MULTIVARIATE AUTOMATED CROSSFLOW FILTER CONTROL

Abstract

A control system and a control method for automated controlling of a crossflow filtration system, as well as a corresponding crossflow filtration system, are provided. The control system comprises a measurement value processing unit configured to receive a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors of the crossflow filtration system; and to determine a plurality of process parameters defining an operation state of the crossflow filtration system based on the plurality of sensor signals.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A control system for automated controlling of a crossflow filtration system, comprising: a measurement value processing unit configured to receive a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors of the crossflow filtration system; and determine a plurality of process parameters defining an operation state of the crossflow filtration system based on the plurality of sensor signals; a control mode selection unit configured to determine based on a user input a subset of the process parameters as a set of control parameters; and determine for each control parameter in the set of control parameters a corresponding set value; and a control unit comprising a plurality of control loop modules, each control loop module being configured to receive at least one control parameter from the set of control parameters; determine a control deviation of the received control parameter from the corresponding set value; and provide an actuating signal to a dedicated actuator of the crossflow filtration system suitable to change the operation state of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined control deviation.

17. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the measurement value processing unit is configured to: receive at least one pressure signal indicating a pressure in a fluid stream of the crossflow filtration system; determine at least one overpressure prevention signal from the at least one received pressure signal; and determine local maxima in the at least one overpressure prevention signal.

18. The control system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one pressure signal comprises at least one selected from a feed pressure signal, a retentate pressure signal, and a permeate pressure signal, wherein the determining of at least one overpressure prevention signal is based on at least one of a feed pressure signal and a pressure difference between a permeate pressure signal and a retentate pressure signal. wherein the control mode selection unit is configured to: determine the feed pressure signal and/or the pressure difference between the feed pressure signal and the retentate pressure signal and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system as a primary control parameter; determine the local maxima in the at least one overpressure prevention signal as at least one secondary control parameter; and determine a primary set value and at least one secondary set value for the primary control parameter and the secondary control parameter, respectively; and the control unit comprising a feed pump control loop module, the feed pump control loop module comprising: a primary feed pump control loop configured to receive the primary control parameter; determine a primary control deviation of the received primary control parameter from the primary set value; and provide a primary feed pump actuating signal suitable for a feed pump actuator to change the operation of a feed pump of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined primary control deviation; at least one secondary feed pump control loop configured to receive the at least one secondary control parameter; determine at least one secondary control deviation of the received at least one secondary control parameter from the at least one secondary set value; and provide at least one secondary feed pump actuating signal suitable for the feed pump actuator to change the operation of a feed pump of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined at least one secondary control deviation; and an overpressure prevention unit configured to selectively feed the primary feed pump actuating signal or the at least one secondary feed pump actuating signal to the feed pump actuator depending on which one corresponds to a lower or lowest feed flow.

19. The control system according to claim 18, wherein the primary feed pump control loop and the at least one secondary feed pump control loop each comprises a PID controller, which both have the same PID-parameters.

20. The control system according to claim 16, which is adapted for automated controlling of a multi-channel crossflow filtration system, wherein the control mode selection unit is configured to: receive an overpressure condition in a forerunner filtration channel of the multi-channel crossflow filtration system, and determine the at least one secondary set value for a follower filtration channel of the multi-channel crossflow filtration system.

21. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of sensor signals comprises: a feed pressure signal indicating a pressure in a feed stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a retentate pressure signal indicating a pressure in a retentate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a permeate pressure signal indicating a pressure in a permeate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a weight signal indicating a mass of a retentate vessel of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a flow signal of a feed flow of the crossflow filtration system.

22. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of process parameters comprises: sensor signals; and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a pressure difference between a feed pressure, indicating a pressure in a feed stream of the crossflow filtration system, and a retentate pressure, indicating a pressure in a retentate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a permeate flow rate, indicating a flow rate through a filter membrane of the crossflow filtration system, wherein preferably the permeate flow rate F is determined according to $F=L-\frac{\mathrm{dM}}{\mathrm{dt}}\frac{1}{}$ with a change of a measured retentate mass M over time t, a retentate density , and a flow rate L of a diafiltration buffer added to the retentate in the crossflow filtration system.

23. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of control loop modules comprises a feed pump control loop configured to provide a feed pump actuating signal for a feed pump actuator of the crossflow filtration system, wherein preferably the control mode selection unit is configured to selectively provide as control parameter to the feed pump control loop: a feed pressure signal indicating a pressure in a feed stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a pressure difference between a feed pressure, indicating a pressure in a feed stream of the crossflow filtration system, and a retentate pressure, indicating a pressure in a retentate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system.

24. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of control loop modules comprises a retentate valve control loop configured to provide a retentate valve actuating signal for a retentate valve actuator of the crossflow filtration system, wherein preferably the control mode selection unit is configured to selectively provide as control parameter to the retentate valve control loop: a retentate pressure signal indicating a pressure in a retentate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a feed pressure signal indicating a pressure in a feed stream of the crossflow filtration system.

25. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of control loop modules comprises a permeate valve control loop configured to provide a permeate valve actuating signal for a permeate valve actuator of the crossflow filtration system, wherein preferably the control mode selection unit is configured to selectively provide as control parameter to the permeate valve control loop: a permeate pressure signal indicating a pressure in a permeate stream of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system; and/or a permeate flow rate indicating a flow rate through a filter membrane of the crossflow filtration system.

26. A crossflow filtration system, comprising a feed pump as an actuator to provide fluid through a feed channel to a filter of the crossflow filtration system, wherein a feed pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the feed channel; a retentate valve as an actuator to control flow of retentate fluid through a retentate channel from the filter of the crossflow filtration system, where a retentate pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the retentate channel; a permeate valve as an actuator to control flow of permeate fluid through a permeate channel from the filter of the crossflow filtration system, where a permeate pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the permeate channel; and a control system according to claim 16.

27. The crossflow filtration system according to claim 25, further comprising a weight sensor to measure a weight or mass of a retentate vessel of the crossflow filtration system.

28. A crossflow filtration system, comprising a feed pump as an actuator to provide fluid through a feed channel to a filter of the crossflow filtration system, wherein a feed pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the feed channel; a retentate valve as an actuator to control flow of retentate fluid through a retentate channel from the filter of the crossflow filtration system, where a retentate pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the retentate channel; a permeate valve as an actuator to control flow of permeate fluid through a permeate channel from the filter of the crossflow filtration system, where a permeate pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the permeate channel; and a control system according to claim 21, which is adapted to: operate at least one of the multiple filtration channels as the forerunner channel to receive an overpressure conditions from said forerunner channel; and operate at least another one of the multiple filtration channels as the follower channel to determine the at least one secondary set value for a follower filtration channel.

29. The crossflow filtrations system according to claim 28, wherein each filtration channel comprises: a filter of the respective filtration channel; and a feed pump as an actuator to provide fluid through a feed channel to the filter of the respective filtration channel, wherein a feed pressure sensor is provided to measure a fluid pressure in the feed channel.

30. A control method for automated controlling of a crossflow filtration system, comprising: receiving a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors of the crossflow filtration system; determining a plurality of process parameters defining an operation state of the crossflow filtration system based on the plurality of sensor signals; determining based on a user input a subset of the process parameters as a set of control parameters; determining for each control parameter in the set of control parameters a corresponding set value; determining for each control parameter a control deviation of the control parameter from the corresponding set value; and providing an actuating signal to a dedicated actuator of the crossflow filtration system suitable to change the operation state of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined control deviation.

31. The control method according to claim 30, further comprising: receive at least one pressure signal indicating a pressure in a fluid stream of the crossflow filtration system, the at least one pressure signal comprising one or more of a feed pressure signal, a retentate pressure signal, and a permeate pressure signal (P.sub.p); determining at least one overpressure prevention signal from the at least one received pressure signal, the overpressure prevention signal being determined from the feed pressure signal and/or a pressure difference between the permeate pressure signal and the retentate pressure signal; determining local maxima in the at least one overpressure prevention signal, determining the feed pressure signal and/or the pressure difference between the feed pressure signal and the retentate pressure signal and/or a transmembrane pressure of the crossflow filtration system as a primary control parameter; determining the local maxima in the at least one overpressure prevention signal as at least one secondary control parameter; determining a primary set value and at least one secondary set value for the primary control parameter and the secondary control parameter, respectively; determining a primary control deviation of the primary control parameter from the primary set value; providing a primary feed pump actuating signal suitable for a feed pump actuator to change the operation of a feed pump of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined primary control deviation; determining at least one secondary control deviation of the at least one secondary control parameter from the at least one secondary set value; providing at least one secondary feed pump actuating signal suitable for the feed pump actuator to change the operation of a feed pump of the crossflow filtration system such as to reduce the determined at least one secondary control deviation; and selectively feeding the primary feed pump actuating signal or the at least one secondary feed pump actuating signal to the feed pump actuator depending on which one corresponds to a lower or lowest feed flow.

Description

[0135] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

[0136] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the control system connected to a CFF system according to an embodiment.

[0137] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of overpressure conditions.

[0138] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the control system connected to a CFF system including P.sub.f and P.sub.r overpressure prevention functions according to an embodiment.

[0139] FIG. 4 shows a diagram a feed overpressure prevention function according to an embodiment.

[0140] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a control system 10 connected to a CFF system 30 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. The CFF system 30 is configured to process, e. g., fluids, emulsions, suspensions, beverages, such as water, juice, beer, wine, whey, milk, sewage and/or solutions, e.g., for biotechnological, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biogenetic, medical, chemical, cosmetic and/or laboratory applications. It should be understood that the type and design of the crossflow filtration system is not limited. It is preferably designed for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, pervaporation and/or reverse osmosis applications. The crossflow filtration system may be designed for the filtration of solid and/or gaseous media.

[0141] The CFF system 30 comprises at least one membrane (as a filter 31) and a retentate vessel (not shown) for the retentate from the medium to be filtered,. In the CFF process, the medium to be filtered from the feed vessel is substantially tangentially passed across the filter membrane, which is arranged inside the filter 31, particularly at positive pressure relative to the permeate side. A proportion of the material which is smaller than the membrane pore size passes through the membrane as permeate or filtrate and is collected in a permeate vessel (not shown), while the remainder is retained on the feed side of the membrane as retentate and collected in the retentate vessel. Accordingly, in the crossflow filtration the substantially tangential motion of the bulk of the fluid across the membrane causes trapped or retained particles on the filter surface to be separated or rubbed off. In order to regulate the flow circuitry of the CFF system 30 a plurality of actors are included. A permeate valve 32 is configured to regulate the flow through a permeate conduit extending from an outlet on the permeate side to an inlet of the permeate vessel. A retentate valve 33 is configured to regulate the flow through a retentate conduit extending from an outlet on the retentate side of the filter 31 to an inlet of the retentate vessel. A feed pump 34 is configured to drive the flow within the CFF system 30. The feed pump 34 is arranged in a feed conduit extending from an outlet of the retentate vessel to an inlet of the filter 31. A plurality of sensors 35 are provided to the CFF system 30 in measure quantities of interest. In particular, the CFF system 30 comprises a feed pressure sensor, a retentate pressure sensor, a permeate pressure sensor and a mass sensor for the retentate vessel. The feed pressure sensor measures the pressure P.sub.f of a feed stream that flows within the feed conduit. The retentate pressure sensor measures the pressure P.sub.r of a retentate stream that flows within the retentate conduit. The permeate pressure sensor measures the pressure P.sub.p of a permeate stream that flows within the permeate conduit. The mass sensor measures the mass of the retentate vessel and may be, e.g., a weighing device such as a balance or a load cell.

[0142] The control system 10 comprises measurement value processing unit 11, a control mode selection unit 12, a control unit 13, a feed pump control loop 14, a retentate valve control loop 15, a permeate valve control loop 16. Connections between the single units of the control system 10 and connections from the control system 10 to the CFF system 30 are preferably electrical connections.

[0143] The measurement value processing unit 11 receives sensor signals from the plurality of sensors 35 of the CFF system 30. The sensor signals are preferably acquired via one or more analog-digital converters that are preferably part of the measurement value processing unit 11. Based on the received sensor signals the measurement value processing unit provides a plurality of process parameters to the control mode selection unit 12. The process parameters may comprise the raw sensor signals, filtered sensor signals and process parameters being derived from raw and/or filtered sensor signals. Filtered sensor signals can be generated by the measurement value processing unit 11 by applying data filter methods to one or more raw sensor signals, such as low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop, band-reject and/or notch filtering. Process parameters being derived may be calculated from one or more raw sensor signals and/or filtered sensor signals and/or known system parameters. The plurality of process parameters defines an operation state of the CFF system 30. In a normal operation state, the magnitudes of the process parameters are in a desired range. In an abnormal operation state the magnitude of at least one process parameter is not in the desired range anymore.

[0144] The control mode selection unit 12 determines a control mode based on a user input. Preferably an interface is provided to the control mode selection unit 12, e.g., a touchscreen and/or a display combined with a keyboard and/or buttons. The user mays select for each control loop 14, 15, 16 a control parameter. A control parameter is a process parameter to be controlled by the respective loop. As described later a certain selection of process parameters is preferably available for the respective control loops 14, 15, 16. Depending on the selected control parameters a control mode is defined. Alternatively, the user may select predefined control modes having a predefined selection of control parameters. Preferably, the control mode selection unit may determine control modes that correspond to an X marked mode in Table 1. After the control mode is determined, the control mode selection unit 12 determines for each control parameter a set value. The set value may be taken from an internal database and/or memory of control system and/or defined by another user input.

[0145] The control unit 13 operates in the determined control mode. Therefore, the control unit 13 is provided with the control parameters of the determined control mode and the respective set values. The control unit 13 is capable of affecting the operation state of the CFF system 13 via the control loops 14, 15, 16 by providing control signals to the actuators 32, 33, 34.

[0146] The feed pump control loop 14 provides a control signal for the feed pump 34 resulting in a specific feed pumping rate. For loop 14 following control parameters are available: P.sub.f, TMP, P, constant pumping rate. If a constant pumping rate is selected, loop 14 provides a control signal for the feed pump 34 resulting in a constant feed pumping rate. The constant pumping rate to be achieved corresponds to the determined set value for this control parameter. In case the control parameter is one of P.sub.f, TMP and P, the control signal may cause a changing pumping rate in order to hold the control parameter at its determined set value.

[0147] The retentate valve control loop 15 provides a control signal for the retentate valve 33 resulting in a specific retentate valve flow rate. For loop 15 following control parameters are available: P.sub.r, TMP, P, constant position. If a constant position is selected, loop 15 provides a control signal for the retentate valve 33 resulting in a constant retentate valve flow rate. The constant position to be achieved corresponds to the determined set value for this control parameter. In case the control parameter is one of P.sub.r, TMP and P, the control signal may cause a retentate valve flow rate in order to hold the control parameter at its determined set value.

[0148] The permeate valve control loop 16 provides a control signal for the permeate valve 32 resulting in a specific permeate valve flow rate. For loop 16 following control parameters are available: P.sub.p, TMP, P, flux, constant position. If a constant position is selected, loop 16 provides a control signal for the permeate valve resulting in a constant permeate valve flow rate. The constant position to be achieved corresponds to the determined set value for this control parameter. In case the control parameter is one of P.sub.p, TMP, P and flux the control signal may cause a retentate valve flow rate in order to hold the control parameter at its determined set value.

[0149] The control system 30 may comprise further control loops that are configured to control further actuators that may arranged in the CFF system 30.

[0150] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of overpressure conditions. The vertical axis represents the magnitude of pressure and the horizontal axis represents the length of a crossflow filter membrane. P.sub.p can be regarded as substantially constant along the membrane. A pressure gradient P exists along the membrane and is defined by the pressure difference between the feed pressure P.sub.f and retentate pressure P.sub.r. TMP represents the difference between P.sub.p and the mean value of P. Feed overpressure occurs, if P.sub.f rises above a certain limit P.sub.max. Reverse overpressure occurs, if P.sub.r drops below P.sub.p.

[0151] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a control system 10 connected to a CFF system 30 including the P.sub.f and P.sub.r overpressure prevention functions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement and function of the control system 10 and the CFF system 30 are similar to those shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Additionally, the control unit 13 comprises a P.sub.f and P.sub.r overpressure control loop in order to protect the CFF system 30 from detrimental feed and/or reverse overpressure.

[0152] The P.sub.f overpressure control loop 17 (first secondary feed pump control loop) uses as input the last local maximum of the P.sub.f sensor signal and a value for the P.sub.f limit. If the last local maximum of the P.sub.f sensor signal exceeds the P.sub.f limit, the feed overpressure condition is fulfilled and the CFF system 30 is in an abnormal operation state. At this moment, the feed pump control loop 14 (primary feed pump control loop) stops providing control signals to the feed pump 34 and the P.sub.f overpressure control loop 17 takes over controlling the feed pump 34. This selection of the desired feed pump actuating signal is performed by an overpressure prevention unit 36. The P.sub.foverpressure control loop preferably decreases the feed pumping rate, and stops the feed pump if filter blockage occurs. When the CFF system 30 is again in a normal operation state, the feed pump control loop 14 controls again the feed pump 34 due to a respective selection made by the overpressure prevention unit 36.

[0153] The P.sub.r overpressure control loop (second secondary feed pump control loop) 18 uses as input the last local maximum of the pressure difference between the P.sub.p sensor signal and the P.sub.r sensor signal. If the last local maximum of this pressure difference drops below a predetermined value (e.g. 0), the reverse overpressure condition is fulfilled and the CFF system 30 is in an abnormal operation state. At this moment, the feed pump control loop 14 (primary feed pump control loop) stops providing control signals to the feed pump 34 and the P.sub.r overpressure control loop 18 takes over controlling the feed pump 34. When the CFF system 30 is again in a normal operation state, the feed pump control loop 14 controls again the feed pump 34.

[0154] Even though FIG. 3 shows only one of filter 31, this embodiment may be implemented as a multi-channel filtration system comprising multiple filters 31, and preferably also multiple sensors 35 and actuators 32-34 assigned to the respective channels, such that the multiple channels can be operated (at least part) independent from each other. However, further preferably, the overpressure prevention function may couple the various channels as described in more detail above.

[0155] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a feed overpressure prevention function according to an embodiment. A feed overpressure prevention function may follow an algorithm that attains the timelines shown in FIG. 4. The algorithm may define an overpressure prevention control loop controlling a virtual filter. Role of the virtual filter is to behave as if it is experiencing overpressure condition and model what flow rate is required for the feed overpressure to occur. In a normal operation of CFF system, the virtual filter will produce a flow rate that is significantly larger than the real flow rate and thus they preferably do not affect any other control loops. Once filter starts approaching overpressure condition, virtual filter operational parameters begin to approach those of the real filter under control by a respective primary control loop. At the moment of overpressure onset virtual filter and real one behave identically, and at this point two things occur: first, the primary control loop relinquishes control of the real filter to the overpressure prevention control loop; second, flag is raised informing the control system that an feed overpressure event occurred. If the user setup specific actions to do something about feed overpressure, then those actions are taken; otherwise, the control system will continue to try to prevent overpressure all the way to stopping feed pump if complete filter blockage occurs. Reverse overpressure prevention may work in an analogous manner, except for obvious modifications to the model to reflect reverse overpressure instead of feed overpressure condition. Advantages of the described overpressure prevention functions are that it is smooth and does not induce pressure or flow spikes that might be damaging. It does not cause loss of material and is completely recoverable barring complete failure of the filter.

[0156] The vertical axis of FIG. 4 represents the magnitude of a feed pressure and feed flow, respectively. The horizontal axis represents time. It can be seen how feed overpressure slowly rises to reach the maximum pressure. Simultaneously the virtual filter flow is coming down to meet the real filter flow. Once maximum pressure is reached the flow gets depressed by the virtual filter to prevent further increases of the feed pressure. Also, a flag is raised to indicate the feed overpressure condition. Once mitigating action is taken, e.g. addition a buffer medium, overpressure condition subsides and the CFF system returns to a normal operation. At this point the flag is dropped.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0157] 10 control system [0158] 11 measurement value processing unit [0159] 12 control mode selection unit [0160] 13 control unit [0161] 14 (primary) feed pump control loop [0162] 15 retentate valve control loop [0163] 16 permeate valve control loop [0164] 17 P.sub.f overpressure control loop (secondary feed pump control loop) [0165] 18 P.sub.r overpressure control loop [0166] 30 CFF system [0167] 31 filter [0168] 32 permeate valve [0169] 33 retentate valve [0170] 34 feed pump [0171] 35 sensors [0172] 36 overpressure prevention unit