Cold supply for a bottle washing machine

Abstract

A system (100, 150) comprising a bottle washing machine (102) with a plurality of treatment zones (102.1, 102.2, 102.3) and a filler (F) for filling a liquid product (P), in particular beer, into containers; wherein at least the last of the treatment zones is at least partially cooled with fresh water; a first heat exchange module, wherein the product is fed to the first heat exchange module (112) before being filled, and the fresh water is fed to the first heat exchange module before being fed to the bottle washing machine, wherein the first heat exchange module is designed to extract cold from the product and to cool the fresh water to a predefined temperature using the cold extracted from the product; wherein the first heat exchange module is designed to convey the product, from which cold has been extracted, to the filler and to convey the cooled fresh water to the bottle washing machine.

Description

Area the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system which comprises at least one bottle washing machine and a filling device, called filler for short, as well as a corresponding method for operating such a system. Background of the invention

[0002] Bottle washing machines are common components of systems for filling liquid products, such as beverages, especially beer, into containers, especially bottles. A bottle washing machine typically comprises several zones. The containers / bottles entering the bottle washing machine are heated, subjected to one or more cleaning steps, rinsed, and finally discharged as cleaned containers. The product can then be filled into these cleaned containers in a filling device within the system. Such systems can be expanded or supplemented as required with additional components such as a pasteurizer and / or a labeling unit.

[0003] In systems of the type described, the containers, especially bottles, are often made of glass. With glass bottles, but also with plastic containers, the problem arises that the containers are relatively warm after the cleaning process in the bottle washing machine. However, such warm containers are difficult to fill with the typically relatively cold product. The relatively large temperature difference between a cleaned, warm container on the one hand and a cold product on the other hand poses a risk of cracks or breakage of the containers, particularly glass breakage. To minimize this risk, the containers are typically cooled in the bottle washing machine. This type of cooling is often achieved by cooling with water or by active cooling with an active supply of external cooling energy.

[0004] However, when supplied via a refrigeration system, i.e. when using externally supplied energy for cooling, often referred to as cooling energy, there may be considerable expense involved in providing the appropriate pipes.

[0005] When supplying water, a significant amount of fresh water must be added to cool the containers. The goal is to reduce the temperature difference between the product temperature and the temperature of the cleaned and subsequently filled bottles, preventing thermal shock and the associated potential for bottle bursting. This can result in significant fresh water consumption.

[0006] In general, the goal for modern systems is to be as economical as possible, so that resource consumption is limited and reduced as much as possible. These resources also include fresh water, which means that fresh water consumption should be limited and reduced as much as possible, as should energy consumption.

[0007] DE2225676A1 describes a method for reducing water consumption in beverage processing machines. The water generated after recooling and / or spraying in the cleaning system is collected and fed into the primary circuit of a heat exchanger, whose secondary circuit is traversed by a lower-temperature fluid. This means that after recooling and / or spraying, the process water is fed into the heat exchanger and cooled. The process water must be hygienically cleaned and / or treated before possible reuse, which represents a significant expense for the system.

[0008] In view of the problems outlined above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a corresponding method in which the fresh water requirement is significantly reduced and the cooling efficiency is increased. Description of the invention

[0009] This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 7.

[0010] The invention provides: A system comprising a bottle washing machine with a plurality of treatment zones and a filler for filling a liquid product, in particular beer, into containers; wherein at least the last of the treatment zones is at least partially cooled with fresh water; a first heat exchange module, wherein the product is fed to the first heat exchange module before it is filled and the fresh water is fed to the first heat exchange module before it is fed to the bottle washing machine, wherein the first heat exchange module is designed to extract cold from the product and to cool the fresh water to a predefined temperature using the cold extracted from the product; wherein the first heat exchange module is designed to convey the product, from which cold has been extracted, to the filler and to convey the cooled fresh water to the bottle washing machine.

[0011] The terms bottle washing machine and container washing machine are to be understood as synonyms.

[0012] In this system, the fresh water is cooled by the coldness of the product. In other words, the fresh water is cooled directly by the product. Recooling of the already used process water is unnecessary. Cooling the fresh water also makes it more hygienic, eliminating the need for hygienic treatment. Furthermore, overall fresh water consumption can be reduced, as can the required cooling energy.

[0013] In the system, the first heat exchange module may comprise a first heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump.

[0014] The described system may further comprise a second heat exchange module, wherein the product from which cold has been extracted is fed to the second heat exchange module before filling, wherein a liquid and / or vaporous medium is further fed to the second heat exchange module, wherein the second heat exchange module may be designed to extract heat from the medium and thus heat the supplied product to a predefined filling temperature.

[0015] In the system, the medium may be steam and / or a heated liquid, in particular hot water, wherein the medium, when fed to the second heat exchange module, has a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the product when leaving the first heat exchange module.

[0016] In the system, the second heat exchange module may comprise a second heat exchanger and / or a second heat pump.

[0017] In the system, the product can have a temperature between -2 - 20 °C, in particular between 4 - 6 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module, wherein the fresh water can have a temperature of up to 35 °C, in particular between 12 - 15 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention discloses a method in a system comprising a bottle washing machine with a plurality of treatment zones and a filler for filling a liquid product, in particular beer, into containers, wherein at least the last of the treatment zones is at least partially cooled with fresh water, the method comprising: feeding the product to a first heat exchange module; feeding fresh water to the first heat exchange module; cooling the fresh water in the first heat exchange module to a predefined temperature by extracting cold from the product; feeding the cooled fresh water to the bottle washing machine and feeding the product to the filler.

[0019] In the method, the first heat exchange module may comprise a first heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump.

[0020] In the method, supplying the product may comprise supplying the product to a second heat exchange module; and the method may further comprise the following steps: supplying a liquid and / or vaporous medium to the second heat exchange module, heating the supplied product to a predefined filling temperature by extracting heat from the supplied medium in the second heat exchange module.

[0021] In the method, the medium may comprise steam and / or a heated liquid, in particular hot water, wherein the medium, when fed to the second heat exchange module, has a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the product when leaving the first heat exchange module.

[0022] In the method, the second heat exchange module may comprise a second heat exchanger and / or a second heat pump.

[0023] In the process, the product may have a temperature between -2 - 20 °C, in particular between 4 - 6 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module, wherein the fresh water may have a temperature of up to 35 °C, in particular between 12 - 15 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module. Short description of the characters

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2 schematically illustrates another system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0025] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 100 comprising a bottle washing machine 102. The bottle washing machine 102 comprises several zones. Purely by way of example, FIG. 1Three zones are shown, namely zone 102.1, zone 102.2, and zone 102.3. However, it is understood that the bottle washing machine 102 may comprise a different and, in particular, a higher number of zones, and that the number of three zones was chosen merely for reasons of clarity.

[0026] In FIG. 1The transport direction of the containers / bottles to be cleaned is indicated by arrow 108. Transport devices such as belts, holders, etc. are well known and are not shown here. Likewise, no symbols for containers or bottles are shown. Within the bottle washing machine 102 of the system 100, the transport direction of the containers / bottles to be cleaned is indicated by arrow 109. In this example, the containers / bottles to be cleaned therefore travel in the direction of arrows 108 (bottle feed) and 109. The cleaned containers / bottles are discharged from the bottle washing machine in the direction of arrow 110.

[0027] The first zone 102.1 of the bottle washing machine 102 of the system 100 in FIG. 1For example, there is a zone in which the bottles to be cleaned are heated. In the second zone 102.2, the bottles to be cleaned are exposed to a cleaning solution, for example. In the subsequent third zone 102.3, the bottles previously treated with the cleaning solution are rinsed and cooled. The goal is always to reduce the temperature difference, ΔT, between the temperature of the product and the temperature of the cleaned bottles to be refilled in order to avoid temperature shock and the associated potential bursting of the bottles.

[0028] In FIG. 1The arrow 105 indicates the direction taken by the process water within the bottle washing machine 102. The process water can leave the bottle washing machine 102 at least partially according to the arrow 106. The process water or waste water can be cleaned and / or recycled by additional elements. It is understood that piping and valves in the FIG. 1 are not shown.

[0029] In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 The fresh water supply for the bottle washing machine 102 of the system 100 is schematically sketched with the arrow 104. This fresh water supply 104 leads to FIG. 1 However, first to the heat exchange module 112, which can also be referred to as the first heat exchange module 112. As shown in FIG. 1As can be seen, the product P is also fed to the first heat exchange module 112. This feed line is schematically represented by the arrow 114. The product P can be fed from a product tank or a product supply. Details, valves or piping are not shown here. The product P, for example beer, can have a temperature of -2 - 20 °C, in particular of 4 - 6 °C. The supplied fresh water can have a temperature of up to 35 °C, in particular of 12 - 15 °C. The heat exchange module 112 can comprise a heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump. In the heat exchange module 112, the supplied fresh water is cooled by the colder product. The thus cooled fresh water is fed to the bottle washing machine 102 of the FIG. 1according to arrow 104'. It is understood that both media in the first heat exchange module 112 meet the corresponding known hygiene standards. It is also possible to provide an intermediate circuit (not shown here) between the product P and the fresh water, see arrows 104 and 104', respectively. The intermediate circuit can be designed to be controllable.

[0030] In other words, cold is extracted from the product P in the heat exchange module 112, and the extracted cold is transferred to the fresh water, thereby cooling the fresh water. For example, the fresh water can be cooled by approximately 5 degrees Celsius to 7 to 10 °C. Appropriately cooled fresh water can thus also more effectively cool the bottles / containers in the last zone 102.3 of the bottle washing machine 102 of the system 100. Thus, the demand / consumption of fresh water in the bottle washing machine can be significantly reduced, for example, by up to 20% compared to the case where the fresh water is not cooled by cold from the product.

[0031] The FIG. 1further shows an arrow 114' which conveys the product heated by the temperature exchange to the filler F. Transport paths of the bottles to the filler F of the system 100 are not shown. The filler F finally fills the cleaned and cooled bottles coming from the bottle washing machine 102 with the product P. Further steps such as pasteurization and labeling can follow.

[0032] In the FIG. 2 another system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 2 are the same elements as in the FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be explained again here. The embodiment in FIG. 2 is a further development of the design of the FIG. 1 . The FIG. 2 shows a system 150 with a bottle washing machine 102 as shown in the FIG. 1 The System 150 of the FIG. 2also includes a filler F as shown in the FIG. 1 described. In the system 150, containers, in particular bottles, are cleaned and then a product P, in particular beer, is filled into the cleaned bottles. Fresh water is supplied according to the arrows 104 and 104'. A first heat exchange module 112 corresponds to the first heat exchange module 112 in FIG. 1 and may include a heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump. This design also aims to minimize the temperature difference between the product temperature and the temperature of the cleaned bottles to be refilled. With this goal in mind, to always minimize the temperature difference, ΔT, between the product temperature and the temperature of the cleaned bottles to be refilled, in order to avoid a temperature shock and the associated possible bursting of the bottles, the FIG. 2a further heat exchange module 116. The heat exchange module 116 can comprise a heat exchanger and / or a second heat pump. With the further heat exchange module 116, the product P supplied by the first heat exchange module 112 can be further heated for filling in the filler F. This also has the advantage that the likelihood of moisture condensation on the outside of the bottles filled in the filler is reduced, and thus, in a subsequent labeling process, the labels applied to the filled bottles are less likely to slip, the choice of adhesive for labeling is less restricted, and there can generally be fewer logistical problems.

[0033] In FIG. 2a medium E, which can be a liquid and / or vaporous medium, is fed to the second heat exchanger 116, whereby pipes, valves and pumps are not shown. In the second heat exchanger 116, the product P is thus further heated by means of the heat given off by the medium E before it is passed on to the filler F, see arrow 114". The slightly cooled medium E is returned to a reservoir for the medium E according to arrow 118'. Thus, the further heated product E can be filled in the filler F after passing through the second heat exchanger 116, whereby both the bursting of bottles and problems that can arise from condensation of moisture on the outside of the bottles can be avoided. It is understood that the media in the second heat exchange module 116 meet the corresponding known hygiene standards. Again, it is also possible to have a separation between the product P and the fresh water, see arrows 104 and 106.104', an intermediate circuit (not shown here) must be provided. The intermediate circuit can be designed to be controllable.

[0034] The aforementioned heat exchange modules 112, 116 can exchange heat directly, i.e., in module 112, from fresh water or, in module 116, from medium E directly to product P. Alternatively, secondary circuits can also be advantageously used (indirect heat transfer), whereby the fresh water or medium E transfers heat to a secondary medium, which in turn transfers the heat to product P. This design is particularly advantageous with regard to product safety, since leaks can be reliably detected in the event of leaks.

[0035] The filler F typically includes a filler vessel (not shown). This filler vessel can serve as a buffer in the event of a temporary shutdown of the plant / system.

Claims

1. System (100, 150) comprising a bottle washing machine (102) with a plurality of treatment zones (102.1, 102.2, 102.3) and a filler (F) for filling a liquid product (P), in particular beer, into containers; wherein at least the last (102.3) of the treatment zones (102.1, 102.2, 102.3) is at least partially cooled with fresh water; a first heat exchange module (112), wherein the product (P) is fed to the first heat exchange module (112) before it is filled and the fresh water is fed to the first heat exchange module (102) before it is fed to the bottle washing machine (102), wherein the first heat exchange module (112) is designed to extract cold from the product (P) and to cool the fresh water to a predefined temperature using the cold extracted from the product (P); wherein the first heat exchange module (112) is designed to convey the product (P), from which cold has been extracted, to the filler (F) and to convey the cooled fresh water to the bottle washing machine (102).

2. System (100, 150) according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange module (112) comprises a first heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump.

3. System (150) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second heat exchange module (116), wherein the product (P) from which cold has been extracted is fed to the second heat exchange module (116) before filling, wherein a liquid and / or vaporous medium (E) is further fed to the second heat exchange module (116), wherein the second heat exchange module (116) is designed to extract heat from the medium (E) and thus to heat the supplied product (P) to a predefined filling temperature.

4. System (150) according to claim 3, wherein the medium (E) is water vapor and / or a heated liquid, in particular hot water, wherein the medium (E) when supplied to the second heat exchange module (116) has a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the product (P) when leaving the first heat exchange module (112).

5. System (150) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second heat exchange module (116) comprises a second heat exchanger and / or a second heat pump.

6. System (100, 150) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the product (P) has a temperature between -2 - 20 °C, in particular between 4 - 6 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module (112), wherein the fresh water has a temperature of up to 35 °C, in particular between 12 - 15 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module (112).

7. A method in a system (100, 150) comprising a bottle washing machine (102) with a plurality of treatment zones (102.1, 102.2, 102.3) and a filler (F) for filling a liquid product (P), in particular beer, into containers, wherein at least the last of the treatment zones (102.3) is at least partially cooled with fresh water, the method comprising: feeding the product (P) to a first heat exchange module (112); feeding fresh water to the first heat exchange module (112); cooling the fresh water in the first heat exchange module (112) to a predefined temperature by extracting cold from the product (P); feeding the cooled fresh water to the bottle washing machine (102) and feeding the product (P) to the filler (F).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first heat exchange module (112) comprises a first heat exchanger and / or a first heat pump.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein feeding the product (P) to the filler (F) further comprises: feeding the product (P) to a second heat exchange module (116); and further comprising the steps of: feeding a liquid and / or vaporous medium (E) to the second heat exchange module (116), heating the fed product (P) to a predefined filling temperature by extracting heat from the fed medium (E) in the second heat exchange module (116).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the medium (E) is steam and / or a heated liquid, in particular hot water, wherein the medium (E) when fed to the second heat exchange module (116) has a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the product when leaving the first heat exchange module (112).

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second heat exchange module (116) comprises a second heat exchanger and / or a second heat pump.

12. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 7 - 11, wherein the product has a temperature between -2 - 20 °C, in particular between 4 - 6 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module (112), wherein the fresh water has a temperature of up to 35 °C, in particular between 12 - 15 °C, before being fed to the first heat exchange module (112).

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