System and method for controlling pressure in a processing column

摘要

A processing column system includes an inlet, an outlet, a piston head and a piston pressure chamber for providing a controlled bed pressure to the piston head and thus to a substrate and/or liquid bed positioned within the column. A tracking regulator is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the piston pressure chamber as well as the inlet to the column. The tracking regulator receives a pressure of a process fluid flow into the processing column. The tracking regulator has a hydraulic fluid drain port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The tracking regulator directs hydraulic fluid from the piston pressure chamber to the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid when the tracking regulator detects a drop in the pressure of the process fluid flow. The source of pressurized hydraulic fluid provides to the tracking regulator a pressure equal to a set bed pressure of the system plus a maximum anticipated process flow pressure. The tracking regulator directs additional hydraulic fluid from the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the piston pressure chamber of the processing column so that a pressure therein is greater than the set bed pressure when the tracking regulator detects an increase in the pressure of the process fluid flow.