U.S. patent application number 17/387976 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for method and apparatus to monitor and control a water system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Evoqua Water Technologies LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Evoqua Water Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to Scott Branum, Erich Hoefferle.
Application Number | 20220033279 17/387976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66096903 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220033279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Branum; Scott ; et
al. |
February 3, 2022 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR AND CONTROL A WATER SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for providing treated water includes a water treatment
unit including an inlet water quality probe, a worker bed, a probe
to measure a parameter of water from the worker bed, a polisher bed
connected downstream from the worker bed and having a probe to
measure a parameter of water from the polisher bed, and a flow
meter upstream of the worker bed or downstream of the polisher bed.
A controller in communication with the flow meter and the probes is
configured to receive data from same. A remote server in
communication with the local water treatment unit is configured to
receive data from the local water treatment unit. The controller or
the server may determine a cumulative flow total, a billing cycle
flow total, a current exchange flow total, a contaminant load, or a
remaining capacity of the water treatment unit.
Inventors: |
Branum; Scott; (Birmingham,
AL) ; Hoefferle; Erich; (Roseville, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Evoqua Water Technologies LLC |
Pittsburgh |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Evoqua Water Technologies
LLC
Pitssburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
66096903 |
Appl. No.: |
17/387976 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16243917 |
Jan 9, 2019 |
11053136 |
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17387976 |
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16118112 |
Aug 30, 2018 |
10273165 |
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16243917 |
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62571521 |
Oct 12, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/283 20130101;
C02F 2209/006 20130101; C02F 1/42 20130101; G06Q 50/06 20130101;
C02F 2209/008 20130101; C02F 1/4695 20130101; G01N 27/06 20130101;
C02F 2209/003 20130101; C02F 1/442 20130101; C02F 1/76 20130101;
C02F 2209/445 20130101; C02F 2103/32 20130101; G07F 13/00 20130101;
C02F 2209/001 20130101; Y02A 20/152 20180101; G06Q 20/14 20130101;
C02F 1/008 20130101; C02F 2103/346 20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101;
C02F 2209/02 20130101; C02F 2209/44 20130101; G06Q 20/145 20130101;
C02F 1/441 20130101; G01N 33/18 20130101; C02F 3/00 20130101; C02F
2209/03 20130101; C02F 2209/05 20130101; C02F 1/32 20130101; C02F
1/4693 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C02F 1/00 20060101
C02F001/00; G01N 33/18 20060101 G01N033/18; G06Q 20/14 20060101
G06Q020/14; C02F 1/42 20060101 C02F001/42; G06Q 50/06 20060101
G06Q050/06 |
Claims
1. A system for providing treated water, the system comprising: a
local water treatment unit including an inlet water quality probe
disposed to measure at least one inlet water parameter of feedwater
to be treated, the inlet water quality probe including a
conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor, a worker bed having
ion exchange media contained therein, and disposed to receive the
feedwater to be treated, a worker probe disposed to measure at
least one worker water parameter of water from the worker bed, the
worker probe including a worker conductivity sensor and a worker
temperature sensor, a polisher bed having ion exchange media
contained therein, and fluidly connected downstream from the worker
bed, a polisher probe disposed to measure at least one polisher
water parameter of water from the polisher bed, the polisher probe
including a polisher conductivity sensor and a polisher temperature
sensor, a flow meter positioned at least one of upstream of the
worker bed and downstream of the polisher bed and configured to
measure flow data of water introduced into the first local water
treatment unit, a controller in communication with the flow meter,
the inlet water quality probe, the worker probe, and the polisher
probe, the controller configured to receive the flow data from the
flow meter, the at least one measured inlet water parameter from
the inlet water quality probe, the at least one worker water
parameter from the worker probe, and the at least one polisher
water parameter from the polisher probe; a server remote from and
in communication with the local water treatment unit, the server
configured to receive from the local water treatment unit, at least
one of the flow data, the at least one measured inlet water
parameter, the at least one worker water parameter, and the at
least one polisher water parameter, at least one of the controller
and the server further configured to determine at least one of a
cumulative flow total based on an aggregate of the flow data, a
billing cycle flow total based on the flow data during a billing
cycle through the local water treatment unit, a current exchange
flow total based on the flow data during a current service period
of the worker bed, a contaminant load based on the at least one
inlet water parameter, and a remaining capacity of the local water
treatment unit based at least on the contaminant load.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second local water
treatment unit including a second inlet water quality probe
disposed to measure at least one inlet water parameter of a second
feedwater to be treated in the second local water treatment unit,
the second inlet water quality probe including a second
conductivity sensor and a second temperature sensor, a second
worker bed having ion exchange media contained therein, and
disposed to receive the second feedwater to be treated, a second
worker probe disposed to measure at least one water parameter of
water from the second worker bed, the second worker probe including
a second worker conductivity sensor and a second worker temperature
sensor, a second polisher bed having ion exchange media contained
therein, and fluidly connected downstream from the second worker
bed, a second polisher probe disposed to measure at least one
polisher water parameter of water from the second polisher bed, the
second polisher probe including a second polisher conductivity
sensor and a second polisher temperature sensor, a second flow
meter positioned at least one of upstream the second worker bed and
downstream of the second polisher bed and configured to measure
flow data of water introduced into the second local water treatment
unit; a second controller in communication with the second flow
meter, the second inlet water quality probe, the second worker
probe, and the second polisher probe, the second controller
configured to receive the flow data from the second flow meter, the
at least one measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet
water quality probe, the at least one worker water parameter from
the second worker probe, and the at least one polisher water
parameter from the second polisher probe.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second water treatment unit
is remote from and in communication with the server, the server
further configured to receive from the second local water treatment
unit, at least one of the flow data from the second flow meter, the
at least one measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet
water quality probe, the at least one worker water parameter from
the second worker probe, and the at least one polisher water
parameter from the second polisher probe.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the second controller and
the server is configured to determine at least one of a cumulative
flow total of the second water treatment unit based on an aggregate
of the flow data through the water second water treatment unit, a
second billing cycle flow total based on the flow data during a
second billing cycle through the second water treatment unit, a
current exchange flow total based on the flow data during a current
service period of the second worker bed, a second contaminant load
based on the at least one inlet water parameter of the second
feedwater, and a remaining capacity of the second local water
treatment unit based at least on the second contaminant load.
5. The system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the local water
treatment unit further includes an inlet pressure sensor disposed
to monitor a pressure of the feedwater to the water treatment unit
and an outlet pressure sensor disposed to monitor a pressure of the
treated water from the water treatment unit, and wherein the
controller is further configured to receive inlet pressure data
from the inlet pressure sensor and outlet pressure data from the
outlet pressure sensor and generate an alarm if a difference in the
pressure of the feedwater relative to the pressure of the treated
water is above a differential pressure setpoint.
6. The system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the local water
treatment unit further includes a leak detect module disposed to
detect a leak or moisture from the water treatment unit, and
wherein the controller is further configured to generate an
indication if the leak detection module detects moisture.
7. The system of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the controller
further comprises a Bluetooth.RTM. interface operatively configured
to wirelessly transmit data over a personal area network.
8. A method for providing treated water for a predetermined period
of time, the method comprising: treating water in a water treatment
unit during the predetermined period of time to produce treated
water; during the predetermined period of time, measuring a volume
of the provided treated water utilizing a sensor positioned in the
water treatment unit; during the predetermined period of time,
monitoring a parameter of water to be treated in the water
treatment unit utilizing a water quality sensor positioned in the
water treatment unit; calculating a difference between the measured
volume of the provided treated water during the predetermined
period of time and a baseline volume of treated water to be
provided during the predetermined period of time; and determining a
fee adjustment for providing the treated water based on the
calculated difference between the measured volume of the provided
treated water and the baseline volume of treated water to be
provided.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising predicting a remaining
service life of the water treatment unit based on at least one of
the measured volume of the provided treated water provided during
the predetermined period of time and the monitored parameter, and
wherein the monitored parameter relates to a conductivity of the
water to be treated.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a
cumulative volume of treated water provided by the water treatment
unit; and determining a remaining service life of the water
treatment unit based at least on the cumulative volume of treated
water and on the monitored parameter during the predetermined
period of time.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a
cumulative volume of treated water provided by the water treatment
unit; and determining a remaining service life of the water
treatment unit based at least on the cumulative volume of treated
water and a treatment capacity of the water treatment unit.
12. The method of any one of claims 8-11, further comprising
scheduling service of the water treatment unit if the remaining
service life is less than a service-initiating life of the water
treatment unit.
13. The method of any one of claims 8-12, further comprising
calculating an average of the value of the monitored parameter of
the water to be treated during the predetermined period of time and
utilizing an average value of the monitored parameter as the actual
value of the monitored parameter in the act of determining the fee
adjustment.
14. The method of any one of claims 8-13, further comprising:
monitoring a parameter of the provided treated water; and if the
monitored parameter of the provided treated water is outside of a
desired range, performing at least one of: generating an alarm,
sending a notification to a user, and scheduling service of the
water treatment unit.
15. The method of any of claims 8-13, further comprising monitoring
pressure across a pre filter of the water treatment unit and
initiating service of the water treatment unit if the monitored
pressure exceeds a predetermined differential pressure limit.
16. The method of any of claims 8-16, further comprising making
data indicative of one or more of: cumulative volume of water to be
treated during the predetermined period of time, expected volume of
water to be treated during the predetermined period of time,
parameter of the water to be treated during the predetermined
period of time, and expected value of the parameter of the water to
be treated during the predetermined period of time available via a
web portal.
17. The method of any of claims 8-16, further comprising
determining a schedule for service of the water treatment unit
without input from a user of the treated water.
18. The method of any of claims 8-17, further comprising
transmitting data indicative of the volume of the water to be
treated and data indicative of the value of the monitored parameter
of the water to be treated to a central server remote from the
water treatment unit.
19. The method of any one of claims 8-18, wherein monitoring the
parameter of water to be treated comprises monitoring a
conductivity of the water to be treated.
20. A method for providing treated water over a first predetermined
period of time, the method comprising: directing a first feedwater
to be treated through a first water treatment unit to produce a
first treated water, the first water treatment unit including ion
exchange media; during the first predetermined period of time,
monitoring a parameter of the first feedwater; during the first
predetermined period of time, monitoring at least one of a volume
of the first feedwater directed through the water treatment unit
and the first treated water; transmitting to a server disposed
remotely from the first water treatment unit, data indicative of at
least one of the volume of the first feedwater and the volume of
the first treated water, and data indicative of the monitored
parameter; determining a base fee for providing the first treated
water during the first predetermined period of time based on at
least one of an expected volume of the first feedwater to be
treated during the first predetermined period of time and an
expected value of the parameter of the water to be treated during
the first predetermined period of time, and determining a fee
adjustment based on the base fee and a difference between the
monitored volume of the first feedwater and the expected volume of
the first feedwater to be treated.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising directing a second
feedwater to be treated through a second water treatment unit to
produce a second treated water, the second water treatment unit
disposed remotely from the first water treatment unit and including
ion exchange media; during a second predetermined period of time,
monitoring a parameter of the second feedwater; during the second
predetermined period of time, monitoring at least one of a volume
of the second feedwater directed through the second water treatment
unit and a volume of the second treated water; transmitting to the
server disposed remotely from the second water treatment unit, data
indicative of at least one of the volume of the second feedwater
and the volume of the second treated water, and data indicative of
the monitored parameter of the second feedwater; determining a
second base fee for providing the second treated water during the
predetermined period of time based on at least one of an expected
volume of the second feedwater to be treated and an expected value
of the parameter of the second feedwater to be treated during the
second predetermined period of time, and determining a second fee
adjustment based on the second base fee and a difference between
the monitored volume of the second feedwater and the expected
volume of the second feedwater to be treated.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the monitored parameter of the
first feedwater represents a conductivity of the first feedwater,
and wherein determining the fee adjustment is further based on a
difference between the conductivity of the first feedwater and an
expected conductivity of the first feedwater.
23. The method of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the monitored
parameter of the second feedwater represents a conductivity of the
second feedwater, and wherein determining the second fee adjustment
is further based on a difference between the conductivity of the
second feedwater and an expected conductivity of the second
feedwater.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining a
remaining treatment capacity of the first water treatment unit
based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the first feedwater
and the conductivity of the first feedwater directed through the
first water treatment unit during the first predetermined period of
time.
25. The method of any one of claims 22-24, further comprising
determining a remaining treatment capacity of the second water
treatment unit based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the
second feedwater and the conductivity of the second feedwater
directed through the second water treatment unit during the second
predetermined period of time.
26. A method of remotely monitoring water treatment units, the
method comprising: receiving at a central server, data from a first
water treatment unit that produces a first treated water delivered
to a first facility disposed remotely from the central server, the
data representative of at least one of a volume of a first
feedwater to be treated in the first water treatment unit, a volume
of the first treated water, and a conductivity of the first
feedwater, during a first predetermined period; receiving at the
central server, data from a second water treatment unit that
produces a second treated water delivered to a second facility that
is disposed remotely from the first facility and the central
server, the data representative of at least one of a volume of a
second feedwater to be treated in the second water treatment unit,
a volume of the second treated water, and a conductivity of the
second feedwater, during a second predetermined period; determining
a first base fee for providing the first treated water over the
first predetermined period based on at least one of an expected
volume of the first feedwater to be treated and an expected value
of the conductivity of the first feedwater; determining a second
base fee for providing the second treated water over the second
predetermined period based on at least one of an expected volume of
the second feedwater to be treated and an expected value of the
conductivity of the second feedwater; determining a first fee
adjustment for providing the first treated water based on the first
base fee and a difference between an actual and the expected volume
of the first feedwater; and determining a second fee adjustment for
providing the second treated water based on the second base fee and
a difference between an actual and the expected volume of the
second feedwater.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining a
remaining treatment capacity of the first water treatment unit
based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the first feedwater
and the conductivity of the first feedwater directed through the
first water treatment unit.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining a
remaining treatment capacity of the second water treatment unit
based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the second
feedwater and the conductivity of the second feedwater directed
through the second water treatment unit.
29. The method of any of claims 26-28, further comprising
initiating a first service requirement for the first water
treatment unit based on a cumulative volume of the first feedwater
treated in the first treatment unit.
30. The method of any one of claims 26-28, wherein determining the
first fee adjustment is further based on the conductivity of the
first feedwater during the first predetermined period.
31. The method of any of claims 26-28, further comprising
initiating a second service requirement for the second water
treatment unit based on a cumulative volume of the second feedwater
treated in the second treatment unit.
32. The method of any one of claims 26-28, wherein determining the
second fee adjustment is further based on the conductivity of the
second feedwater during the second predetermined period.
33. The method of any one of claims 26-28, further comprising
generating a route for a service provider to service the first
water treatment unit and the second water treatment unit based at
least in part on locations of each of the first facility and the
second facility.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/571,521, titled
"METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR AND CONTROL A WATER SYSTEM", filed
on Oct. 12, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
Field of Disclosure
[0002] Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are directed
generally to methods and apparatus for monitoring, controlling, and
maintaining water treatment systems.
Discussion of Related Art
[0003] Flow meters, conductivity and resistivity meters,
temperature sensors, pH sensors and hydrogen sulfide sensors, for
example, along with other scientific instruments are widely used in
many remote locations for a variety of purposes including
monitoring the condition of a water purification system. It is
often necessary for workmen to physically visit the remote sites to
monitor the flow meters or other instruments (e.g., samplers) to
gather data. Multiple site visits in numerous locations is a
challenging, labor intensive, and expensive task. Ensuring that
each site is operational, and that maintenance or service is
regularly scheduled provides for obtaining accurate and reliable
data.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there
is provided a system for providing treated water. The system
comprises a local water treatment unit including an inlet water
quality probe disposed to measure at least one inlet water
parameter of feedwater to be treated, the inlet water quality probe
including a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor, a worker
bed having ion exchange media contained therein, and disposed to
receive the feedwater to be treated, a worker probe disposed to
measure at least one worker water parameter of water from the
worker bed, the worker probe including a worker conductivity sensor
and a worker temperature sensor, a polisher bed having ion exchange
media contained therein, and fluidly connected downstream from the
worker bed, and a polisher probe disposed to measure at least one
polisher water parameter of water from the polisher bed, the
polisher probe including a polisher conductivity sensor and a
polisher temperature sensor. A flow meter is positioned at least
one of upstream of the worker bed and downstream of the polisher
bed and is configured to measure flow data of water introduced into
the first local water treatment unit. A controller is in
communication with the flow meter, the inlet water quality probe,
the worker probe, and the polisher probe, the controller configured
to receive the flow data from the flow meter, the at least one
measured inlet water parameter from the inlet water quality probe,
the at least one worker water parameter from the worker probe, and
the at least one polisher water parameter from the polisher probe.
A server is remote from and in communication with the local water
treatment unit, the server configured to receive from the local
water treatment unit, at least one of the flow data, the at least
one measured inlet water parameter, the at least one worker water
parameter, and the at least one polisher water parameter. At least
one of the controller and the server is further configured to
determine at least one of a cumulative flow total based on an
aggregate of the flow data, a billing cycle flow total based on the
flow data during a billing cycle through the local water treatment
unit, a current exchange flow total based on the flow data during a
current service period of the worker bed, a contaminant load based
on the at least one inlet water parameter, and a remaining capacity
of the local water treatment unit based at least on the contaminant
load.
[0005] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second
local water treatment unit including a second inlet water quality
probe disposed to measure at least one inlet water parameter of a
second feedwater to be treated in the second local water treatment
unit, the second inlet water quality probe including a second
conductivity sensor and a second temperature sensor, a second
worker bed having ion exchange media contained therein, and
disposed to receive the second feedwater to be treated, a second
worker probe disposed to measure at least one water parameter of
water from the second worker bed, the second worker probe including
a second worker conductivity sensor and a second worker temperature
sensor, a second polisher bed having ion exchange media contained
therein, and fluidly connected downstream from the second worker
bed, and a second polisher probe disposed to measure at least one
polisher water parameter of water from the second polisher bed, the
second polisher probe including a second polisher conductivity
sensor and a second polisher temperature sensor. A second flow
meter is positioned at least one of upstream the second worker bed
and downstream of the second polisher bed and configured to measure
flow data of water introduced into the second local water treatment
unit. A second controller is in communication with the second flow
meter, the second inlet water quality probe, the second worker
probe, and the second polisher probe, the second controller
configured to receive the flow data from the second flow meter, the
at least one measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet
water quality probe, the at least one worker water parameter from
the second worker probe, and the at least one polisher water
parameter from the second polisher probe.
[0006] In some embodiments, the second water treatment unit is
remote from and in communication with the server, the server
further configured to receive from the second local water treatment
unit, at least one of the flow data from the second flow meter, the
at least one measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet
water quality probe, the at least one worker water parameter from
the second worker probe, and the at least one polisher water
parameter from the second polisher probe.
[0007] In some embodiments, one of the second controller and the
server is configured to determine at least one of a cumulative flow
total of the second water treatment unit based on an aggregate of
the flow data through the water second water treatment unit, a
second billing cycle flow total based on the flow data during a
second billing cycle through the second water treatment unit, a
current exchange flow total based on the flow data during a current
service period of the second worker bed, a second contaminant load
based on the at least one inlet water parameter of the second
feedwater, and a remaining capacity of the second local water
treatment unit based at least on the second contaminant load.
[0008] In some embodiments, the local water treatment unit further
includes an inlet pressure sensor disposed to monitor a pressure of
the feedwater to the water treatment unit and an outlet pressure
sensor disposed to monitor a pressure of the treated water from the
water treatment unit, and wherein the controller is further
configured to receive inlet pressure data from the inlet pressure
sensor and outlet pressure data from the outlet pressure sensor and
generate an alarm if a difference in the pressure of the feedwater
relative to the pressure of the treated water is above a
differential pressure setpoint. In still other embodiments, the
water treatment unit further includes a pre-filter, or an upstream
filtration unit operation, such as a bag filter, disposed upstream
of the ion exchange media in the water treatment unit. The first
inlet pressure sensor can be, in such still other embodiments,
disposed upstream of the pre-filter and the outlet pressure sensor
can be disposed downstream from the pre-filter. The controller can
thus be further configured to receive the pressure data and
generate an alarm if the difference across the pre-filter is above
a predetermined upper value or below a predetermined lower
value.
[0009] In some embodiments, the local water treatment unit further
includes a leak detect module disposed to detect if a leak or
moisture from the treatment unit, and wherein the controller is
further configured to generate an indication if the leak detection
module detects moisture in the enclosure. In some embodiments, the
leak detect module includes a sensor disposed externally or outside
of but proximate the enclosure of the unit but on a floor upon
which the water treatment unit is set.
[0010] In some embodiments, the controller further comprises a
Bluetooth.RTM. interface operatively configured to wirelessly
transmit data over a personal area network.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
method for providing treated water for a predetermined period of
time. The method comprises treating water in a water treatment unit
during the predetermined period of time to produce treated water,
during the predetermined period of time, measuring a volume of the
provided treated water utilizing a sensor positioned in the water
treatment unit, during the predetermined period of time, monitoring
a parameter of water to be treated in the water treatment unit
utilizing a water quality sensor positioned in the water treatment
unit, calculating a difference between the measured volume of the
provided treated water during the predetermined period of time and
a baseline volume of treated water to be provided during the
predetermined period of time, and determining a fee adjustment for
providing the treated water based on the calculated difference
between the measured volume of the provided treated water and the
baseline volume of treated water to be provided.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method further comprises predicting
a remaining service life of the water treatment unit based on at
least one of the measured volume of the provided treated water
provided during the predetermined period of time and the monitored
parameter, and wherein the monitored parameter relates to a
conductivity of the water to be treated.
[0013] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a cumulative volume of treated water provided by the
water treatment unit, and determining a remaining service life of
the water treatment unit based at least on the cumulative volume of
treated water and on the monitored parameter during the
predetermined period of time.
[0014] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a cumulative volume of treated water provided by the
water treatment unit, and determining a remaining service life of
the water treatment unit based at least on the cumulative volume of
treated water and a treatment capacity of the water treatment
unit.
[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises scheduling
service of the water treatment unit if the remaining service life
is less than a service-initiating life of the water treatment
unit.
[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
calculating an average of the value of the monitored parameter of
the water to be treated during the predetermined period of time and
utilizing the average value of the monitored parameter as the
actual value of the monitored parameter in the act of determining
the fee adjustment.
[0017] In some embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring
a parameter of the provided treated water, and, if the monitored
parameter of the provided treated water is outside of a desired
range, performing at least one of: generating an alarm, sending a
notification to a user, and scheduling service of the water
treatment unit.
[0018] In some embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring
pressure across the water treatment unit and initiating service of
the water treatment unit if the monitored pressure exceeds a
predetermined differential pressure limit.
[0019] In some embodiments, the method further comprises making
data indicative of one or more of: cumulative volume of water to be
treated during the predetermined period of time, expected volume of
water to be treated during the predetermined period of time,
parameter of the water to be treated during the predetermined
period of time, and expected value of the parameter of the water to
be treated during the predetermined period of time available via a
web portal.
[0020] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a schedule for service of the water treatment unit
without input from a user of the treated water.
[0021] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
transmitting data indicative of the volume of the water to be
treated and data indicative of the value of the monitored parameter
of the water to be treated to a central server remote from the
water treatment unit.
[0022] In some embodiments, monitoring the parameter of water to be
treated comprises monitoring a conductivity of the water to be
treated.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided method
for providing treated water over a first predetermined period of
time. The method comprises directing a first feedwater to be
treated through a first water treatment unit to produce a first
treated water, the first water treatment unit including ion
exchange media, during the first predetermined period of time,
monitoring a parameter of the first feedwater, during the first
predetermined period of time, monitoring at least one of a volume
of the first feedwater directed through the water treatment unit
and the first treated water, transmitting to a server disposed
remotely from the first water treatment unit, data indicative of at
least one of the volume of the first feedwater and the volume of
the first treated water, and data indicative of the monitored
parameter, determining a base fee for providing the first treated
water during the first predetermined period of time based on at
least one of an expected volume of the first feedwater to be
treated during the first predetermined period of time and an
expected value of the parameter of the water to be treated during
the first predetermined period of time, and determining a fee
adjustment based on the base fee and a difference between the
monitored volume of the first feedwater and the expected volume of
the first feedwater to be treated.
[0024] In some embodiments, the method further comprises directing
a second feedwater to be treated through a second water treatment
unit to produce a second treated water, the second water treatment
unit disposed remotely from the first water treatment unit and
including ion exchange media, during a second predetermined period
of time, monitoring a parameter of the second feedwater, during the
second predetermined period of time, monitoring at least one of a
volume of the second feedwater directed through the second water
treatment unit and a volume of the second treated water,
transmitting to the server disposed remotely from the second water
treatment unit, data indicative of at least one of the volume of
the second feedwater and the volume of the second treated water,
and data indicative of the monitored parameter of the second
feedwater, determining a second base fee for providing the second
treated water during the predetermined period of time based on at
least one of an expected volume of the second feedwater to be
treated and an expected value of the parameter of the second
feedwater to be treated during the second predetermined period of
time, and determining a second fee adjustment based on the second
base fee and a difference between the monitored volume of the
second feedwater and the expected volume of the second feedwater to
be treated.
[0025] In some embodiments, the monitored parameter of the first
feedwater represents a conductivity of the first feedwater, and
wherein determining the fee adjustment is further based on a
difference between the conductivity of the first feedwater and an
expected conductivity of the first feedwater.
[0026] In some embodiments, the monitored parameter of the second
feedwater represents a conductivity of the second feedwater, and
wherein determining the second fee adjustment is further based on a
difference between the conductivity of the second feedwater and an
expected conductivity of the second feedwater.
[0027] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a remaining treatment capacity of the first water
treatment unit based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the
first feedwater and the conductivity of the first feedwater
directed through the first water treatment unit during the first
predetermined period of time.
[0028] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a remaining treatment capacity of the second water
treatment unit based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the
second feedwater and the conductivity of the second feedwater
directed through the second water treatment unit during the second
predetermined period of time.
[0029] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
method of remotely monitoring water treatment units. The method
comprises receiving at a remote central server, data from a first
water treatment unit that produces a first treated water delivered
to a first facility, the central server disposed remotely from the
first local facility, the data representative of at least one of a
volume of a first feedwater to be treated in the first water
treatment unit, a volume of the first treated water, and a
conductivity of the first feedwater, during a first predetermined
period, receiving at the remote central server, data from a second
water treatment unit that produces a second treated water delivered
to a second facility that is disposed remotely from the first
facility, the central server disposed remotely from the second
facility, the data representative of at least one of a volume of a
second feedwater to be treated in the second water treatment unit,
a volume of the second treated water, and a conductivity of the
second feedwater, during a second predetermined period, determining
a first base fee for providing the first treated water over the
first predetermined period based on at least one of an expected
volume of the first feedwater to be treated and an expected value
of the conductivity of the first feedwater, determining a second
base fee for providing the second treated water over the second
predetermined period based on at least one of an expected volume of
the second feedwater to be treated and an expected value of the
conductivity of the second feedwater, determining a first fee
adjustment for providing the first treated water based on the first
base fee and a difference between an actual and the expected volume
of the first feedwater, and determining a second fee adjustment for
providing the second treated water based on the second base fee and
a difference between an actual and the expected volume of the
second feedwater.
[0030] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a remaining treatment capacity of the first water
treatment unit based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the
first feedwater and the conductivity of the first feedwater
directed through the first water treatment unit.
[0031] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a remaining treatment capacity of the second water
treatment unit based on at least one of a cumulative volume of the
second feedwater and the conductivity of the second feedwater
directed through the second water treatment unit.
[0032] In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating
a first service requirement for the first water treatment unit
based on a cumulative volume of the first feedwater treated in the
first treatment unit.
[0033] In some embodiments, determining the first fee adjustment is
further based on the conductivity of the first feedwater during the
first predetermined period.
[0034] In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating
a second service requirement for the second water treatment unit
based on a cumulative volume of the second feedwater treated in the
second treatment unit.
[0035] In some embodiments, determining the second fee adjustment
is further based on the conductivity of the second feedwater during
the second predetermined period.
[0036] In some embodiments, the method further comprises generating
a route for a service provider to service the first water treatment
unit and the second water treatment unit based at least in part on
locations of each of the first facility and the second
facility.
[0037] In accordance with another aspect there is provided a
non-transitory computer readable media having instructions encoded
therein which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to
perform any one of the methods disclosed above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0038] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a water treatment
system and associated monitoring system;
[0040] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a water treatment
system;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment
system and associated monitoring system;
[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a data
platform/monitoring system for a water treatment system;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a service deionization
water treatment system;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment
system service;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of providing treated
water;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of performing actions
based on data collected by a water treatment unit during treatment
of water; and
[0047] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of remotely monitoring
water treatment units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to
the details of construction and the arrangement of components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0049] Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein include a wireless
monitoring system which enables data collection from and monitoring
of the status of various meters, sensors, and scientific
instruments at one or more locations. The data may be gathered
wirelessly, for example, by means of the GSM cellular telephone
network using a modem connected to a computer or a hand-held
device, by Wi-Fi, or other wireless data collection methods known
in the art, e.g., based on the LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat M1 or Cat NB1
standard. In other embodiments, data may be gathered from the
monitoring system via a wired connection to a centralized
monitoring system.
[0050] Aspects and embodiments of a wireless monitoring system may
be utilized in the environment of a water treatment system. The
water treatment system may include one or more unit operations. The
one or more unit operations may include one or more pressure-driven
water treatment devices, for example, membrane filtration devices
such as nanofiltration (NF) devices, reverse osmosis (RO) devices,
hollow fiber membrane filtration devices, etc., one or more
ion-exchange water treatment devices, one or more
electrically-driven water treatment devices, for example,
electrodialysis (ED) or electrodeionization (EDI) devices, one or
more chemical-based water treatment devices, for example,
chlorination or other chemical dosing devices, one or more carbon
filters, one or more biologically-based treatment devices, for
example, aerobic biological treatment vessels, anaerobic digesters,
or biofilters, one or more radiation-based water treatment devices,
for example, ultraviolet light irradiation systems, or other water
treatment devices or systems known in the art.
[0051] The water treatment system may be utilized to treat water
for industrial uses, for example, for use in semiconductor
processing plants, food processing or preparation sites, for use in
chemical processing plants, to produce purified water for use as
lab water, or may be utilized to provide a site with water suitable
for irrigation or drinking water purposes. In other embodiments,
the water treatment system may be utilized to treat wastewater from
industrial or municipal sources.
[0052] The water treatment system may include one or more sensors,
probes, or instruments for monitoring one or more parameters of
water entering or exiting any one or more of the one or more unit
operations. The one or more sensors, probes, or instruments may
include, for example, flow meters, water level sensors,
conductivity meters, resistivity meters, chemical concentration
meters, turbidity monitors, chemical species specific concentration
sensors, temperature sensors, pH sensors, oxidation-reduction
potential (ORP) sensors, pressure sensors, or any other sensor,
probe, or scientific instrument useful for providing an indication
of a desired characteristic or parameter of water entering or
exiting any one or more of the one or more unit operations.
[0053] A monitoring system may be utilized to gather data from
sensors, probes, or scientific instruments included in the water
treatment system and may provide the gathered data to operators
local to the water treatment system or to persons, for example, a
water treatment system service provider, remote from the water
treatment and monitoring system.
[0054] One embodiment of a water treatment system (also referred to
herein as a water treatment unit) and associated monitoring system
is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1A generally at 100. The water
treatment system may include one or more water treatment units or
devices 105A, 105B, 105C. The one or more water treatment devices
may be arranged fluidically in series and/or in parallel as
illustrated in FIG. 1B. Although only three water treatment devices
105A, 105B, 105C are illustrated, it is to be understood that the
water treatment system may include any number of water treatment
units or devices.
[0055] The water treatment system 100 may further include one or
more ancillary systems 150A, 150B, 150C, for example, pumps, pre or
post filters, polishing beds, heating or cooling units, sampling
units, power supplies, or other ancillary equipment fluidically in
line with or otherwise coupled to or in communication with the one
or more water treatment units 105A, 105B, 105C. The ancillary
systems are not limited to only three ancillary systems but may be
any number and type of ancillary systems desired in a particular
implementation. The one or more water treatment units 105A, 105B,
105C and ancillary systems 150A, 150B, 150C may be in communication
with a controller 110, for example, a computerized controller,
which may receive signals from and/or send signals to the one or
more water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C and ancillary systems
150A, 150B, 150C to monitor and control same. The one or more water
treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C and ancillary systems 150A,
150B, 150C may send or receive data related to one or more
operating parameters to or from the controller 110 in analog or
digital signals. The controller 110 may be local to the water
treatment system 100 or remote from the water treatment system 100
and may be in communication with the components of the water
treatment system 100 by wired and/or wireless links, e.g., by a
local area network or a data bus. A source of water to be treated
200 may supply water to be treated to the water treatment system
100. The water to be treated may pass through or be treated in any
of the water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C and, optionally,
one or more of the ancillary systems 150A, 150B, 150C and may be
output to a downstream device or point of use 220.
[0056] Returning to FIG. 1A, one or more sensors, probes, or
scientific instruments associated with each of the water treatment
devices 105A, 105B, 105C may be in communication, via a wired or a
wireless connection, to a controller 110 which may include, for
example, a local monitoring and data gathering device or system.
The one of more sensors, probes or scientific instruments
associated with each of the water treatment devices 105A, 105B,
105C may provide monitoring data to the controller 110 in the form
of analog or digital signals. The controller 110 may provide data
from the sensors or scientific instruments associated with each of
the water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C to different
locations. One of the locations may optionally include a display
115 local to one of the water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C or
the site at which the water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C are
located. Another of the locations may be a web portal 120 which may
be hosted in a local or remote server or in the cloud 125. Another
of the locations optionally may be a distributed control system
(DCS) 130 which may be located at the site or at the facility at
which the water treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C are located.
[0057] Processing of the data from the one or more sensors, probes,
or scientific instruments associated with each of the water
treatment devices 105A, 105B, 105C may be performed at the
controller 110 and summarized data may be provided to one or more
of the locations 115, 120, 130, or the controller 110 may pass raw
data from the one or more sensors or scientific instruments or
probes to one or more of the locations 115, 120, 130. The data may
be available through one or more of the locations 115, 120, 130 to
an operator of the water treatment system or any of the individual
water treatment devices, to a user of treated water provided by the
water treatment system, to a vendor or service provider that may be
responsible for maintenance of one or more of the water treatment
devices 105A, 105B, 105C or the system 100 as a whole, or to any
other interested parties. For example, a user of the water
treatment system 100 may access data related to water quality
and/or quantity of treated water produced in the water treatment
system 100 via the web portal 120 or via the site DCS system 130.
The user may utilize such data for auditing purposes or to show
compliance with regulations associated with production of the
treated water. Further optional configurations contemplate storage
of the raw or processed data or both at one or more data storage
devices, at any of locations 110, 120 and 130.
[0058] Features associated with the water treatment devices 105A,
105B, 105C are illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein an example of a water
treatment device (which may be any one or more of water treatment
devices 105A, 105B, 105C) is indicated at 105. A source 200 of
water (alternatively referred to herein as feedwater) to be treated
in the water treatment device 105 may be disposed in fluid
communication upstream of the water treatment device 105. The
source 200 may be a source of untreated water, water output from a
plant or from a point of use at the site at which the water
treatment device 105 is located, or an upstream water treatment
device. The water to be treated may pass through or otherwise be
monitored by one or more sensors 205 upstream of the inlet of the
water treatment device 105. The one or more sensors 205 may
include, for example, a flow meter, a conductivity sensor, a pH
sensor, a turbidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure
sensor, an ORP sensor, or any one or more of the other forms of
sensors described above. The one or more sensors 205 may provide
data regarding one or more measured parameters of the water to be
treated in the water treatment device 105 to a local monitor 225
associated with the water treatment device 105 which may pass the
data on to the controller 110. The one or more sensors 205 may
provide the data in either analog signals or digital signals. The
local monitor 225 may be included as hardware or software in the
controller 110 or may be a separate device. The one or more sensors
205 may additionally or alternatively provide data regarding the
one or more measured parameters of the water to be treated in the
water treatment device 105 directly to the controller 110.
[0059] The water to be treated may enter the water treatment device
105 through an inlet 104 of the water treatment device 105 and
undergo treatment within the water treatment device 105. One or
more sensors 210 may be disposed internal to the water treatment
device 105 to gather data related to operation of the water
treatment device 105 and/or one or more parameters of the water
undergoing treatment in the water treatment device 105. The one or
more sensors 210 may include, for example, a pressure sensor, level
sensor, conductivity sensor, pH sensor, OPR sensor, current or
voltage sensor, or any one or more of the other forms of sensors
described above. The one or more sensors 210 may provide data
related to operation of the water treatment device 105 and/or one
or more parameters of the water undergoing treatment in the water
treatment device 105 to the local monitor 225, which may pass the
data on to the controller 110. The one or more sensors 210 may
additionally or alternatively provide data related to operation of
the water treatment device 105 and/or one or more parameters of the
water undergoing treatment in the water treatment device 105
directly to the controller 110. Communications between the one or
more sensors 210 and local monitor 225 and/or controller 110 may be
via a wired or wireless communications link.
[0060] After treatment in the water treatment device 105 the
treated water may exit though an outlet 106 of the water treatment
device 105. One or more parameters of the treated water may be
tested or monitored by one or more downstream sensors 215. The one
or more sensors 215 may include, for example, a flow meter, a
conductivity sensor, a pH sensor, a turbidity sensor, a temperature
sensor, a pressure sensor, an ORP sensor, or any one or more of the
other forms of sensors described above. The one or more sensors 215
may provide data regarding one or more measured parameters of the
treated water to the local monitor 225, which may pass the data on
to the controller 110. The one or more sensors 215 may additionally
or alternatively provide data regarding the one or more measured
parameters of the treated water directly to the controller 110.
Communications between the one or more sensors 215 and local
monitor 225 and/or controller 110 may be via a wired or wireless
communications link.
[0061] The local monitor 225 may include functionality for
controlling the operation of the water treatment device 105. Based
on measured parameters of the water to be treated or the treated
water from the sensors 205 and/or 215, measured parameters from the
one or more internal sensors 210, or based on a command received
from an operator, the local monitor 225 may control inlet or outlet
valves V (or one or more ancillary systems 150A, 150B, 150C
illustrated in FIG. 1B) to adjust a flow rate or residence time of
water within the water treatment device 105. The local monitor 225
may also control one or more internal controls 230 of the water
treatment device 105 to adjust one or more operating parameters of
the water treatment device 105, for example, internal temperature,
pressure, pH, electrical current or voltage (for electrically-based
treatment devices), aeration, mixing speed or intensity, or any
other desired operating parameter of the water treatment device
105.
[0062] The local monitor 225 and/or controller 110 may monitor
signals from one or more of the input sensors 205, internal sensors
210, and output sensors 215 to determine if an error condition or
unexpected event has occurred and may be configured to generate and
error message or signal in response to detecting same. For example,
in instances in which the input sensors 205 and output sensors 215
include inlet and outlet pressure sensors, the local monitor 225
and/or controller 110 may be configured to receive inlet pressure
data from the inlet pressure sensor and outlet pressure data from
the outlet pressure sensor and generate an alarm if a difference in
the pressure of the feedwater relative to the pressure of the
treated water is above a differential pressure setpoint. In
instances in which one or more of the input sensors 205, internal
sensors 210, and output sensors 215 include a leak detection module
disposed to close if moisture is detected in an enclosure of the
water treatment unit 105, the local monitor 225 and/or controller
110 may be configured to generate an indication if the leak
detection module detects moisture in the enclosure. In some
embodiments, the leak detect module includes a sensor disposed
externally or outside of but proximate the enclosure of the unit on
a floor upon which the water treatment unit is set.
[0063] In one embodiment, the monitoring system, represented by the
controller 110 and illustrated in further detail in FIG. 3, may
include one or more of a wireless modem 305 which may, for example,
utilize a cellular phone network, e.g., based on the LTE Cat 1, LTE
Cat M1 or Cat NB1 standard, to communicate data regarding operation
of a water treatment device 105 and/or water to be treated and/or
water after being treated in a water treatment device 105 with a
remote server or one of locations 115, 120, 130, a processing unit
(CPU) 310 operatively connected to the modem 305, a memory 315
operatively connected to the CPU 310 which may be used to store
data received from sensors associated with the water treatment
devices and/or code for controlling the operation of one or more
water treatment devices, one or more interfaces 320, which may
include wired or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.RTM., cellular,
etc.) interfaces for connecting one or more scientific instruments
or any of sensors 205, 210, 215 or other sensors associated with a
water treatment device 105 or system to the central processing
unit, a power supply 325 for providing electrical power to the
modem 305 and the central processing unit, and an enclosure 330 for
housing the components at the location. In some embodiments, the
one or more interfaces 320 may include a Bluetooth.RTM. interface
operatively configured to wirelessly transmit data over a personal
area network. Any or all of the components of the controller 110
may be communicatively coupled with one or more internal busses
335. In some embodiments, the memory 315 may include a
non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions,
that when executed by the CPU 310, cause the CPU 310 to perform any
of the methods disclosed herein.
[0064] A variety of monitoring devices such as a flow meter or
other scientific instrument are normally operably connected to the
CPU 310 such that data from the monitoring device or scientific
instrument is transmitted to the modem 305 where it can be accessed
from a remote location through, for example, the cellular phone
network.
[0065] In one aspect of the disclosure, a remote monitoring and
control system architecture is used as illustrated in FIG. 1A. A
controller 110 comprising a modem 305 (FIG. 3) and cellular
connectivity is connected to various devices, for example, one or
more sensors (for example, any one or more of sensors 205, 210,
215) associated with water treatment devices 105A, 105B, and 105C.
The one or more sensors may comprise a service deionization tank
resistivity monitor, a series of sensors and monitors such as a
flow meter, conductivity meter, temperature and pH sensors for a
water purification system such as a reverse osmosis system, or the
one or more sensors may comprise a series of unit operations
combined into a complete system. The information from the various
one or more sensors is uploaded to internal portals from the
operating business and can also be uploaded to customer portals and
customer DCS systems 130. The entire network may be cloud
based.
[0066] One example of a local water treatment system or unit 100
that may be included in aspect and embodiments disclosed herein is
a service deionization system. One example of a local water
treatment system or unit 100 including a service deionization
system is illustrated generally at 400 in FIG. 4. Water to be
treated is supplied from a source 405 of water to an inlet pressure
relief valve 410. The inlet pressure relief valve 410 regulates
inlet water pressure to prevent over-pressurization and potential
system damage. The inlet water then passes through a solenoid valve
415 and passes through a pre-filter 420. The pre-filter 420 removes
particulate matter that may be present in the inlet water from the
source 405. A first flow meter 425 monitors the flow of the inlet
water from the pre-filter 420. An inlet water quality probe S1 is
in fluid communication with inlet water exiting the pre-filter 420.
The inlet water quality probe S1 includes a conductivity sensor and
a temperature sensor. Conductivity of the inlet water may depend on
both concentration of ionic species in the inlet water and
temperature of the inlet water. The temperature sensor may provide
data utilized to apply an offset or calibration to data output from
the conductivity sensor to reduce or eliminate the effect of
temperature on the conductivity sensor readings. In some
embodiments, the raw conductivity readings from the inlet water
conductivity sensor may be linearly adjusted for temperatures
different from a reference temperature of 25.degree. C. by a
temperature coefficient, such as 2.0% per degree C.
[0067] The inlet water flows from the first flow meter 425 to a
first treatment column 430 which may be, for example, a carbon
filtration column. The water is treated in the first treatment
column 430, exits the first treatment column 430, and enters a
second treatment column 435 which may be, for example, a cation
resin ion exchange column.
[0068] After being treated in the second treatment column 435 the
water exits the second treatment column 435 and enters a third
treatment column or worker bed 440. The worker bed 440 may include,
for example, an anion resin ion exchange column. A worker probe S2
is disposed to measure at least one worker water parameter of water
from the worker bed 440. The worker probe S2 may include a
conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor for providing
temperature calibration for data output from the conductivity
sensor of the worker probe S2, as described above with reference to
the inlet water quality probe S1. In some embodiments, the raw
conductivity readings from the worker bed water conductivity sensor
may be linearly adjusted for temperatures different from a
reference temperature of 25.degree. C. by a temperature
coefficient, e.g., 5.2% per degree C. The temperature coefficient
can be adjusted locally, at the unit or remotely, from the central
server. The worker probe S2 may be provided on the output of the
worker bed 440 to measure the quality of water exiting the worker
bed 440. The worker probe S2 may include an indicator light or
display (not shown) that provides an indication of whether the
conductivity of the water exiting the worker bed 440 is within
acceptable limits.
[0069] The water is treated in the worker bed and exits the worker
bed 440 and enters a polisher bed 445 which may be, for example, a
mixed bed resin ion exchange column. A polisher probe S3 is
disposed to measure at least one polisher water parameter of water
from the polisher bed 445. The polisher probe S3 may include a
conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor for providing
temperature calibration for data output from the conductivity
sensor of the polisher probe S3, as described above with reference
to the inlet water quality probe S1. In some embodiments, the raw
conductivity readings from the polisher bed water conductivity
sensor may be linearly adjusted for temperatures different from a
reference temperature of 25.degree. C. by temperature coefficient,
e.g., 5.2% per degree C. The temperature coefficient can be
adjusted locally, at the unit or remotely, from the central server.
The polisher probe S3 may be provided on the output of the polisher
column 445 to measure the quality of water exiting the polisher
column 445. The polisher probe S3 may include an indicator light or
display (not shown) that provides an indication of whether the
conductivity of the water exiting the polisher column 445 is within
acceptable limits. The water is treated in the polisher column 445
and exits the polisher column 445. The water exiting the polisher
column 445 may pass through a post filter 450, which may be, for
example, a column filter that filters any resin fines from the
treated water. A second flow meter 425 may be provided downstream
of the polisher bed 445. The second flow meter 425 may be provided
in addition to or as an alternative to the first flow meter
425.
[0070] A monitor/controller 455, which may include features of one
or both of the local monitor 225 and/or controller 110 illustrated
in FIG. 2, may be utilized to monitor and control aspects of the
system or unit 400. The monitor/controller 455 may, for example,
receive a signal from a leak detector module 460 that may provide
an indication of a leak being present in the system or unit 400.
For, example, the leak detect module 460 may be disposed to close
if moisture is detected in an enclosure 465 of the service
deionization system 400 or on a floor or other surface upon which
the enclosure 465 or the system 400 is disposed. The
monitor/controller 455 may be configured to generate an indication,
alarm, or warning if the leak detection module 460 detects moisture
in the enclosure 465. If a leak is detected, the monitor/controller
455 may send a control signal to the solenoid valve to 415 to shut
down flow of water through the system. The monitor/controller 455
may also provide a signal by a wired or wireless connection to a
service provider to indicate that the system 400 may be in need of
service. The monitor/controller 455 may be configured to receive
and monitor flow rate data via signals received from one or both of
the first and second flow meters 425 and may be configured to
receive and monitor at least one measured inlet water parameter
from the inlet water quality probe S1, at least one worker water
parameter from the worker probe S2, and at least one polisher water
parameter from the polisher probe S3. The probes S1, S2, and/or S3
may provide conductivity measurements to the monitor/controller 455
at a periodic rate, for example, once every five seconds, or
continuously. Data from the probes S1, S2, and/or S3 may be logged
by the monitor/controller 455 on a periodic basis, for example,
once per five minutes. If the flow rate or water quality
measurements are outside an acceptable range the monitor/controller
455 may provide a signal by a wired or wireless connection to a
service provider to indicate that the system 400 may be in need of
service, for example, that the resin in one of the worker bed 440
or polisher bed 445 may be depleted and in need of replacement or
that one of the filters 420, 450 may be clogged and in need of
service.
[0071] The water treatment unit 400 (for example, the
monitor/controller 455 of the water treatment system 400) may be in
communication with a server, for example, server 510 at a
centralized monitoring location 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The
server 510 may be configured to receive from the local water
treatment unit, at least one of the flow data, the at least one
measured inlet water parameter, the at least one worker water
parameter, and the at least one polisher water parameter.
[0072] At least one of the controller 455 and the server 510 may be
further configured to determine at least one of a cumulative flow
total based on an aggregate of the flow data from one or both of
the first and second flow meters 425, a billing cycle flow total
based on the flow data during a billing cycle through the local
water treatment unit 400, a current exchange flow total based on
the flow data during a current service period of the worker bed, a
contaminant load based on the at least one inlet water parameter,
and a remaining capacity of the local water treatment unit based at
least on the contaminant load.
[0073] Additional sensors, for example, pressure differential
sensors associated with the filters 420, 450, a flow sensor or flow
totalizer associated with the inlet pressure relief valve 410 or
first or second flow meters 425 may also be present and in
communication with the monitor/controller 455, local monitor 225,
and/or controller 110.
[0074] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a
system and method for providing a service that allows delivery of a
water product in accordance with specific quality requirements. In
some instances, the product offering, e.g., the water product, is
delivered and/or consumed by a user without the user operating any
product treatment systems, e.g., without operating a water
treatment system, and directly consumes the water product having
predefined quality characteristics. In some instances, certain
aspects of the disclosure allow acquisition of a user's consumption
behaviour of the product, e.g., water consumption, and such data or
information can then be utilized by the system owner or service
product provider to adjust, repair, replace, or maintain, any
component, subsystem, or parameter of, for example, the water
treatment system. For example, one or more local treatment units or
systems can be disposed or located at a user's facility with a
plurality of ion exchange columns having a plurality of sensors or
probes that monitor one or more characteristics thereof and/or one
or more parameters of the raw, inlet water or feedwater, the
outlet, service product water, and/or water exiting any of the ion
exchange columns Data can thus be transmitted from the one or more
treatment systems, e.g., at the users point of use, to an
information or data storage or housing facility, typically away
from the user's facility, or remotely from the water treatment
system. Data or information acquired, transmitted and/or stored can
include, for example, properties of the inlet water or the produced
water quality, e.g., conductivity, pH, temperature, pressure,
concentration of dissolved solids, oxidation reduction potential,
or flow rate. Data acquired, transmitted, and/or stored can also
include operating parameters of the one or more treatment systems.
For example, the one or more treatment systems can deliver a
deionized water product wherein the treatment system includes an
ion exchange subsystem and the data can include any one or more of
pressure, both inlet and outlet, flow rate, run-time, ion exchange
bed operating or service duration, or alarm conditions. Other
information can include subsystem characteristics such as remote
transmitter signal strength, ion exchange bed pressure, and/or
differential pressure.
[0075] With respect to an exemplary treatment system, the system
can comprise ion exchange beds or columns of cation exchange resin,
anion exchange resin, or a mixture of cation and anion exchange
resin. The process can involve delivering water having a
predetermined quality, e.g., a predetermined conductivity, for a
predetermined period, e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly, semi-annually. For example, the process can provide a
user with deionized water having a purity that is suitable for
semiconductor manufacturing operations. The delivered water can be
deionized at the user's facility by the one or more treatment
systems even if the treatment system is not owned or operated by
the user. The system's owner may provide the treatment system at
the user's facility, connect the treatment system to a source of
water, operate the treatment system, monitor the operating
parameters of the treatment system, and deliver the treated,
deionized water to the user. The system owner may receive
information or data regarding the treatment system parameters and
deionized water properties from the treatment system and store such
data. The owner may monitor the system and proactively service or
replace any subsystem or subcomponent of the treatment system
without user interaction. The owner or operator of the treatment
system thus provides a water product to the user without user
interaction. For example, if data from the treatment system
indicates that one or more of the ion exchange columns requires
replacement, or is about to reach the end of its useful life, the
owner or operator can, without user interaction, replace any of the
columns of the treatment system. In exchange, the owner or operator
is compensated by the user based on water consumption.
Alternatively, the user can compensate the owner or operator
according to a subscription, e.g., a daily, weekly, or monthly
subscription for use and availability of the deionized water
product.
[0076] Although a deionized product water treated by ion exchange
columns was exemplarily described, other systems can be implemented
as well. For example, the one or more treatment systems can utilize
reverse osmosis (RO) apparatus. The owner or operator can remotely
monitor the RO apparatus to ensure delivery and quality of a water
product, replace RO membranes or columns, pumps, and/or filters, of
the RO apparatus. In exchange, the user can compensate
owner/operator based on quantity of produced water consumed, or
according to a periodic subscription.
[0077] A centralized monitoring location, illustrated generally at
500 in FIG. 5 may receive data from one or more local water
treatment systems, for example, from controllers 110 (and/or
monitor/controllers 455, or local monitors 225) associated with
local water treatment units or systems 400A, 400B, 400C at a
plurality of different sites 505A, 505B, 505C. The local water
treatment unit or system 400A located at one of the sites, for
example, site 505A may be or may include the local water treatment
unit or system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. Another of the sites may
include a second local water treatment unit or system 400B. The
second local water treatment unit or system 400B may include unit
operations similar to or corresponding to those of the local water
treatment unit or system 400A, for example, a second inlet water
quality probe (corresponding to inlet water quality probe S1 of
treatment unit 400) disposed to measure at least one inlet water
parameter of a second feedwater to be treated in the second local
water treatment unit, the second inlet water quality probe
including a second conductivity sensor and a second temperature
sensor, a second worker bed (corresponding to worker bed 440 of
treatment unit 400) having ion exchange media contained therein,
and disposed to receive the second feedwater to be treated, a
second worker probe (corresponding to worker probe S2 of treatment
unit 400) disposed to measure at least one water parameter of water
from the second worker bed, the second worker probe including a
second worker conductivity sensor and a second worker temperature
sensor, a second polisher bed (corresponding to polisher bed 445 of
treatment unit 400) having ion exchange media contained therein,
and fluidly connected downstream from the second worker bed, and a
second polisher probe (corresponding to polisher probe S3 of
treatment unit 400) disposed to measure at least one polisher water
parameter of water from the second polisher bed, the second
polisher probe including a second polisher conductivity sensor and
a second polisher temperature sensor. A second flow meter
(corresponding to first or second flow meter 425 of treatment unit
400) is positioned at least one of upstream the second worker bed
and downstream of the second polisher bed and configured to measure
flow data of water introduced into the second local water treatment
unit. A second controller (corresponding to controller 455 of
treatment unit 400) is in communication with the second flow meter,
the second inlet water quality probe, the second worker probe, and
the second polisher probe. The second controller is configured to
receive the flow data from the second flow meter, the at least one
measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet water quality
probe, the at least one worker water parameter from the second
worker probe, and the at least one polisher water parameter from
the second polisher probe.
[0078] The second water treatment system 400B, like the water
treatment system 400, may be in communication with the server 510
at the centralized monitoring location 500. The server 510 may be
further configured to receive from the second local water treatment
unit, at least one of the flow data from the second flow meter, the
at least one measured inlet water parameter from the second inlet
water quality probe, the at least one worker water parameter from
the second worker probe, and the at least one polisher water
parameter from the second polisher probe.
[0079] At least one of the controller 455 of local water treatment
system 400 and the server 510 may be further configured to
determine at least one of a cumulative flow total based on an
aggregate of the flow data from one or both of the first and second
flow meters 425, a billing cycle flow total based on the flow data
during a billing cycle through the local water treatment unit 400,
a current exchange flow total based on the flow data during a
current service period of the worker bed, a contaminant load based
on the at least one inlet water parameter, and a remaining capacity
of the local water treatment unit based at least on the contaminant
load.
[0080] A second controller at the second water treatment unit 400B,
which may be substantially similar to and correspond to the
controller 455 of local water treatment system 400 may be
configured to determine at least one of a cumulative flow total of
the second water treatment unit based on an aggregate of the flow
data through the water second water treatment unit, a second
billing cycle flow total based on the flow data during a billing
cycle through the second water treatment unit, a current exchange
flow total based on the flow data during a current service period
of the second worker bed, a second contaminant load based on the at
least one inlet water parameter of the second feedwater, and a
remaining capacity of the second local water treatment unit based
at least on the second contaminant load.
[0081] Data from any of the units 400A, 400B, and 400C can be
collected and respectively stored in a memory device operatively
connected to each of the respective controllers 110 and
continuously transmitted through wired or wireless communication
protocols or a combination thereof to server 510. Typically,
however, data at each unit is stored and accumulated during a
predetermined collection period and then transmitted intermittently
to server 510. For example, data regarding the various operating
parameters can be continually or continuously collected and stored
the memory device, the controller can periodically, e.g., every
five minutes, hourly, once or twice each day, transmit through the
modem to a receiving modem operatively connected via an internet
connection to server 510 whereat the accumulated data can be stored
and analyzed. In other configurations, certain data types, such as
alarms and associated notifications, may be preferentially
transmitted immediately.
[0082] The centralized monitoring location 500 may analyze the data
provided by the different controllers 110 to determine when one or
more water treatment devices 105 in the water treatment systems at
the different sites 505A, 505B, 505C should be serviced. The
centralized monitoring location 500 may create a schedule for
service of the one or more water treatment devices 105 in the water
treatment systems at the different sites 505A, 505B, 505C and
communicate service schedules to one or more service provider
locations 515A, 515B.
[0083] In some embodiments a service provider responsible for
servicing components of a water treatment system at a user's site
may obtain data from the water treatment system and charge a fee
for providing treated water at the user's site based on the data
obtained from the water treatment system. The fee may include a
base monthly charge for an expected amount of treated water to be
produced and a surcharge for a measured amount of treated water
produced over the expected amount. In some embodiments, a water
treatment system or component thereof, for example, one or more of
the ion exchange columns 430, 435, 440, 445 illustrated in FIG. 4
may have a finite capacity for treating water having a certain
impurity concentration before the water treatment system or
component thereof becomes depleted or should be serviced. An ion
exchange column, for example, may have a capacity for removing a
certain amount of undesirable ions from water passing through the
ion exchange column before resin in the ion exchange column may
need to be regenerated or replaced.
[0084] A service provider, who, in some implementations may also be
the owner of a water treatment system providing treated water at a
user's site, may monitor parameters of influent water to be
treated, for example, flow rate and water quality. These parameters
may be collected by a controller 110 and/or monitor/controllers
455, or local monitors 225 as described above and communicated to a
central server 510 or service hub at a centralized monitoring
system 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The service provider may
charge a fee for producing the treated water for the user that is
based at least in part on the parameters of the influent water to
be treated, for example, flow rate and water quality. The fee for
providing treated water over a predetermined time period, for
example, over a week, a month, or a year, may be based on an
average flow rate and average water quality over the predetermined
time period. In calculating the average flow rate and/or average
water quality over the predetermined time period outliers in the
flow rate or water quality data may be removed to provide a better
indication of steady state operation of the water treatment
system.
[0085] A service deionization system such as illustrated in FIG. 4
is one example of a water treatment system or unit at a user's site
that a service provider may maintain and service and charge the
user for treating influent water to produce treated water at the
user's site. Resin beds in the ion exchange columns 430, 435, 440,
445 may have a limited capacity for removing ionic contaminants
from water undergoing treatment at the user's site. The ion
exchange columns may be periodically serviced by the service
provider to, for example, replace ion exchange media in the ion
exchange columns. A fee that the service provider charges for the
provision of the treated water at the user's site may be based at
least partially on costs associated with replacing the ion exchange
media in the ion exchange columns and the frequency at which such
service is performed.
[0086] The time between instances of service to replace ion
exchange media in an ion exchange column may be calculated based on
a water quality parameter such as concentration of ionic
contaminants in influent water to be treated and a flow rate of
water through the water treatment system. A conductivity sensor
(e.g., one of the input sensors 205 illustrated in FIG. 2) may be
utilized to measure the concentration of ionic contaminants in the
influent water to be treated. A flow sensor (e.g., another of the
input sensor 205 illustrated in FIG. 2 or the output sensors 215 or
internal sensors 210 illustrated in FIG. 2) may be utilized to
measure the flow rate of water being treated in the water treatment
system at the user's site. Based on measurements from the
conductivity sensor and the flow sensor(s) in the water treatment
system, the service provider may determine a frequency at which the
ion exchange column(s) should be serviced. The capacity of the ion
exchange columns is based on the types of resin used and the amount
of resin used. The capacity is expressed in grains. The total
amount of water that can be treated is based on the capacity of the
ion exchange columns and contaminant load in the feedwater as
expressed by its conductivity. The conversion equations are as
follows:
Conductivity (uS/CM).times.Cond_TDS_Conv_Factor=Total Dissolved
Solids(TDS)(units are PPM) (1)
TDS/PPM_GPG_Conv_Factor=Contaminant_Load(units are grains/gallon)
(2)
[0087] The Cond_TDS_Conv_Factor and PPM_GPG_Conv_Factor factors in
the above equations may be empirically determined.
[0088] Capacity calculations may begin (or may be reset) when the
ion exchange columns are exchanged. When water begins flowing
through the ion exchange columns the feedwater conductivity is
converted to Contaminant_Load per equations (1) and (2) above. Each
gallon of water that flows reduces the ion exchange column capacity
by gallons flowed.times.Contaminant_Load. At the beginning of each
day, the system computes the projected days left until ion exchange
column exhaustion (Projected Days Left) by using the previous days
average conductivity, the 10 day average flow total and current
remaining capacity per the following equation:
(Current Remaining Capacity/(Average Daily
Conductivity*Cond_TDS_Conv_Factor/PPM_GPG_Conv_Factor))/10 Day
Average Flow Total=Projected Days Left (3)
[0089] The projected days left is compared to a projected days
alarm setpoint. If it is less than the setpoint and a projected
days left alarm is generated.
[0090] If the percent of remaining capacity is less than a
remaining capacity alarm setpoint, a remaining capacity alarm is
generated.
[0091] Alternatively, capacity determination may be based on a
historically weighted calculation of average flow rate weighted
relative to the past day flow rate. For example, a historical daily
average flow rate and the prior day average flow rate can be
weighted, e.g., 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 3:2, 4:3, 5:2,
5:3, 6:5, 7:2, 7:3, 7:4, 7:5, and 7:6, can be used.
[0092] The service provider may schedule servicing of the ion
exchange column(s) so that the ion exchange column(s) are serviced
while still having a certain amount of treatment capacity, for
example, 10% treatment capacity remaining (a remaining capacity
alarm setpoint of 10%) to provide a safety margin to prevent the
treated water from achieving an unacceptable quality. The service
provider may also or alternatively schedule servicing of the ion
exchange column(s) at a set period of time, for example, from five
to ten days before the treatment capacity of the ion exchange
column(s) is expected to become depleted. The service provider may
set a fee for production of specified volume of treated water at
the user's site based on the calculated frequency at which the ion
exchange column(s) should be serviced.
[0093] The service provider may also or alternatively schedule
service of the water treatment system based on alarms or out of
control signals provided by the water treatment system. The alarms
or out of control signals may be sent responsive to one or more
monitored parameter exceeding a setpoint or being outside of an
expected range (e.g., 5% or more above a five day average or a 10
day average) at a single point in time or for a period of time, for
example, for five days or more. For example, for a service
deionization system such as illustrated in FIG. 4, worker probe S2
may provide an indication that the conductivity of water exiting
the ion exchange column 440 is increasing to a level indicative of
imminent depletion of the ion exchange bed in the ion exchange
column 440. The service provider may receive a notification of the
indication from worker probe S2 via, for example, the
monitor/controller 455 and may schedule service of the ion exchange
column 440. Based on the conductivity readings from the worker
probe S2 and the measured flow rate through the system, the service
provider may calculate a remaining treatment capacity of the ion
exchange bed in the ion exchange column 445 and adjust a schedule
for servicing the ion exchange column 445 accordingly. In some
embodiments, the ion exchange column 440 should be serviced within
about two days from the indication provided from the sensor S1.
Additionally, if the polisher probe S3 provides an indication that
the conductivity of the water exiting the ion exchange column 445
is approaching or exceeding an unacceptable level, if the leak
sensor 460 provides an indication of a water leak, or if a pressure
sensor or sensors (e.g., one or more of sensors 205, 210, or 215 of
FIG. 2) provides an indication of an unacceptable or unacceptably
trending pressure across one or more components of the treatment
system, the service provider may schedule a service call to service
one or more of the components of the water treatment system.
[0094] The service provider may also or alternatively schedule
service based on one or more signals indicative of a potential
system problem from one of the ancillary systems 150A, 150B, 150C
illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, failure of a pump,
unexpectedly high power draw from one of the ancillary systems,
unacceptable pressure drop across one of the ancillary systems,
etc. Any alerts, alarms, or out of control signals provided to the
service provider may also or alternatively be provided to a user of
the treated water produced by the water treatment system, an
operator of the water treatment system or a component thereof, or
an owner of the system or component thereof if the owner is not the
service provider.
[0095] In some embodiments, the central server 510 located at the
centralized monitoring location 500 may determine when and which
components of water treatment systems at various user or customer
sites 505A, 505B, 505C should be serviced. The central server
located at the centralized monitoring location 500 may communicate
a service schedule to one or more service provider locations 515A,
515B. The central server 510 located at the centralized monitoring
location 500 may send service requests or schedules to one or one
or more service provider locations 515A, 515B that optimize factors
such as travel time between the service provider locations 515A,
515B and sites at which equipment may be in need of service. For
example, the central server may send a service schedule to a
service provider location that is closer to a site having equipment
that should be serviced than another service provider location. The
central server may adjust the service schedule so that one or more
components of a water treatment system at one of user or customer
sites 505A, 505B, 505C is serviced earlier or later than optimal
based on the remaining treatment capacity of the one or more
components if doing so would provide for multiple components to be
serviced in a single service trip and thus cause an overall
reduction in costs by reducing a number of individual service trips
that are taken by the service provider. For example, if service is
scheduled to replace an ion exchange column (or columns) at a first
site, and a second site close to the first site has one or more ion
exchange columns that have a remaining capacity of less than about
10% more than their remaining capacity alarm setpoint and/or a
Projected Days Left of a week or less, replacement of the ion
exchange column(s) at the second site may be scheduled to be
performed during a same service trip to replace the ion exchange
column(s) at the first site.
[0096] Costs associated with regenerating ion exchange columns may
also be factored into decisions on when to replace ion exchange
columns approaching exhaustion at different sites. With some ion
exchange columns if the resin in the ion exchange column still has
remaining treatment capacity, the resin bed may be first completely
exhausted prior to being regenerated. To exhaust the resin bed,
additional chemicals may be passed through the resin bed. More
chemicals may be required to exhaust and then regenerate an ion
exchange column with 20% remaining capacity than a similar ion
exchange column with 10% remaining capacity. The chemicals used to
exhaust a resin bed in an ion exchange column have an associated
cost. Accordingly, if, in the example above, costs (e.g., fuel
costs and worker time) associated with travel to the second site in
addition to costs associated with the chemicals used for
regenerating the ion exchange columns at the second site earlier
than necessary exceed costs (e.g., fuel, labor, etc.) that might be
associated with replacing the ion exchange columns at the second
site in a different service trip than the service trip for
replacing the ion exchange column(s) at the first site, different
service trips for the two different sites may be scheduled instead
of just one.
[0097] Components of a water treatment system which may be serviced
by a service provider are not limited to ion exchange columns and
the water quality parameter or parameters used to determine when to
service the components water treatment systems are not limited to
conductivity or ionic concentration and flow rate. In other
embodiments, a water treatment system may include a turbidity
sensor upstream of one or more water treatment devices. The one or
more water treatment devices may have a limited capacity for
removing turbidity from water undergoing treatment in the one or
more water treatment devices. The one or more water treatment
devices may include, for example, a filter (e.g., a sand filter or
other form of solids-liquid separation filter) that has a limited
capacity for removal of solids from water before becoming clogged
or otherwise rendered ineffective for further treatment of
turbidity. The flow rate of water through the one or more water
treatment devices and the turbidity of the water to be treated may
be monitored to determine an expected service lifetime of the one
or more water treatment devices. Service of the one or more water
treatment devices may then be scheduled to be performed prior to
the end of the service lifetime of the one or more water treatment
devices.
[0098] In another example, the one or more water treatment devices
may include a pressure-driven separation device, for example, a
nanofiltration device or a reverse osmosis device and the
parameters used to determine when the one or more water treatment
devices should be serviced include pH and/or temperature measured
by one or more pH or temperature sensors upstream, downstream, or
within the one or more water treatment devices.
[0099] One method of providing treated water utilizing embodiments
of the system disclosed herein is illustrated in the flowchart of
FIG. 6, indicated generally at 600. In act 605 of the method, water
is treated in a water treatment unit, for example, that described
with reference to any of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 4, for a
predetermined period of time to produce treated water. The
predetermined period of time may correspond to a billing cycle of a
vendor or service provider who services the water treatment unit,
operates the water treatment unit on behalf of a customer, or who
owns the water treatment unit. The predetermined period of time may
be, for example, a week, a month, three months, or any other
suitable period of time. During the predetermined period of time, a
volume of the water or feedwater to be treated and/or the treated
water provided by the water treatment unit is measured utilizing a
sensor positioned in the water treatment unit, for example, one of
the ancillary devices 105A, 105B, 105C of FIG. 1B, the input or
output sensors 205, 215 of FIG. 2, or one or both of the flow
meters 425 of FIG. 4. (Act 610.) In some embodiments, after
measuring the volume of the treated water provided by the water
treatment unit in act 610, a cumulative volume of treated water
provided by the water treatment unit may be determined (act 615).
During the predetermined period of time, one or more parameters of
water to be treated in the water treatment system is monitored
utilizing a water quality sensor positioned in the water treatment
unit, for example, using the ancillary device 105A of FIG. 1B or
one of the input sensors 205 of FIG. 2. (Act 615.) Monitoring the
one or more parameters of the water to be treated may comprise
monitoring a conductivity of the water to be treated. The average
of the value of the one or more parameters of the water to be
treated during the predetermined period of time may be calculated
in act 625.
[0100] The method further includes calculating a difference between
the measured volume of the provided treated water during the
predetermined period of time and a baseline volume of treated water
to be provided during the predetermined period of time (act 630)
and determining a fee adjustment for providing the treated water
based at least on the calculated difference between the measured
volume of the provided treated water and the baseline volume of
treated water to be provided (act 635). The fee adjustment may also
be based on the monitored parameter, the average of the value of
the monitored parameter during the predetermined period of time,
and/or a difference between the monitored parameter and an expected
value of the monitored parameter. The fee adjustment may be an
adjustment to a base fee for providing the treated water during the
predetermined period of time that is determined based on at least
one of an expected volume of the feedwater to be treated during the
predetermined period of time and an expected value of the parameter
of the water to be treated during the predetermined period of
time.
[0101] In act 640, a remaining service life of the water treatment
unit may be predicted based on at least one of the measured volume
of the treated water provided and/or a cumulative volume of the
feedwater directed through the water treatment unit during the
predetermined period of time and the monitored parameter. In some
embodiments, the monitored parameter relates to a conductivity of
the water to be treated. The remaining service life of the water
treatment unit may be determined based at least on the cumulative
volume of treated water and on the monitored parameter or an
average of the value of the monitored parameter during the
predetermined period of time and/or a treatment capacity of the
water treatment unit.
[0102] In act 645 data regarding any of the monitored or calculated
parameters, for example data indicative of one or more of:
cumulative volume of water to be treated during the predetermined
period of time, expected volume of water to be treated during the
predetermined period of time, volume of treated water provided
during the predetermined period of time, measured parameter of the
water to be treated during the predetermined period of time, and
expected value of the parameter of the water to be treated during
the predetermined period of time may be made available to a user of
the water to be treated (a customer) or a vendor or service
provider responsible for operating or servicing the water treatment
system. This data may be made available, for example, via a web
portal (e.g., web portal 120 of FIG. 1A) and/or transmitted to a
central server remote from the water treatment system (e.g., server
510 of FIG. 5). In some embodiments, a schedule for service of the
water treatment system may be determined without input from a user
of the treated water, for example, based on the data provided to
the central server.
[0103] The method of FIG. 6 may be performed for any number of
water treatment units, for example, a first water treatment unit
located at site 1, illustrated in FIG. 5 and a second water
treatment unit located at site 2 illustrated in FIG. 5, remote from
the first water treatment unit.
[0104] FIG. 7 illustrates various actions that may be performed
responsive to data gathered or calculated in the method of FIG. 6.
In the flowchart indicated generally at 700, in act 705, the water
treatment system is treating water. During treatment of the water,
the water treatment system, or associated monitor(s) or controller
(local or remote) may check the status of various parameters or
conditions of the water treatment system. Any one or more of these
various parameters or conditions may be checked continuously, on a
predetermined schedule, sequentially, or concurrently. One
condition that may be checked is whether the system is in need of
or will soon be in need of service (act 710). To determine if the
system is in need of service, a remaining service life of the
system, determined, for example, in act 640 of the method
illustrated in FIG. 6, is compared against a service-initiating
life of the water treatment unit. If the remaining service life is
less than a service-initiating life of the water treatment unit,
service of the water treatment unit may be scheduled (act 715). The
water treatment system or associated monitor(s) or controller may
also check whether a monitored parameter of the treated water
provided by the system, for example, conductivity, particle level,
ORP, or any of the other parameters described with reference to the
ancillary devices of FIG. 1B or output sensor(s) of FIG. 2 is
outside of a desired range (act 720). If the monitored parameter is
outside of the desired range, the system or associated monitor(s)
or controller may at least one of: generate an alarm, send a
notification to a user, or schedule service of the water treatment
unit (acts 715, 725). If the monitored parameter is within the
desired range the water treatment unit may continue treating water,
optionally after performing checks of one or more additional
conditions. Another parameter that may be checked or monitored by
the system or associated monitor(s) or controller may be pressure
across the water treatment unit (act 730). If the monitored
pressure exceeds a predetermined differential pressure unit, the
system or associated monitor(s) or controller may at least one of:
generate an alarm, send a notification to a user, or schedule or
initiate service of the water treatment unit (acts 735, 725). If
the pressure across the water treatment unit is within an
acceptable range, the water treatment unit may continue treating
water, optionally after performing checks of one or more additional
conditions. Notification may be any one or more of a text message,
e.g., SMS or MMS, email message, a haptic alarm, an audible alarm,
and a visual alarm.
[0105] A method of remotely monitoring water treatment units is
illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8, indicated generally at 800.
Act 805 involves receiving at a central server, for example, server
510 of FIG. 5, data from a first water treatment unit that produces
a first treated water delivered to a first facility the central
server is disposed remotely from. The data may be representative of
at least one of a volume of a first feedwater to be treated in the
first water treatment unit, a volume of the first treated water,
and a conductivity of the first feedwater, during a first
predetermined period.
[0106] Act 810, which may be performed concurrently or sequentially
with act 805, involves receiving at the central server, data from a
second water treatment unit that produces a second treated water
delivered to a second facility that is disposed remotely from the
first facility and that the central server is disposed remotely
from. The data may be representative of at least one of a volume of
a second feedwater to be treated in the second water treatment
unit, a volume of the second treated water, and a conductivity of
the second feedwater, during a second predetermined period.
[0107] In act 815, a first base fee for providing the first treated
water over the first predetermined period is determined based on at
least one of an expected volume of the first feedwater to be
treated and an expected value of the conductivity of the first
feedwater.
[0108] In act 820, a second base fee for providing the second
treated water over the second predetermined period is determined
based on at least one of an expected volume of the second feedwater
to be treated and an expected value of the conductivity of the
second feedwater.
[0109] In act 825, a first fee adjustment for providing the first
treated water is determined based on the first base fee and a
difference between an actual and the expected volume of the first
feedwater. The first fee adjustment may further be based on the
conductivity of the first feedwater during the first predetermined
period.
[0110] In act 830, second fee adjustment for providing the second
treated water is determined based on the second base fee and a
difference between an actual and the expected volume of the second
feedwater. The second fee adjustment may be further based on the
conductivity of the second feedwater during the second
predetermined period.
[0111] In act 835, a remaining treatment capacity of the first
water treatment unit is determined based at least on at least one
of a cumulative volume of the first feedwater and the conductivity
of the first feedwater directed through the first water treatment
unit.
[0112] In act 840, a remaining treatment capacity of the second
water treatment unit based at least on at least one of a cumulative
volume of the second feedwater and the conductivity of the second
feedwater directed through the second water treatment unit.
[0113] In act 845, a first service requirement for the first water
treatment unit is initiated based on a cumulative volume of the
first feedwater treated in the first treatment unit.
[0114] In act 850, a second service requirement for the second
water treatment unit is initiated based on a cumulative volume of
the second feedwater treated in the second treatment unit.
[0115] In act 855, a route for a service provider to service the
first water treatment unit and the second water treatment unit is
generated based at least in part on locations of each of the first
facility and the second facility.
Example
[0116] Fee adjustments applied to an invoice to a consumer of
treated water may be determined in proportion to the amount of
treated water above or below the volume that was expected to be
provided during a billing period, or may be adjusted in a tiered
fashion based on the difference between actual and expected volume
of treated water provided during the billing period.
[0117] In an example of a proportional fee adjustment schedule, if
a consumer of treated water was expected to use X gallons of
treated water during a billing period, the consumer may receive a
fee adjustment credit that may be applied to an invoice for the
billing period or subsequent billing period for each gallon less
than the expected volume that was provided during the billing
period. The consumer may receive a fee adjustment charge that may
be applied to an invoice for the billing period or subsequent
billing period for each gallon more than the expected volume that
was provided during the billing period. The amount of the credit
provided per gallon below the expected volume provided need not be
the same as the charge per gallon above the expected volume
provided, although it may be. In some embodiments, consumers of
treated water may receive a fee adjustment charge for excess
treated water production, but may not be entitled to a fee
adjustment credit for consuming less than the expected volume of
treated water.
[0118] In an example of a tiered fee adjustment schedule, if a
consumer of treated water was expected to use X gallons of treated
water during a billing period, the consumer may receive a fee
adjustment credit that may be applied to an invoice for the billing
period or subsequent billing period if the consumer consumed at
least Y gallons less (a first tier) than the expected volume during
the billing period. If the consumer consumed less than the expected
volume but no more than Y gallons less, the consumer would not be
entitled to the credit. An additional credit may be provided to the
consumer if the consumer consumed at least Z gallons less (a second
tier) than the expected volume during the billing period, Z>Y.
In some embodiments Z may equal 2*Y. Additional credits may be
provided for additional tiers of water consumption below the
expected volume. The volume of water corresponding to intervals
between each sequential tier may correspond to the same volume of
water (e.g., Z=2*Y), although the intervals between sequential
tiers may correspond to greater or lesser volumes of water. The
amount of credit for consuming less water in different sequential
tiers may be a multiple of the credit for consuming less water than
that associated with the first tier. For example, the consumer may
receive a credit of $A for consuming a sufficiently low volume of
water to reach the first credit tier and $2*A for consuming a
sufficiently low volume of water to reach the second credit tier
(and $3*A for reaching third credit tier, etc.). In other
embodiments, the consumer may receive greater or less than a
multiple of the credit for consuming less water than that
associated with the first tier for consuming a sufficiently low
volume of water to reach the second credit tier or further
sequential credit tiers.
[0119] The consumer may receive a fee adjustment charge that may be
applied to an invoice for the billing period or subsequent billing
period if the consumer consumed at least N gallons more (a first
tier) than the expected volume during the billing period. If the
consumer consumed more than the expected volume but less than N
gallons more, the consumer would not be charged the fee adjustment
charge. An additional charge may be applied to the consumer's
invoice if the consumer consumed at least M gallons more (a second
tier) than the expected volume during the billing period, M>N.
In some embodiments M may equal 2*N. Additional charges may be
applied for additional tiers of water consumption above the
expected volume. The volume of water corresponding to intervals
between each sequential tier may correspond to the same volume of
water (e.g., M=2*N), although the intervals between sequential
tiers may correspond to greater or lesser volumes of water. The
charge for consuming more water in different sequential tiers may
be a multiple of the charge for consuming more water than that
associated with the first tier. For example, the consumer may
receive a charge of $B for consuming a sufficiently large volume of
water to reach the first fee adjustment charge tier and $2*B for
consuming a sufficiently large volume of water to reach the second
fee adjustment charge tier (and $3*B for reaching the third fee
adjustment charge tier, etc.). In other embodiments, the consumer
may be charged greater or less than a multiple of the charge for
consuming more water than that associated with the first tier for
consuming a sufficiently large volume of water to reach the second
fee adjustment charge tier or further sequential fee adjustment
charge tiers.
[0120] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this disclosure, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For
example, although aspects of the present disclosure are described
as used to remove biological floc from wastewater, these aspects
may be equally applicable to the removal of any form of suspended
solids, for example, inorganic suspended solids or fats, oil, or
grease in a settling unit or vessel. Aspects of the wastewater
treatment systems described herein may also use non-biological
treatment methods rather than biological treatment methods for the
treatment of wastewater. Accordingly, the foregoing description and
drawings are by way of example only.
[0121] The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As
used herein, the term "plurality" refers to two or more items or
components. The terms "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," and "involving," whether in the written
description or the claims and the like, are open-ended terms, i.e.,
to mean "including but not limited to." Thus, the use of such terms
is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, and equivalents
thereof, as well as additional items. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," are closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, with respect to the
claims. Use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third,"
and the like in the claims to modify a claim element does not by
itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim
element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a
method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish
one claim element having a certain name from another element having
a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the
claim elements.
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