Patent ID: 8254657
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G01N,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method of analyzing bubbles, cells or other particles in a process liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of: obtaining images of the bubbles, cells or other particles in the liquid in-situ with a vision probe extending into the vessel; generating a binary image for each image, each binary image having a background with spots located thereon corresponding to the bubbles, cells or particles appearing in the images; analyzing the binary images with image recognition software to determine information concerning a process occurring within the vessel; and adjusting a process condition of the process occurring within the vessel based on the information determined from said analyzing step; said analyzing step including measuring at least one of bubble, cell or particle size, mean diameter, surface area, flow rate, flow pattern, population distribution, viability, agglomerates or clumping, color change, viscosity, Sauter mean, ratio of surface area of bubbles relative to volume of bubbles, gas hold-up ratio of gas volume to volume of liquid, and interfacial area; said analyzing step including identifying valid or viable bubbles, cells or particles from invalid or non-viable bubbles, cells, or other particles appearing in the images by distinguishing the invalid bubbles, cells or particles that appear in the images and that are stuck to the vision probe relative to the valid bubbles, cells or particles that are freely flowing in the process liquid; and said distinguishing step being accomplished by determining which bubbles, cells or particles appear in the same location in each of the images.