Solution making system and method

Abstract

A solution making system and apparatus are described. The solution maker mixes a chemical or slurry with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by one or more methods. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.

1 . A solution making system that combines a solvent and a chemical comprising:
 a first location that receives said solvent;   a second location that receives a solution of said solvent and said chemical;   a concentration sensor that outputs a signal;   a processor that determines a concentration of said solution based on said signal;   a first return path that returns said solution to said first location when a concentration of said solution is below a desired concentration;   a second return path that returns said solution to said second location when a concentration of said solution is above a desired concentration, said second return path including an inlet through which additional solvent is added to said solution.   an outlet that outputs said solution having said desired concentration.   
   
   
       2 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said desired concentration is a range of concentrations. 
   
   
       3 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemical is solid 
   
   
       4 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemical is a slurry. 
   
   
       5 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an additive container holding an additive;   a mixing location at which said additive is mixed with said solution;   a processor that determines if said additive and said solution can be mixed to one of a desired concentration and desired volume and controls a mixing of said additive and said solution to create at least one of said desired concentration and said desired volume.   
   
   
       6 . The solution making system according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a sensor associated with said additive container, said sensor outputting a signal;   wherein said processor uses said signal to determine a volume of additive in said additive container.   
   
   
       7 . The solution making system according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a sensor associated with a solution container holding said solution, said sensor outputting a signal;   wherein said processor uses said signal to determine a volume of solution in said solution container.   
   
   
       8 . The solution making system according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a sensor associated with an output container, said sensor outputting a signal;   wherein said processor uses said signal to determine an available volume in said output container to hold the output mixture of said solution and said additive.   
   
   
       9 . The solution making system according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a sensor that outputs a signal to said processor,   wherein said processor uses said signal for said determination.   
   
   
       10 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said concentration sensor is a conductivity sensor. 
   
   
       11 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said concentration sensor is a specific gravity sensor. 
   
   
       12 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said concentration sensor is a refractometer sensor. 
   
   
       13 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opening at said first location that receives said chemical. 
   
   
       14 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opening at said second location that receives said chemical. 
   
   
       15 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cleanout. 
   
   
       16 . The solution making system according to  claim 1 , wherein said solution making system lacks a cleanout. 
   
   
       17 . An additive addition system comprising:
 a mixing location where at least one solute is dissolved into at least one solvent;   a first path that returns said solution to said mixing location;   a second path that returns said solution and additional solvent to said mixing location;   an additive mixing location with a sensor; said sensor determining whether a desired concentration of an additive and solution mixture is possible;   an output from said additive mixing location that outputs a desired concentration of said additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       18 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , wherein said desired concentration is a range. 
   
   
       19 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a processor with an input that receives desired quantity of an additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if a volume in an additive mixing location is enough for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal when said mixing location lacks available volume for desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       21 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a processor with input that receives a desired quantity of an additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if an amount of available additive is enough for said desired quantity of said additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal if said additive is not sufficient for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       22 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 processor with input that receives desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if an amount of available solution is enough for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal if solution is not sufficient for desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       23 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , wherein said first pathway is used when said solution mixture is below a desired concentration. 
   
   
       24 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , wherein said first pathway is used when said solution mixture is above a desired concentration. 
   
   
       25 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first pathway and said second pathway receives a continuous flow of said solution. 
   
   
       26 . The additive addition system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a cleanout at the mixing location. 
   
   
       27 . An additive addition system comprising:
 a feed supplying a solution mixture;   an additive mixing location with a sensor, said sensor determining whether a desired concentration of an additive and said solution mixture is possible;   an output from said additive mixing location that outputs a desired concentration of said additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       28 . The additive addition system according to  claim 27 , wherein said desired concentration is a range. 
   
   
       29 . The additive addition system according to  claim 27 , wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor. 
   
   
       30 . The additive addition system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a processor with an input that receives desired quantity of an additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if a volume in an additive mixing location is enough for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal when said mixing location lacks available volume for desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       31 . The additive addition system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a processor with input that receives a desired quantity of an additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if an amount of available additive is enough for said desired quantity of said additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal if said additive is not sufficient for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.   
   
   
       32 . The additive addition system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 processor with input that receives desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor determining if an amount of available solution is enough for said desired quantity of additive and solution mixture, said processor outputting an alert signal if solution is not sufficient for desired quantity of additive and solution mixture.