Heat exchanges for dispensing sub-zero beer

Abstract

A heat exchanger (10) comprises a coolant line (11) and a beverage line (13), embedded in a solid block of Aluminium (15). The coolant line (11) is in the form of a first helical coil defining a plurality of turns typically located in the centre of the block. The beverage line (13) is in the form of a second helical coil defining a plurality of turns extending around the first coil. The coolant line defines a cold zone (12), typically in the centre of the block, with the volume outside the central zone carrying the beverage line ratio defining an designated beverage cooling zone (14). The volume ratio of the designated zone to the cold zone is about 150:100. The heat exchanger allows for cooling of beer to precise temperatures and even temperatures close to freezing point, using direct expanded Freon refrigeration methods. The complete system including the refrigeration equipment to be packaged into a small area, such as is available under bars and dispensing counters etc., which removes the need for large installations and the associated costs and maintenance of the same. In a variant an additional beverage cooling zone may be located inside the cold zone. The positions of the coolant and beverage lines may also be reversed in certain applications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2008900054 filed on 4 Jan. 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to an improved apparatus for dispensing cooled fluids, in particular beverages, such as beer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In most commercial establishments where beer is served, the beer is supplied in barrels or kegs. The kegs are stored in a refrigerated cold room or cellar at a temperature range of between 3 and 10 degrees C. The beer is normally dispensed through beer dispensing valves / taps located away from the cold room. A heat exchanger or some form of extra cooler is also normally included in the system to further cool the beer in line between the cold room and the tap.[0004]The beer is delivered to the taps from the kegs through a conduit containing the beer delivery lines. The conduit also contains...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]This allows for predetermined heat transfer effects with in the solid to facilitate the heat transfer from the coolant to the solid and then across the solid and into the beverage.

[0024]The relationship between the plane of the beverage tube coils and the coolant tube coils (“the angle between the tubes”) is important in maximising the heat transfer rate across the solid.

[0026]The angle provides three dimensional heat flux within the solid areas and acts as a means of inducing turbulence to the heat flow through the solid areas and maximising the available transfer of cold through the system.

[0027]The efficiency control that is available through the present invention allows for cooling of beer to precise temperatures and even temperatures close to freezing point, using direct expanded Freon refrigeration methods.

[0028]The present invention allows for a complete system including the refrigeration equipment to be packaged into a small area, such as is available under bars and dispensing counters etc., which removes the need for large installations and the associated costs and maintenance of the same.

[0029]The present invention may also eliminate or ameliorate the problems associated with freezing of subzero beverages which has limited the dispensing of low alcohol beverages at temperatures less that 0 degrees C. using existing heat exchanger systems.

Problems solved by technology

These systems have high maintenance costs associated with the external cold source and a high initial installation costs involving extensive site alterations to the beer system.

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