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Abstract

A method for predicting end-of-life of a system consumable in a fluid purification system characterized by the steps of (a) coupling a model consumable to the fluid purification system which has comparable characteristics but substantially less time capacity than the system consumable; (b) diverting a portion of an unpurified fluid which could otherwise flow into the system consumable into the model consumable; and (c) analyzing the model consumable to predict the end-of-life of the system consumable. Preferably, the time capacity of the model consumable to remove impurities from the fluid is a small fraction, e.g. 25%-50%, of the capacity of the system consumable. A fluid purification system of the present invention is characterized by an inlet, an outlet, a system consumable coupled between the inlet and the outlet, a model consumable having comparable characteristics but substantially less time capacity than the system consumable, and a diverting mechanism coupled between the inlet and the model consumable for diverting a portion of an unpurified fluid to model consumable. The diverting mechanism preferably includes a mass flow meter (MFM) coupled in-line with the system consumable which is coupled to and controls a mass flow controller (MFC) which is coupled in-line with the model consumable. The model consumable is analyzed to predict the end-of-life of the system consumable.

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First Claim