PORTABLE DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATION AND CALCULATION OF A NORMALIZED SILT DENSITY INDEX THAT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE FILTER HOLDER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

This invention is connected to the influent or effluent stream of an SDI filter holder assembly that might otherwise be applied in the manual measurement of the flow rates and times as required to calculate a silt density index. The invention is based on its ability to provide data collection external to the filter holder assembly in digitally measuring the flow rate and water temperature proceeding to or from the filter assembly and in automatically incorporating those readings into a microprocessor for calculating the silt density index and in normalizing the index value for the effects of variation in initial filter permeability and water temperature, and in minimizing the effect of increasing cake solids on the SDI value as related to the decreasing flow of water-borne solids to the filter surface. Furthermore, the portability of the invention is enhanced via its ability to directly operate a pressure boosting pump to assist in achieving the typical SDI test pressure of 30 psi, and this portability is further enhanced with its ability to be powered by a battery.

Claims

1. A device that is connected to the influent or effluent plumbing of a silt density index membrane filter holder for the purpose of determining the change in water flow rate to or from the filter over time so as to electronically calculate a value for the silt density index of the influent water whereas the device is comprised of the following: a. a water flow rate measurement sensor, b. a water temperature sensor, c. a microprocessor programmed to incorporate the water flow rate sensor measurements in calculating the silt density index while also normalizing this index for the effect of variation in the water flow rate to the filter surface as based on any difference in water temperature from a set temperature and on any difference in the initial water flow rate from a set water flow rate.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein it can be physically moved for application between test filter assemblies to automate testing and normalize the results obtained in each location.

3. The invention in claim 1 wherein it can be powered using either an electrical battery or an electrical outlet power source.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein it can provide operating electrical power for a pump or otherwise control the operation of a pump that increases the pressure of the water flowing to the filter.

5. The invention in claim 4 wherein it includes one or two water pressure sensors for measuring the pressure differential across the filter in order to more precisely normalize for the effect of variation in the pressure differential on the water flow rate to the filter surface.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein it is capable of powering and controlling a pump motor to allow a specific volume of water to permeate the external filtration device as necessary for performing analyses of a controlled amount of filtered solids.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1FIG. 1 illustrates how the invention 6 might connect to an external silt density index measuring device that might consist of an inlet water plumbing connection 11, pressure measurement gauge 10, pressure regulator 9, filter holder 8, and outlet plumbing connection 7 before the water exits the invention through a plumbing connection 12.

[0018] FIG. 2FIG. 2 illustrates how the invention 6 would use a battery 16 to electrically power its optional pump motor 13 with its electrical wiring connection 15, and using an inlet water plumbing connection 14 before pressurizing the water entering the inlet water plumbing connection 11 that is attached to an external silt density index measuring device that might also consist of a pressure measurement gauge 10, pressure regulator 9, filter holder 8, and an outlet plumbing connection 7 before the water exits the invention through a plumbing connection 12.

[0019] FIG. 3FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of one example of the sensor assembly of the invention that would include a flow rate sensor 4 and a temperature sensor 1 that might be plumbed together with a tee 2, an inlet plumbing connection 5 and an outlet connection 3 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4AFIG. 4A depicts a view of the top part of an enclosure that would contain the sensor components, microprocessor, and related electrical components according to various embodiments described herein.

[0021] FIG. 4BFIG. 4B depicts a view of the bottom part of an enclosure that would contain the sensor components, microprocessor, and related electrical components according to various embodiments described herein.

[0022] FIG. 5FIG. 5 shows a top view of an enclosure that would contain the sensor components, microprocessor, and related electrical components according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0025] The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the fixtures of description below.

[0026] The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of how the portable invention 6 would connect to either the influent or effluent plumbing 7 of one of possibly numerous silt density index (SDI) filter holder assemblies 8, 9, and 10 in order to automate the flow measurement and timing and to automatically calculate and normalize the SDI results.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention in its ability to electrically power and control a pressure boost pump and motor via a battery. The pump motor operation would be controlled through an electrical connection with the microprocessor component of the invention. It should be understood that battery operation should be considered to be one operational way to power the portable invention, although it might also be powered using a transformer as inserted into a standard electrical outlet.

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a preferred embodiment of the water flow rate and temperature sensor assembly that would be plumbed in some manner to the influent or effluent stream from the SDI filter holder assembly. These sensors would electrically provide their readings to a microprocessor for direct acquisition of the data necessary for calculating the silt density index and normalizing its value for the effects of variability in water temperature and in SDI test filter permeability.

[0029] After attaching the invention to an SDI filter holder assembly and after water is flowing through the devices, operation of the booster pump motor may be initiated from the invention, such as from a switch as one preferred embodiment of the invention. The SDI test is then initiated, such as via operation of another switch as a preferred embodiment of the invention. The test continues until it is complete either due to the water flow rate through the filter test assembly declining to half its initial value or because the test has proceeded to its maximum of 15 minutes at which point the test concludes with cessation of the pump motor and completion of the silt density index results and normalization calculations, which are displayed or transmitted by the invention.