In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange is described where a first product flows through a first pipeline and a second product flows through a second pipeline. A pipeline interchange is connected downstream to both the first pipeline and the second pipeline, wherein the pipeline interchange blends the first product flowing through the first pipeline with the second product flowing through the second pipeline. A third pipeline is connected downstream to the pipeline interchange, wherein the third pipeline flows a blended product created from the blending of the first product and the second product in the pipeline interchange. An automated analyzer can be situated downstream of the pipeline interchange capable of physical and/or chemically analyzing the blended product and generating blended data. A data analyzer is also positioned to interpret the blended data and communicate adjustments to the flow of both the first product and the second product to achieve desired physical and/or chemical characteristics in the blended product.

In one embodiment, a process is taught where the process begins by flowing a first product through a first pipeline and flowing a second product through a second pipeline. In this embodiment, the first product in the first pipeline is analyzed with a first product automated analyzer that is capable of physical and/or chemically analyzing the first product in the first pipeline and generating a first product data. Additionally, in this embodiment, the second product in the second pipeline is analyzed with a second product automated analyzer that is capable of physical and/or chemically analyzing the second product in the second pipeline and generating a second product data. The process then produces a blended product by mixing both the first product and the second product within a pipeline interchange which is connected downstream to both the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The blended product then flows from the pipeline interchange to a third pipeline that is connected downstream of pipeline interchange. The first product data and the second product data is then interpreted in a data analyzer by comparing the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the first data to an optimal first data and the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the second data to an optimal second data. The data analyzer then determines the adjustments in the flow of the first product and the flow of the second product to achieve optimal blended data from the blended product. The adjustments are then communicated to adjust the flow of the first product in the first pipeline and the flow of the second product in the second pipeline.

Semiconductor processing systems and methods are provided in which an amount or concentration of a chemical in a chemical mixture contained in a tank is automatically controlled based on a sensed properties of the chemical mixture. In some embodiments, a semiconductor processing system includes a processing tank that is configured to contain a chemical mixture. A chemical sensor is configured to sense one or more properties of the chemical mixture. The system further includes an electrically controllable valve that is configured to adjust an amount of the first chemical in the chemical mixture based on the sensed one or more properties of the chemical mixture.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a mixing system with a recirculation pump and a sensor configured to measure a property of a fluid discharged from the recirculation pump, wherein the sensor may transmit the property to a control system to allow an operator to adjust the mixing system in response to changes in the measurement signal.

The present invention relates to a production system for manufacturing of formulations, comprising a unit (1). The unit (1) includes a subunit (1.1) which includes a combination of a process mixer and a buffer tank, means of feeding defined amounts of feedstocks into the process mixer, a measurement unit for ascertaining properties of a part-batch of a formulation manufactured in the process mixer, an evaluation unit for determining a deviation of properties of the part-batches manufactured in the process mixer from the properties of a predefined target state, and a unit for adjusting the feed of feedstocks in view of the deviations. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing formulations.

A multi-component fluid delivery system includes a first fluid pump and a second fluid pump. The first and the second fluid pumps are not mechanically coupled to each other. The multi-component fluid delivery system further includes a control system comprising a processor configured to derive a slip ratio for the first fluid pump and the second fluid pump. The processor is additionally configured to apply a master-slave motor control to deliver a specified fluid ratio via the first and the second fluid pumps based on the slip ratio.

A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

A medical vaporizer is provided. In one embodiment, dual-purpose sensors are employed, such as in a configuration in which one is positioned in the mixed gas flow channel and one is positioned in the main gas flow channel. The sensors provide measurements that may be used to determine both gas flow and gas concentration in the mixed and main gas channels, even when the identity and/or properties of the gas in the main gas channel are unknown. The measurements derived from the dual-purpose sensors may be used to measure and report the total anesthetic being delivered at the vaporizer output and/or improve vaporizer accuracy.

Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection are provided. An example method includes determining a first moving average for a first period of time based upon first temperature data and determining a second moving average for the first period of time based upon second temperature data. The method includes determining a first air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data and the first moving average and a comparison between the second temperature data and the second moving average. The method includes determining a second air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and calibrated air thresholds. The method includes determining a third air presence parameter based upon a comparison between a first temperature data entry and each second temperature data entry. An air bubble within a fluid flow system is detected based upon the parameters.

A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.