Automatic Purging Of Air From A Fluid Processing System

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for processing a fluid and then returning processed fluid and/or replacement fluid to a fluid recipient. The returning fluid is monitored to detect air therein and, if air is detected, steps are taken to automatically purge the air from the returning fluid without requiring the intervention of a system operator. The system may respond to detected air by pumping the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid away from the fluid recipient and into a processed fluid reservoir, where the air is purged from the processed fluid and/or replacement fluid. Thereafter, the weight of the processed fluid reservoir may be checked to confirm that sufficient fluid has been pumped back into the reservoir to remove the air. After it has been confirmed that the air has been purged from the fluid, the system may resume pumping the fluid toward the fluid recipient.

主权项

1. A fluid processing system for processing fluid and returning processed fluid and/or a replacement fluid to a fluid recipient, the fluid processing system being configured to cooperate with a fluid flow circuit including a fluid recipient line for returning processed fluid and/or a replacement fluid from a fluid processing chamber to a fluid recipient, the fluid processing system comprising:
a fluid recipient pump operable in a first direction to pump processed fluid and/or a replacement fluid through the fluid recipient line toward the fluid recipient and in a second direction to pump processed fluid and/or a replacement fluid through the fluid recipient line away from the fluid recipient; an air detection assembly configured to monitor the contents of the fluid recipient line and produce an output indicative of the presence of air in the fluid recipient line flowing toward the fluid recipient; and a controller programmed to receive the output from the air detection assembly and, upon receiving said output, automatically instruct the fluid recipient pump to operate in the second direction to pump processed fluid and/or replacement fluid containing air through the fluid recipient line away from the fluid recipient at least until the air in the fluid recipient line is removed from the fluid recipient line.