System and method for image-based analysis of a slurry and control of a slurry process
US9471971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D21/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for characterizing a slurry in a slurry process includes a flow tube, a camera, and a computer. The system is suitable for use with an oil sands extraction slurry processed or treated by an oil sands extraction slurry process. The slurry is diverted from the slurry process into the flow tube. The camera images the slurry as it flows through a transparent portion of the flow tube to produce a digital image of the slurry. The computer analyzes the digital image to determine a slurry characteristic. Based on the determined slurry characteristic, the computer may predict a performance metric of the slurry process and adjust an operating parameter of the slurry process to optimize the slurry process towards a target performance metric. Multiple systems may be used to continuously monitor slurry characteristics at upstream and downstream steps of the slurry process, and determine correlations between those characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.