Production line, production method, and production line manufacturing method

Abstract

To reduce a volume of a product liquid which would be discarded when a filling machine comes to a halt.SOLUTION: A production line comprises: a carbonation device including a cooler that refrigerates a raw material liquid and supplying a product liquid obtained by dissolving carbon dioxide into the raw material liquid refrigerated by the cooler; a filling machine that discharges the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device; a supplied liquid channel in which the product liquid flows, the product liquid being supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine; a heat exchanger disposed in the supplied liquid channel and subjecting the product liquid and a heat medium to heat-exchange; and an internal cleaning device including a heater that heats a cleaning liquid to be used for internal cleaning of the production line and performing the internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid. The heat exchanger is configured to be usable for refrigerating the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a line and method for producing a product, such as a beverage product, and a method for producing the production line. [Background technology]

[0002] Carbonated beverage production lines are equipped with a carbonation device that cools the raw material liquid and dissolves carbon dioxide gas into the liquid, and a filling machine that fills the carbon dioxide-containing product liquid into containers. The liquid temperature is controlled to maintain a low temperature to prevent foaming during filling and to stabilize the gas volume. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-066460 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] While the filling machine is operating, the carbonation device cools the liquid and dissolves the carbon dioxide gas. The liquid is then stored in the product liquid tank, and the product liquid is sent from the product liquid tank to the filling machine through piping. When the filling machine stops, the liquid is no longer sent from the product liquid tank to the filling machine. At this time, the temperature of the product liquid remaining in the piping between the product liquid tank and the filling machine increases over time. If the product liquid temperature increases, there are concerns about foaming during filling and a decrease in gas volume. Therefore, if the filling machine is stopped for a long period of time, after the filling machine is restarted, the product liquid supplied to the filling machine will be discarded until the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine drops to a specified temperature.

[0005] Conventionally, there has been no way to prevent the temperature of the product liquid that remains between the carbonation device and the filling machine from rising while the filling machine is stopped, so it is unavoidable to discard the product liquid if the filling machine is stopped for an extended period of time. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the amount of product liquid that is discarded due to the stoppage of the filling machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The production line according to the present disclosure includes a carbonation device that includes a cooler that cools a raw material liquid and supplies a product liquid obtained by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler, a filling machine that fills the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device, a liquid transfer path through which the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine flows, a heat exchanger that is provided in the liquid transfer path and performs heat exchange between the product liquid and a heat medium, and an internal cleaning device that includes a heater that heats a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the production line and performs internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid. The heat exchanger is configured so that it can be used to cool the product liquid and heat the cleaning liquid.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method including a production process and an internal cleaning process using a manufacturing line, wherein the production process includes a step of cooling raw material liquid using a cooler, a step of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler to obtain a product liquid, a step of re-cooling the product liquid in which the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved and sent to a filling machine using a heat exchanger downstream of the cooler, and a step of filling the product liquid using the filling machine, and the internal cleaning process includes a step of heating cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the manufacturing line using a heater, and a step of reheating the cleaning liquid replaced with the product liquid using a heat exchanger downstream of the heater.

[0008] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned production line, in which a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium is provided in the liquid supply path of an existing production line, and the heat exchanger can be connected to either a heat medium circuit used to cool the product liquid or a heat medium circuit used to heat the cleaning liquid that has been replaced with the product liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, during steady-state production operation, the product liquid is cooled by a heat exchanger downstream of the cooler that cools the product liquid, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the product liquid at a specified temperature. Stabilizing the liquid temperature during filling enables stable filling of the product liquid.

[0010] Even if the temperature of the product liquid accumulated in the liquid transfer path deviates from the specified temperature due to a long shutdown of the filling machine, when the filling machine is restarted and liquid transfer to the filling machine begins, the accumulated product liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger, and the temperature of the product liquid is further reduced by the effect of re-cooling by the heat exchanger downstream of the cooler. This makes it possible to quickly bring the product liquid to the specified temperature and reduce the amount of product liquid wasted.

[0011] In addition, since the amount of heat exchange required to cool the product liquid can be apportioned between the cooler and the heat exchanger, the cooler can be made smaller than if a heat exchanger were not provided.

[0012] Furthermore, during the internal cleaning operation, the heat exchanger downstream of the heater can reheat the cleaning liquid, whose temperature has dropped due to heat radiation after passing through the heater. This allows the cleaning liquid to reach the specified temperature quickly, shortening the time required for the internal cleaning process and improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a production line according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of production operation of the production line shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining the processes and events from when the filling machine of the production line shown in FIG. 1 is stopped to when the filling process is restarted. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of an internal cleaning operation of the production line shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of production operation of a manufacturing line according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of an internal cleaning operation of the production line shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment] [Overall structure] The production line 1, an example of the configuration of which is shown in Figure 1, is configured to be capable of producing bottled products in which a product liquid cooled to room temperature is filled into a container such as a bottle (not shown). Product liquids that can be produced include carbonated drinks containing carbon dioxide. Carbonated drinks include, for example, carbonated water, cider, cola, and chuhai drinks. Note that Figure 1 shows only a portion of the configuration of the production line 1.

[0015] The production line 1 includes a carbonation device 10, a filling device 2 including a filling machine 20 that fills bottles with the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device 10, a heat exchanger 4 provided between the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20, an internal cleaning device 30 configured to enable internal cleaning of the production line 1, and a control device 5 configured to be able to control each device provided on the production line 1. The production line 1 also includes a first liquid transfer path R1, a second liquid transfer path R2, and a third liquid transfer path R3 as paths through which the liquid flows.

[0016] The filling device 2 is, for example, a rotary filling machine, and includes a filling machine 20 that fills containers with product liquid while transporting them in the circumferential direction of a rotor, and a sealing machine (not shown) that seals the filled containers by attaching lids. The line downstream of the filling device 2 is not shown. Containers discharged downstream from the filling device 2 are supplied to a boxing device via an accumulation conveyor, a single-line conveyor, etc., not shown.

[0017] During non-production times when no production processes are being performed on the production line 1, the flow paths (including tanks and valves) for the raw material liquid and product liquid, as well as the environment, are cleaned and sterilized. The cleaning and sterilization of the flow paths can be performed by supplying a cleaning liquid, which is a cleaning liquid, to the flow paths by the internal cleaning device 30 while the concentration and temperature of the cleaning liquid are controlled by the control device 5.

[0018] [Carbonation device] The carbonation device 10 dissolves carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the raw material liquid to obtain the product liquid. The lower the liquid temperature, the easier it is for carbon dioxide gas to dissolve. Therefore, the carbonation device 10 cools the raw material liquid before dissolving the carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid. The raw material liquid is also cooled to prevent foaming of the product liquid during filling. Such a carbonation device 10, an example of whose configuration is shown in Figure 1, is equipped with a raw material liquid tank 11, a first pump P1, a cooler 12, a carbonator 13, a product liquid tank 14, a carbon dioxide gas supply source 15, and a second pump P2.

[0019] The carbonation device 10 is preferably provided with a gas volume meter (not shown) that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide gas contained in the product liquid. As an example, the gas volume can be calculated by dividing the volume of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the product liquid by the volume of the liquid under conditions of 1 atmosphere and 15.6°C.

[0020] When a product that does not contain carbon dioxide gas is produced using the production line 1, the control device 5 can operate a valve (not shown) so that the raw material liquid that has passed through the cooler 12 can be stored in the product liquid tank 14 as product liquid without dissolving the carbon dioxide gas in the carbonator 13.

[0021] A cooler 12 and a carbonator 13 are provided on a first liquid transfer path R1 from the outlet of the raw material liquid tank 11 to the inlet of the product liquid tank 14. A first pump P1 pressure-transfers the liquids (raw material liquid, product liquid) from the raw material liquid tank 11 to the product liquid tank 14 at a predetermined flow rate F1. The first pump P1 can be provided at an appropriate position on the first liquid transfer path R1.

[0022] The supply source that supplies the raw material liquid to the raw material liquid tank 11 through the valve V11 is not shown in the figure. Such a supply source includes, for example, a deaerator that removes gas from the raw material liquid, and a blender that mixes multiple raw material liquids at a fixed ratio. The carbonation device 10 may be integrated into a single device together with the deaerator, blender, etc. Furthermore, the supply source of the raw material liquid may include a sterilizer that sterilizes the raw material liquid. The sterilizer includes, for example, a heat exchanger that heats and sterilizes the raw material liquid, and a heat exchanger that cools the raw material liquid after sterilization.

[0023] The cooler 12 is a plate-type heat exchanger or a tube-type heat exchanger, and cools the raw material liquid by indirectly bringing the product liquid into contact with the first heat medium H1 to exchange heat. The first heat medium H1 corresponds to, for example, cold water or a refrigerant containing propylene glycol or the like. The first heat medium H1, which is at a lower temperature than the raw material liquid, is supplied to the cooler 12 from the first heat medium circuit C1, only a portion of which is shown in the figure, and is then recovered from the cooler 12 to the first heat medium circuit C1. It is preferable that a heat insulating material be provided in each of the piping of the first liquid feed path R1 and the second liquid feed path R2 downstream of the cooler 12.

[0024] The temperature of the raw material liquid on the outlet side of the cooler 12 is preferably controlled to a predetermined temperature by adjusting the flow rate of the first heat medium H1 based on the value measured by the temperature sensor 102, for example. Although temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303 are shown in FIG. 1, these may be provided in the production line 1 as needed.

[0025] The carbonator 13 blows carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas supply source 15 into the inside of a nozzle, for example, to pressurize the carbon dioxide gas into the raw material liquid and dissolve it. The product liquid that has been subjected to the gasification process from the carbonator 13 is stored in the product liquid tank 14. The interior of the product liquid tank 14 is pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the introduction of carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas supply source 15. The internal pressure of the product liquid tank 14 and the discharge pressure of a second pump P2, which is provided as needed, cause the product liquid to be supplied from the product liquid tank 14 to a tank (not shown) of the filling machine 20 through a second liquid supply path R2 at a predetermined supply flow rate F2. In addition, the pressurized atmosphere inside the product liquid tank 14 suppresses the release of carbon dioxide gas from the product liquid.

[0026] The supply flow rate F2 of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 is adjusted by the second pump P2 and a flow rate adjustment valve (not shown) provided in the second liquid supply path R2. To ensure stable operation of the filling machine 20 without stopping, the flow rate F1 of the first liquid supply path R1 is set slightly larger than the supply flow rate F2.

[0027] [Second liquid transfer path and heat exchanger] A second route R2 along which the product liquid flows from the product liquid tank 14 to the filling machine 20 is provided with a heat exchanger 4 and a liquid feed valve V2. The second liquid transfer path R2 in this embodiment supplies the entire amount of the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 to the filling machine 20.

[0028] The heat exchanger 4 is a plate-type heat exchanger or a tubular heat exchanger configured to be usable for both cooling and heating. In the production process, the heat exchanger 4, like the cooler 12, cools the product liquid by indirectly bringing the product liquid into contact with a first heat medium H1, such as cold water or a refrigerant, supplied from the first heat medium circuit C1, and exchanging heat therebetween. The temperature of the product liquid at the outlet side of the heat exchanger 4 may be controlled to a predetermined temperature by the control device 5, for example, by adjusting the flow rate of the first heat medium H1 based on a value measured by a temperature sensor 202.

[0029] In the internal cleaning process performed by the internal cleaning device 30, the heat exchanger 4 heats the cleaning liquid by exchanging heat between the cleaning liquid and a second heat medium H2 equivalent to steam, hot water, etc. supplied from the second heat medium circuit C2. The first heat medium circuit C1 and the second heat medium circuit C2 are provided with valves 411, 412, 421, and 422 for switching the heat medium supplied to the heat exchanger 4. For example, when the heat medium used in the heat exchanger 4 is switched from a refrigerant as a heat medium for cooling to steam as a heat medium for heating, compressed air may be introduced into the heat exchanger 4 to discharge the refrigerant from the heat medium flow path of the heat exchanger 4, and then steam as a heat medium for heating may be introduced into the heat medium flow path of the heat exchanger 4.

[0030] Operation of the second pump P2 and opening and closing of the liquid supply valve V2 switches between starting and stopping the supply of liquid to the filling machine 20. During steady-state production operation in which the filling machine 20 is filling the product liquid, the second pump P2 operates, the liquid supply valve V2 is open, and a predetermined gas volume of product liquid at a predetermined temperature is sent to the tank of the filling machine 20 at a predetermined flow rate.

[0031] When the filling machine 20 stops, the operation of the second pump P2 stops and the liquid supply valve V2 is closed, so that the supply of liquid to the filling machine 20 stops. After the filling machine 20 is stopped, the carbonation device 10 continues to operate until the amount of liquid held in the product liquid tank 14 reaches a certain level or more.

[0032] After restarting the filling machine 20, the heat exchanger 4 cools the product liquid that has accumulated upstream of the heat exchanger 4 in the second liquid feed path R2. In order to allow the heat exchanger 4 to cool as much of the product liquid that has accumulated in the second liquid feed path R2 as possible, the heat exchanger 4 is preferably provided downstream in the second liquid feed path R2, i.e., closer to the filling machine 20 than a position halfway along the path length of the second liquid feed path R2. More preferably, the heat exchanger 4 is provided at a position closest to the filling machine 20.

[0033] [Internal cleaning device] The internal cleaning device 30 performs internal cleaning by supplying cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) to the product liquid flow path, for example, the liquid delivery paths R1, R2 or the flow path of the filling machine 20, thereby replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid. The internal cleaning device 30 is configured to be capable of performing at least Clean-In-Place (CIP) out of Clean-In-Place (CIP) and Sterilization-In-Place (SIP). The "internal cleaning" performed by the internal cleaning device 30 of the present disclosure includes cleaning-in-place and sterilization-in-place. The liquid used for such internal cleaning is referred to as the "cleaning liquid."

[0034] The third liquid transfer path R3, along which the cleaning liquid flows from the cleaning liquid tank 31 that stores the cleaning liquid to the raw liquid tank 11 of the carbonation device 10, is provided with the cleaning liquid tank 31 that stores the cleaning liquid, a third pump P3 that pressure-transfers the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 31 to the raw liquid tank 11, and a heater 32. The cleaning liquid that flows from the third liquid transfer path R3 through the valve V10 into the liquid transfer paths R1 and R2 and is supplied to the filling nozzle of the filling machine 20 flows through the cleaning liquid return path R4 and is returned to the internal cleaning device 30.

[0035] The cleaning liquid corresponds to, for example, an acid detergent, a chemical solution containing a caustic detergent, or water, etc. The cleaning liquid is heated by a heater 32 to enhance the cleaning effect. The internal cleaning is carried out for a predetermined time while the concentration, temperature, and flow rate of the cleaning liquid are controlled by the control device 5.

[0036] The heater 32 heats the cleaning liquid by heat exchange between the cleaning liquid and a second heat medium H2 equivalent to steam, hot water, or the like. A second heat medium H2 having a higher temperature than the cleaning liquid is supplied to the heater 32 from a second heat medium circuit C2, only a portion of which is shown, and is discharged as, for example, condensed water from the heater 32. It is preferable that a heat insulating material be provided in the piping of the third liquid supply path R3 downstream of the heater 32 to maintain heat.

[0037] [Production operation] An example of production operation of the production line 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The internal cleaning device 30 is not in operation while the production process is being carried out in production operation. During production operation, the three heat exchangers are used as follows: Cooler 12: Used for cooling Heat exchanger 4: Used for cooling Heater 32: Not used

[0038] Figure 2 shows the flow of the product liquid during steady production operation. The path through which the product liquid flows is indicated by a thick line in Figure 2. During steady operation, the filling machine 20 continuously fills containers with the product liquid. The steady-state production process includes step S01 of cooling the raw material liquid using a cooler 12, step S02 of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the cooled raw material liquid using a carbonator 13, step S03 of storing the product liquid with dissolved carbon dioxide gas in a product liquid tank 14, step S04 of re-cooling the product liquid sent from the product liquid tank 14 to the filling machine 20 using a heat exchanger 4, and step S05 of filling the product liquid with the filling machine 20. The cooling step S01, the carbon dioxide gas dissolving step S02, and the storing step S03 are continued for a predetermined time even while the filling machine 20 is stopped.

[0039] During steady-state production operation, the product liquid is cooled not only by the cooler 12 but also by the heat exchanger 4 downstream of the cooler 12. This allows the temperature of the product liquid to be stably lowered to a specified temperature T2 by the heat exchanger 4. If the temperature of the product liquid is stable, foaming during filling can be suppressed and the gas volume can be stabilized.

[0040] The filling machine 20 may stop due to a stoppage of a device downstream of the filling machine 20, or may stop abnormally due to a failure of a component of the filling machine 20, etc. 3 shows in chronological order S11 to S13, which correspond to the unsteady processes and events occurring during the production process, from when filling machine 20 is stopped, through restart of filling machine 20, until filling of containers is resumed. When filling machine 20 is stopped (S11), control device 5 stops second pump P2 and closes liquid supply valve V2, thereby stopping the supply of liquid to filling machine 20. At this time, the supply of containers to filling machine 20 is also stopped, and filling machine 20 fills and dispenses containers that have already been supplied.

[0041] Even while the filling machine 20 is stopped (t1-2), the carbonation device 10 continues to operate for a predetermined time, and the processes of cooling and carbon dioxide gas injection are performed, while the product liquid remains in the second liquid transfer path R2 between the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20. Therefore, as time passes after the filling machine 20 is stopped, the product liquid in the second liquid transfer path R2 absorbs heat from the surrounding atmosphere and its temperature rises.

[0042] After the filling machine 20 has stopped, recovery work is performed as necessary, and when the cause of the stoppage is eliminated, the filling machine 20 is restarted (S12). Accordingly, the liquid feed valve V2 opens, the second pump P2 operates, and liquid feed to the filling machine 20 begins. The product liquid that had been stagnating in the second liquid feed path R2 flows toward the filling machine 20, and product liquid flows from the product liquid tank 14 into the second liquid feed path R2. Because cooling by the cooler 12 continues even while the filling machine 20 is stopped, product liquid at a temperature lower than that of the stagnating product liquid flows into the second liquid feed path R2. The product liquid that has flowed into the second liquid feed path R2 is cooled by the heat exchanger 4 and supplied to the filling machine 20.

[0043] After the filling machine 20 is restarted, no containers are supplied to the filling machine 20 until the product liquid reaches the specified temperature T2 (t2-3), and the product liquid is discharged from a filling nozzle (not shown) of the filling machine 20. The product liquid discharged from the filling nozzle is collected and discarded. Because the stop time of the filling machine 20 is short, the product liquid is discarded unless the product liquid is maintained at the specified temperature T2 when the filling machine 20 is restarted.

[0044] When the heat exchanger 4 is provided in the second liquid feed path R2 as in this embodiment, the temperature of the product liquid can be lowered to the specified temperature T2 more quickly after the filling machine 20 is restarted (S12) than when the heat exchanger 4 is not provided in the second liquid feed path R2 (hereinafter referred to as the comparative example). Therefore, compared to the comparative example, the disposal of the product liquid can be stopped and the filling process into the containers can be resumed more quickly after the filling machine 20 is restarted. The time t2-3 required from restart to resumption of filling in this embodiment is shorter than the time tA required from restart to resumption of filling in the comparative example, and therefore the amount of product liquid discarded is less than in the comparative example.

[0045] Here, if the first heat medium H1 is supplied to the heat exchanger 4 while the filling machine 20 is stopped, it is possible to avoid a temperature rise in components such as the tubes of the heat exchanger 4 while the filling machine 20 is stopped, and to start cooling the product liquid immediately after restarting the filling machine 20. Therefore, the time t2-3 required from restart to resumption of filling is shorter than when the supply of the first heat medium H1 to the heat exchanger 4 is stopped while the filling machine 20 is stopped, and therefore the amount of product liquid wasted is less.

[0046] The control device 5 can determine whether the liquid product has reached or exceeded the specified temperature T2, for example, based on the temperature of the liquid product detected by the temperature sensor 102, or based on the time the filling machine 20 was stopped and the time elapsed since the filling machine 20 was restarted. The time the filling machine 20 was stopped and the time elapsed since the filling machine 20 was restarted can each be detected by a timer (not shown). If the control device 5 determines that the product liquid has reached a specified temperature T2 or lower (S13), it opens the liquid supply valve V2, operates the second pump P2 to start supplying the liquid to the filling machine 20, and sends commands to the container supply mechanism and filling valve (not shown) of the filling machine 20 to resume filling the product liquid into the container from the filling nozzle. As a result of the above, the production line 1 returns to normal production operation after the filling machine 20 has been stopped and restarted.

[0047] Below, the operation of this embodiment during production operation will be described in comparison with a comparative example with reference to Table 1. The comparative example is the same as this embodiment except that the heat exchanger 4 is not provided in the second liquid transfer path R2. The same applies to Tables 2 and 3 described below.

[0048] The temperature values ​​listed in Table 1 are merely examples of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, and 202, respectively. Temperature sensor 101 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of cooler 12, and temperature sensor 102 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of cooler 12. Furthermore, temperature sensor 201 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of heat exchanger 4, and temperature sensor 202 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of heat exchanger 4.

[0049] [Table 1]

[0050] A comparison is made between (1) and (3) showing steady-state conditions in Table 1. In comparative example (1), it is necessary to cool the product liquid to the specified temperature T2 (the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202) only by the cooler 12. In contrast, in this embodiment (3), it is sufficient for the product liquid to reach the specified temperature T2 by cooling by the cooler 12 followed by cooling by the heat exchanger 4. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange required to lower the liquid temperature from the temperature of the raw material liquid before cooling to the specified temperature T2, that is, from the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 101 to the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202, can be apportioned between the cooler 12 and the heat exchanger 4.

[0051] Before carbon dioxide gas is injected by the carbonator 13, the liquid temperature needs to be sufficiently lowered, even if it is not as low as the specified temperature T2, so it is preferable to provide a larger heat exchange capacity to the cooler 12 than to the heat exchanger 4. Even in this case, the heat exchange capacity required of the cooler 12 is smaller than in the comparative example, so it is possible to make the cooler 12 smaller than in the comparative example. It is preferable that the heat exchanger 4 be given a heat exchange capacity sufficient to cool the product liquid by the amount of temperature rise while the filling machine 20 is stopped. As an example, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 4 can be given one-third of the heat exchange capacity of the cooler 12.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in (3), for example, the temperature of the raw material liquid may be lowered from, for example, 30°C to 10°C by the cooler 12, and after the carbon dioxide gas is injected, the temperature may be lowered to 5°C by the heat exchanger 4. In this way, by cooling by the cooler 12 and then re-cooling by the heat exchanger 4, the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 can be stabilized at a specified temperature T2 (for example, 5°C). In this regard, in comparative example (1), even if the liquid temperature is lowered to the specified temperature T2 by the cooler 12, the liquid temperature thereafter remains constant (indicated by the left-pointing arrow in Table 1), and therefore there is a possibility that the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 may shift from the specified temperature T2 due to disturbances, etc.

[0053] Next, we compare (2) and (4) which show the non-steady state in Table 1. The non-steady state here refers to the period from when the filling machine 20 stops, through when the filling machine 20 is restarted, until filling of the containers resumes. Suppose that the temperature of the product liquid accumulating in the second liquid feed path R2 rises to, for example, 15°C while the filling machine 20 is stopped for an extended period of time. In this case, since the comparative example (2) does not have a means for cooling the product liquid accumulating in the second liquid feed path R2, the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 depends on the accumulating temperature (15°C) from the time when the filling machine 20 was stopped until the entire amount of the product liquid accumulating in the second liquid feed path R2 is supplied to the filling machine 20 and discharged from the filling nozzle. In this case, at least the entire amount of the product liquid accumulating in the second liquid feed path R2 is discarded.

[0054] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in (4) of Table 1, for example, the temperature of the product liquid accumulating upstream of the heat exchanger 4 in the second liquid transfer path R2 can be lowered by the heat exchanger 4 (see the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202). As a result of this and the cooling action of the cooler 12 and the heat exchanger 4, which causes the temperature of the product liquid to decrease, it is possible to make the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 reach the specified temperature T2 early, thereby reducing the amount of product liquid wasted.

[0055] [Internal cleaning operation] An example of the internal cleaning operation of the production line 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The operating conditions of the three heat exchangers during the internal cleaning operation are as follows. Cooler 12: Not used Heat exchanger 4: Used for heating Heater 32: Used for heating

[0056] Figure 4 shows the flow of cleaning fluid during internal cleaning operation. In Figure 4, the cleaning fluid is shown by a hatched pattern. The internal cleaning process using the production line 1 includes a heating step S07 in which the cleaning liquid is heated by the heater 32, and a reheating step S08 in which the cleaning liquid that has been replaced with the product liquid in the liquid transfer paths R1 and R2 is reheated by the heat exchanger 4. During the internal cleaning step, the carbonation device 10 is not operating. The on-off valve 121 for introducing the first heat medium H1 into the cooler 12 is closed.

[0057] The cleaning liquid heated by heater 32 flows through liquid supply paths R1 and R2 while filling raw material liquid tank 11 and product liquid tank 14, and is also supplied to filling machine 20. Once the cleaning liquid is supplied to the filling nozzle while also filling the tank of filling machine 20, it is returned to internal cleaning device 30 through cleaning liquid return path R4. The returned cleaning liquid is either discharged through valve V31 or returned to cleaning liquid tank 31 through valve V32.

[0058] In order to transition from the production process to the internal cleaning process, the control device 5 operates the third pump P3 of the internal cleaning device 30, opens the valve V10, supplies steam, for example, as the second heat medium H2 to the heater 32, and also supplies steam, for example, as the second heat medium H2 to the heat exchanger 4 by switching the valves 411, 412, 421, and 422. After the internal cleaning process begins, the temperature of the cleaning liquid gradually increases due to heating by the heater 32 and heating by the heat exchanger 4. In parallel with this, replacement of the product liquid with the cleaning liquid in the product liquid flow path, etc., progresses. When the replacement of the product liquid with the cleaning liquid is completed, the cleaning liquid reaches a predetermined cleaning temperature T C When the temperature reaches 1000 K, the temperature changes from a rising state to a steady state. The control device 5 monitors the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 303 and the concentration of the cleaning liquid, and controls the temperature of the cleaning liquid to a cleaning temperature T C By managing the above, the cleaning effect of the cleaning solution is guaranteed.

[0059] The pipes and tanks 11 and 14 of the liquid sending paths R1 and R2 are in contact with the low-temperature raw material liquid and product liquid during the production process, and are therefore cooled to a temperature equivalent to the liquid temperature at the start of the internal cleaning process. Therefore, when the cleaning liquid is heated only by the heater 32 and there is no means for heating the cleaning liquid flowing through the liquid sending paths R1 and R2 (comparative example), the rate of temperature rise is slow for a while after the transition to the internal cleaning process because a large amount of heat is radiated from the cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 to the pipes and tanks. In contrast, according to this embodiment, even if a large amount of heat is dissipated from the cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 to the piping of the liquid sending paths R1, R2 and the tanks 11, 14, the cleaning liquid is reheated by the heat exchanger 4, so that the temperature of the cleaning liquid can reach a predetermined temperature more quickly after the start of the internal cleaning process than in the comparative example. As a result, the time spent on the internal cleaning process as non-productive time can be shortened, thereby improving productivity.

[0060] Depending on the length of the path through which the cleaning liquid flows, it is also possible to use the cooler 12 as a heater by supplying a second heat medium H2 such as steam to the cooler 12. In this case, the cleaning liquid is heated by the three heat exchangers 32, 12, and 4 distributed along the path of the cleaning liquid, thereby leveling the temperature distribution of the cleaning liquid, which can contribute to shortening the time required for internal cleaning.

[0061] Next, with reference to Table 2, the operation of the internal cleaning operation of this embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example. The temperature values ​​in Table 2 are merely examples of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303, respectively. Temperature sensor 301 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of heater 32, and temperature sensor 302 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of heater 32. Temperature sensor 303 detects the liquid temperature at the end of cleaning liquid return path R4.

[0062] [Table 2]

[0063] In the comparative example (1) shown in Table 2, the temperature of the cleaning liquid detected by the temperature sensor 303 is the predetermined cleaning temperature T C The graph shows the progress of the temperature rise from the temperature indicated by temperature sensor 301 to the temperature indicated by temperature sensor 302 due to the action of heater 32. However, the liquid supply paths R1, R2, and R4 through which the product liquid flows thereafter do not have any means for heating the cleaning liquid. Therefore, as can be seen from the temperatures detected by temperature sensors 101, 201, and 303 shown in Table 2, the temperature of the cleaning liquid gradually drops due to heat dissipation from the cleaning liquid to the tank and piping.

[0064] In contrast, the present embodiment (3) is provided with the heat exchanger 4 as a means for heating the cleaning liquid downstream of the heater 32. Therefore, even if the temperature of the cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 drops once, it is heated again by the heat exchanger 4 (see the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202). Therefore, compared to the comparative example, after the start of the internal cleaning operation, the temperature of the cleaning liquid is raised to the cleaning temperature T C Since the temperature can be reached as early as possible, the time required for the internal cleaning process can be shortened, and the production process can be resumed early.

[0065] In the operation example shown in Table 2, the heat exchanger 4 is used only when the temperature of the cleaning liquid rises. C When the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the control device 5 closes the valve 412 to stop the supply of the second heat medium H2 to the heat exchanger 4. After that, as shown by the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 301 and 302 in the steady state in (2) and (4) of Table 2, the temperature of the cleaning liquid rises as it is heated by the heater 32, and while the temperature gradually decreases due to heat radiation, the temperature reaches the cleaning temperature T C It is maintained above. Not limited to the example in Table 2, even during steady state after the temperature has risen, the heater 32 and the heat exchanger 4 can be used together to promote heating of the cleaning liquid.

[0066] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, by providing a heat exchanger 4 that can be used to both cool the product liquid and heat the cleaning liquid in the second liquid transfer path R2 between the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20, the following main effects are achieved.

[0067] During steady-state production operation, the product liquid is also cooled by heat exchanger 4 downstream of cooler 12, which cools the product liquid before carbon dioxide gas is injected into it, and the temperature of the product liquid can be stabilized at a specified temperature T2. This makes it possible to stably fill product liquid with a stable gas volume while suppressing foaming during filling.

[0068] Even if the temperature of the product liquid accumulating in the second liquid transfer path R2 deviates from the specified temperature T2 due to a long stoppage of the filling machine 20, when the filling machine 20 is restarted and liquid transfer to the filling machine 20 begins, the accumulating product liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger 4, and the temperature drop of the product liquid is accelerated by the action of re-cooling by the heat exchanger 4 downstream of the cooler 12. Therefore, it is possible to quickly bring the product liquid to the specified temperature T2 and reduce the amount of product liquid discarded.

[0069] In addition, since the amount of heat exchange required to cool the product liquid can be apportioned between the cooler 12 and the heat exchanger 4, the size of the cooler 12 can be reduced compared to when the heat exchanger 4 is not installed, thereby achieving a more compact carbonation device 10.

[0070] Furthermore, during the internal cleaning operation, the heat exchanger 4 located downstream from the heater 32 can reheat the cleaning liquid whose temperature has dropped due to heat radiation after passing through the heater 32. This allows the cleaning liquid to reach a predetermined cleaning temperature T C The temperature of the cleaning solution reaches the cleaning temperature T C This can shorten the time required for the internal cleaning process, which is carried out for a predetermined period of time when the temperature reaches 100°C.

[0071] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment, with the same elements as in the first embodiment being assigned the same reference numerals. The production line 1A of the second embodiment shown in Figure 5 includes all the components of the production line 1 of the first embodiment, as well as a product liquid return path R5 that is configured to allow the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 to be returned to the product liquid tank 14.

[0072] The product liquid return path R5 connects a position between the heat exchanger 4 and the filling machine 20 with the product liquid tank 14. An on-off valve V5 is provided near the start of the product liquid return path R5. When the on-off valve V5 is opened and the liquid supply valve V2 is closed, a path CP is formed that includes the return path R5 and through which the product liquid circulates. In other words, the product liquid circulates through the product liquid tank 14, the heat exchanger 4, and the return path R5. The product liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger 4 while flowing through the circulation path CP.

[0073] The product liquid return path R5 is not used during steady production operation of the production line 1A. During steady production operation, the on-off valve V5 is closed and the liquid supply valve V2 is open. After the filling machine 20 has stopped, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid supply valve V2 prior to restarting the filling machine 20, thereby providing a circulation path CP upstream of the liquid supply valve V2 and circulating the product liquid. For example, when the stoppage time of the filling machine 20 exceeds a threshold value or the temperature of the product liquid accumulated in the second liquid transfer path R2 exceeds a threshold value, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid transfer valve V2. Furthermore, the control device 5 may be configured to immediately open the on-off valve V5 and close the liquid supply valve V2 when the filling machine 20 stops, thereby starting circulation of the product liquid.

[0074] A product liquid circulation mode may be provided in the control device 5 for the purpose of cooling the product liquid by the heat exchanger 4 prior to restarting the filling machine 20. In this case, when the product liquid circulation mode is selected while the filling machine 20 is stopped, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid supply valve V2.

[0075] With reference to Table 3 below, the operation of the second embodiment during unsteady production operation will be described in comparison with a comparative example.

[0076] [Table 3]

[0077] The comparative example does not include a product liquid return path R5. As a result, when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the second pump P2 is stopped, and the liquid supply valve V2 is closed to stop the supply of liquid to the filling machine 20, the product liquid accumulates in the second liquid supply path R2, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, as time passes since the filling machine 20 was stopped, the temperature of the product liquid in the second liquid supply path R2 increases (see the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 201). The product liquid accumulates in the second liquid supply path R2 until the filling machine 20 is restarted and the supply of liquid to the filling machine 20 begins.

[0078] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, even when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the product liquid circulated using the product liquid return path R5 is cooled by the heat exchanger 4, so that the temperature rise of the product liquid in the second liquid supply path R2 can be suppressed, as shown in (2) of Table 3. In the example shown in Table 3, the product liquid whose temperature has risen to, for example, 15°C over time since the filling machine 20 was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger 4 to the specified temperature T2 (here, 5°C).

[0079] In this case, the temperature of the product liquid in the second liquid transfer route R2 remains the same as before the filling machine 20 was stopped, so when the filling machine 20 is restarted and liquid transfer to the filling machine 20 begins, the liquid that has accumulated downstream of the on-off valve V5 is discharged from the filling nozzle, and then a container can be supplied to the position of the filling nozzle to start production. In this case, the amount of product liquid wasted can be minimized.

[0080] According to the second embodiment, by circulating the product liquid while the filling machine 20 is stopped and cooling the product liquid using the heat exchanger 4, the temperature of the product liquid that rose while the filling machine 20 was stopped can be brought closer to the specified temperature T2. Therefore, it is possible to lower the product liquid to the specified temperature T2 within a short time after restarting the filling machine 20, and resume the filling process. According to the second embodiment, the amount of product liquid wasted when the filling machine 20 is stopped can be further reduced compared to the first embodiment, thereby improving productivity.

[0081] [Renovation of existing production lines] Both the production line 1 of the first embodiment and the production line 1A of the second embodiment can be manufactured by modifying an existing production line. To produce the production line 1 (Fig. 1) through the renovation, it is necessary to install a heat exchanger 4 on the second liquid transfer path R2 of the existing production line. The heat exchanger 4 is connected to both the circuit C1 for the first heat medium H1 used to cool the product liquid and the circuit C2 for the second heat medium H2 used to heat the cleaning liquid.

[0082] When manufacturing a production line 1A (Figure 5) through renovation, in addition to installing a heat exchanger 4 on the second liquid supply route R2 of the existing production line and connecting the first heat medium circuit C1 and the second heat medium circuit C2 to the heat exchanger 4, it is advisable to install a product liquid return route R5 and an on-off valve V5 on the existing line.

[0083] In addition to the above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations given in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate.

[0084] [Note] According to the above disclosure, the following configuration can be understood. [1] A manufacturing line (1, 1A), a carbonation device (10) including a cooler (12) for cooling the raw material liquid and supplying a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler (12); a filling machine (20) that fills the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device (10); a liquid transfer path (R2) through which the product liquid flows and is supplied from the carbonation device (10) to the filling machine (20); a heat exchanger (4) provided in the liquid transport path (R2) for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium; an internal cleaning device (30) including a heater (32) for heating a cleaning liquid used for cleaning the inside of the production line, and for performing internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid; The heat exchanger (4) is configured so as to be usable for cooling the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid. Production line.

[0085] [2] The liquid transfer path (R2) is configured to be able to supply the entire amount of liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to the filling machine (20). When the filling machine (20) is restarted after being stopped and the liquid transfer from the carbonation device (10) to the filling machine (20) begins, the product liquid that has accumulated while the filling machine (20) was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger (4). The manufacturing line described in [1].

[0086] [3] The heat exchanger (4) is provided downstream in the liquid sending path (R2). [2] The manufacturing line described in item [2].

[0087] [4] A return path (R5) configured to allow the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to be returned to the product liquid tank (14) included in the carbonation device (10), Before restarting the filling machine (20) after stopping, the product liquid is circulated through the product liquid tank (14), the heat exchanger (4), and the return line (R5). The manufacturing line described in [1].

[0088] [5] A manufacturing method comprising a production process and an internal cleaning process using a manufacturing line (1, 1A), The production process is A step (S01) of cooling the raw material liquid by a cooler (12); a step (S02) of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler (12) to obtain a product liquid; and a step (S04) of re-cooling the product liquid in which the carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved and which is sent to the filling machine (20) by a heat exchanger (4) downstream of the cooler (12). and a step (S05) of filling the liquid product by a filling machine (20), The internal cleaning process is A step (S07) of heating the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the inside of the production line by a heater (32); and (S08) reheating the cleaning liquid that has replaced the product liquid by a heat exchanger (4) downstream of the heater (32).

[0089] [6] When the supply of liquid to the filling machine (20) is stopped due to a stop of the filling machine (20) in the production process, and then when the supply of liquid to the filling machine (20) is started due to a restart of the filling machine (20), the product liquid that has accumulated while the filling machine (20) was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger (4). The manufacturing method described in [5].

[0090] [7] The production line includes a return path (R5) configured to return the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to the product liquid tank (14), circulating the product liquid through the product liquid tank (14), the heat exchanger (4), and the return line (R5) before restarting the filling machine (20) after stopping; The manufacturing method described in [5].

[0091] [8] A method for producing the production line according to any one of [1] to [4] above, A heat exchanger (4) for exchanging heat between the product liquid and the heat medium is provided in the liquid transfer path (R2) of the existing production line, The heat exchanger (4) can be connected to either a heat medium circuit (C1) used to cool the product liquid or a heat medium circuit (C2) used to heat the cleaning liquid substituted for the product liquid. Manufacturing method for production line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1,1A production line 2 Filling device 4 Heat exchanger 5. Control device 10 Carbonation device 11 Raw material liquid tank 12 Cooler 13 Carbonator 14 Product liquid tank 15 Carbon dioxide source 20 Filling machine 30 Internal cleaning device 31 Cleaning solution tank 32 Heater 101,102,201,202,301,302,303 Temperature sensors 121 Opening and closing valve 411,412,421,422 Valves C1 1st heat carrier circuit C2 2nd heat carrier circuit CP circulation route F1 flow rate F2 supply flow rate H1 1st heat carrier H2 Second heat medium P1 First pump P2 Second pump P3 Third pump R1 First liquid transfer path R2 Second liquid transfer path R3 Third liquid transfer path R4 Cleaning fluid return path R5 Product liquid return path (return path) S01 Cooling step S02 Carbon dioxide dissolution step S03 Storage step S04 Re-cooling step S05 Filling step S07 Heating step S08 Reheating step T2 specified temperature tA Required time tB Time required T C Washing temperature V10 valve V11 Valve V2 liquid delivery valve V31, V32 valves V5 Opening and closing valve

Claims

1. A manufacturing line, A carbonation device that includes a cooler that cools the raw material liquid and supplies a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler; A filling machine that fills the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device; A liquid delivery path through which the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine flows; a heat exchanger provided in the liquid transfer path for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium; an internal cleaning device including a heater for heating a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the production line, and performing internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid; A return path configured to return the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to a product liquid tank included in the carbonation device, the heat exchanger is configured to be operable to cool the product liquid and heat the cleaning liquid; Prior to restarting the filling machine after stopping, the product liquid is circulated through the product liquid tank, the heat exchanger, and the return path. Production line.

2. the liquid sending path is configured to be able to supply the entire amount of liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to the filling machine, When the filling machine is restarted after being stopped, the liquid is sent from the carbonation device to the filling machine, and the product liquid that had accumulated while the filling machine was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger. The manufacturing line according to claim 1 .

3. The heat exchanger is provided downstream in the liquid transfer path. The manufacturing line according to claim 2.

4. A manufacturing method including a production process using a manufacturing line and an internal cleaning process, The production process comprises: cooling the raw material liquid by a cooler; a step of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler to obtain a product liquid; a step of re-cooling the product liquid in which the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved and sent to a filling machine by a heat exchanger downstream of the cooler; and filling the liquid product with the filling machine, the production line includes a return path configured to return the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to a product liquid tank; The internal cleaning step includes: heating a cleaning solution used for cleaning the inside of the manufacturing line by a heater; and reheating the cleaning liquid that has replaced the product liquid by the heat exchanger downstream of the heater, circulating the product liquid through the product liquid tank, the heat exchanger, and the return path prior to restarting the filling machine after it has stopped; Manufacturing method.

5. When the supply of liquid to the filling machine is stopped due to the stop of the filling machine in the production process, and then when the supply of liquid to the filling machine is started due to the restart of the filling machine, the product liquid that has accumulated while the filling machine was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger. The method of claim 4.

6. A method for producing a production line according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium is provided in the liquid transfer path of the existing production line, The heat exchanger can be connected to either a circuit of the heat medium used to cool the product liquid or a circuit of the heat medium used to heat the cleaning liquid substituted for the product liquid. Manufacturing method for production line.

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