On-line oil and foreign matter detection system and method

摘要

A system for detecting oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream is provided. The system includes a first conveying means for delivering a product stream; a first detection apparatus for detecting oil contaminated product, the first detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the first detection apparatus including a high intensity infrared light source directed at the product stream; and a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect a reflected signal from a taggant disposed in the oil of the oil contaminated product; a second detection apparatus for detecting foreign matter within a product stream, the second detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the second detection apparatus including a light source for illuminating the product stream and a detector for detecting light reflected from the product stream; and a controller for determining whether the product stream contains oil contaminated product or foreign matter by monitoring signals obtained from the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus.

主权项

1. A method for removing oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) adding a fluorescent taggant to oil or lubricant contained in at least one processing machine; (b) conveying a product stream that has been processed by the at least one processing machine; (c) irradiating the conveyed product stream with infrared radiation; (d) detecting infrared radiation emitted from the irradiated product stream due to the presence of the fluorescent taggant and generating a first signal in response thereto; (e) illuminating the conveyed product stream; (f) detecting light reflected from the illuminated product stream; (g) comparing the light reflected from the illuminated product stream with light that would be expected to be reflected from an illuminated product stream free of foreign matter, and generating a second signal when the reflected light indicates the presence of foreign matter; and (h) removing a portion of the conveyed product stream in response to the first or second signal.