Patent ID: 8580121
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: B01J,C02F,F17D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing in a main fluid stream, and controlling the at least one monitored characteristic of the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream to a desired level by treatment of the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream with at least one treatment fluid added to the main fluid stream, the method comprising: adding at least one treatment fluid to the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream; delivering the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream and the at least one added treatment fluid through a conduit to a reactor/clarification vessel wherein the treatment of the main fluid by the at least one treatment fluid is accomplished such that the at least one monitored characteristic reaches the desired level; a diverting step consisting of diverting a sample fluid stream from the treatment fluid added main fluid stream in the conduit at a diversion point downstream of an adding point of the at least one treatment fluid to the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream, and upstream of any reactor/clarification vessel which treats the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream with the added treatment fluid, wherein the sample fluid stream diverted from the treatment fluid added main fluid stream is volumetrically smaller than the main fluid stream, and the reaction conditions of the sample fluid stream emulate the reaction conditions in the main fluid stream; a detaining step consisting of detaining the sample fluid stream diverted from the treatment fluid added main fluid stream in the conduit for a predetermined detainment period of time in at least one detainment area separate from and independent of the reactor/clarification vessel so as to allow the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream and the added at least one treatment fluid to react in the detainment area; analyzing at least a portion of the detained sample fluid stream diverted from the treatment fluid added main fluid stream in the conduit during the predetermined detainment period to determine whether said at least one characteristic of the analyzed portion of the detained sample fluid stream is at the desired level; and controlling a rate of adding the at least one treatment fluid added to the fluid flowing in the main fluid stream, based on the results of the analysis of the at least a portion of the detained sample fluid stream diverted from the treatment fluid added main fluid stream in the conduit during the predetermined detainment period, such that controlling said rate of adding causes the at least one monitored characteristic of the fluid in the reactor/clarification vessel to be at the desired level at at least one predetermined time.