Method for controlled mixing of fluids via temperature

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for continuous flow production of mixed fluids. The mixed fluids can comprise a mixture of different fluids or a mixture of the same fluid having different input properties such as temperature. In general, two streams of fluid of varying temperature are supplied to a mixer. The flow rate of each of the input fluids can be regulated to produce a mixed fluid at a desired flow rate and temperature. As an example, mass flow controllers can regulate the flow rates of a hot and cold stream of de-ionized water to produce a stream of de-ionized water at a desired flow rate and temperature.

1 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by at least one processor to implement a method for mixing fluids, said method comprising:
 providing a first fluid and a second fluid to a first mixer;   mixing the first fluid and the second fluid at the first mixer to produce a first mixed fluid;   measuring the temperature of the first mixed fluid;   regulating the flow of the first fluid to the first mixer to maintain or drive the flow rate of the first mixed fluid toward a first mixed fluid target flow rate; and   regulating the flow of the second fluid to the first mixer to maintain or drive the temperature of the first mixed fluid toward a temperature setpoint.   
     
     
         2 . A computer program product according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises determining a first fluid target flow rate of the first fluid based on a first fluid temperature, a second fluid temperature, a first mixed fluid target temperature of the first mixed fluid, and the first mixed fluid target flow rate. 
     
     
         3 . A computer program product according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 determining the temperature setpoint at a first flow controller that regulates the flow of the first fluid; and   providing the temperature setpoint to a second flow controller that regulates the flow of the second fluid.   
     
     
         4 . A computer program product according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 setting the temperature setpoint equal to a target temperature for the first mixed fluid.   
     
     
         5 . A computer program product according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 mixing the first mixed fluid with a third fluid at a second mixer to produce a second mixed fluid; and   measuring the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         6 . A computer program product according to  claim 5 , wherein said method further comprises:
 determining a first mixed fluid target flow rate based on a second mixed fluid target flow rate of and a target mix ratio of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         7 . A computer program product according to  claim 6 , wherein said method further comprises:
 adjusting the temperature setpoint based on the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         8 . A computer program product according to  claim 7 , wherein said method further comprises:
 adjusting the first fluid target flow rate based on the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         9 . A computer program product according to  claim 1 , wherein regulating the flow of the first fluid to the first mixer is performed independently of regulating the flow of the second fluid to the first mixer. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by at least one processor to implement a method for mixing fluids, said method comprising:
 supplying a first fluid having a first temperature and a second fluid having a second temperature to a first mixer;   mixing the first fluid and the second fluid at the first mixer to produce a first mixed fluid having a third temperature;   regulating the flow of the first fluid to the first mixer based on a first fluid target flow rate; and   regulating the flow of the second fluid to the first mixer based on the third temperature of the first mixed fluid and a temperature setpoint.   
     
     
         11 . A computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein said method further comprises:
 in response to a trigger signal, adjusting the flow of the first fluid to the first mixer, the flow of the second fluid to the first mixer, or both.   
     
     
         12 . A computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein said method further comprises:
 determining the temperature setpoint at a first flow controller that regulates the flow of the first fluid; and   providing the temperature setpoint to a second flow controller that regulates the flow of the second fluid.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product according to  claim 12 , wherein the first temperature of the first fluid is lower than a target temperature. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the second temperature of the second fluid is higher than the target temperature. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product according to  claim 12 , wherein said method further comprises:
 setting the temperature setpoint equal to a target temperature for the first mixed fluid.   
     
     
         16 . A computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein said method further comprises:
 mixing the first mixed fluid with a third fluid at a second mixer to produce a second mixed fluid; and   measuring the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         17 . A computer program product according to  claim 16 , wherein said method further comprises:
 determining a first mixed fluid target flow rate based on a second mixed fluid target flow rate of and a target mix ratio of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         18 . A computer program product according to  claim 16 , wherein said method further comprises:
 adjusting the temperature setpoint based on the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         19 . A computer program product according to  claim 18 , wherein said method further comprises:
 adjusting the first fluid target flow rate based on the temperature of the second mixed fluid.   
     
     
         20 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by at least one processor to implement a method for mixing fluids, said method comprising:
 receiving inputs including a target mixed fluid temperature, a target mixed fluid flow rate, a first fluid temperature, and a second fluid temperature;   calculating a first fluid flow rate utilizing the inputs;   setting a temperature set point to the target mixed fluid temperature;   providing a first fluid and a second fluid to a first mixer;   mixing the first fluid and the second fluid at the first mixer to produce a mixed fluid;   regulating the flow of the first fluid using the first fluid flow rate; and   adjusting a second fluid flow rate of the second fluid based on a measured temperature of the mixed fluid and the temperature set point.