Container treatment system and method for operating a container treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a container treatment system (10) comprising a filling device (20) for filling containers with a fill material, and a fill material feed (16) connected to the filling device (20) for supplying the fill material to the filling device (20). The container treatment system (10) further comprises a refrigeration circuit (22) for circulating a refrigerant, wherein the refrigeration circuit (22) includes a compressor (24), a condenser (26), an expansion valve (28), and an evaporator (30). The container treatment system (10) further comprises a heat exchanger (36) that thermally couples the refrigeration circuit (22) and the fill material feed (16) to transfer waste heat from the refrigerant to the fill material.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a container treatment plant and a method for operating a container treatment plant. Technical background

[0002] In container handling systems, the so-called warm filling of liquid materials into containers is generally desirable. This can be advantageous, for example, because it prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the container after filling, thereby reducing the risk of labels peeling off.

[0003] In a factory or brewery with a tank treatment plant or a process step upstream of the tank treatment plant, at least one refrigeration consumer may also be included, which needs to be cooled during operation.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2011 055147 B4 discloses a method for feeding thermal energy into a process medium to be processed in a food processing plant. Thermal energy is extracted from a low-temperature fluid stream by means of a heat pump. The heat pump transfers the extracted thermal energy directly or indirectly to the process medium.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating an improved technology for the warm filling of a product and for the efficient operation of a refrigeration circuit in a container treatment plant. Summary of the invention

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] One aspect concerns a container handling system comprising a filling device (e.g., a rotary filling device) for filling containers with a product (e.g., a beverage such as beer or carbonated soft drink - CSD or still / carbonated water). The container handling system has a product feed (e.g., comprising a product line or a product line system, e.g., with or without a product buffer) that is connected to the filling device for supplying the product to the filling device. The container handling system further comprises a refrigeration circuit for circulating a refrigerant (e.g., ammonia), wherein the refrigeration circuit includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator (and optionally other components for carrying out a thermodynamic cycle).The container treatment system also features a heat exchanger that thermally couples the refrigeration circuit and the filling material feed to transfer waste heat from the refrigerant to the filling material (e.g. directly or indirectly).

[0008] The term "refrigerant" can preferably be understood to mean any thermal transfer medium.

[0009] The advantageous feature of the container treatment system is that the material being filled can be pre-heated before the filling device and / or that the material is at a temperature favorable to the ambient temperature compared to the otherwise available condensation process (heat transfer in the refrigeration circuit at the condenser to a cooling circuit, typically a cooling tower). This significantly increases the COP (coefficient of performance) of the refrigeration circuit or the refrigeration system. The heat exchanger transfers waste heat from the refrigeration circuit to the material being filled. The material itself acts as a temperature sink for the refrigeration circuit. The increase in COP can be advantageously achieved by reducing the condensation temperature in the refrigeration circuit, e.g., from 30°C as is conventional to 8°C with the proposed technology.For example, the COP can be increased from 3.5 (without the heat exchanger) to 9.8 (with the heat exchanger) under otherwise identical boundary conditions (refrigerant ammonia (R717), evaporation temperature -6°C, superheat 10 K, subcooling 3 K, compressor efficiency 0.55). Compared to condensation in a conventional cooling tower, condensation can take place at lower temperatures, lower pressures are required, and thus, among other things, the savings described below are possible. Advantageously, for example, a cooling tower can be omitted from the refrigeration cycle, resulting in consistent efficiency year-round. The water otherwise required in an open cooling tower for evaporation and blowdown, chemical dosing to prevent biocidal film formation, or for microbiological stability (e.g., Legionella, etc.) is no longer needed.The component size of the refrigeration circuit can be significantly reduced, thereby also lowering investment costs. The refrigeration circuit's power consumption can be advantageously reduced by more than 50% (based on the example shown above; savings depend on process parameters, deviations in both directions are possible). CO2 emissions can also be reduced (lower electrical energy requirements), and lower installed capacity allows for smaller cable cross-sections, reduced connection capacities, and smaller footprints when powered by green electricity, etc.

[0010] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is permeable to both the material being filled and the refrigerant (e.g., in co-current or counter-current flow). This advantageously allows for a direct transfer of waste heat from the refrigerant to the material being filled.

[0011] In another embodiment, the heat exchanger is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger for transferring the waste heat from the liquid refrigerant to the liquid fill material. Advantageously, this also allows for a direct transfer of the waste heat from the refrigerant to the fill material.

[0012] Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be permeated, for example, by the refrigerant on one side and by a thermal transfer medium (e.g., glycol-water) (e.g., an intermediate circuit) on the other (e.g., in co-current or counter-current flow), which is thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit or the refrigerant circulating within it (e.g., directly or indirectly). It is also possible for the heat exchanger to thermally couple the refrigerant supply and an intermediate circuit that is thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit (e.g., directly or indirectly) with each other (e.g., directly or indirectly). This can advantageously allow for indirect heat transfer from the refrigerant to the refrigerant if, for example, direct contact between the refrigerant and the refrigerant is not permissible in the event of a leak at the heat exchanger.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tank treatment system includes (at least) a buffer storage tank, preferably a cold or heat buffer storage tank, which is thermally and / or fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger and / or the refrigeration circuit (e.g., directly or indirectly). This advantageously increases flexibility. Depending on the application, the primary buffering system can be defined. The buffer storage tank can thus be flexibly integrated into the operation.

[0014] In another embodiment, the buffer storage tank is connected to the heat exchanger for charging and storing cooling energy from the contents (e.g., thermally and / or fluidically) or can be connected (e.g., selectively). Advantageously, the buffer storage tank can thus be cooled by the contents via the heat exchanger and, for example, operated as a cold buffer storage tank. For instance, a thermal transfer medium in the buffer storage tank can be cooled to a temperature of, for example, ≥ 6°C, preferably ≥ 2°C.

[0015] In one embodiment, the buffer storage tank is connected to the refrigeration circuit, preferably the condenser of the refrigeration circuit, for charging and storing thermal energy from the refrigerant (e.g., thermally and / or fluidically), or can be connected (e.g., selectively). Advantageously, the buffer storage tank can thus be charged and heated by the refrigerant and, for example, operated as a thermal buffer storage tank. For instance, a thermal transfer medium in the buffer storage tank can be heated to a temperature of, for example, ≤ 35°C. Advantageously, the condenser can liquefy the refrigerant directly into the buffer storage tank.

[0016] In another design variant, the condenser of the refrigeration circuit is integrated into the heat exchanger. This allows for a particularly simple design with regard to the thermal coupling of the material feed and the refrigeration circuit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the refrigeration circuit includes an additional condenser, preferably air-cooled (open), water-cooled (closed), or hybrid, preferably for starting and / or shutting down the refrigeration circuit or, for example, for handling peak demand. Advantageously, the additional condenser can be used, for instance, as a backup solution or for the safe and rapid start-up of the refrigeration circuit.

[0018] In another embodiment, the tank treatment system includes a (preferably cooled or coolable) (e.g., stationary) storage tank for the contents, which can be located upstream of the heat exchanger. Optionally, the storage tank and the filling device can connect the storage tank to the filling device. Preferably, the storage tank is designed to cool the contents to a temperature below ambient temperature, preferably to a temperature ≤ 12°C, ≤ 4°C, or ≤ 0°C. Advantageously, the contents can thus be temporarily stored at a cool temperature and subsequently act as a particularly effective temperature sink for the refrigeration cycle.

[0019] In another embodiment, the container treatment system includes a storage tank for the contents, preferably heated or heatable, which can be located downstream of the heat exchanger. Optionally, the storage tank and the filling device can connect the storage tank to the filling device. Preferably, the storage tank is designed to heat the contents to a temperature below ambient temperature, preferably to a temperature of ≥ 12°C, ≥ 4°C, or ≥ 0°C. Advantageously, the contents can thus be temporarily stored at a warm temperature and simultaneously act as a particularly effective temperature sink for the refrigeration circuit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the refrigeration circuit is thermally connected to the material tank for cooling the material stored therein. Alternatively or additionally, the tank treatment system can, for example, have a (further) material line connected to the material tank for supplying the material to the tank, and the refrigeration circuit is thermally coupled to this (further) material line for cooling the material supplied to the tank. This advantageously enables particularly efficient operation of the tank treatment system, since the energy required for cooling the material can later be recovered when the material is warmed or when the refrigerant is cooled.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the container treatment system also comprises at least one treatment device for treating, preferably filtering and / or fermenting and / or mixing, the contents. The at least one treatment device can preferably be arranged upstream of the filling device (and, for example, upstream of the contents tank). Preferably, the refrigeration circuit can be thermally coupled upstream of the at least one treatment device and / or an (additional) contents line for cooling the contents treated by the at least one treatment device and / or the contents supplied to the at least one treatment device via the (additional) contents line.This also makes it advantageous to enable particularly efficient operation of the container treatment plant, since the energy required for cooling the contents can later be recovered when warming the contents or cooling the refrigerant.

[0022] In one embodiment, the material feeder includes a heating device (e.g., electric, steam-driven, or hot water-driven), preferably a flash pasteurizer. The heating device is preferably located downstream of the heat exchanger for heating the material (e.g., briefly) to essentially ambient temperature or above, e.g., to approximately 30°C. This advantageously allows, for example, a simple and particularly flexible way to achieve the necessary temperature increase after heating in the heat exchanger to reach the desired hot filling temperature of the material.

[0023] In another embodiment, the refrigeration circuit is thermally coupled to at least one cooling consumer for cooling that consumer, preferably via the evaporator. Optionally, the at least one cooling consumer can have at least one of: a storage room, preferably a hop storage room; a system for cooling wort for a brewing process; a system for removing heat of fermentation during (e.g., primary) fermentation (e.g., for beer); a system for cooling young beer before a storage and maturation process; a system for deep-freezing beer before filtration; a pressure tank cooling system; a storage tank cooling system; a system for cooling a thermal product treatment (e.g., of the product being filled (such as beer or carbonated soft drink) or of a precursor to the product being filled (such as syrup)) (e.g.,as a short-time heater); a product cooling system for a mixer; a cooling system for a stretch blow molding machine for manufacturing the containers; a cooling system for a sterile water preparation system; a building cooling system; an ozone generator; a vacuum pump; a system for cooling fresh water for a container washing machine; a system for providing cooling energy for a pasteurizer; a system for balancing cooling demand during start-up and shutdown processes; and a system for cooling process water (e.g., when required by ambient temperatures).

[0024] The technique proposed herein can therefore be advantageously applied in a variety of different applications to simultaneously improve hot filling and the COP of the refrigeration cycle.

[0025] Preferably, the container handling system can be configured for tempering, manufacturing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, sealing, pasteurizing, decorating, labeling, printing, marking, laser marking, and / or packaging containers for liquid or pasty media, preferably beverages, liquid food products, or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries. The container handling system can, for example, be a beverage bottling plant.

[0026] For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, vials, tubes, etc.

[0027] Another aspect relates to a method for operating a container treatment plant, preferably as disclosed herein, comprising a material feed, a filling device, a (e.g., liquid-liquid) heat exchanger, and a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The method comprises: Feeding a (e.g., previously chilled) product (e.g., a beverage such as beer or carbonated soft drink - CSD or still / carbonated water) to the filling device via the product feeder; heating the product in the product feeder (e.g., to a temperature above that of upstream process steps, e.g., above a storage temperature of the product in an upstream product tank and / or to a temperature ≥ 10°C, ≥ 18°C, ≥ ambient temperature or ≥ 30°C) by means of heat transfer from waste heat of a refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle; and filling containers with the heated product (e.g., with a temperature above that of upstream process steps, e.g., above a storage temperature of the product in an upstream product tank and / or with a temperature ≥ 10°C, ≥ 18°C, ≥ ambient temperature or ≥ 30°C) using the filling device.

[0028] Advantageously, the same benefits can be achieved with this method as have already been explained with reference to the tank treatment plant. The same applies to the preferred embodiments of the method described below.

[0029] It is understood that the features disclosed herein with reference to the container treatment plant are also disclosed and claimable in combination with the process, individually or in any combination. Likewise, all features disclosed herein with reference to the process are also disclosed and claimable in combination with the container treatment plant, individually or in any combination.

[0030] In one embodiment, the method further comprises at least one of: Cooling of the contents before being fed into a contents tank, preferably cooled by the refrigeration circuit; to heat the contents, the heat exchanger is traversed on one side by the contents and on the other side by the, preferably liquid, refrigerant or a thermal transfer medium that is thermally coupled to the refrigerant (e.g., in co-current or counter-current flow); heating the contents from waste heat of the refrigerant leads to a COP of the refrigeration system of ≥ 5, ≥ 6, ≥ 7, ≥ 8 or ≥ 9 (e.g., 9.8); and intermediate storage of the cooling energy from the contents and / or the thermal energy from the refrigerant in at least one buffer storage tank of the tank treatment system.

[0031] In another embodiment, the method further comprises at least one of the following: Storing the contents before feeding into the tank treatment system in a tank that is preferably cooled (e.g., by means of the refrigeration circuit), preferably below ambient temperature, preferably at a temperature ≤ 12°C or ≤ 4°C; storing the contents after warming and before feeding into a tank that is preferably heated, preferably at a temperature ≥ 12°C or ≥ 4°C or ≥ 0°C; treating the contents, preferably by filtering and / or fermenting and / or mixing, before feeding into the tank treatment system by means of at least one treatment device, and optionally cooling the contents during treatment and / or before treatment by means of the refrigeration circuit; Additional heating of the fill material in the fill material feed by means of a heating device (e.g. electric, hot water operated or steam operated), preferably a short-time heater, (fill material) downstream of the heat exchanger (e.g.to essentially ambient temperature or higher, e.g. to approximately 30°C); and cooling of at least one refrigeration consumer (e.g., a storage room, preferably a hop storage room; a system for cooling wort for a brewing process; a system for dissipating heat of fermentation during (e.g., primary) fermentation (e.g., for beer); a system for cooling young beer before a storage and maturation process; a system for deep-freezing beer before filtration; a pressure tank cooling system; a storage tank cooling system; a system for cooling a thermal product treatment (e.g., of the product being filled (such as beer or carbonated soft drink) or of a precursor to the product being filled (such as syrup)) (e.g.,as a short-time heater); a product cooling system for a mixer; a cooling system for a stretch blow molding machine for manufacturing containers; a cooling system for sterile water preparation; a building cooling system; an ozone generator; a vacuum pump; a system for cooling fresh water for a container washing machine; a system for providing cooling energy for a pasteurizer; a system for balancing cooling demand during start-up and shutdown processes and / or a system for cooling process water (e.g., when required by ambient temperatures) by means of the refrigeration circuit, preferably by means of the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit.

[0032] The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another in any way. Brief description of the character

[0033] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a container treatment plant according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0034] The Figure 1 Figure 10 shows a container treatment plant. In the container treatment plant 10, containers can be filled with a material, preferably liquid or pasty. Preferably, the material can also be treated (e.g., filtered, mixed, fermented) in the container treatment plant 10 before being filled into the containers.

[0035] The container treatment system 10 comprises a material feed 16, a filling device 20, a refrigeration circuit 22, and a heat exchanger 36. Preferably, the container treatment system 10 may further comprise, for example, a material tank 12 and / or at least one (material) treatment device 14.

[0036] The material tank 12 is designed to store the material. For example, the material tank 12 is a stationary tank. For example, the material tank 12 can store ≥ 100 l, ≥ 250 l, ≥ 500 l, or ≥ 1000 l of the material. The material tank 12 can be located upstream of the heat exchanger 36.

[0037] Preferably, the storage tank 12 is further designed to cool the stored material. The storage tank 12 can, for example, cool the material to a temperature below the ambient temperature, preferably to a temperature ≤ 12°C or ≤ 4°C.

[0038] Preferably, the storage tank 12 can be thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit 22 for cooling the contents stored in the storage tank 12 by means of the refrigeration circuit 22. It is also possible, for example, for the refrigeration circuit 22 to be thermally coupled to a supply line that is connected to the storage tank 12 for feeding the contents to the storage tank 12. The refrigeration circuit 22 can cool the contents fed to the storage tank 12 via this supply line.

[0039] The material tank 12 can be located upstream of the heat exchanger 36. The material tank 12 can be connected to the filling device 20 via the material feed 16. Material from the material tank 12 can be fed to the filling device 20 via the material feed 16. For example, the material feed 16 can directly connect the material tank 12 and the filling device 20.

[0040] It is possible that an additional or alternative storage tank for the (heated) fill material is located downstream of the heat exchanger 36 (not shown in the figure). This storage tank can preferably be heated and otherwise preferably designed as described for the storage tank 12.

[0041] The at least one (fill material) treatment device 14 can treat the fill material. For example, the fill material can be filtered or mixed by the at least one treatment device 14. It is also possible for the fill material to ferment in the at least one treatment device 14.

[0042] Preferably, the at least one treatment device 14 is arranged upstream of the filling device 20. The material treated by the at least one treatment device 14 can be fed to the filling device 20 via the material feed 16. Preferably, the at least one treatment device 14 can be arranged upstream of the material tank 12. The material treated by the at least one treatment device 14 can be (temporarily) stored in the material tank 12 before being fed to the filling device 20, for example, via the material feed 16.

[0043] The material to be filled can be treated by means of at least one treatment device 14, preferably before being fed to the filling device 20 by means of the material feed 16. Optionally, the material to be filled can be cooled before and / or during treatment.

[0044] Preferably, the at least one treatment device 14 can be thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit 22 for cooling the material by means of the refrigeration circuit 22 before, during, and / or after the treatment of the material. It is also possible, for example, that the refrigeration circuit 22 is thermally coupled to a material line that is connected to the at least one treatment device 14 for supplying the material to the at least one treatment device 14. The refrigeration circuit 22 can cool the material supplied to the at least one treatment device 14 via this material line, as is necessary, for example, for the subsequent treatment.

[0045] The material feed 16 can also be referred to as the material feed system. The material feed 16 is connected to the filling device 20 for feeding the material to the filling device 20. Preferably, the material feed 16 begins at the material tank 12. Preferably, the material feed 16 ends at or in the filling device 20.

[0046] The material feed 16 can, for example, have a piping system (pipe system) through which the material can be fed to the filling device 20, e.g. from the material tank 12. The material feed 16 can have further components, as explained below by way of example.

[0047] It is possible that the material feed 16 has at least one intermediate storage for temporarily storing the material, e.g. upstream, at and / or downstream of the heat exchanger 36.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the material feed 16 can, for example, include a heating device 18. The heating device 18 can, for example, be electric, steam-operated, or hot water-operated. Preferably, the heating device 18 is a so-called short-time heater. For heating the material, the heating device 18 is preferably arranged downstream of the heat exchanger 36. For example, the heating device 18 can be arranged between the heat exchanger 36 and the filling device 20.

[0049] The heating device 18 can additionally heat the contents downstream of the heat exchanger 36, e.g. to essentially ambient temperature or higher, e.g. to approx. 30°C.

[0050] The filling device 20 is designed for filling containers with the fill material, preferably a liquid or pasty material. The filling device 20 can have several filling stations for simultaneously or overlappingly filling several containers. The filling device 20 is preferably designed as a rotary filling device. For example, the filling stations can be arranged distributed around the circumference of a filling carousel of the rotary filling device.

[0051] Specifically, the filling device 20 can fill the containers with the preheated material. The material was preheated before filling using the heat exchanger 36. Optionally, the material was additionally preheated before filling using the optional heating device 18.

[0052] Refrigeration circuit 22 is in Figure 1The diagram is purely schematic. A refrigerant, e.g., ammonia or any other suitable refrigerant, can circulate in the refrigeration cycle 22. Preferably, the refrigeration cycle 22 is configured to carry out a so-called (counterclockwise) Carnot cycle.

[0053] The refrigeration circuit 22 includes a compressor 24, a condenser 26, a throttle element 28 and an evaporator 30.

[0054] In compressor 24, the gaseous refrigerant can be compressed from a low pressure level to a high pressure level.

[0055] In the condenser 26, the gaseous refrigerant can be liquefied at a high pressure. Waste heat can be released during condensation. The condenser 26 can be air-cooled, for example, with the assistance of at least one fan. Alternatively, the condenser 26 can transfer the waste heat from the refrigerant to a liquid for condensation, such as the contents of the system. For example, the condenser 26 can be integrated directly into the heat exchanger 36.

[0056] In the throttling device 28, the liquid refrigerant can be expanded from a high pressure level to a low pressure level, e.g. in an expansion valve.

[0057] In the evaporator 30, the liquid refrigerant can be evaporated at a low pressure level. Waste heat can be absorbed for evaporation (=cooling capacity).

[0058] The refrigeration circuit 22 is designed to cool at least one refrigeration consumer 32. For example, the at least one refrigeration consumer 32 can be thermally coupled directly or indirectly to the evaporator 30. Preferably, heat from the at least one refrigeration consumer 32 can be used by the evaporator 30 to evaporate the refrigerant.

[0059] The at least one refrigeration consumer 32 can be, for example, a storage room, preferably a hop storage room, a system for cooling wort for a brewing process, a system for dissipating fermentation heat during a (e.g. main) fermentation (e.g.for beer), a system for cooling young beer before a storage and maturation process, a system for deep-freezing beer before filtration, a system for pressure tank cooling, a system for storage tank cooling, a system for cooling a thermal product treatment, a system for product cooling at a mixer, a system for cooling a stretch blow molding machine for manufacturing the containers, a system for cooling a sterile water treatment system, a system for building cooling, an ozone generator, a vacuum pump, a system for cooling fresh water for a container washing machine, a system for providing cooling energy for a pasteurizer, a system for balancing cooling demand during start-up and shutdown processes and / or a system for cooling process water.

[0060] It is possible that the at least one refrigeration consumer 32 includes the at least one treatment device 14 and / or the material tank 12. In other words, the material tank 12 and / or the at least one treatment device 14 can be thermally connected to the refrigeration circuit 22 for cooling the material. Preferably, heat from the material can be used by the evaporator 30 to evaporate the refrigerant.

[0061] It is conceivable that a cold buffer storage tank is included on one cooling side of the refrigeration circuit 22 (not shown in Figure 1 The cold buffer storage unit can be thermally coupled to the at least one cold consumer 32 or be thermally (e.g. selectively) coupled to receive heat from the at least one cold consumer 32.

[0062] Optionally, the refrigeration circuit 22 can include a buffer storage tank 34.

[0063] The buffer storage tank 34 can contain a thermal transfer medium for storing the cooling energy of the contents or the thermal energy of the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant can be supplied to the buffer storage tank 34 and charge it with thermal energy, e.g., to a temperature ≤ 35°C, e.g., controlled by a control device. Alternatively, the buffer storage tank 34 can be charged via an intermediate circuit or directly with the cooling energy from the contents, e.g., to a temperature ≥ 6°C or ≥ 2°C, e.g., controlled by a control device.

[0064] The buffer storage tank 34 can, for example, be connected to the condenser 26 to receive the liquefied refrigerant from the condenser 26. The condenser 26 can preferably liquefy the refrigerant directly into the buffer storage tank 34. The buffer storage tank 34 can, for example, be connected to the throttling device 28 to supply the liquid refrigerant from the buffer storage tank 34 to the throttling device 28.

[0065] It is possible that the buffer storage 34 can be controlled by means of a selectively switchable bypass (not shown in Figure 1 ) can be bypassed by the refrigerant. The refrigerant can, for example, flow directly from the condenser 26 to the throttling device 28 via the bypass.

[0066] It is also possible that the buffer storage 34 can be operated by means of a (e.g., further) selectively switchable bypass (not shown in Figure 1) can be bypassed by the refrigerant. The refrigerant can flow directly from the condenser 26 to the heat exchanger 36 via the bypass.

[0067] It is also possible that the buffer storage 34 can be operated by means of a (e.g., additional) selectively switchable bypass (not shown in Figure 1 ) bypasses the refrigerant. The refrigerant can flow directly from the heat exchanger 36 to the throttling device 28 via the bypass.

[0068] The heat exchanger 36 thermally couples the refrigeration circuit 22 and the fill material supply 16 to transfer waste heat from the refrigerant to the fill material.

[0069] The heat exchanger 36 allows the contents in the contents feed 16 to be heated using waste heat from the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit 22. For example, the contents can be heated to a temperature above that of upstream units, such as a storage temperature in the contents tank 12. Specifically, the contents can be heated to a temperature ≥ 10°C, ≥ 18°C, ≥ ambient temperature, or ≥ 30°C.

[0070] Preferably, the heat exchanger 36 can directly thermally couple the refrigeration circuit 22 and the fill material supply 16. For example, the heat exchanger 36 can be supplied with the fill material on one side and the liquid refrigerant on the other. The heat exchanger 36 can separate the fill material flow and the refrigerant flow from each other. Preferably, the heat exchanger 36 can be a liquid-liquid heat exchanger for transferring the waste heat from the liquid refrigerant to the liquid fill material.

[0071] Alternatively, the heat exchanger 36 can, for example, thermally couple the fill material supply 16 and an intermediate circuit thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit 22.

[0072] Preferably, the heat exchanger 36 can be arranged upstream of the filling device 20 with respect to the flow of the filling material. More preferably, the heat exchanger 36 is arranged upstream of the heating device 18 and / or downstream of the filling material tank 12 and / or the at least one treatment device 14 with respect to the flow of the filling material.

[0073] Preferably, the heat exchanger 36 can be arranged downstream of the condenser 26 and / or upstream of the throttling device 28 with respect to the refrigerant flow. It is possible that the heat exchanger 36 is connected to the buffer storage tank 34 or can be connected (e.g., selectively) to it for supplying the liquid refrigerant from the buffer storage tank 34 to the heat exchanger 36. Alternatively or additionally, the heat exchanger 36 can be connected to the buffer storage tank 34 or can be connected (e.g., selectively) to it for supplying the liquid refrigerant from the heat exchanger 36 to the buffer storage tank 34 (after the refrigerant has flowed through the heat exchanger 36).

[0074] As already mentioned, it is also possible for the condenser 26 to be integrated directly into the heat exchanger 36. For example, in such a case (or in any other embodiment), the refrigeration circuit 22 can have an additional condenser 38 for condensing the refrigerant, e.g., for starting and stopping the refrigeration circuit 22 or as a backup for the condenser 26. For example, the additional condenser 38 can be bypassed by the refrigerant during normal operation. The additional condenser 38 can, for example, be air-cooled, e.g., with the aid of at least one fan. For example, the additional condenser 38 can be designed as a so-called cooling tower, e.g., open or closed.

[0075] The heat exchanger 36 can be designed, for example, as a plate heat exchanger, a tube heat exchanger, a shell tube heat exchanger, or any combination thereof.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the filling device, the material feed, the refrigeration circuit, and / or the heat exchanger of independent claim 1.All range specifications herein are to be understood as disclosed in such a way as to disclose all values ​​falling within the respective range individually, e.g. also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range. Reference symbol list

[0077] 10 Container treatment system 12 Filling tank 14 Treatment device 16 Filling feed 18 Heating device 20 Filling device 22 Refrigeration circuit 24 Compressor 26 Condenser 28 Throttling device 30 Evaporator 32 Refrigeration consumer 34 Buffer tank 36 Heat exchanger 38 Additional condenser

Claims

1. Container treatment plant (10) comprising: a filling device (20) for filling containers with a filling material; a filling material feed (16) which is connected to the filling device (20) for supplying the filling material to the filling device (20); a refrigeration circuit (22) for circulating a refrigerant, wherein the refrigeration circuit (22) comprises a compressor (24), a condenser (26), an throttling device (28) and an evaporator (30); and a heat exchanger (36) which thermally couples the refrigeration circuit (22) and the filling material feed (16) to transfer waste heat from the refrigerant to the filling material.

2. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the heat exchanger (36) is permeable on one side by the contents and on the other side by the refrigerant; and the heat exchanger (36) is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger for transferring the waste heat from the liquid refrigerant to the liquid contents.

3. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the heat exchanger (36) is permeable on the one hand by the filling material and on the other hand by a thermal transfer medium which is thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit (22); and the heat exchanger (36) thermally couples the filling material feed (16) and an intermediate circuit thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit (22).

4. Container treatment plant (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container treatment plant (10) further comprises: a buffer storage tank (34), preferably a cold or heat buffer storage tank, which is thermally and / or fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger (36) and / or the refrigeration circuit (22).

5. Container treatment plant (10) according to claim 4, wherein: the buffer storage tank (34) is connected or connectable to the heat exchanger (36) for charging and storing cold energy from the filling material.

6. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein: the buffer storage tank (34) is connected or connectable to the refrigeration circuit (22), preferably to the condenser (26) of the refrigeration circuit (22), for charging and storing thermal energy from the refrigerant.

7. Container treatment plant (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the condenser (26) of the refrigeration circuit (22) is integrated in the heat exchanger (36), and optionally: the refrigeration circuit (22) has an additional, preferably air-cooled or water-cooled or hybrid, condenser (38), preferably for starting and / or stopping the refrigeration circuit (22).

8. Container treatment plant (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of: a, preferably cooled or coolable, fill material tank (12) for storing the fill material, which is connected upstream of the heat exchanger (36), wherein the fill material feed (16) connects the fill material tank (12) and the filling device (20) for supplying the fill material from the fill material tank (12) to the filling device (20); and a, preferably heated or heatable, fill material tank for storing the fill material, which is connected downstream of the heat exchanger (36), wherein the fill material feed (16) connects the fill material tank (12) and the filling device (20) for supplying the fill material from the fill material tank (12) to the filling device (20).

9. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the refrigeration circuit (22) is thermally connected to the fill material tank (12) for cooling the fill material stored in the fill material tank (12); and the container treatment system (10) has a fill material line that is connected to the fill material tank (12) for supplying the fill material to the fill material tank (12), and the refrigeration circuit (22) is thermally coupled to the fill material line for cooling the fill material supplied to the fill material tank (12).

10. Container treatment plant (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: at least one treatment device (14) for treating, preferably filtering and / or fermenting and / or mixing, the filling material, wherein the at least one treatment device (14) is arranged upstream of the filling device (20), wherein: the refrigeration circuit (22) is thermally coupled upstream of the at least one treatment device (14) and / or a filling material line for cooling the filling material treated by the at least one treatment device (14) and / or the filling material supplied to the at least one treatment device (14) by the filling material line.

11. Container treatment plant (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the filling material feed (16) has a heating device (18), preferably a short-time heater, wherein the heating device (18) is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger (36) for heating the filling material.

12. Container treatment system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the refrigeration circuit (22) is thermally coupled to at least one refrigeration consumer (32) for cooling the at least one refrigeration consumer (32), preferably via the evaporator (30); and the at least one refrigeration consumer (32) comprises at least one of: - a storage room, preferably a hop storage room; - a system for cooling wort for a brewing process; - a system for dissipating heat of fermentation during fermentation; - a system for cooling young beer before a storage and maturation process; - a system for deep-freezing beer before filtration; - a system for pressure tank cooling; - a system for storage tank cooling; - a system for cooling a thermal product treatment; - a system for product cooling at a mixer; - a system for cooling a stretch blow molding machine for manufacturing the containers; - a system for cooling a sterile water treatment system; - a system for building cooling;- an ozone generator; - a vacuum pump; - a system for cooling fresh water for a tank washing machine; - a system for providing cooling energy for a pasteurizer; - a system for balancing cooling demand during start-up and shutdown processes; and - a system for cooling process water.; 13. Method for operating a container treatment plant (10), preferably according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a material feed (16), a filling device (20), a heat exchanger (36) and a refrigeration circuit (22) comprising a compressor (24), a condenser (26), a throttling device (28) and an evaporator (30), wherein the method comprises: feeding a material to the filling device (20) by means of the material feed (16); heating the material in the material feed (16) by means of heat transfer from waste heat of a refrigerant of the refrigeration circuit (22); and filling containers with the heated material by means of the filling device (20).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises at least one of: cooling the contents before being fed into a contents tank (12), preferably cooled by the refrigeration circuit (22); for heating the contents, the heat exchanger (36) is supplied on one side by the contents and on the other side by the, preferably liquid, refrigerant or a thermal transfer medium that is thermally coupled to the refrigerant; the heating of the contents from waste heat of the refrigerant leads to a COP of the refrigeration system of ≥ 5, ≥ 6, ≥ 7, ≥ 8 or ≥ 9; and intermediate storage of the cooling energy from the contents and / or the thermal energy from the refrigerant in at least one buffer storage tank (34) of the container treatment system (10).

15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the method further comprises at least one of: storing the fill material before feeding it into a, preferably cooled, fill material tank (12) of the container treatment system (10), preferably below ambient temperature, preferably at a temperature ≤ 12°C or ≤ 4°C or ≤ 0°C; storing the fill material after warming and before feeding it into a, preferably heated, fill material tank of the container treatment system (10), preferably at a temperature ≥ 12°C or ≥ 4°C or ≥ 0°C; treating, preferably filtering and / or fermenting and / or mixing, the fill material before feeding it by means of at least one treatment device (14) of the container treatment system (10), and cooling the fill material during treatment and / or before treatment by means of the refrigeration circuit (22);Additional heating of the fill material in the fill material feed (16) by means of a heating device (18), preferably a short-time heater, downstream of the heat exchanger (36); and cooling of at least one refrigeration consumer (32) by means of the refrigeration circuit (22), preferably by means of the evaporator (30) of the refrigeration circuit (22).

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