Thermal cycle system for bottle preform sterilization machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of heat energy utilization, in particular to a heat circulation system for a bottle preform sterilization machine, which comprises a first preheating area, a first cooling area and a first heat pump unit with a first heat pump unit. The water pool of the first preheating area, the evaporator of the first heat pump unit and the sprayer of the first cooling area are sequentially communicated through fluid, and the water pool of the first cooling area, the condenser of the first heat pump unit and the sprayer of the first preheating area are sequentially communicated through fluid. And the heat circulation system forms a loop for spraying water to circularly flow between the first cooling area and the first preheating area. In the loop, spraying water loses part of heat in the preheating area and the evaporator of the first heat pump unit, and the temperature is reduced; and then partial heat source is obtained in the first cooling area and a condenser of the first heat pump unit. Therefore, the heat of the cooling area is recycled effectively, and the heat energy utilization rate of the bottle preform sterilization machine is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of heat energy utilization, in particular to a heat circulation system for a preform sterilizer. Background Art

[0002] A preform sterilizer is a device specifically designed to sterilize preforms during the bottled beverage production process. Its purpose is to ensure that the preforms are sterile before filling to prevent microbial contamination of the subsequently filled beverage. One type of preform sterilizer utilizes wet sterilization, comprising at least one preheating zone that sprays water to preheat the preforms, at least one sterilization zone that sprays water to sterilize the preforms, and at least one cooling zone that sprays water to cool the preforms.

[0003] In existing technologies, the spray water in the preheating and sterilization zones of preform sterilizers cools down after spraying the preforms. This heat loss is typically replenished through steam heating. Meanwhile, the spray water in the cooling zone of the preform sterilizer heats up after spraying the preforms. This is typically replenished by simultaneously discharging hotter spray water while replenishing ambient temperature water. Therefore, conventional preform sterilizers fail to utilize the heat from the spray water in the cooling zone, leaving room for improvement in heat utilization. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the technical problem that the heat utilization rate of the conventional preform sterilizer needs to be improved, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide a heat circulation system for the preform sterilizer.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a thermal circulation system for a preform sterilizer, the preform sterilizer comprising a first preheating zone and a first cooling zone, both of which have a sprinkler for applying spray water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water, the thermal circulation system further comprising a first heat pump unit having a first heat pump unit, the water pool of the first preheating zone, the evaporator of the first heat pump unit, and the sprinkler of the first cooling zone being fluidly connected in sequence, and the water pool of the first cooling zone, the condenser of the first heat pump unit, and the sprinkler of the first preheating zone being fluidly connected in sequence.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the preform sterilizer further includes a second preheating zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the first preheating zone and a second cooling zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the first cooling zone, the first heat pump unit further includes a second heat pump unit, and both the second preheating zone and the second cooling zone have a sprayer for applying spray water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water, the water pool of the second preheating zone, the evaporator of the second heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the second cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the water pool of the second cooling zone, the condenser of the second heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the second preheating zone are fluidically connected in sequence. It may be further preferred that the preform sterilizer further comprises a third preheating zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the second preheating zone and a third cooling zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the second cooling zone, the first heat pump unit further comprises a third heat pump unit, the third preheating zone and the third cooling zone both have a sprayer for applying spray water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water, the water pool of the third preheating zone, the evaporator of the third heat pump unit and the sprayer of the third cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the water pool of the third cooling zone, the condenser of the third heat pump unit and the sprayer of the third preheating zone are fluidically connected in sequence.

[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the preform sterilizer further comprises a plurality of sterilization zones, each of the sterilization zones having a sprinkler for applying spray water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water, the thermal circulation system further comprising a hot water tank and a second heat pump unit, the second heat pump unit having a fourth heat pump unit having the same number as the preheating zones, the water pools in each preheating zone, the second heat pump unit, the first heat pump unit and the sprinklers in each cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence, the water pools in each preheating zone are fluidically connected to the evaporators of each fourth heat pump unit respectively; the water pools in the sterilization zone, the hot water tank, the second heat pump unit and the sprinklers in the sterilization zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the hot water tank is simultaneously fluidly connected to the condensers of each fourth heat pump unit.

[0008] In the above preferred embodiment, it is further preferred that the thermal circulation system also includes a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger has a first branch and a second branch for heat exchange, the condenser of each of the fourth heat pump units, the first branch of the heat exchanger and the sprayer of the sterilization area are fluidically connected in sequence, and the second branch is for external heating water to flow into the heat exchanger.

[0009] In the above preferred scheme, it is further preferred that the hot water tank includes a low-temperature zone and a high-temperature zone that are independent of each other, the water pool in the sterilization zone, the low-temperature zone of the hot water tank, the condenser of each of the fourth heat pump units and the high-temperature zone of the hot water tank are fluidically connected in sequence, and the high-temperature zone of the hot water tank is fluidically connected to the first branch of the heat exchanger.

[0010] Compared to existing technologies, the thermal circulation system provided by this utility model forms a loop for spray water to circulate between the first cooling zone and the first preheating zone. Within this loop, the spray water loses some heat in the preheating zone and the evaporator of the first heat pump unit, causing its temperature to drop. It then gains some heat in the first cooling zone and the condenser of the first heat pump unit. This cycle effectively recovers heat from the cooling zone, improving the thermal energy utilization of the preform sterilizer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A system diagram of the thermal cycle system provided by the present utility model;

[0012] Note in the figure:

[0013] 11. First preheating zone; 12. Second preheating zone; 13. Third preheating zone;

[0014] 21. First sterilization zone; 22. Second sterilization zone; 23. Third sterilization zone; 24. Fourth sterilization zone;

[0015] 31. First cooling zone; 32. Second cooling zone; 33. Third cooling zone;

[0016] 41. First heat pump unit; 42. Second heat pump unit; 43. Third heat pump unit;

[0017] 51. Fourth heat pump unit; 52. Fifth heat pump unit; 53. Sixth heat pump unit;

[0018] 60. Hot water tank; 61. Low temperature zone; 62. High temperature zone;

[0019] 70. Heat exchanger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to explain the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of this application in detail, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application.

[0021] In this application, spatially relative terms such as "under," "beneath," "under," "down," "over," "up," "above," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall"), etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element to another (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, an element described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be positioned "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device can be positioned otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0022] Figure 1 The thermal circulation system for a preform sterilizer provided by the present invention is shown. This thermal circulation system utilizes a heat pump unit to improve the thermal utilization rate of the preform sterilizer. To facilitate the description of the thermal circulation system provided by the present invention, the preform sterilizer and heat pump unit are first described below.

[0023] In this application, "spraying temperature" refers to the temperature of the spraying water applied to the preform by the sprayer in the preheating zone, sterilization zone or cooling zone under normal working conditions.

[0024] The preform sterilizer is a core piece of equipment in a beer production line. It sprays and rinses unfilled bottles with high-temperature sterilizing water, thoroughly eliminating microorganisms and bacteria inside and outside the bottles. After entering the preform sterilizer, the bottles pass through multiple preheating zones, where they are sprayed with progressively higher-temperature water, pre-cleaning the preforms while gradually increasing the temperature. They then pass through multiple sterilization zones, where they are sprayed with high-temperature water at a constant temperature to eliminate bacteria and microorganisms inside and outside the preforms. Finally, they pass through multiple cooling zones, where they are sprayed with progressively lower-temperature water, rinsing the preforms while gradually reducing their temperature.

[0025] Understandably, after the preforms are sprayed with spray water in the preheating and sterilization zones, their temperature rises or remains high, while the spray water temperature drops. Conversely, after the preforms are sprayed with spray water in the cooling zone, their temperature drops, while the spray water temperature rises. Therefore, during operation, the preform sterilizer requires a certain amount of heat input to each of the preheating and sterilization zones, while the cooling zone requires a certain amount of cooling. Traditional preform sterilizers heat the spray water in each zone using steam, while the cooling zone continuously replenishes room-temperature water while discharging high-temperature spray water. Consequently, traditional preform sterilizers have low thermal efficiency.

[0026] The heat pump unit provided in this embodiment includes multiple heat pump units, each of which includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator are fluidically connected in sequence and form a circuit for circulating a circulating medium.

[0027] Among them, the compressor can compress the high-temperature, low-pressure circulating medium fluid into a high-temperature, high-pressure circulating medium fluid, and provide the circulating medium fluid with power to circulate in the loop; the condenser allows the circulating medium fluid to exchange heat with the spray water as an external cold source, and the high-temperature, high-pressure circulating medium fluid releases heat to the outside and is converted into a low-temperature, high-pressure circulating medium fluid; the expansion valve can convert the low-temperature, high-pressure circulating medium fluid into a low-temperature, low-pressure circulating medium fluid through the throttling effect; finally, the evaporator allows the low-temperature, low-pressure circulating medium fluid to exchange heat with the spray water as an external heat source, and is converted into a high-temperature, low-pressure circulating medium fluid. Thus, through the above cycle, the circulating medium in the loop transfers part of the heat from the external heat source to the external cold source.

[0028] The main components, interrelationships between these components, and operating principles of each heat pump unit in this application are essentially the same; their primary differences lie in operating conditions (e.g., the temperatures of the external heat source and external cooling source). Therefore, to avoid redundancy, this application does not describe each heat pump unit individually. In this application, unless otherwise specified, a heat pump unit refers to a complete heat pump unit that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator and can independently transfer heat.

[0029] Back to Figure 1 The preform sterilizer provided in this embodiment is equipped with a first preheating zone 11, a second preheating zone 12, a third preheating zone 13, a first sterilization zone 21, a second sterilization zone 22, a third sterilization zone 23, a fourth sterilization zone 24, a first cooling zone 31, a second cooling zone 32, and a third cooling zone 33. Each preheating zone, sterilization zone, and cooling zone is equipped with a sprayer (not shown) located above a conveyor track (the track used to transport preforms, not shown) to spray water on the preforms, and a water tank (not shown) located below the conveyor track to receive the spray water. The spray temperature in the first, second, and third preheating zones increases in stages, while the spray temperature in the first, second, and third cooling zones decreases in stages.

[0030] In addition, the preform sterilizer provided in this embodiment is further equipped with a first heat pump unit, a second heat pump unit, a hot water tank 60, and a heat exchanger 70. The first heat pump unit includes at least a first heat pump unit 41, a second heat pump unit 42, and a third heat pump unit 43; the second heat pump unit includes at least a fourth heat pump unit 51, a fifth heat pump unit 52, and a sixth heat pump unit 53.

[0031] In this embodiment, the water pool in the first preheating zone 11 is sequentially fluidically connected to the evaporator of the first heat pump unit 41, the evaporator of the fourth heat pump unit 51, and the sprayer of the third cooling zone 33. Consequently, the spray water in the water pool in the first preheating zone 11, after releasing heat twice, cools to a lower temperature and is then used as spray water for the third cooling zone 33. Similarly, the water pool in the second preheating zone 12 is sequentially fluidically connected to the evaporator of the second heat pump unit 42, the evaporator of the fifth heat pump unit 52, and the sprayer of the second cooling zone 32; and the water pool in the third preheating zone 13 is sequentially fluidically connected to the evaporator of the third heat pump unit 43, the evaporator of the sixth heat pump unit 53, and the sprayer of the first cooling zone 31. Furthermore, each preheating zone is equipped with a water pump (not shown) to provide flow power for the spray water.

[0032] Continue reading Figure 1 In this embodiment, the water pool in the third cooling zone 33 is sequentially fluidly connected to the condenser of the fourth heat pump unit 51 and the sprayer of the first preheating zone 11. After the spray water from the first preheating zone 11 reaches the sprayer of the third cooling zone 33, it sprays downward onto the preforms, raising their temperature. After the water is raised in temperature by the fourth heat pump unit 51 (i.e., undergoing two temperature increases in total), it returns to the first preheating zone 11 and serves as spray water for the first preheating zone 11. Thus, the first preheating zone 11 and the third cooling zone 33 form a circuit for the circulation of spray water, significantly reducing the amount of heat and cooling required by the preform sterilizer to supply the first preheating zone 11 and the third cooling zone 33, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the preform sterilizer.

[0033] Similarly, the water pool in the second cooling zone 32 is fluidically connected to the condenser of the fifth heat pump unit 52 and the sprinkler in the second preheating zone 12, creating a circuit for the spray water to circulate between the second preheating zone 12 and the second cooling zone 32. The water pool in the first cooling zone 31 is fluidically connected to the condenser of the sixth heat pump unit 53 and the sprinkler in the third preheating zone 13, forming a circuit for the spray water to flow between the third preheating zone 13 and the first cooling zone 31. Furthermore, each cooling zone is equipped with a water pump (not shown) to provide flow power for the spray water.

[0034] A vertically extending partition is installed within the hot water tank 60, dividing it into a low-temperature zone 61 and a high-temperature zone 62. The water tanks in each sterilization zone are fluidically connected to the low-temperature zone 61 of the hot water tank 60. This zone is also fluidically connected to the condensers of the first, second, and third heat pump units, allowing the spray water in the low-temperature zone 61 to absorb some of the heat from the spray water in the preheating zone. The condensers of the first, second, and third heat pump units are also fluidically connected to the high-temperature zone 62 of the hot water tank 60.

[0035] The heat exchanger 70 exchanges heat between the spray water and external heating water. It has a first branch (not shown) and a second branch (not shown) for heat exchange. The high-temperature zone 62 of the hot water tank 60, the first branch of the heat exchanger 70, and the sprayers in each sterilization zone are all fluidly connected. The second branch of the heat exchanger 70 allows external heating water to enter the heat exchanger 70, transferring heat through the spray water. In other embodiments, the hot water tank 60 can also be stripped of its partition, so that the condensers of the fourth, fifth, and sixth heat pump units are directly fluidly connected to the first branch of the heat exchanger 70.

[0036] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical concepts and features of this application. Their purpose is to enable those familiar with the art to understand the content of this application and implement it accordingly. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this application shall be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal circulation system for a preform sterilizer, comprising a first preheating zone and a first cooling zone, each of which has a sprayer for applying spray water to the preforms and a pool for receiving the spray water, characterized in that: The thermal circulation system includes a first heat pump unit having a first heat pump unit, the water pool in the first preheating zone, the evaporator of the first heat pump unit and the sprayer in the first cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the water pool in the first cooling zone, the condenser of the first heat pump unit and the sprayer in the first preheating zone are fluidically connected in sequence.

2. The thermal cycle system according to claim 1, characterized in that The preform sterilizer further includes a second preheating zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the first preheating zone and a second cooling zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the first cooling zone. The first heat pump unit further includes a second heat pump unit. Both the second preheating zone and the second cooling zone have a sprayer for spraying water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water. The water pool of the second preheating zone, the evaporator of the second heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the second cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence. The water pool of the second cooling zone, the condenser of the second heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the second preheating zone are fluidically connected in sequence.

3. The thermal cycle system according to claim 2, characterized in that The preform sterilizer further includes a third preheating zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the second preheating zone and a third cooling zone having a spraying temperature higher than that of the second cooling zone. The first heat pump unit further includes a third heat pump unit. Both the third preheating zone and the third cooling zone have a sprayer for spraying water to the preforms and a water pool for receiving the spray water. The water pool of the third preheating zone, the evaporator of the third heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the third cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence. The water pool of the third cooling zone, the condenser of the third heat pump unit, and the sprayer of the third preheating zone are fluidically connected in sequence.

4. The thermal cycle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The preform sterilizer also includes multiple sterilization zones, each of which has a sprinkler for applying spray water to the preform and a water pool for receiving the spray water. The thermal circulation system also includes a hot water tank and a second heat pump unit. The second heat pump unit has a fourth heat pump unit with the same number as the preheating zones. The water pools in each preheating zone, the second heat pump unit, the first heat pump unit and the sprinklers in each cooling zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the water pools in each preheating zone are fluidically connected to the evaporators of each fourth heat pump unit respectively; the water pools in the sterilization zone, the hot water tank, the second heat pump unit and the sprinklers in the sterilization zone are fluidically connected in sequence, and the hot water tank is also fluidically connected to the condensers of each fourth heat pump unit.

5. The thermal cycle system according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a heat exchanger, which has a first branch and a second branch for heat exchange. The condenser of each of the fourth heat pump units, the first branch of the heat exchanger and the sprayer of the sterilization area are fluidically connected in sequence, and the second branch is for external heating water to flow into the heat exchanger.

6. The thermal cycle system according to claim 5, characterized in that The hot water tank includes a low-temperature zone and a high-temperature zone that are independent of each other. The water pool in the sterilization zone, the low-temperature zone of the hot water tank, the condensers of each of the fourth heat pump units, and the high-temperature zone of the hot water tank are fluidically connected in sequence, and the high-temperature zone of the hot water tank is fluidically connected to the first branch of the heat exchanger.

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