The invention relates to a device for analyzing a test sample and for the providing of corresponding analysis data.
So-called on-line analyzers are marketed by the assignee under the trademark STAMOLYS. The analyzers are used in the monitoring and optimizing of the cleaning performance of a clarification plant, in the monitoring of aeration tanks and clarification plant effluent or in the control of filler dosing. Examples of parameters measured and monitored include the concentrations of ammonium, phosphate or nitrate in a test sample. The analysis of a test sample occurs on the basis of known measuring methods that do not need to be considered in greater detail here.
On-line analyzers register daily information preferably continuously as a function of time. They deliver, on the one hand, reliably the desired information with respect to the developing operation of the plant; on the other hand, information respecting possibly required changes in the process technology are furnished. On the basis of the analysis data, sometimes quite considerable savings in operating means and operating costs are achieved.
The working procedure in an on-line analyzer containing a calorimetric measuring device is roughly as follows: a pump fills the permeate—thus, the collected test sample—into a mixing container. A reagents pump feeds to the test sample a suitable reagent in a specified mixing ratio. The reagent reacts with the test sample, whereby the test sample turns color in a characteristic manner. A measurement of the extinction or the absorption of radiation directed through the reacted test sample is determined by means of a photometer or a spectrometer. The extinction or the absorption delivers information on the concentration of a chemical element or a chemical compound in the test sample. Preferably, the temperature of the photometer is also controlled in the case of the STAMOLYS analyzer. In this way, the intended reaction between the permeate and the reagent can occur reproducibly and within a short time.
On-line analyzers must always be matched to the given application. Thus, widely varied pump systems and measuring devices come into use. Additionally, an on-line analyzer is usually designed for a certain number of measurement locations, from which the test samples are taken in a chronological sequence. As a result, also the control/evaluation unit, the so-called electronics part, must be matched to the particular pump and measuring systems being used. Consequently, the end result is a very large multiplicity of differently constructed analyzers. From the manufacturing point of view, the construction of known analyzers is very complicated and inflexible.
An object of the invention is to provide a cost-favorable and highly flexible, on-line analyzer.
The object is achieved by a device which includes the following exchangeable modules: at least one function module embodied such that it can provide measurement signals representing at least one physical or chemical, process parameter; at least one pump module, which is embodied such that it can, in specified cycles depending on the particular function module being used, supply a predeterminable amount of sample and/or a predeterminable amount of at least one reagent or a predeterminable amount of a cleanser into the function module; an electronics module, which guides the working cycles of the particular pump module being used and/or the particular function module being used, evaluates the measurement signals delivered by the function module, and makes the corresponding analysis data of the test sample available. According to the invention, the most varied of analyzers can be realized with a minimum number of different modules, by the changing and exchanging of individual modules matched to the individual, measured parameters and measurement methods.
Preferably, the electronics module itself also has a modular construction. It is essentially divided into three components:
The goal of the modular construction of the control/evaluation electronics is, also in this case, a reduction in the multiplicity of components. The modular construction of the electronics is distinguished by a great flexibility in the manner of data display and in the manner of connection on the side of the customer. Preferably, the modules of the electronics unit can be plugged onto a carrier unit and simultaneously make contact. In similar manner, also the function and pump modules, etc. are secured simply and quickly to a carrier unit via a plug mechanism.
The function module is, for example, an ion-selective measurement device, or a calorimetric measuring device. The calorimetric measuring unit can be either a photometer or a spectrometer. Colorimetric measuring devices can determine, for example, the concentration of ammonium, nitrate or orthophosphate in a test sample.
In an advantageous further development of the analyzer of the invention, a device for preparing the test sample is integrated into the function module. This leads to a compact form of construction. Especially a mixer module is provided, in which the test sample and at least one reagent are mixed together in a predeterminable ratio.
An advantageous further development of the device of the invention provides a display module, on which, among other things, the analysis data or the calibration data are displayed. Preferably, the electronics module is additionally embodied such that it is usable for different display and/or input modules. In this way, a rationalization is, in turn, achieved respecting the subject of component multiplicity in the case of analyzers. For the display of measurement data, simple exchange of the front/display module enables implementation of various display sizes and colored presentations. For the connection on the side of the customer, exchange or installation of suitable modules makes it possible to effect targeted changes, and to accommodate customer wishes, respecting the number of test streams to be measured, the manner of forwarding of measured values, and the supply of power.
According to one embodiment of the device of the invention important for some applications, at least one of the following modules is additionally provided:
It is especially advantageous in connection with the device of the present invention, when the modules are mounted exchangeably on a carrier unit. In such case, the various modules are preferably mounted at suitably provided places. The various modules of a category (function modules, pump modules, etc.) are approximately equal with respect to their dimensions and with respect to their manner of securement.
If the analyzer is situated in the open or at an unprotected place, then the carrier unit is preferably arranged in a housing. If the analyzer is set up at a protected place, then a cost-favorable variant of the device of the invention provides that the carrier unit is mounted on a frame. Preferably, the frame or the carrier unit is additionally embodied so that it can be folded out.
In an advantageous further development of the device of the invention, at least one receptacle is provided, in which the at least one reagent is stored. In order to assure a problemless transport, the receptacle for the reagent, or the cleaning agent, is arranged in an accommodating unit. If the accommodating unit is additionally to serve for catching escaping reagent or cleaning agent, then the accommodating unit is provided in the form of a collecting pan.
According to a preferred form of embodiment of the device of the invention, the electronics module and the remaining modules of the analyzer are separated from one another in a housing or arranged on a frame. In this way, the wet and dry parts can be purposely kept separated from one another. Especially to be avoided is that overflowing or escaping liquid comes in contact with the electronics part. Preferably, the electronics module is, moreover, arranged in the upper region of the housing or frame. Additionally, the electronic/electrical components in the functional area ‘analysis module’ are arranged separated from the non-electrical or non-electronic components by at least one dividing wall.
According to an advantageous further development of the device of the invention, an outlet is provided, via which a reacted test sample and/or a cleaning agent for the cleaning of the pump, function and mixer modules can be drained off. One variant provides that the outlet is located in a side wall of the housing and that reacted test sample and/or used cleaning agent are/is conducted over a connecting line to the outlet. Alternatively, an outlet pipe is provided, arranged in the lower region of the housing. In order to assure a safe discharge of the reacted test sample or cleaning agent, the cross sectional area of the outlet pipe is plural-times greater than the cross sectional area of the outlet opening of the function module.
In many instances of application, it is necessary that plural analyses must be conducted in parallel with one another. In this connection, a favorable embodiment of the device of the invention provides that plural, modularly constructed measuring devices are arranged as spatial neighbors of one another. Furthermore, a common electronics module is provided, via which the individual measurement devices are actuated and which makes the analysis data available to the individual measurement devices.
The invention will now be explained in greater detail on the basis of the following drawings, whose figures show as follows:
a: a presentation of the detail A of
b: a presentation of various expansion stages of the duct switching module,
a: a presentation of the detail B of
a: a presentation of the detail C of
a: a side view of a foldable embodiment of the analyzer of the invention in the operating state,
b: a side view of the foldable embodiment of the analyzer of the invention shown in
The division into separate functional areas 2, 3, 4 brings the following advantages:
Furthermore, there is, as can be seen from
The essential components of the analyzer 1 of the invention are, as already explained above, the pump module 9, the function module 10 and the electronics module 36. Additionally, the presented analyzer 1 includes a display/input module 2, which contains a display 6 and an operating keypad 7.
The electronics/display and/or operating module 2 is arranged in the upper region of the housing 5. Spatially therebeneath, the so-called analysis modules are located; in the illustrated case, the analysis modules include, as already indicated, a duct switching module 8, a pump module 9 and a function module 10. Beneath the area 3 of the analysis modules is located the area 4 for reagent and cleaning agent storage. The reagents and cleaning agents are stored in receptacles 11. By the purposeful division into the functional areas 2, 3, 4 and the subdividing of the functional areas 2, 3, 4 into modules, one can see, already at first glance, that the analyzer 1 of the invention is orderly, reliable, and precise.
To be noted in
The pump module of
b illustrates different variations of the duct switching module 8. In the case of the left variant, absolutely nothing is switched. In the case of the other duct switching modules, the number of valves 18 depends on the maximum number of ducts to be operated. Preferably, the valves 18 are two-way valves. Control of the valves 18, the pumps 20 and the function module 10 occurs via the suitably adapted electronics module 36. This electronics module 36 is likewise so embodied that it can be matched to a particular application with little trouble.
As can also be seen in
a and 6b show in side view an analyzer 1 of the invention that can be folded out of the housing 5.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102 20 829.8 | May 2002 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP03/04734 | 5/7/2003 | WO | 6/2/2005 |