, 6'.
[0052] The process control device 5 is associated with a computer
program product for carrying out the filtration process, in which
program parts can be called up from a program memory, which is not
illustrated, to assist the process of carrying out the filtration
process and/or the method for carrying out a filtration
process.
* * * * *