METHODS AND VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT PROCESS

Abstract

A method and a ventilation system includes ventilation ducts, a control system and at least one spray nozzle. The at least one spray nozzle is configured to spray a liquid mist onto at least one portion of an inner surface of the ventilation system. The liquid mist contains a culture of microorganisms adapted for biologically treating fat, oil and grease present on at least one portion of the inner surface of the ventilation system, thereby providing for partial biodegradation of the fat, oil and grease present on the at least one portion of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

Claims

1: A ventilation system comprising ventilation ducts, a control system and a plurality of spray nozzles, wherein each of said plurality of spray nozzle is configured to spray a liquid mist onto at least one portion of an inner surface of the ventilation system, and wherein said liquid mist is containing a culture of microorganisms adapted for biologically treating fat, oil and grease present on different portions of the inner surface of the ventilation system, thereby providing for partial biodegradation of the fat, oil and grease present on the different portions of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system, wherein the ventilation system comprises at least one camera and/or microphone configured to obtain image and/or audio data for estimating, by the control system, the amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease on the different portions of the inner surface, and wherein said ventilation system comprises a plurality of spray nozzles directed toward different portions of the inner surface of the ventilation system, and wherein said control system is further configured to control the plurality of spray nozzles so that different amounts of liquid mist is sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces based on estimated, by the control system, different amounts of accumulated fat, oil and grease present on the different inner surfaces.

2: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation system comprises at least one sensor configured to obtain sensor data adapted to be used for estimating the efficiency of the biological treatment process.

3: The ventilation system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor and an inductive sensor configured to obtain sensor data adapted to be used for estimating, by the control system, at least one of the efficiency of the biological treatment process and the amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease on the different portions of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

4: The ventilation system according to claim 3, wherein the control system is configured to change the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surface based on at least one of obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and an estimated amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

5: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein said control system is further configured to change at least one process variable, process scheme and/or process parameter used for controlling the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surface based on at least one of the obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and an estimated amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

6: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation system comprises a heat exchanger and at least one temperature sensor, infrared camera and/or detector for obtaining sensor data for determining the difference in air temperature before and after the heat exchanger.

7: The ventilation system according to claim 6, wherein said control system is further configured to change the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system based on the determined difference in air temperature before and after the heat exchanger.

8: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein said control system is further configured to receive control data or instruction data from another ventilation system and/or a master control unit, wherein said control system is further configured to, in response to said received control data or instruction data, change the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

9: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein said control system is further configured to receive control data or instruction data from another wastewater treatment system and/or a master control unit, wherein said control system is further configured to, in response to said received control data or instruction data, change at least one process variable, process scheme and/or process parameter for controlling the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

10: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one spray nozzle is adapted to be used for flushing off, with a flushing liquid, hydrolyzed fat present on the inner surfaces of the ventilation ducts, and wherein the control system is further configured to change the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amount of flushing liquid per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surface based on at least one of obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and an estimated amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

11: The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to control and optimize the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the at least one portion of the inner surface on both an estimated accumulation of fat, oil and grease and/or the rate of increase per unit of the accumulated fat, oil and grease and a determined or estimated current amount of media comprising microorganisms present on the inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

12: The ventilation system according to claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to estimate the amount of accumulated media comprising microorganisms on the inner surfaces of the ventilation system is based on sensor data obtained by the at least one sensor of the ventilation system.

13: The ventilation system according to claim 11, wherein the amount of accumulated media comprising microorganisms on the inner surfaces of the ventilation system is estimated by a remote processor of a master control unit and/or a backend system based on sensor data obtained by the at least one sensor of the ventilation system.

14: A method in a ventilation system comprising ventilation ducts, a control system, at least one sensor, camera, and/or microphone and/or acoustic wave sensor and a plurality of spray nozzles, said method comprising the steps of: a) spraying, by the plurality of spray nozzles, a liquid mist onto different portions of the inner surface of the ventilation system, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are spraying liquid mist toward mutually different inner portions of the ventilation ducts of the ventilation system, and wherein said liquid mist is containing a culture of microorganisms adapted for biologically treating fat, oil and grease present on the different portions of the inner surface of the ventilation ducts, thereby providing for partial biodegradation of the fat, oil and grease present on the at least one portion of the inner surface; b) obtaining, by the at least one sensor, camera, and/or microphone and/or acoustic wave sensor, sensor data, audio data and/or image data; c) determining, by the control system, estimated amounts of fat, oil and grease accumulated on different inner surfaces of the ventilation system, wherein said determining is based on said obtained sensor data, audio data and/or image data; d) controlling, by the control system, the plurality of spray nozzles so that different amounts of liquid mist are sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces based on the estimated, by the control system, different amounts of accumulated fat, oil and grease present on the different inner surfaces of the ventilation ducts; and e) changing, by the control system, the amounts of liquid mist sprayed onto different inner surfaces of the ventilation system based on the determined amounts of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

15: The method according to claim 14, wherein the ventilation system further comprises at least one sensor, camera and/or microphone, said method further comprising: a) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the based on at least one of obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and the estimated amounts of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

16: The method according to claim 14, said method further comprising: a) determining, by the control system, an estimated rate of increase of the amount of fat, oil and grease accumulated on different inner surfaces of the ventilation system; and b) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amounts of liquid mist sprayed onto different inner surfaces of the ventilation system based on the determined estimated rate of increase in the amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

17: The method according to claim 14, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a heat exchanger and at least one temperature sensor, infrared camera and/or detector for determining the difference in air temperature before and after the heat exchanger, said method further comprising: a) obtaining, by the at least one temperature sensor, infrared camera and/or detector, sensor data; b) determining, by the control system, the difference in air temperature before and after the heat exchanger; and c) changing, by the control system and based on at least one of the obtained sensor data and the determined difference in air temperature, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surface.

18: The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of spray nozzles is adapted to be used for flushing off, with a flushing liquid, hydrolyzed fat present on the different inner surfaces of the ventilation ducts, said method further comprising: a) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of flushing liquid per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surface based on at least one of obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and estimated amounts of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

19: The method according to claim 14, further comprising: a) receiving, by the control system and from another ventilation system and/or a master control unit, control data or instruction data; and b) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different inner surfaces based on the received control data or instruction data.

20: The method according to claim 14, further comprising: a) receiving, by the control system and from another ventilation system and/or a master control unit, control data or instruction data; and b) changing, by the control system and in response to receiving said control data or instruction data, at least one process variable, process scheme and/or process parameter for controlling the activation of spray nozzles and the biological treatment process.

21: The method according to claim 14, further comprising: a) determining, by the control system, the amount of media comprising microorganisms previously used for spraying the liquid mist onto the different inner surfaces of the ventilation system over a certain past time period; and b) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the plurality of spray nozzles and/or the amounts of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different portions of the inner surfaces on both an estimated accumulation of fat, oil and grease and/or the rate of increase per unit of the accumulated fat, oil and grease and the determined amounts of media comprising microorganisms previously sprayed onto the different inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

22: The method according to claim 14, further comprising: a) estimating, by the control system, the amounts of media comprising microorganisms present on the different inner surfaces of the ventilation system, wherein said estimation is based on the obtained sensor data; and b) changing, by the control system, the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the different inner surfaces on both an estimated accumulation of fat, oil and grease and/or the rate of increase per unit of the accumulated fat, oil and grease and a determined or estimated current amount of media comprising microorganisms present on the different inner surfaces of the ventilation system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0134] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0135] FIG. 1 shows a system according to the technology disclosed which is comprising a master control unit and a plurality of ventilation sub-systems.

[0136] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for purifying air according to embodiments of the technology disclosed.

[0137] FIG. 3 illustrates a wastewater treatment system communicatively connected to the ventilation system or master control unit of the technology disclosed.

[0138] FIG. 4 illustrates a system for purifying air according to embodiments of the technology disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0139] As used herein, the terms “process variable” and “process-related parameter values” refers to at least one of process variables and parameter values for controlling a biological treatment process for biologically breaking down at least one of fat, oil and grease (FOG).

[0140] In embodiments, the terms “process variable” and “process-related parameter values” used in this disclosure may include process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the adding/dosing/spraying of a composition of microorganisms for improving the biological process for breaking down FOG, e.g. process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the added/dosed/sprayed amounts of microorganisms per time unit.

[0141] In embodiments, the terms “process variable” and “process-related parameter values” used in this disclosure may include process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the adding/injecting/spraying of an oxygen-containing gas, for example air, for stimulating the growth of microorganisms and thereby improve the biological process for breaking down FOG, e.g. process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the added/injected/sprayed amounts of oxygen-containing gas per time unit.

[0142] In embodiments, the terms “process variable” and “process-related parameter values” used in this disclosure may include process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the heat actively added to a biological treatment zone/area of a system for stimulating the growth of microorganisms and thereby improve the biological treatment process for biologically breaking down fat, oil and/or grease (FOG), e.g. process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the heat added per time unit, e.g. using a separate heater unit/system.

[0143] In embodiments, the terms “process variable” and “process-related parameter values” used in this disclosure may include process variables, process schemes and process parameters for controlling the cooling down of a biological treatment zone/area of a system to thereby improve the overall biological treatment process for biologically breaking down fat, oil and/or grease (FOG).

[0144] In aspects, the system of the technology disclosed will detect any change in the bioprocess to the better or worse in terms of biodegradation of FOG and would therefore trigger a sample and analysis to determine if the change in microculture has occurred that could be used as either a starting culture in any other biosystem in other sites or as a sample for further product development of the initiative induced microculture.

[0145] In aspects, it is an object of the technology disclosed to provide methods and systems for determining or detecting whether a change in a biological process has occurred at least partly based on obtained sensor data related to the biological process, where the obtained sensor data may explicitly indicate a change in the biological process. An indication of a change in the biological process, which is at least partly based on the obtained sensor data, may trigger the collecting of a sample and, optionally, a further analysis of the collected sample. The analysis of the sample may determine if a change in the microculture has occurred

[0146] In aspects, it is an object of the technology disclosed to provide methods for detecting a change in a biological process at least partly based on obtained sensor data related to the biological process, where the obtained sensor data may explicitly indicate a change in the biological process. A change in the biological process which may be determined at least based on the obtained, e.g. collected or received sensor data, may trigger the collecting of a sample and, optionally, and may further trigger the performing of an analysis of the collected sample.

[0147] In certain aspects, it is an object of the technology disclosed to perform an analysis of the sample may determine if a change in the microculture has occurred, e.g. that a spontaneous mutation has occurred, e.g. of the microculture initially added to biological treatment process, and/or that a change in the composition of microorganisms has occurred, e.g. a change in the ratio of different microorganisms in the composition of microorganisms. A microculture in the collected sample could be used as either a starting culture in any other biological treatment system, e.g. at other sites, or as a sample for further product development of a microculture in the collected sample. The system, or a master control unit communicatively coupled to the system, of the technology disclosed may determine, at least partly based on obtained sensor data, that a change in the biological process has occurred. The collected sample containing the microculture, or culture of microorganisms, may then be collected from a biological treatment zone of the system and the collected sample may be suitable for biologically treating fat, oil and/or grease (FOG), e.g. suitable for breaking down fat, oil and/or grease and/or suitable for partial biodegradation of fat, oil and/or grease.

[0148] In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to methods, a system and apparatuses comprising control units for sharing data and/or information between sub-systems and/or a master control unit, for the purpose of controlling a treatment process in a sub-system, where the sub-system is using microorganisms for purification of air streams containing high amounts of particles of fat, oil and/or grease.

[0149] In embodiments, the technology disclosed further relates to methods, systems comprising at least one of sensor data, soft sensor data, image data, process variables, IoT (Internet of Things), machine-learning algorithms, deep learning algorithms and artificial intelligence for determining whether and when to collect a sample containing a culture or microorganisms and/or for changing a treatment process. Historic data and/or environmental variables may also be used as input data for determining whether and when to collect a sample containing a culture or microorganisms, or when not to collect a sample.

[0150] In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to methods, systems comprising at least one of sensor data, soft sensor data, image data, process variables, IoT (Internet of Things), machine-learning algorithms, deep learning algorithms and artificial intelligence for changing a treatment process which involves adding a composition/culture of microorganism and/or changing at least one process variable of at least one process for the biological treatment of fat, oil and grease accumulated in ventilation ducts and the biological treatment of air streams in a process of purifying air, e.g. in a ventilation system.

[0151] In other aspects, the objects of the technology disclosed include purifying air with the use of microorganisms. In certain aspects, it is an object of the technology disclosed to provide a method, a system and a plurality of ventilation systems, where each ventilation system comprises at least one ventilation duct and a control unit communicatively coupled to the control units of other ventilation systems and which is configured to share data and/or information with the control units of other ventilation systems. The data and/or information that is shared between the control units of the plurality of ventilation systems may data and/or information related to at least one of sensor data, images and process variables.

[0152] In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to methods for indicating, based on at least one of sensor data, image data and process variables or calculations from received data, that a composition/culture of microorganisms involved in a process for purification of air is performing well and that a sample containing the composition/culture of microorganisms should be collected or extracted from the treatment process to be used in another ventilation system.

[0153] In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to a method, a system and an apparatus for sharing data and/or information between systems, sub-systems and/or a master control unit for the purpose of controlling a treatment process in a system or sub-system, where the system or sub-system is using microorganisms for the biological treatment of accumulated fat, oil and grease (FOG) on the inner surfaces of the ventilation duct(s) of a system for purifying air. The technology disclosed further relates to methods, systems comprising at least one of sensor data, image data, process variables, IoT (Internet of Things), machine/deep learning and artificial intelligence for changing a biological treatment process based on obtained sensor data, e.g. automatically changing a biological treatment process based on sensor data. The technology disclosed may involve adding a composition of microorganism and/or changing at least one process variable of at least one process for the treatment of accumulated fat, oil and grease (FOG) in a ventilation system.

[0154] According to certain aspects, the objects of the technology disclosed include providing a method, a master control unit and a plurality of ventilation systems for biologically breaking down accumulated fat, oil and/or grease (FOG), where each biological treatment system comprises a control unit communicatively coupled to the control units of other systems and which is configured to share data and/or information with the master control units. The data and/or information that is shared with the master control unit may at least partly be based on at least one of sensor data, such as image data or audio data, and/or may be process variables such as process-related parameter values. In embodiments, at least one of the plurality of biological treatment systems is a system for purifying air by adding/dosing/spraying a certain composition of microorganisms for improving the biological process for breaking down FOG.

[0155] In embodiments, a plurality of the plurality of sub-systems in the form of ventilation systems are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive and exchange data or information with at least one other device or system, and wherein said other device or system include at least one of a booking system, a weather report system and a dishwasher.

[0156] In embodiments, a master control unit communicatively coupled to a plurality of sub-systems in the form of ventilation systems are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive and exchange data or information directly from at least one other device or system, where the at least one other device or system include at least one of a booking system, a weather report system and a dishwasher.

[0157] In other aspects, the system comprises a plurality of ventilation systems including a first and a second ventilation system, and wherein said master control unit is configured to receive, from at least one of said plurality of ventilation systems, data or information related to the ventilation process for at least one of said plurality of ventilation systems, said data is indicating that it is time to collect a sample of liquid containing microorganisms used by said first ventilation system for spraying a liquid mist containing those microorganisms. The system may then be configured to add the collected sample containing microorganisms to the second ventilation system for spraying liquid mists containing those microorganisms.

[0158] In embodiments, the received data on which the determining of whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms is based on at least one of process variables and data related to the biological behavior of at least one microbe culture of microorganisms used for biologically breaking down accumulated fat, oil and grease.

[0159] In embodiments, the received data on which the decision whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms is based on at least one of process variables for controlling said biological treatment process for breaking down accumulated fat, oil and grease and data related to the biological behavior of said microbe cultures of microorganisms to be extracted.

[0160] In embodiments, the decision by the master control unit whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms used by the spray nozzles is at least partly based on data processing operation and/or calculations performed by said master control unit.

[0161] In embodiments, these calculations are based on data received from the first ventilation system, and wherein said received data is at least one of process variables for said biological treatment process and data related to the biological behavior of said microbe cultures of microorganisms.

[0162] In embodiments, the received data on which the decision by the master control unit whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms used by the at least one spray nozzle for spraying a liquid mist is based on at least one of measured sensor data and soft sensor data received from at least one of said plurality of ventilation systems.

[0163] In embodiments, the received data on which the decision by the master control unit whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms used by the at least one spray nozzle for spraying a liquid mist is based on at least one of measured sensor data and soft sensor data received from a plurality of ventilation systems among a plurality of ventilation systems.

[0164] In embodiments, the received data on which the decision by said master control unit whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms used by the at least one spray nozzle for spraying a liquid mist is at least partly based on sensor data indicating the biological behavior of said microbe culture of microorganisms to be extracted. In certain embodiments, the decision by the master control unit whether it is time to extract a liquid sample of microbe cultures of microorganisms may in addition also at least partly based on data or information exchanged with and/or received from at least one other device or system, wherein the at least one other device or system may include at least one of the booking system for at least one restaurant, a weather report system, a control system/unit for monitoring air pollution in air or air streams, a control system/unit for monitoring/detecting the outflow of wastewater from at least one kitchen and/or restaurant, and/or a dishwasher control unit.

[0165] FIG. 1 shows a system (100) comprising a master control unit (103) and a plurality of sub-systems (101). The plurality of sub-systems (101) in FIG. 1 are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive, share and exchange data or information with other sub-systems (101) as well as other devices (102). The other devices (102) include a booking system (102a), a weather report system (102b) and a dishwasher (102c). The data received by the master control unit ( ) include sensor data measured by sensors (104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e, 104f, 104g, 104h, 104i) comprised in and associated with the plurality of sub-systems (101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, 101f, 101g, 101h, 101i) and/or image data or at least one captured image taken by a camera (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, 105f, 105g, 105h, 105i) of a sub-system. The master control unit in FIG. 1 (103) is configured to send control data for changing process parameters for a second treatment process of a second sub-system (101b) at least partly based on received process variables and/or sensor data measured by a sensor of a first treatment process of a first sub-system (101a). The sub-systems (101) in FIG. 1 may include at least a plurality of wastewater treatment systems (101a, 101b), a plurality of fraction collectors (101c, 101d), a plurality of waste management systems (101e, 101f), a treatment plant (101g), in addition to the plurality of ventilation systems (101h, 101i) for purifying air.

[0166] The plurality of sub-systems, or treatment systems (101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, 101f, 101g, 101h, 101i) in FIG. 1 each comprises a control unit (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i) communicatively coupled to both the master control unit (103) and the control units of other ventilation systems for biologically breaking down accumulated fat, oil and grease. The master control unit 103 and the control units (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i) in FIG. 1 comprise a processor for processing data and which is configured to perform calculations. The control units of the ventilation systems are configured to send, receive and/or share data and/or information related their own treatment process, e.g. measured sensor data, captured images or parameter values for process variables, with the control units of at least one other sub-system. The plurality of sub-systems (101) of the system (100) include a plurality of ventilation systems (101h, 101i) for purifying air. In addition, the plurality of sub-systems are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive and exchange data or information with at least one other device or system (102). The other device or system in FIG. 1 include a booking system (102a), a weather report system (102b) and a dishwasher (102c).

[0167] FIG. 2 shows a system (200) comprising a plurality of sub-systems (201), where each of the plurality of sub-systems (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, 201e, 201f, 201g, 201h, 101i, 201j) comprises a control unit (206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, 206e, 206f, 206g, 206h, 206i, 206j) communicatively coupled to the control units of other sub-systems including a plurality of ventilation systems. Each of the sub-systems in FIG. 2 has a sensor (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e, 204f, 204g, 204h, 204i, 204j) for measuring sensor data and a camera (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e, 205f, 205g, 205h, 205i, 205j) for taking images. The control unit (206a) of a first sub-system (201a) is configured to share data and/or information with the control units of other sub-systems. Data received by the control unit (206b) of a second sub-system (202b) include at least one of process variables for controlling the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed, and/or image data or at least one captured image taken by a camera (205a) of the first sub-system (202a), and/or sensor data measured by a sensor (204a) associated with the first sub-system (202a). The control unit (206a) of the first sub-system (201a) is configured to send control data for changing process parameters for controlling and/or changing the frequency and/or time instants for activating the at least one spray nozzle and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed for the second sub-system (201b) at least partly based on the received sensor data. The data and/or information that is shared between the control units (206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, 206e, 206f, 206g, 206h, 206i, 206j) of the plurality of sub-systems (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, 201e, 201f, 201g, 201h, 201i, 201j) is data and/or information related to at least one of sensor data, images and process variables. The sub-systems (201) in FIG. 2 include a plurality of ventilation systems (201i, 201j) for purifying air. The control units of the plurality of sub-systems in FIG. 2 are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive and exchange data or information with other devices. These other devices in FIG. 2 include a booking system, a weather report system and a dishwasher.

[0168] The plurality of sub-systems, or treatment systems, in FIG. 2 comprise a control unit communicatively coupled to the control units of other ventilation systems for biologically breaking down accumulated fat, oil and grease. The control units of the sub-systems in FIG. 1 comprise a processor for processing data and which is configured to perform calculations. The control units of the treatment systems are configured to send, receive and/or share data and/or information related their own treatment process, e.g. measured sensor data, captured images or parameter values for process variables, with the control units of at least one other sub-system. The plurality of sub-systems of the system may include a plurality of ventilation systems for biologically breaking down fat, oil and grease present on the inner surfaces of the ventilation ducts/tubes. In addition, the plurality of sub-systems are communicatively coupled to and configured to at least one of receive and exchange data or information with at least one other device or system. The other device or system in FIG. 1 includes a booking system, a weather report system and a dishwasher.

[0169] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of a wastewater treatment system (300) comprising three microphones (305a, 305b, 305c). At least one of the three microphones (305a, 305b, 305c) is used for determining, detecting and/or measuring the thickness of the fat/FOG cake (302) in the wastewater treatment tank (301), and may also be used for determining the amounts of foam. In this embodiment, a data processing unit (307) is used for processing the data obtained by at least one of the microphones (305a, 305b, 305c). Data, which is at least partly based on the measured/detected thickness of the fat/FOG cake (302) and/or the obtained audio data, or audio characteristics, is sent from a control system (303) of the wastewater treatment system (300) to at least one of a remotely located master control unit (not shown) and/or a control system of another second wastewater treatment system (not shown) that is remotely located from the wastewater treatment system (300). The control system (303) comprises a transmitter (310) for transmitting the data to the remotely located master control unit and/or the control system of the other second wastewater treatment. The wastewater treatment system (300) illustrated in FIG. 3 may communicatively connected to a remotely located master control unit (103) or a ventilation system (400) according to different embodiments of the technology disclosed and the control system/unit and the data processing unit (307) of the wastewater system (300) may be communicatively connected to the data processing unit (410) and/or the control system (408) of the system for purifying air (400), or ventilation system, illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0170] FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a system for purifying air (400) received from a kitchen area (412), where the system for purifying air comprises a ventilation duct (403), a plurality of cameras (401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e), a control system (408) and nozzles (402a, 402b, 402c, 402d) for dosing, i.e. spraying, a liquid culture of microorganisms and/or a water vapor composition containing a culture of microorganisms, for improving the biological process for breaking down FOG. A data processing unit (410) of the control system (408) is used for processing the data obtained by at least one of the cameras (401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e). Some of the cameras (401a, 401b) are located to be used of determining the amount of accumulated fat, oil and/or grease in the ventilation duct (403), e.g. the thickness of the layer of accumulated FOG. These cameras (401a, 401b) are located inside the ventilation duct (403) and are directed at the inside surface areas of the bends (413) of the duct (403) where it is more likely that fat, oil and grease (FOG) is accumulated. The nozzles (402a, 402b, 402c, 402d) for dosing/spraying the liquid culture of microorganisms and/or the water vapor composition are strategically located inside the ventilation duct (403) and are configured and directed to be dosing/spraying surface areas (404) on the inside surface area, where it is more likely that FOG is accumulated, with a culture/composition of microorganisms. Some of the nozzles (402c, 402d) for dosing/spraying the culture/composition of microorganisms for breaking down fat, oil and/or grease are located and directed at a heat exchanger (405) and a filter (406), respectively. Heat exchangers (405) and filters (406) tend to accumulate more fat, oil and grease than other parts or surface areas of the system. One of the cameras (401c) is directed at the heat exchanger (405) to detect accumulated fat, oil and/or grease in the heat exchanger (405). One of the cameras is directed at one of the filters (406) to detect accumulated fat, oil and/or grease in the filter (406). One of the cameras (401e) is an infrared camera, or detector, for detecting heat changes in the system for purifying air (400).

[0171] In addition to the cameras, microphones and audio sensors (401a, 401b401c, 401d, 401e, 407a, 407b, 409) illustrated in FIG. 4, the ventilation system (400) may comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor and an inductive sensor. These cameras, microphones and other sensors is configured to obtain sensor data adapted to be used for estimating, by the control system (408), at least one of the efficiency of the biological treatment process and the amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease on the at least one portion of the inner surfaces of the ventilation system. The control system (408) in FIG. 4 may be further configured to change the frequency and/or time instants for activating the spray nozzles (402a, 402b, 402c, 402d) for spraying a liquid mist containing microorganisms and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto the at least one portion of the inner surface based on at least one of obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and an amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease estimated by the control system (408) or a remotely located processor.

[0172] The control system (408) in FIG. 4 further comprises a transmitter (411) for transmitting at least one of the image data obtained by at least one of the cameras (401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) to a remotely located master control unit (not shown) and/or the control system of another system for purifying air that is remotely located from the system for purifying air (400). Data or information which is at least partly based on the image data, e.g. video data, obtained by at least one of the cameras (401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) may also be sent by the transmitter of the control system/unit of another second system for purifying air (not shown), or to/via a remotely located master control unit (not shown), with the purpose of changing a process variable and/or process-related parameter values for controlling the biological treatment process of the other second system for purifying air.

[0173] The system for purifying air (400) illustrated in FIG. 4 also comprises microphones (407a, 407b) for detecting sound/audio data located inside the ventilation duct (403). One of the microphones (407a) is located inside the ventilation duct (403) and one of the microphones (407b) is located on the outside of the ventilation duct (403). The ventilation sound is affected by layers of fat, oil and grease (FOG) accumulated on the inside surface of the ventilation tube, in the heat exchanger (405) and in the filters (406). Data or information, e.g. analyzed and/or processed data which is at least partly based on measured/detected amounts of FOG in the heat exchanger (405) and filters (406) and/or the thickness of the layer of FOG in the ventilation duct (403) is used by a control system (408) of the system for purifying air (400), or a remotely located master control unit (not shown), to control, for example, the amount of microorganisms dosed/sprayed by at least one of the nozzles (402a, 402b, 402c, 402d) per unit of time, the amount of water vapor sprayed by at least one of the nozzles per unit of time, but may also be used as input data for determining, by the control system (408) or a remotely located master control unit (not shown), whether to change a process scheme for the biological treatment process and/or increase or decrease the process time for the biological treatment process.

[0174] The control system (408) in FIG. 4 further comprises a transmitter (411) for transmitting at least one of the obtained audio data and/or analyzed or processed audio data to a remotely located master control unit (not shown) and/or the control system of another system for purifying air that is remotely located from the system for purifying air (400). Data or information which is at least partly based on the obtained audio/sound data, or audio characteristics, may also be sent by the transmitter of the control system/unit of another second system for purifying air (not shown), or to/via a remotely located master control unit (not shown), with the purpose of changing a process variable and/or process-related parameter values for controlling the biological treatment process of the other second system for purifying air.

[0175] A sound source (409) generates a sound impulse travelling through the air ducts and changes to the sound impulse is detected by the microphone located inside the duct (401d) and analyzed by an audio data processing unit (410). Analyzed audio data reflecting a change to the generated sound impulse is sent to the control system (408) of the system for purifying air (400), and/or to a remotely located master control unit (not shown), e.g. via the control system (408). The control system (408), or the master control unit, send control/instruction data at least partly based on the received sensor data (which in turn is at least partly based on detected changes to the generated sound impulse), is generated and transmitted for changing a biological treatment process in the system for purifying air (400), or for changing the process for breaking down FOG in another system for purifying air (not shown).

[0176] The control system (408) of the ventilation system (400) in FIG. 4 may be configured to change, e.g. automatically change, at least one process variable, process scheme and/or process parameter used for controlling the frequency and/or time instants for activating the spray nozzles (402a, 402b, 402c, 402d) and/or the amount of liquid mist or microorganisms per unit of time sprayed onto at least one portion of the inner surface based on at least one of the obtained sensor data, image data and/or audio data and an estimated amount of accumulated fat, oil and grease.

[0177] According to the different embodiments of the technology disclosed, the microorganisms may consist of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protists. Microorganisms can be a single species or a mixture of consortia. Microorganisms can be natural or bioengineered and genetic-altered organisms.

[0178] Acoustic wave sensors are generally classified based on the propagation mode of the acoustic wave. Some common wave types and sensors are: Bulk acoustic wave (BAW): wave travels through the piezoelectric substrate, e.g. Thickness shear mode resonator (TSM) or Shear-horizontal acoustic plate mode sensor (SH-APM), and Surface acoustic wave (SAW): wave travels on the surface of the substrate, e.g. Rayleigh surface waves sensor (generally known as a SAW sensor) or Shear-horizontal surface acoustic wave sensor (SH-SAW), also known as the surface transverse wave sensor (STW). SAW devices are particular among this group since surface acoustic waves include a vertical shear component, which greatly affects the velocity and amplitude of the wave along the delay line. This results in higher sensitivity among SAW devices than shear-horizontal wave sensors.

[0179] The basic operation of an acoustic wave sensor includes the following steps: [0180] 1. Sensor transduces an electric signal into an acoustic wave; [0181] 2. The acoustic wave is propagated, at which time it is affected by its environment; [0182] 3. Sensor transduces the acoustic wave back into an electric signal; and [0183] 4. The signals are compared to determine what changes the wave underwent during its propagation. These changes can then be used to determine the properties of the environment through which the acoustic wave propagated.

[0184] Acoustic wave sensors are very versatile in that they may be used alone or as part of a filtered sensor to measure many phenomena, including mass, temperature, pressure, stress, strain, torque, acceleration, friction, humidity, UV radiation, magnetic fields, and viscosity.

[0185] In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to a method that includes detecting and identifying bacteria or microorganisms in a liquid medium. In certain embodiments, the bacteria or microorganisms being of the kind which produce signaling molecules in intercellular space, includes positioning a biosensor in the liquid medium. The biosensor may then have a biolayer matched to specific signaling molecules to be detected, whereby the biolayer is reactive thereto in a manner which varies operation of the sensor. Such variation of the operation of the biosensor is then detected to thereby determine the presence and purpose of the bacteria or microorganisms in the liquid medium. These embodiments may be well suited for monitoring certain environments which require the detection of various species of bacteria, including but not limited to airborne microorganisms.

[0186] Signalling molecules, characterized as autoinducers, diffuse more readily within the surrounding environment compared to the actual bacterium. The present invention is well suited for SAW (surface acoustic wave) geometries which are typically in the sub-micron range and can also function as RFID sensors which can be interrogated by a wireless system. SAW detectors can be small, simple in nature and provide microbial differentiation detection results in typically 10 seconds or less.

[0187] In certain embodiments, the present invention also provides acoustic wave-based sensors coated with specific bioreceptor molecules which can detect small signalling molecules from an originating species in real-time and quantify the acoustic wave sensor data due to the linear relationship between the mass of the signalling molecule and the velocity of the acoustic wave to thereby identify both the presence and the purpose of the originating species. Such biosensors can provide a medium for detecting harmful biological agents without coming into direct contact with the bacteria themselves. In addition, acoustic wave biosensor techniques permit quantification through the direct relationship between the concentrations of small signalling molecules in intercellular space to the relative amount of signalling source present. These embodiments of the technology disclosed are well-suited to be used for real time detection.

[0188] Soft sensor, or virtual sensor, is a common name for software where several measurements are processed together. Commonly soft sensors are based on control theory and also receive the name of state observer. There may be dozens or even hundreds of measurements. The interaction of the signals can be used for calculating new quantities that need not be measured. Soft sensors are especially useful in data fusion, where measurements of different characteristics and dynamics are combined. It can be used for fault diagnosis as well as control applications. Well-known software algorithms that can be seen as soft sensors include e.g. Kalman filters. More recent implementations of soft sensors use neural networks or fuzzy computing.

[0189] In embodiments, the ventilation system may comprises at least one of an ultrasonic level sensor or a radar level sensor for determining the thickness of the accumulated fat, oil and grease present on the inner surfaces of the ventilation systems.

[0190] In embodiments, the control system of a first ventilation system may be configured to continuously and/or periodically send sensor data from the at least one of an ultrasonic level sensor or a radar level sensor to a remotely-located control system of a second ventilation system and/or a remotely-located master control unit.

[0191] In some embodiments, the ventilation ducts of the ventilation system configured for biologically breaking down fat, oil and grease comprises a camera for determining the thickness of the accumulated fat, oil and grease present on the inner surfaces of the ventilation systems.

[0192] In embodiments, the control system of a first ventilation system may be configured to continuously and/or periodically send image data collected by the camera for determining the thickness of accumulated fat, oil and grease to a remotely-located control system of a second ventilation system and/or to a remotely-located master control unit.