Patent ID: 6523396
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the online homogeneity of a fluid mixture flowing through a process, said apparatus comprising:a lumen having a first end and a second end and being positioned at an angle to a horizontal reference greater than zero degrees, said lumen being coupled to the process at said first end; a flow restrictor having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said second end and wherein said outlet is arranged to deliver any fluid that passes therethrough to a collector; said lumen and said flow restrictor being initially occupied by a continuous, non-moving sample of fluid mixture therein that has been diverted from the process; a sensor for detecting the changing weight of said lumen and said flow restrictor over time once the sample of fluid mixture begins moving and passes from said outlet into said collector, said sensor generating data relating to the changing weight of said collector over time; said first end being exposed to atmospheric pressure creating a pressure differential between said first end and said outlet, said sample of fluid mixture moving through said lumen and said flow restrictor at a first shear rate caused by said pressure differential, said movement of the fluid mixture causing said pressure differential to decrease from said first shear rate for generating plural shear rates; and a computer for statistically analyzing said data relating to the changing weight to determine if there is good or poor mixing of the fluid mixture.