An automatic control system for sterile air pressure
The automatic control system for sterile air pressure utilizes multi-stage pressure reducing valves and a PLC controller to achieve automated control of sterile air pressure. This solves the pressure fluctuation problem under traditional manual control methods, improves pressure stability and extends the service life of the pressure regulating valve, thus ensuring product quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JUNLEBAO DAIRY GRP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Traditional sterile air pressure control methods rely on human experience, resulting in slow response, low adjustment accuracy, and pressure fluctuations that exceed process requirements, affecting product quality. Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve is prone to wear and has a short lifespan.
An automatic sterile air pressure control system is adopted, which uses multi-stage pressure reducing valves and pressure monitoring devices in conjunction with a PLC controller to achieve automated control, ensure the stability of sterile air pressure, and set up multiple sterile air branches to protect multiple target tanks.
It achieves automated control of sterile air pressure, improves pressure stability, extends the life of pressure reducing valves, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures product quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224436811U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of food production technology, specifically a sterile air pressure automatic control system. Background Technology
[0002] In the food production industry, pretreatment fermentation tanks and filling tanks are maintained under positive pressure using sterile air to prevent the products inside from being contaminated by outside air. Therefore, ensuring that the sterile air pressure in the tank is between 50 mbar and 80 mbar is an important step in preventing quality accidents.
[0003] Traditional sterile air pressure control involves operators instructing maintenance personnel to manually adjust valve openings based on pressure values displayed in the control room, reducing compressed air from 8 bar to 0.05 bar in one go via a mechanical pressure regulating valve. This method suffers from issues such as slow response, low adjustment precision, and reliance on manual experience. It can easily lead to pressure fluctuations exceeding process requirements, causing quality incidents. Furthermore, the large pressure reduction range causes wear on the regulating valve, resulting in poor pressure stability and a short valve lifespan. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic control system for sterile air pressure, so as to realize the automatic control of sterile air pressure, improve the stability of sterile air pressure, and ensure product quality.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical method adopted by this utility model is as follows:
[0006] An automatic control system for sterile air pressure includes a sterile air pipeline, a compressed air source, a first target tank, and a control device. The sterile air pipeline is sequentially provided with a first pressure reducing valve, a filter assembly, a second pressure reducing valve, a third pressure reducing valve, a first sterile filter, and a first pressure monitoring device along the air flow direction. The compressed air source is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline near the first pressure reducing valve, and the first target tank is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline near the first pressure monitoring device. Both the first pressure monitoring device and the third pressure reducing valve are electrically connected to the control device.
[0007] As a limitation: the system includes a second target tank, a third target tank, ..., an Nth target tank, where N is an integer greater than 1. A branch pipeline connects the pipeline between the second and third pressure-reducing valves. This branch pipeline connects to a first sterile air branch, a second sterile air branch, ..., an (N-1)th sterile air branch. The first sterile air branch is sequentially equipped with a fourth pressure-reducing valve, a second sterile filter, and a second pressure monitoring device along the airflow direction. The second target tank is connected to the end of the first sterile air branch closest to the second pressure monitoring device. Both the fourth pressure-reducing valve and the second pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device. The second sterile air branch is equipped with a fifth pressure reducing valve, a third sterile filter, and a third pressure monitoring device in sequence along the airflow direction. The third target tank is connected to the end of the second sterile air branch near the third pressure monitoring device. Both the fifth pressure reducing valve and the third pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device. Similarly, the N-1 sterile air branch is equipped with an N+2 pressure reducing valve, an N sterile filter, and an N pressure monitoring device in sequence along the airflow direction. The Nth target tank is connected to the end of the N-1 sterile air branch near the Nth pressure monitoring device. Both the N+2 pressure reducing valve and the Nth pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device.
[0008] As a limitation: a first manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the compressed air source and the first pressure reducing valve, and a second manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the first target tank and the first pressure monitoring device.
[0009] As a limitation: a third manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the second target tank and the second pressure monitoring device, a fourth manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the third target tank and the third pressure monitoring device, and so on, with an N+1 manual valve installed on the pipeline between the Nth target tank and the Nth pressure monitoring device.
[0010] As a limitation, the control device is a PLC controller.
[0011] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model, due to the adoption of the above-mentioned solution, compared with the prior art, are as follows:
[0012] (1) The sterile air pressure automatic control system provided by this utility model, by setting up a sterile air pipeline and a control device, the sterile air pipeline is equipped with a first pressure reducing valve, a filter assembly, a second pressure reducing valve, a third pressure reducing valve, a first sterile filter and a first pressure monitoring device. After multi-stage pressure reduction by the first pressure reducing valve, the second pressure reducing valve and the third pressure reducing valve, the pressure reduction span is avoided, the pressure is reduced smoothly, the stability of sterile air pressure is improved, the wear and cavitation of the first pressure reducing valve, the second pressure reducing valve and the third pressure reducing valve are reduced, their service life is extended and the maintenance cost is reduced; the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline is monitored by the first pressure monitoring device, and the control device controls the third pressure reducing valve to adjust automatically according to the monitored pressure value, thereby realizing the automatic control of sterile air pressure, ensuring that the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline is stable at the expected value, and ensuring product quality; the filter assembly is set after the first pressure reducing valve, ensuring the primary filtration effect of the air;
[0013] (2) The present invention provides an automatic control system for sterile air pressure, which can provide positive pressure protection for multiple target tanks by setting multiple sterile air branches and multiple target tanks, and set and adjust the required air pressure and flow rate for each target tank.
[0014] This invention is applicable to positive pressure protection of target tanks. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic control system for sterile air pressure according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic control system for sterile air pressure according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model;
[0018] In the diagram: 1. Compressed air source; 2. Sterile air pipeline; 3. First pressure reducing valve; 4. First manual valve; 5. Filter assembly; 6. Second pressure reducing valve; 7. Third pressure reducing valve; 8. First sterile filter; 9. First pressure monitoring device; 10. Second manual valve; 11. First target tank; 12. Control device; 13. Fourth pressure reducing valve; 14. Second sterile filter; 15. Second pressure monitoring device; 16. Third manual valve; 17. Second target tank; 18. Fifth pressure reducing valve; 19. Third sterile filter; 20. Third pressure monitoring device; 21. Fourth manual valve; 22. Third target tank; 23. Sixth pressure reducing valve; 24. Fourth sterile filter; 25. Fourth pressure monitoring device; 26. Fifth manual valve; 27. Fourth target tank; 28. Branch pipeline. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Any improvements and equivalent changes made based on the specific embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.
[0020] Example 1
[0021] An automatic control system for sterile air pressure, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a sterile air pipeline 2, a compressed air source 1, a first target tank 11, and a control device 12. Along the airflow direction, the sterile air pipeline 2 is sequentially equipped with a first pressure reducing valve 3, a filter assembly 5, a second pressure reducing valve 6, a third pressure reducing valve 7, a first sterile filter 8, and a first pressure monitoring device 9. The compressed air source 1 is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 near the first pressure reducing valve 3. A first manual valve 4 is installed on the pipeline between the compressed air source 1 and the first pressure reducing valve 3. The first target tank 11 is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 near the first pressure monitoring device 9. A second manual valve 10 is installed on the pipeline between the first target tank 11 and the first pressure monitoring device 9. Both the first pressure monitoring device 9 and the third pressure reducing valve 7 are electrically connected to the control device 12.
[0022] In this embodiment, the control device 12 is a PLC controller, the first pressure reducing valve 3 and the second pressure reducing valve 6 are both SMC pressure reducing valves, the third pressure reducing valve 7 is an SMC automatic control valve, the sterile air pipeline 2 is a stainless steel pipeline with an outer diameter of 32mm, and the first pressure monitoring device 9 is a pressure sensor.
[0023] When the sterile air pressure automatic control system of this embodiment is working, the first manual valve 4 is opened, and the compressed air in the compressed air source 1 is transmitted to the sterile air pipeline 2. The compressed air is reduced from 8.5 bar to 2 bar by the first pressure reducing valve 3, and then undergoes primary filtration by the filter assembly 5. After that, the compressed air is reduced to 0.5 bar by the second pressure reducing valve 6, and then further reduced by the third pressure reducing valve 7. After filtration by the first sterile filter 8, the compressed air is transmitted to the first target tank 11. The first pressure monitoring device 9 monitors the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline 2. The control device 12 controls the third pressure reducing valve 7 according to the monitored pressure value and uses PID closed-loop control to maintain the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 at 0.05 bar.
[0024] Example 2
[0025] like Figure 2As shown, this embodiment has a structure that is basically the same as that of embodiment 1, except that the system includes a second target tank 17, a third target tank 22, ..., an Nth target tank, where N is an integer greater than 1. A branch pipe 28 is connected to the pipeline between the second pressure reducing valve 6 and the third pressure reducing valve 7. The branch pipe 28 is connected to a first sterile air branch, a second sterile air branch, ..., an (N-1)th sterile air branch. A fourth pressure reducing valve 13, a second sterile filter 14, and a second pressure monitoring device 15 are sequentially arranged along the airflow direction on the first sterile air branch. The second target tank 17 is connected to the end of the first sterile air branch near the second pressure monitoring device 15. A third manual valve 16 is installed on the pipeline between the second target tank 17 and the second pressure monitoring device 15. The fourth pressure reducing valve 13 and the second pressure monitoring device 15 are both electrically connected to the control device 12. Along the airflow direction, a fifth pressure reducing valve 18, a third sterile filter 19, and a third pressure monitoring device 20 are sequentially installed on the sterile air branch. The third target tank 22 is connected to the end of the second sterile air branch near the third pressure monitoring device 20. A fourth manual valve 21 is installed on the pipeline between the third target tank 22 and the third pressure monitoring device 20. Both the fifth pressure reducing valve 18 and the third pressure monitoring device 20 are electrically connected to the control device 12. Similarly, along the airflow direction, the (N-1)th sterile air branch is sequentially equipped with an N+2 pressure reducing valve, an Nth sterile filter, and an Nth pressure monitoring device. The Nth target tank is connected to the end of the (N-1)th sterile air branch near the Nth pressure monitoring device. A N+1 manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the Nth target tank and the Nth pressure monitoring device. Both the N+2 pressure reducing valve and the Nth pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device 12. In this embodiment, N=4. A sixth pressure-reducing valve 23, a fourth sterile filter 24, and a fourth pressure monitoring device 25 are sequentially installed along the airflow direction on the third sterile air branch. The fourth target tank 27 is connected to the end of the third sterile air branch near the fourth pressure monitoring device 25. A fifth manual valve 26 is installed on the pipeline between the fourth target tank 27 and the fourth pressure monitoring device 25. Both the sixth pressure-reducing valve 23 and the fourth pressure monitoring device 25 are electrically connected to the control device 12. The structure is completely identical to that in Embodiment 1, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.
[0026] In this embodiment, the second pressure monitoring device 15 monitors the pressure at the end of the first sterile air branch. The control device 12, based on the monitored pressure value and using PID closed-loop control, controls the fourth pressure reducing valve 13 to maintain the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 at 0.05 bar and transmits sterile air to the second target tank 17. The third pressure monitoring device 20 monitors the pressure at the end of the second sterile air branch. The control device 12, based on the monitored pressure value and using PID closed-loop control, controls the fifth pressure reducing valve 18 to maintain the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 at 0.05 bar and transmits sterile air to the third target tank 22. The fourth pressure monitoring device 25 monitors the pressure at the end of the third sterile air branch. The control device 12, based on the monitored pressure value and using PID closed-loop control, controls the sixth pressure reducing valve 23 to maintain the pressure at the end of the sterile air pipeline 2 at 0.05 bar and transmit sterile air to the fourth target tank 27.
Claims
1. A sterile air pressure automatic control system, characterized by, It includes a sterile air pipeline, a compressed air source, a first target tank, and a control device. The sterile air pipeline is provided with a first pressure reducing valve, a filter assembly, a second pressure reducing valve, a third pressure reducing valve, a first sterile filter, and a first pressure monitoring device in sequence along the air flow direction. The compressed air source is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline near the first pressure reducing valve, and the first target tank is connected to the end of the sterile air pipeline near the first pressure monitoring device. Both the first pressure monitoring device and the third pressure reducing valve are electrically connected to the control device.
2. The automatic sterile air pressure control system according to claim 1, wherein, The system includes a second target tank, a third target tank, ..., an Nth target tank, where N is an integer greater than 1. A branch pipeline connects the second and third pressure-reducing valves, and this branch pipeline connects to a first sterile air branch, a second sterile air branch, ..., an (N-1)th sterile air branch. Along the airflow direction, the first sterile air branch is sequentially equipped with a fourth pressure-reducing valve, a second sterile filter, and a second pressure monitoring device. The second target tank is connected to the end of the first sterile air branch closest to the second pressure monitoring device. Both the fourth pressure-reducing valve and the second pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device. Along the airflow direction, the sterile air branch is equipped with a fifth pressure reducing valve, a third sterile filter, and a third pressure monitoring device in sequence. The third target tank is connected to the end of the second sterile air branch near the third pressure monitoring device. Both the fifth pressure reducing valve and the third pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device. Similarly, along the airflow direction, the (N-1)th sterile air branch is equipped with an (N+2)th pressure reducing valve, an Nth sterile filter, and an Nth pressure monitoring device in sequence. The Nth target tank is connected to the end of the (N-1)th sterile air branch near the Nth pressure monitoring device. Both the (N+2)th pressure reducing valve and the Nth pressure monitoring device are electrically connected to the control device.
3. The aseptic air pressure automatic control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the compressed air source and the first pressure reducing valve, and a second manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the first target tank and the first pressure monitoring device.
4. The aseptic air pressure automatic control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, A third manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the second target tank and the second pressure monitoring device, a fourth manual valve is installed on the pipeline between the third target tank and the third pressure monitoring device, and so on, with an N+1 manual valve installed on the pipeline between the Nth target tank and the Nth pressure monitoring device.
5. An automatic control system for sterile air pressure according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The control device is a PLC controller.