In-line dilution equipment may be simply described as accomplishing the following:
1. Concentrated solution is combined with diluent solution.
2. The combined liquids are mixed.
3. The final desired solution is delivered for its intended use.
There are several fundamental equipment designs on the market for in-line dilution processes. The various equipment designs primarily differ in the method of generating fluid flow and measurement of the streams. Examples of equipment designs include the following:
- Pressure-Controlled (fluid flow is controlled by changing pressure, like a soda fountain)
- Mass-Controlled (fluid flow is controlled by measuring mass flow rate)
- Volumetric (fluid flow is controlled by precision metering pumps)
- Parametric Parameter Feedback (feedback control is accomplished by measuring the output of a select solution parameter)
- Parametric Parameter Feedback with Dynamic Blending (feedback control is accomplished by measuring the output of a select solution parameter and blending is performed in a continuously mixed blending module)
A pressure controlled design, such as a soda fountain, is the most simple of the examples listed. Mass controlled and volumetric designs are more complicated than pressure flow, but less complicated then parametric parameter feedback designs. Mass controlled and volumetric systems can achieve comparable or superior process control compared to traditional solution makeup procedures with respect to final product concentrations. Feedback designs can achieve results that are not even possible with traditional solution makeup procedures. TechniKrom has a patented blending module design that incorporates feedback controls and PAT. The use of PAT in the blending module method enables the dilution process to decouple the variability of the final product from the variability of the concentrate.
