Conditioning slurry samples for quantitative instrumental analysis

Abstract

A method and system to consistently and automatically conditioning and delivering a solid-free liquid (filtrate) sample suitable for instrumental analysis is disclosed. A slurry, preferably a slurry produced by a sub-atmospheric pressure chlorate dioxide generating process, is fed through a filter to remove the solid phase and to provide the liquid phase on the downstream side of the filter, where the concentration of at least one dissolved component is determined.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . An analytical system for measuring the concentration of at least one dissolved component in the liquid phase of a slurry, which comprises:
 a slurry filtration unit comprising a filtration cell comprising an inlet for the slurry to a slurry chamber, a filtration medium for separation of the solid phase from the slurry, and a liquid phase chamber downstream of said filtration medium and having an outlet therefrom, said liquid phase chamber having a liquid level sensor and a concentration measurement probe in operable association therewith,   a utility system in operable relationship with said slurry filtrate unit for selectively applying compressed air, water and vacuum to the outlet from said slurry filtration unit, and   a control/communication system in operable relationship with said slurry filtration unit and said utility system for controlling the operation of the analytical system in response to a pre-programmed set of commands.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said liquid phase chamber additionally has a temperature sensor in operable association therewith. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said utility system comprises a plurality of solenoid valves separately connected to respective sources of compressed air, water and vacuum to permit the compressed air, water and vacuum to be selectively applied to the outlet from the filtration unit in accordance with a predetermined set of commands to said solenoid valves provided by said control/communication system. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  further including a further solenoid valve operatively connected to the outlet from said slurry filtration unit to permit vacuum relief to said liquid phase chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said control/communication system possesses a pre-programmed set of commands to effect the operation of the analytic system in accordance with the cycle of operation set forth in Table I.