Method and filling installation for filling a beverage in containers

Abstract

The invention describes a method and a filling installation (1) for filling a beverage, more particularly beer, in containers (3), more particularly glass bottles. For this, the containers are machine-washed (4) and consequently provided in a heated state for filling. The beverage is provided at an inlet temperature (20) and is machine-filled (5) at a fill temperature (19) and then pasteurised (6). The containers heated thereby are cooled to an outlet temperature (8). Since the beverage is heated for the subsequent filling, more particularly from the inlet temperature at least to the fill temperature, by means of heat (10) obtained during cooling to the outlet temperature, the expense for cooling the hot-washed containers prior to filling can be reduced.

Description

[0001] Method and filling system for filling a beverage into containers

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a filling system for filling a beverage into containers according to the preambles of claims 1 and 9.

[0003] For bottling beverages, particularly carbonated beverages or those containing other gases, such as beer, it is known to keep the beverage chilled at a storage temperature (this refers to the buffer as a pressure tank after the fermentation cellar / filtration and before the flash cellar / bottling, not the storage cellar) typically of 0 to 6°C (15-20°C for bottle fermentation) and to essentially fill it at this temperature into glass bottles or similar containers. After sealing, the bottles are thermally treated in a pasteurizer, with the corresponding inlet temperature then also being approximately 2 to 12°C. Temperature control zones are used to adjust the outlet temperature of the pasteurized bottles to approximately 25 to 40°C. Internal energy recovery is typically carried out between the inlet and outlet temperature control zones, which have similar temperature levels.

[0004] The containers are usually reusable bottles that are washed in a washing machine with hot water before filling and therefore leave the machine warm. To prevent, for example, glass breakage due to a temperature difference during filling between the bottles heated in the washing machine and the product being filled, the bottles are cooled in the washing machine with cold fresh water at the outlet or, if necessary, by connecting them to a refrigeration unit, for example, such that the temperature difference between the bottles and the product being filled does not exceed approximately 20°C. This requires a high fresh water requirement and, depending on the temperature of the fresh water, may also require active cooling using external cooling units.

[0005] Another disadvantage of the generic processes and filling systems is that, depending on the difference between the outlet and inlet temperatures of the pasteurizer, it may be necessary to actively cool at least one temperature control zone of the pasteurizer by supplying external cooling energy.

[0006] There is therefore a need for filling processes and filling systems that can eliminate or at least mitigate at least one of the problems mentioned above.

[0007] The stated object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a filling system according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims. The method is therefore used for filling a beverage, which is, for example, a carbonated beverage, in particular beer. Filling takes place in containers, in particular made of glass, which are previously machine-washed and thus heated before being fed to the filling system.

[0008] The containers are, for example, bottles. In principle, the described process would also be possible with a different container type and / or with containers made of a different material, for example, with rigid plastic containers, especially plastic bottles, and is particularly advantageous with containers that are at risk of breakage due to rapid temperature changes. The described filling system is then designed accordingly to process the respective container type.

[0009] The beverage is supplied to the process at an inlet temperature that may, for example, correspond to the beverage's storage temperature, and is machine-filled at a filling temperature that, according to the invention, is higher than the inlet temperature. The storage temperature is then the temperature in a beverage buffer or pressure tank after the fermentation cellar or filtration and before flash heating or bottling, not the temperature in the storage cellar.

[0010] The containers filled with the beverage and sealed are then pasteurized, and the containers heated in the process are immediately cooled to an outlet temperature. According to the invention, the beverage is heated for subsequent filling using the heat recovered during cooling to the outlet temperature, in particular starting from the inlet temperature at least to the filling temperature. This means that the beverage could, for example, be heated by 1 to 2 K above the filling temperature and cooled to the filling temperature during optional intermediate storage and conveying to the filling process.

[0011] Compared to conventional bottling, which essentially involves keeping the beverage at its storage temperature, the described heating of the beverage prior to bottling essentially to the filling temperature reduces the temperature difference between the heated containers and the containers provided. In other words, the washed containers can be prepared for bottling at a higher temperature than with conventional processes. Accordingly, cooling energy for cooling the containers can be saved, for example, by reducing the need for fresh water.

[0012] The heat recovered when cooling the pasteurized containers to the outlet temperature is transferred to the beverage, for example, through a heat exchange with the circulating water. Preferably, the cooled circulating water is returned as cooling water to cool the pasteurized containers. This avoids or at least reduces the need for external energy for actively cooling the containers to adjust the outlet temperature, for example, using an active cooling unit. The cooling water (cooled circulating water) can be temporarily stored in a tank, particularly a cold water tank, for this purpose.

[0013] The process is particularly efficient when the outlet temperature of the pasteurized containers is 1 to 15 K and especially 2 to 12 K higher than the filling temperature.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous variant of the process, the filling temperature is 20 to 40 °C and in particular 25 to 35 °C. Such filling temperatures are also possible for carbonated beverages such as beer, for example with filling processes in which process steps such as the following are carried out one after the other on containers such as bottles on a rotary type filler: Lifting the respective bottle to a filling valve; Flushing the bottle with, for example, nitrogen, CO2; Evacuating the bottle; Filling the beverage, preferably with foam compression at the filling end; Closing the bottle in the same pressure chamber in which it was filled; Relieving the pressure chamber; and Lowering the bottle from the filling valve.

[0015] The evacuated bottle can be filled without pre-pressurization, and the filling process can be stopped, for example, when the pressure inside the bottle reaches the pressure above the beverage. The headspace of the bottle can then be pressurized with CO2 (or an alternative gas). For sealing, a cap can be inserted while the bottle is being rinsed, and the pressure chamber can be sealed, for example, by lowering a capping head from above and closing a bottleneck seal from below. Furthermore, the respective filling valve can be retracted after filling, and the bottle can be sealed with a crown cap.

[0016] It is possible, for example, to feed the containers from a washing machine with a discharge temperature of at least 40 °C and in particular at least 50 °C to the filling process.

[0017] In the process described, conventional storage temperatures are possible as inlet temperatures, such as 0 to 20 °C and in particular 1 to 10 °C.

[0018] To carry out the described method, the filling plant comprises: a washing machine for washing and consequently delivering the heated containers for subsequent filling; a filler (a filling machine) for filling the beverage into the containers; and a pasteurizer for pasteurizing the filled containers, wherein the pasteurizer comprises a tempering zone for cooling the pasteurized containers to an outlet temperature.

[0019] According to the invention, the filling system comprises a heat exchanger unit for transferring the heat obtained during cooling to the outlet temperature to the beverage being filled. For this purpose, the filling system preferably comprises a water circuit for transporting heat from the temperature control zone to the heat exchanger unit and for transporting the cold extracted from the beverage during its heating from the heat exchanger unit to the temperature control zone. For this purpose, a cold water tank can be integrated into the water circuit upstream of the temperature control zone. In principle, a hot water tank integrated downstream of the temperature control zone would also be conceivable.

[0020] A beverage tank can be located between the heat exchanger unit and the filler to store, buffer, or similarly store the previously heated beverage until bottling. A heater can be located between the beverage tank and the filler and / or between the heat exchanger unit and the filler to heat the beverage to the filling temperature during startup of the bottling line, i.e., when there is not yet sufficient waste heat available from the pasteurizer. The heater could also be used to set a desired temperature by reheating.

[0021] It is understood that the described filling system can have device features to carry out described process steps and that, conversely, functions of described components of the filling system can be used for the process.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing. The sole figure shows a flow diagram of the filling system.

[0023] Accordingly, the filling plant 1 for filling a beverage 2, which is in particular a carbonated beverage or a beverage mixed with a propellant gas (mixture) other than carbon dioxide, for example with nitrogen, such as beer, into containers 3, in particular glass bottles, comprises a washing machine 4 for washing and consequently releasing the containers 3 in a heated state for subsequent filling of the beverage 2. The filling plant 1 further comprises a filler 5 for filling the beverage 2 into the containers 3 and a pasteurizer 6 for pasteurizing the filled and closed containers 3. A pasteurization zone / temperature control zone 7 is integrated into the pasteurizer 6 or assigned to the outlet side thereof in order to cool the pasteurized containers 3 to an outlet temperature 8.

[0024] The filling system 1 also comprises a heat exchanger unit 9, with which heat 10 obtained when cooling the pasteurized containers 3 to the outlet temperature 8 can be transferred to the beverage 2 to be filled.

[0025] The filling plant 1 further comprises a water circuit 11 for transporting the heat 10 from the pasteurization / tempering zone 7 to the heat exchanger unit 9 and for transporting the cold 12 extracted from the beverage 2 during its heating there from the heat exchanger unit 9 to the tempering zone 7, in each case by means of circulating water 13.

[0026] For this purpose, the heat exchanger unit 9 comprises a first heat exchanger 14 with a primary circuit 14a for the beverage 2 and a secondary circuit 14b for the circulating water 13. A water tank 15, which is in particular a cold water tank, can be integrated into the heat exchanger unit 9 or otherwise arranged in the water circuit 11 between the heat exchanger 14 and a second heat exchanger 16 assigned to the temperature control zone 7. The second heat exchanger 16 then comprises, in a manner known in principle, a primary circuit 16a connected to the temperature control stage 7 and a secondary circuit 16b integrated into the water circuit 11.

[0027] Preferably, a beverage tank 17 is arranged between the heat exchanger unit 9 and the filler 5, and optionally, a heater 18 is arranged between these, which can be independently supplied with energy in a manner known in principle. The beverage 2, heated in the heat exchanger unit 9 essentially to a filling temperature 19 or slightly above, can be temporarily stored in the beverage tank 17 for immediate subsequent filling. The heater 18 can be used to heat the beverage to the filling temperature 19 if sufficient heat 10 (waste heat) from the temperature control zone 7 is not yet provided in the heat exchanger unit 9, for example, when starting up the filling system 1.

[0028] The beverage 2 is provided to the heat exchanger unit 9 at an inlet temperature 20, which may, for example, correspond to a storage temperature 21 of the beverage 2. The inlet temperature 20 is, for example, 2 to 12 °C.

[0029] The cleaned containers 3 preferably leave the washing machine 4 with an output temperature 22 of at least 40°C and in particular of at least 50°C. The requirement for cooling energy, for example from fresh water, for the outlet-side cooling of the containers 3 washed hot in the washing machine 4 is then correspondingly low.

[0030] A difference between the inlet temperature 20 of the beverage 2 and its storage temperature 21 can arise, for example, from the fact that at least one further heat exchanger unit 23 is connected upstream of the heat exchanger unit 9, with which cold is already extracted from the beverage 2 by means of a third heat exchanger 24. This would then comprise a primary circuit 24a through which the beverage 2 flows and a secondary circuit 24b connected to at least one cold consumer. The further heat exchanger unit 24 could then be assigned its own cold water tank 25. The washing machine 4, for example, could be considered as the assigned cold consumer, which would then be connected to the secondary circuit 24b of the third heat exchanger 24 by means of a fourth heat exchanger 26 in a manner known in principle.

[0031] By means of the at least one further heat exchanger unit 24, the beverage 2 can thus be heated from the storage temperature 21 to a comparatively higher inlet temperature 20. According to the invention, the cooling energy stored in the beverage 2 can thus be used at least for cooling the pasteurization / tempering zone 7, but optionally also for other cooling consumers of the filling plant 1, other production plants, process units, in building supply technology, or for similar purposes.

[0032] At the same time, the need for cooling the containers 3 at the outlet of the washing machine 4 decreases. For example, with a filling temperature 19 of the beverage 2 of 25 to 35 °C and a discharge temperature 22 of the containers 3 from the washing machine 4 of at least 50 °C, a temperature difference suitable for filling results between the beverage 2 and the containers 3.

[0033] The described method can be carried out particularly efficiently if the filler 5 is designed as a combined filling and closing machine. For example, both the filling of the beverage 2 and the closing of the filled containers 3 can take place in the area of ​​a pressure chamber formed on the respective filling elements (not shown). This facilitates filling at comparatively high filling temperatures 19, for example, 25 to 35 °C. In principle, however, a downstream closing machine 5a (only schematically indicated) could also be assigned to the filler 5.

Claims

Claims Method for filling a beverage (2), in particular beer, into containers (3), in particular glass bottles or rigid plastic containers, wherein the containers are machine-washed and consequently heated before being made available for filling, wherein the beverage is provided at an inlet temperature (20) and machine-filled at a filling temperature (19), subsequently pasteurized and the heated containers are cooled to an outlet temperature (8), characterized in that the beverage is heated for subsequent filling by means of heat (10) obtained during cooling to the outlet temperature, in particular from the inlet temperature at least up to the filling temperature.A method according to claim 1, wherein the heat (10) gained during cooling to the outlet temperature (8) is transferred to the beverage (2) in a heat exchanger (14) by means of circulating water (13), and the circulating water cooled in the process is returned as cooling water for cooling the pasteurized containers (3). A method according to claim 2, wherein the cooling water / cooled circulating water (13) is temporarily stored in a water tank (15), in particular a cold water tank. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heated beverage (2) is temporarily stored in a beverage tank (17) and from there made available for filling. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet temperature (8) is 1 to 15 °C, in particular 2 to 12 °C, higher than the filling temperature (19).A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers (3) are fed from a washing machine (4) with a discharge temperature (22) of at least 40 °C, in particular at least 50 °C, to the filling process. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling temperature (19) is 20 to 40 °C, in particular 25 to 35 °C. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet temperature (20) is 0 to 20 °C, in particular 1 to 10 °C. A filling system (1) for filling a beverage (2), in particular beer, into glass containers (3), comprising: a washing machine (4) for washing and consequently heating the containers for subsequent filling; a filler (5) for filling the beverage into the containers; and a pasteurizer (6) for pasteurizing the filled containers. with a temperature control zone (7) for cooling the pasteurized containers to a discharge temperature (8), characterized by a heat exchanger unit (9) for transferring heat (10) gained during cooling to the discharge temperature to the beverage to be filled. Filling plant according to claim 9, further comprising a water circuit (11) for transporting the heat (10) from the temperature control zone (7) to the heat exchanger unit (9) and for transporting the cold (12) extracted from the beverage (2) by heat transfer from the heat exchanger unit to the temperature control zone. Filling plant according to claim 10, further comprising a water tank (15), in particular a cold water tank, integrated into the water circuit (11) upstream of the temperature control zone (7). Filling plant according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a beverage tank (17) arranged between the heat exchanger unit (9) and the filler (5) for temporarily storing the heated beverage (2).A filling plant according to claim 12, further comprising a heater (18) arranged between the beverage tank (17) and the filler (5) and / or between the heat exchanger unit (9) and the filler (5) for additionally warming the beverage (2), particularly when starting up the filling plant. A filling plant according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising at least one additional heat exchanger unit (23) upstream of the product with an associated water circuit for transferring cooling from the beverage (2) to at least one additional cooling consumer. A filling plant according to at least one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the filler (5) is configured for filling at a beverage (2) filling temperature (19) of at least 15 °C, particularly 25 to 35 °C.

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