In-line sensor validation system

Abstract

Disclosed is a food wash sensor system that includes a sensor disposed along a fluid flow path that can circulate a wash fluid through the food wash sensor system. The sensor can detect a concentration of an analyte in the wash fluid. The system also includes a reference fluid reservoir including a reference fluid, the reference fluid including a predetermined concentration of the analyte in solution, a delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid flow path and operable to supply the reference fluid to the fluid flow path upstream from the sensor while maintaining the sensor in place along the fluid flow path, and a control and monitoring system configured to receive a signal from the sensor, the signal indicating the concentration of the analyte in the reference fluid at a first time, and control calibrating the sensor and validating the sensor over time based on the received signal.

1 . A food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
 a mobile frame;   a reference fluid reservoir coupled to the mobile frame, the reference fluid reservoir configured to contain a reference fluid;   a connector configured to fluidly couple with a sensor for a food wash system; and   a pump configured to pump the reference fluid from the reference fluid reservoir to the sensor via the connector.   
     
     
         2 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a quick connect connector configured to removably fluidly couple with the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first pipe fluidly coupled between the reference fluid reservoir and the pump; and   a second pipe fluidly coupled between the pump and the connector.   
     
     
         4 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second pipe further comprises at least one valve to control a fluid volumetric flow rate of the reference fluid through the second pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second pipe has a tee, a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the reference fluid reservoir, wherein the second port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the pump, and wherein the third port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second pipe comprises a first valve coupled between the first port and the second port and a second valve coupled between the second port and the third port. 
     
     
         7 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second pipe has a transverse portion and a vertical portion, wherein the tee is disposed in the transverse portion, wherein the first port is disposed at an end of the vertical portion, and wherein the third port is disposed at an end of the transverse portion. 
     
     
         8 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first pipe has a male connector coupled to the pump and wherein an end of the first pipe is disposed in the reference fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the connector has a male outlet port and wherein the second pipe has a female connector coupled to the male outlet port. 
     
     
         10 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference fluid comprises a predetermined concentration of an analyte. 
     
     
         11 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the analyte is an oxidant selected from a group consisting of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, peroxyacids, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. 
     
     
         12 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference fluid comprises a gas. 
     
     
         13 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference fluid has a predetermined pH and a predetermined ionic strength and wherein the sensor is configured to obtain a measurement that is indicative of pH and ionic strength. 
     
     
         14 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile frame comprises two wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reference fluid reservoir comprises a carboy having a main opening, a first lid configured to cover the main opening, an airlock, and a second lid configured to cover the airlock. 
     
     
         16 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one the reference fluid reservoir or the pump is configured to be removable from the mobile frame. 
     
     
         17 . A food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
 a metal frame;   a carboy coupled to and configured to be removable from the metal frame, the carboy configured to contain a reference fluid;   a connector configured to fluidly couple with a sensor for a food wash system; and   a pump coupled to the metal frame and configured to pump the reference fluid from the carboy to the sensor via the connector.   
     
     
         18 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first pipe fluidly coupled between the carboy and the pump; and   a second pipe fluidly coupled between the pump and the connector.   
     
     
         19 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second pipe further comprises a valve to control a fluid volumetric flow rate of the reference fluid through the connector. 
     
     
         20 . The food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second pipe has a tee, a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the reference fluid reservoir, wherein the second port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the pump, and wherein the third port of the second pipe is removably fluidly coupled to the connector.