Method for inspecting a coffee bean roasting system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of inspecting a roasting system (10), said system comprising a roaster (2) generating smoke, and a smoke processing unit (3) configured to process the smoke stream generated by the roaster, said smoke processing unit (3) comprising a filtering device (221) and a pair of temperature sensors (24, 26) configured to measure the temperature of the smoke stream upstream and downstream of the filtering device (221), the method comprising the steps of: comparing, during a roasting operation, temperature performances at least for the duration of the roasting operation, and indicating an alarm if the performances are similar over time.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans in a safe environment. [Background technology]

[0002] Roasting coffee beans is a well-known process. The main steps consist of heating the beans to the desired roast level and then cooling or quenching the heated beans to stop the roast. During heating, smoke is released. This smoke contains not only safe and desirable components, particularly the normal roasted coffee aroma, all together, but also undesirable and less safe volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as pyridine, 2-furanmethanol, caffeine, furfural, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM). 2.5 , PM 10 ) is also included.

[0003] When roasting is carried out at a manufacturing site that produces significant quantities of roasted beans, all conditions are generally provided to capture unsafe components.

[0004] However, recently there has been a trend towards small roasters for small batch roasting in stores, restaurants and coffee shops where customers can consume coffee brewed with freshly roasted beans. Roasters not only offer the benefits of freshness and on-site, but also deliver a pleasant roasted coffee aroma into the store or coffee shop.

[0005] However, as mentioned above, harmful compounds are also released. If the roaster is used in a closed environment such as a shop, coffee shop or restaurant, depending on the size of the room and the ventilation of the room, the release of some compounds can be harmful. For people who work in the room for several hours, smelling the smoke from the roaster can lead to health problems.

[0006] Consequently, in such environments, it is recommended to stop the emission of smoke from the roaster to avoid health problems for the people present inside the establishment.Existing solutions consist in destroying the pollutants, such as with afterburners or catalytic afterburners that allow thermal oxidation of the pollutants, or in retaining them inside the device, such as with mechanical filters (metal sieves or paper filters), activated carbon filters, electrostatic precipitators, or a combination thereof.

[0007] When activated carbon filters are used, the activated carbon material held in the bag must usually be changed and regenerated periodically. During this operation, the old activated carbon bag is removed and a new, unused bag is introduced. During this operation, it can happen that the operator removes the old bag but forgets to introduce the new one. This mistake can be accentuated by the fact that a smoke filter may contain several different filter combinations, all of which require different cleaning procedures.

[0008] In the case of an activated carbon filter, the absence of the activated carbon bag inside the filter does not interfere with the roasting operation as the roasting emissions flow freely through, and the operator would not notice that the smoke was not being treated until several roasting runs had been performed and a foul odor was produced, which is undesirable in a coffee shop, cafe or restaurant. Summary of the Invention

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to address the above-mentioned existing or similar problems.

[0010] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to address the problem of informing an operator that a portion of a smoke filter, such as an activated carbon bag, is missing.

[0011] It would be advantageous to provide a way to notify a roast operator of the absence of a portion of a smoke filter without adding a sensor specific to that portion.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inspecting a roasting system, said system comprising: at least one roasting device that generates smoke during heating of the coffee beans; at least one smoke treatment unit configured to treat at least a portion of the smoke stream generated by the at least one roasting apparatus, the at least one smoke treatment unit including at least one removable filtering device; a smoke driver configured to propel smoke from the roasting apparatus to the at least one filtering device; the at least one smoke treatment unit comprises at least one pair of first and second temperature sensors, the first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke flow upstream of said removable filtering device, and the second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T2 of the smoke flow downstream of said removable filtering device; The method comprises: operating a roaster to generate hot gases; monitoring, at least during said operation, first and second temperatures measured by one of the pair of first and second temperature sensors; observing differences in the monitored temperature behavior over time; comparing the observed difference in behavior to a predetermined difference in behavior corresponding to the presence of at least one removable filtering device between the two temperature sensors; indicating an alarm if the observed difference in behavior deviates from a predetermined difference in behavior; Includes:

[0013] The purpose of this method is to check the proper operation of the roasting system, in particular the proper operation of the smoke treatment unit, and more precisely the absence of a removable filtering device in the smoke treatment unit.

[0014] The roasting system to which the method is applied comprises two types of devices: a roaster that heats and roasts the beans, and a smoke treatment unit configured to treat the smoke generated inside the first roaster during roasting of the coffee beans.

[0015] The two devices may be subparts of one single main system, or the two devices may be considered as separate modules that work together during the roasting process.

[0016] As explained below, the system may include several roasting devices and / or several smoke treatment units.

[0017] Any type of roaster can be used. In the roaster, the coffee beans are heated and preferably mixed to homogenize the heating throughout the beans. The roaster therefore comprises a chamber for holding the beans and heating means for heating the coffee beans.

[0018] The heating means can be a burner (meaning combustion) supplied with natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or even wood, or the heating means can be an electrical resistor, ceramic heater, halogen heat source, infrared heat source, or microwave heat source.

[0019] Preferably, the heating means is electrically powered, so that the only air pollutants produced during roasting are those produced from the heating of the coffee beans themselves, and not from the combustion of gases, as occurs when the heating means is a gas burner using natural gas, propane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or even wood.

[0020] Mixing of the beans during the roasting operation can be obtained using a fluidized bed of hot air or mechanically using stirring blades or a rotating drum.

[0021] Preferably, the roasting apparatus is a hot air fluidized bed chamber in which heated air is forced through a screen or perforated plate below the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the beans, transferring heat to the beans as they tumble and circulate within the fluidized bed.

[0022] Alternatively, the roasting apparatus may be a drum chamber in which the coffee beans are tumbled in a heated environment. The drum chamber may consist of a drum that rotates along a horizontal axis, or the drum chamber may be equipped with stirring blades to cause the coffee beans to roll around in the heated environment.

[0023] The roasting apparatus includes an outlet through which smoke generated during the roasting operation can be vented.

[0024] In one embodiment, the system may comprise several roasters, the outlets of these different roasters being arranged to be mixed before being treated by one or several smoke treatment units.

[0025] Generally, the smoke treatment unit of the system comprises a smoke inlet configured to cooperate with a smoke outlet of the roasting apparatus and to collect smoke through the smoke inlet.

[0026] The smoke treatment unit treats smoke to reduce or eliminate harmful pollutants contained therein. The smoke treatment unit comprises at least one filtering device configured to destroy or capture the pollutants. The unit comprises: at least one active treatment filter that destroys pollutants inside the device, such as an afterburner that allows thermal oxidation of pollutants or a catalytic afterburner; Or, At least one passive treatment filter that keeps contaminants inside the device, such as a mechanical filter (metal screen, high-efficiency particulate air accumulator (HEPA) filter, or paper filter), activated carbon filter, or other adsorptive filter, or electrostatic precipitator. or a combination of the above units may include:

[0027] Typically, the smoke treatment unit includes at least one removable filter that is washable, disposable, or reusable, preferably from the following list: metal screen, electrostatic precipitator, HEPA filter, paper filter, cotton, cloth, adsorbent material filter, and combinations thereof.

[0028] These types of filtering devices are removable from the smoke treatment unit, cleaned or discarded, and replaced with new filters. Particularly in the case of passive treatment filters, The metal screens and plates of the electrostatic precipitator are removed, washed and then reinstalled in the fume treatment unit; The HEPA, paper, cotton, or cloth filter is removed and discarded, and a new paper filter is installed inside the smoke processing unit. The bag of adsorbent material is removed from the activated carbon filter for regeneration and a new bag is installed inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0029] If a smoke treatment unit comprises several filtering devices, they are usually arranged in series along the direction of smoke flow. Typically, the device for filtering particulate matter (PM) is arranged upstream of the device for filtering volatile organic compounds (VOC).

[0030] In one preferred embodiment, the smoke treatment unit can include at least one adsorption filter, preferably activated carbon. This type of filter adsorbs VOCs. This filter requires specific operating conditions with respect to temperature, and for this reason, a temperature sensor is often located near the filtering device.

[0031] Activated carbon filters include a removable activated carbon bag. This bag contains activated carbon that adsorbs VOCs. When the activated carbon reaches its maximum adsorption capacity, the bag must be removed and replaced with an unused activated carbon holder. The bag is typically made of a material that allows smoke to pass through but retains the activated carbon, usually in granular form. The removable bag is placed inside a dedicated area of ​​the smoke filtering unit.

[0032] The smoke is propelled into the smoke treatment unit and filtering device by a smoke driver configured to circulate the smoke through the smoke treatment unit from the smoke collection device to an outlet of the smoke treatment unit where contaminants have been trapped so that the smoke can be safely released into the room atmosphere.

[0033] The smoke driver is typically a fan that propels the smoke to the outlet.

[0034] Typically, the smoke driver is part of the smoke treatment unit. Preferably, it is a fan located adjacent to the outlet of the smoke treatment unit, so that the fan is not contaminated by untreated smoke and its maintenance is easier.

[0035] Alternatively, the smoke driver may be located external to the smoke treatment unit, with the driver and unit connected via a duct.

[0036] Alternatively, the smoke driver may be a fan in the roaster that pushes the smoke towards the smoke processing unit.

[0037] The smoke treatment unit comprises at least one pair of first and second temperature sensors, the first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke stream upstream of at least one of the removable filtering devices, and the second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T2 of the smoke stream downstream of said removable filtering device.

[0038] The terms "downstream" and "upstream" are understood according to the flow of smoke through the smoke treatment unit and filtering device.

[0039] The temperature sensor may be any sensor configured to measure temperature. The sensor may be configured to measure only temperature, or the sensor may be a multi-sensor component capable of measuring various other parameters besides temperature, such as humidity, pressure, VOC content, etc. Examples of such sensors are air sensors or gas sensors.

[0040] To check the roasting system, and in particular the presence of a removable filtering device (which is absent by default), the method comprises: operating a roaster to generate hot gases; observing differences in the monitored temperature behavior over time; comparing the observed difference in behavior to a predetermined difference in behavior between two temperature sensors corresponding to the presence of the at least one removable filtering device; and displaying an alarm if the observed behavioral difference deviates from a predetermined behavioral difference.

[0041] It has been observed that when hot smoke from a roasting machine or any other hot gas, especially hot air, passes through a filtering device, the second temperature T2 measured at a second temperature sensor immediately downstream of the filtering device rises much more slowly than the first temperature T1 measured at a first temperature T1 immediately upstream of the filtering device, due to the absorption of heat energy from the smoke by the filtering device, which acts as a thermal buffer. In contrast, in the absence of a filtering device, the temperatures monitored at the two sensors rise in a very similar manner at almost the same time, with the smoke moving rapidly through the empty space between the two temperature sensors.

[0042] Consequently, if a similar behavior of the monitored temperatures T1 and T2 is observed, there is a high risk that there is no removable filtering device between the two temperature sensors of the pair, and an alarm may be displayed requesting the operator to check the presence of a filtering device inside the smoke treatment unit as soon as the roasting operation has stopped.

[0043] When several filtering devices are present between two sensors of the same pair of temperature sensors, if only one of these several filtering devices is absent, the two temperatures measured by the two sensors may not rise very rapidly in a similar manner (especially if there is still a filtering device between the temperature sensors that can create a thermal buffer against thermal energy), but the difference in temperature behavior will still deviate from the difference in temperature behavior when all filtering devices are present. In that situation, the deviation of the difference in behavior from the predetermined difference in behavior corresponding to the normal presence of all removable filtering devices between the two temperature sensors is evidence that at least one filtering device may be absent, and a warning may be displayed.

[0044] As a result, the method allows for the detection of the absence of a removable filtering device inside a smoke treatment unit and can alert an operator.

[0045] The step of operating the roaster to generate hot gases may be a coffee bean roasting operation, a roaster preheating operation, or a filtering device initialization operation.

[0046] In any operation, operating the heating means of the roasting apparatus generates hot gases. If coffee beans are in the chamber, the hot gases become smoke produced by heating the beans. If there are no coffee beans in the chamber, the hot gases become hot air. This can occur during pre-heating of the roasting system when this filtering device is first introduced into the smoke processing unit after, for example, a maintenance or replacement operation, or during initialization of the filtering device.

[0047] Typically, when the method is applied during the performance of a coffee bean roasting operation, this roasting operation is the first operation after a maintenance operation of the smoke treatment unit, preferably after maintenance of at least one filtering device.

[0048] Indeed, it is important to know from the first operation carried out after a cleaning or maintenance operation of the smoke treatment unit that at least one of the filtering devices is absent.

[0049] Additionally, the method is more efficient if the smoke processing unit is at ambient temperature at the start of the step of monitoring temperatures T1 and T2: the operator can immediately know that a part of the filtering device is missing and can be prevented from starting a new roasting operation without inspecting and, if necessary, reinstalling the filtering device inside the smoke filtering unit.

[0050] Typically, in the method, the predetermined behavior difference is set according to a property of at least one removable filtering device disposed between the first and second temperature sensors of the pair.

[0051] As mentioned above, the design and material of the filtering device (simple thin metal sieve, large bags of material adsorbent, metal electrode plates of electrostatic precipitators, ...) can have different properties that make them more effective at retaining the smoke flow and present different heat capacities. Therefore, to determine whether a filtering device or devices designed for the smoke filtering device are present between the temperature sensors, a method is applied that refers to the difference in predetermined behavior corresponding to the filtering device or devices.

[0052] The predetermined behavioral difference corresponding to the presence of a removable filtering device(s) between the two temperature sensors can be predetermined by experiments during roasting operations. Machine learning can also be applied based on these experiments.

[0053] In one preferred embodiment, different predetermined behavioral differences are predetermined depending on the type of roasting operation performed in the roaster.

[0054] The type of roasting operation refers to the type of temperature profile over time that is applied to the beans in the roaster. In a high-level approach, three general types of roasting operations can be defined, corresponding to the three usual levels of roasting of coffee beans (light, medium, and dark). These three types of roasting operations differ in their length of time and the temperature level at the end of the operation, with dark-level roasts being obtained for longer times at higher final temperatures, while light-level roasts are obtained for shorter times at lower final temperatures. A more precise approach can take into account the exact type of temperature profile over time that is applied to the beans.

[0055] By observing the differences in the behavior of the monitored temperatures T1, T2 during each of these different roasting operations, and with the smoke treatment unit fully operational, the normal differences in the behavior of said temperatures can be measured and predetermined.

[0056] Preferably, the predetermined threshold value depends on the type of at least one removable filtering device. This selection can be performed during the step of configuring the system, in particular the smoke processing unit. The threshold value can be changed accordingly depending on the type of removable filtering device present inside the smoke filtering device, for example, the nature of the adsorbent material or the size of the bag of adsorbent material. A setting menu in the system's user interface can allow input of the type of removable filtering device and selection of a corresponding predetermined threshold value stored in the system's process control memory or remotely accessible from a server.

[0057] The difference in behavior of the monitored temperatures T1, T2 may be of different types.

[0058] In one simplest aspect of the method, In the step of observing the difference in the behavior of the monitored temperatures, a difference ΔT between the temperatures (T1, T2) is calculated at least one time t0 after the start of the operation; If the difference ΔT falls below a predetermined temperature threshold ΔT0 associated with that time t0, then an alarm is displayed.

[0059] In this method, a difference in behavior is observed at least at one time t0 through a difference ΔT between said temperatures and by comparing said difference ΔT with a predetermined temperature threshold ΔT0.

[0060] In another preferred embodiment, In the step of observing the behavior of the monitored temperature, a ratio R2 / R1 of a rate of rise R1=dT1 / dt of the first measured temperature at a predetermined time t0 to a rate of rise R2=dT2 / dt of the second measured temperature at the predetermined time t0 is calculated; The above ratio R2 / R1 is a predetermined threshold value R 2 / 1 If it falls below this, an alarm will be displayed.

[0061] Generally, compared to a simple temperature difference, the rate of rise offers the advantage of being less affected by environmental conditions, by the roast profile applied to the coffee beans during the roasting operation, or even by the fact that the filtering device has already been heated by several previous roasting operations. Another advantage is that by analyzing the rate of rise, it is possible to detect the absence of a filtering device earlier, so that the roasting operation can be stopped immediately before VOC and PM peaks appear.

[0062] If the step of operating a roaster to generate hot gases is a coffee bean roasting operation, the rise rates (R1, R2) are preferably calculated at a time before the peak of VOC and PM emissions from the beans occurs.

[0063] This moment can vary depending on the type of beans roasted in the roasting machine, such as green beans or partially pre-roasted beans, which are beans obtained by heating green coffee beans and stopping the heating process before the end of the first crack.

[0064] Advantageously, the roast can be stopped and restarted after the installation of the missing filtering device.

[0065] In one preferred embodiment, a first temperature sensor of a pair is positioned immediately upstream of one removable filtering device and a second temperature sensor of the pair is positioned immediately downstream of the removable filtering device, following the flow of smoke or hot gases.

[0066] This embodiment provides accurate information about a removable filtering device, for example, an activated carbon filter with a removable activated carbon bag, located between the two temperature sensors of the pair.

[0067] In this preferred embodiment, the ratio R2 / R1 between the rate of increase of the first measured temperature at a predetermined time t0, R1=dT1 / dt, and the rate of increase of the second measured temperature at said predetermined time t0, R2=dT2 / dt, is preferably calculated from the start of the roasting operation, and an alarm is displayed if the ratio R2 / R1 is close to 1, preferably above a predetermined threshold value, and if said threshold value is below 1.

[0068] Since the smoke flow or hot gas always reaches the second temperature after the first temperature sensor, a ratio R2 / R1 slightly lower than 1 corresponds to a ratio close to 1. A ratio close to 1 reflects the fact that the smoke flow is not retained in the filtering device due to the absence of a filtering device. Therefore, the value 1 can be set by default, and the term "close" can be defined according to the configuration of the smoke processing unit and the location of the temperature sensor.

[0069] In one preferred embodiment, during the start of operation, if the ratio R2 / R1 exceeds a predetermined threshold and said predetermined threshold is below 1, an alarm is displayed.

[0070] Typically, the predetermined threshold against which the ratio R2 / R1 is compared is set based on experimental data and is typically linked to the type of smoke filtering unit, the presence of other types of filters within the unit, especially upstream, and the internal design of the smoke processing unit and filtering device.

[0071] In a particular embodiment of this preferred embodiment, the smoke treatment unit comprises: several removable filtering devices arranged in series according to the direction of smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit; several pairs of first and second temperature sensors, each pair associated with one dedicated removable filtering device, the first temperature sensor of the pair being located immediately before the dedicated removable filtering device and the second temperature sensor of the pair being located immediately after the dedicated removable filtering device according to the direction of smoke or hot gas flow; It can be equipped with:

[0072] Therefore, a dedicated pair of sensors, for example two different activated carbon filters, can be used to obtain accurate information about these filtering devices.

[0073] In another embodiment, The smoke treatment unit may comprise several removable filtering devices arranged in series according to the direction of smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit; For at least one pair of temperature sensors, a first temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke flow upstream of the at least two removable filtering devices; A second temperature sensor is positioned to measure a temperature T2 of the smoke stream downstream of the at least two removable filtering devices.

[0074] In this embodiment, a pair of temperature sensors can be used to provide global information about all filtering devices located between each sensor in the pair. For example, a first sensor can be located at the inlet of the smoke treatment unit and a second sensor can be located at the outlet of the smoke treatment unit.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the system comprises: a number of smoke treatment units, each configured to direct and treat at least a portion of the smoke through a dedicated path; an inlet duct device for guiding smoke emitted by the at least one roasting apparatus to at least one of the smoke processing units; an outlet duct device for guiding smoke treated by the smoke treatment unit to an outlet of the system; For at least one pair of temperature sensors, a first temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke stream upstream of said inlet duct device; A second temperature sensor is positioned to measure the temperature T2 of the smoke stream downstream of the outlet duct device.

[0076] Within this embodiment, the system comprises several smoke processing units capable of processing the smoke of at least one roaster, each smoke processing unit defining a specific path for the smoke, typically defined by a duct means, and a pair of temperature sensors can be used to provide global information about all smoke processing units located between the sensors of the pair.

[0077] In a second aspect, there is provided a system for roasting coffee beans, the system comprising: at least one roasting device; at least one smoke treatment unit configured to treat at least a portion of the smoke stream generated by the at least one roasting apparatus, at least one removable filtering device; and at least one smoke processing unit comprising at least one pair of first and second temperature sensors, the first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke flow upstream of the removable filtering device and the second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T2 of the smoke flow downstream of the removable filtering device; a smoke driver configured to propel smoke generated by the roasting apparatus through a smoke processing unit; a control system operable to carry out the method as described above; Equipped with.

[0078] Preferably, the roasting device may be equipped with a display unit to display an alarm, which may be visual and / or audible.

[0079] Preferably, the smoke treatment unit is washable, disposable or recyclable and preferably comprises at least one removable filtering device included in the list of metal screens, electrostatic precipitators, HEPA filters, paper, cloth and / or cotton filters, adsorbent material filters, and combinations thereof.

[0080] Preferably, the smoke filtering subunit comprises, in succession according to the direction of smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit, at least one filter for removing particulate matter, then an electrostatic precipitator, then an activated carbon filter, which sequence prevents the activated carbon filter from being blocked by particulate matter.

[0081] The smoke driver is typically a fan that propels the smoke to the outlet.

[0082] Preferably, the fan is located adjacent the outlet of the smoke treatment unit so that it is not contaminated by untreated smoke and its maintenance is easier.

[0083] According to one preferred embodiment, the smoke filtering sub-unit is adapted to at least continuously: Metal mesh, then an electrostatic precipitator, then Activated carbon filter according to the movement of the smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0084] Preferably, in this embodiment, the activated carbon filter is physically located above the electrostatic precipitator, so that the smoke is directed upwards through the successive devices.

[0085] Depending on the integration of the roasting apparatus with the smoke processing unit, the control system may be shared between both apparatuses and method steps may be shared between at least the processing units of these two apparatuses.

[0086] In one embodiment, the method can be performed by a processing unit of the roasting apparatus and a processing unit of the smoke processing unit, both processing units being in communication with each other. The processing unit of the smoke processing unit is monitoring first and second temperatures; observing a behavioral difference and comparing the observed behavioral difference to a predetermined behavioral difference; commanding the roaster to display an alarm, if necessary; You can run The processing unit of the roaster is operating a roaster to generate hot gases; displaying a cleaning alarm; can be executed.

[0087] In another embodiment The processing unit of the smoke processing unit is monitoring first and second temperatures; communicating the monitored temperature values ​​to a roasting device; You can run The processing unit of the roaster is operating a roaster to generate hot gases; observing a behavioral difference and comparing the observed behavioral difference to a predetermined behavioral difference; displaying a cleaning alarm if necessary; can be executed.

[0088] In another embodiment, the processing unit of the smoke processing unit may perform all steps except for operating the roaster to generate hot gases after receiving information from the roaster that said operations have commenced.

[0089] Preferably, the roasting machine can be equipped with a display unit to display the alarm.

[0090] Alternatively, the smoke treatment unit may be equipped with a device for indicating an alarm, such as an illuminated button and / or a sound and / or voice message.

[0091] In another alternative, the control system may be configured to display an alarm on a mobile device in communication with the system.

[0092] In a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions to cause the system to carry out a method as described above.

[0093] In one embodiment, the computer program can be executed by a processing unit of the roasting apparatus and a processing unit of the smoke processing unit, both processing units being in communication with each other.

[0094] in particular, The processing unit of the smoke processing unit is comparing the first temperature behavior with the second temperature behavior; commanding the roaster to display an alarm, if necessary; You can run The processing unit of the roaster is operating a roaster to generate hot gases; displaying an alarm; can be executed.

[0095] In another embodiment The processing unit of the smoke processing unit is monitoring first and second temperatures; communicating the monitored temperature values ​​to a roasting device; You can run The processing unit of the roaster is operating a roaster to generate hot gases; observing a behavioral difference and comparing the observed behavioral difference to a predetermined behavioral difference; displaying a cleaning alarm if necessary; can be executed.

[0096] In another embodiment, the processing unit of the smoke processing unit may perform all steps except for operating the roaster to generate hot gases after receiving information from the roaster that said operation has commenced.

[0097] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing the above computer program.

[0098] In this application, the term "some" means at least two.

[0099] The above-described aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above-described aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings.

[0100] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0101] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram of a system according to the present invention showing the path of smoke through the system. [Figure 2] 2 shows an activated carbon filter of the smoke treatment unit of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the system according to FIGS. 1 and 2; [Figure 4A] 1 shows the evolution of the temperatures T1 and T2 monitored during the roasting operation with and without the activated carbon holder. [Figure 4B] 1 shows the evolution of the temperatures T1 and T2 monitored during the roasting operation with and without the activated carbon holder. [Figure 5] 1 shows an alternative system to that shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 1 shows an alternative system to that shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 1 shows a system of several roasters and smoke treatment units according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0102] Roasting system Figure 1 shows an exemplary diagram of a system of a roaster 1 and a smoke treatment unit 2. Functionally, the roaster is operable to roast coffee beans and the smoke treatment unit is operable to treat smoke generated during roasting by the roaster.

[0103] Roasting equipment The roasting apparatus 1 is operable to receive coffee beans within the roasting chamber 12 for roasting.

[0104] Preferably, the roasting apparatus 1 comprises a roasting chamber 12 into which a hot air current is introduced to agitate and heat the beans. The hot air current is usually generated by an air flow driver and a heater. These devices are located below the roasting chamber and introduce the hot air current through the bottom of the chamber. In the illustrated illustration, the bottom of the chamber is configured to allow air to pass through, and in particular may be a perforated plate on which the beans are placed and through which air can flow upwards.

[0105] The airflow driver is operable to generate an airflow upward toward the bottom of the container. The generated airflow is configured to heat, agitate, and lift the beans, resulting in uniform heating of the beans. Specifically, the airflow driver may be a fan powered by a motor. An air inlet may be provided inside the base of the housing to supply air to the interior of the housing, and the airflow driver blows this air toward the chamber 12.

[0106] The heater is operable to heat the airflow generated by the airflow driver. Preferably, the heater is an electrical resistor positioned between the fan and the perforated plate so that the airflow is heated before entering the chamber 12 to heat and lift the beans.

[0107] The heater and / or fan are operable to apply a roast profile to the beans, the roast profile being defined as a curve of temperature against time.

[0108] Preferably, the roasting device comprises a user interface 13, which is input of information about the roasting, in particular the amount of beans introduced into the roasting chamber and the desired roast level, and output of information about the roasting operation (conditions, temperature, time); Preferably, with regard to outputting information about the smoke treatment unit 2, in particular about the cleaning of the electrostatic precipitator 222; This makes it possible.

[0109] Roasting the beans produces smoke that is propelled into the top opening 121 of the roasting chamber by the air flow generated by the air flow driver, as shown by arrow S1 in FIG.

[0110] Generally, the chaff collector is in flow communication with the top opening 121 of the chamber and catches the chaff that gradually separates from the beans during roasting and is blown into the chaff collector due to its light density.

[0111] The remaining smoke is discharged through a smoke outlet 11 at the top of the roaster.

[0112] Smoke Treatment Unit The smoke treatment unit 2 is operable to receive and treat the smoke S1 emitted at the smoke outlet 11 of the roasting apparatus.

[0113] Firstly, the smoke processing unit 2 comprises a smoke collection device 21 adapted to collect smoke. This smoke collection device 21 or collection device forms an internal void space or duct that guides the smoke (dotted lines S1, S2, S3) from the outlet 11 of the roasting apparatus towards the filtering device of the smoke filtering sub-unit 22.

[0114] The smoke filtering subunit 22 comprises an activated carbon filter 221 adapted to remove VOCs from smoke.

[0115] Figure 2 shows the main components of this activated carbon filter 221. The filter comprises a box 2212 configured to hold an adsorbent material, preferably activated carbon. This adsorbent is typically granular, so the adsorbent is held in a holder 2211, which allows smoke to pass freely through the walls. Typically, this holder is a plastic mesh bag.

[0116] The top and bottom walls of the box are simple grates that hold the holder inside the box while allowing smoke to pass freely. Box 221 is removable from the smoke filtering unit for maintenance. A handle on one side wall allows the operator to pull the box out. Once removed from the unit, cover 2213 can be removed to access the activated carbon holder 2211.

[0117] A maintenance operation for the activated carbon filter consists of replacing the holder 2211 with a new holder. When the adsorbent material reaches its maximum adsorption capacity, the material must be removed for regeneration. Regeneration cannot be achieved in the field. Consequently, the old holder is replaced with an unused holder.

[0118] During this maintenance operation, the operator may forget to reintroduce a new holder inside the box before replacing the box in the unit.

[0119] In the specifically illustrated embodiment, the smoke filtering subunit 22 comprises: a device 223 adapted to filter large particulate matter such as PM10, for example a metal mesh and associated diffuser, which is typically a metal grid placed before (i.e., upstream of) the mesh; an electrostatic precipitator 222 adapted to filter small particulate matter; It can be equipped with:

[0120] Preferably, the device for removing particulate matter is located upstream of the activated carbon filter, this upstream location ensuring that particulate matter does not contaminate the activated carbon filter.

[0121] The electrostatic precipitator is physically located below the activated carbon filter to prevent particles from falling from the electrostatic precipitator onto the activated carbon filter when the electrostatic precipitator is switched off.

[0122] The smoke filtering subunit 22 comprises a smoke driver 23, typically a fan, for drawing the polluted smoke from the inlet 211 of the collection device through the smoke filtering subunit 22 where it is treated and to the outlet 25 of the smoke filtering subunit 22 where it is safely discharged into the ambient atmosphere.

[0123] The smoke filtering subunit 22 includes two temperature sensors 24 and 26, located immediately upstream and downstream of the activated carbon filter, respectively, and configured to measure the temperature of the smoke. In particular, sensor 26 is a multi-component gas sensor capable of measuring the pressure, temperature, and VOC composition of the gas. It is typically used to analyze the safety of the gas provided by the smoke treatment unit, especially when the gas is provided in a public room. Temperature sensor 24 is typically used to control the temperature of the smoke passing through the activated carbon filter 221 so that it does not become too high.

[0124] As will be explained below, these two existing sensors can be used to apply the method of the present invention.

[0125] Control system for roaster and smoke treatment unit system The control system 3 will now be discussed with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. The control system 3 is operable to control the smoke filtering unit 2.

[0126] Depending on the level of integration between the roasting device 1 and the smoke filtering unit 2, the control system can be shared between the processing units of these two devices, If the smoke processing unit 2 is part of a roaster 1, the processing unit of the roaster is typically the master and the processing unit of the filter is the slave; If the roasting apparatus 1 and the smoke treatment unit 2 form two different apparatuses, each with its own processing unit, these processing units may be arranged to communicate in order to carry out the method.

[0127] FIG. 3 shows a control system for the smoke filtering unit 2 of FIG.

[0128] The control system 3 typically comprises, at the second level of the smoke filtering unit 2, a processing unit 30, a power supply 33, a memory unit 31 and optionally a communication interface 32 for remote connection.

[0129] The processing unit 30 is configured to output feedback to the roaster's user interface 13, in particular to display an alarm related to the detection of the absence of the activated carbon filter holder inside the activated carbon filter. In an alternative configuration, some processing units 2 may be provided with their own user interface that displays this information, for example an illuminated button that can light up depending on the presence or absence of the holder.

[0130] Processing unit 30 also includes: Washing instructions, Reset alarm conditions, caveat, Error alarm, Information about the may be displayed on the user interface 13.

[0131] The user interface hardware may include any suitable device or devices, for example, the hardware may include one or more of the following: a joystick button, a button such as a knob or push button, a joystick, an LED, a graphic or text LCD, a graphic screen with touch-sensitive buttons and / or screen edge buttons. The user interface 20 may be formed as a single unit or as multiple separate units.

[0132] Portions of the user interface may also be on a mobile app if the device is equipped with a communications interface 32, as described below, in which case at least some of the inputs and outputs may be transmitted to the mobile device through the communications interface 32.

[0133] The processing unit 30 generally comprises memory and input / output system components, typically configured as an integrated circuit such as a microprocessor or microcontroller. The processing unit 30 may comprise other suitable integrated circuits, such as, for example, an ASIC, a programmable logic device such as a PAL, CPLD, FPGA, or PSoC, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a controller, or other analog integrated circuit. For such devices, the aforementioned program code may be considered, where appropriate, as programmed logic or as additionally including programmed logic. The processing unit 30 may also comprise one or more of the aforementioned integrated circuits. An example of the latter would be several integrated circuits arranged in modular communication with each other, such as a slave integrated circuit for controlling the smoke processing unit 2 in communication with a master integrated circuit for controlling the roasting apparatus 10, and a slave integrated circuit for controlling the user interface 13 in communication with a master integrated circuit for controlling the roasting apparatus 10. The control system 30 may include a communication interface 32 that allows the system 10 to communicate data with other devices and / or systems, such as a server system, a mobile device, etc. The communication interface 32 may be used to provide and / or receive information about the coffee bean roasting process, such as roasting process information, bean type, etc. The system may also receive information about the characteristics of the removable filtering device 221 portions of the smoke processing unit, particularly the characteristics of the refillable portions of these filtering devices, such as the activated carbon bag 2211. Depending on the embodiment of the present invention, predetermined behavioral differences or predetermined thresholds associated with the use of a particular removable filtering device 221 may be remotely downloaded. Alternatively, such information may be manually entered by an operator via a user interface. The communication interface 32 may include first and second communication interfaces for simultaneous data communication with multiple devices or communication via various media.

[0134] The communication interface 32 can be configured for wired or wireless media, or a combination thereof, such as a wired connection like RS-232, USB, I2C, Ethernet as defined by IEEE 802.3, or a wireless connection like a wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11) or near field communication (NFC), or a cellular system like GPRS or GSM. The communication interface 32 interfaces with the processing unit 30 via communication interface signals. Typically, the communication interface comprises a separate processing unit (as in the example described above) for controlling communication hardware (e.g., an antenna) to interface with the master processing unit 30. However, less complex configurations, such as a simple wired connection for direct serial communication with the processing unit 30, can be used.

[0135] The power supply 33 is operable to supply electrical energy to the controlled components and the processing unit 30. The power supply 33 may include various means such as a battery or a unit for receiving and regulating the mains power supply.

[0136] The processing unit 30 generally comprises a memory unit 31 for storing instructions as program code and, optionally, data. To this end, the memory unit typically comprises a non-volatile memory, such as, for example, an EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash, for storing program code as instructions and operating parameters, and a volatile memory (RAM) for temporarily storing data. The memory unit may comprise a separate and / or integrated memory (e.g., on a semiconductor die). For programmable logic devices, the instructions may be stored as programmed logic.

[0137] The instructions stored in memory unit 31 may be idealized as including a program that determines the presence of an activated carbon filter in the smoke treatment unit of the system and indicates an alarm.

[0138] The processing unit 30 is configured to output values ​​of the temperatures T1 and T2 measured by the temperature sensors 24 and 26.

[0139] During the roasting operation, the control system 3: monitoring the first and second temperatures measured by one of the pair of first and second temperature sensors during at least a period of operation; Observing differences in the behavior of the monitored temperature over time; comparing the observed difference in behavior to a predetermined difference in behavior between two temperature sensors corresponding to the presence of the filtering device; displaying an alarm if the observed difference in behavior deviates from a predetermined difference in behavior; It can operate as follows.

[0140] 4A and 4B show the behavior of temperatures T1 and T2 during the first coffee bean roasting operation performed after the activated carbon filter maintenance operation, with time 0 representing the start of the roasting operation.

[0141] In Figure 4A, where the activated carbon holder 2211 is present, a discrepancy can be observed in the behavior of the temperatures T1 and T2 measured by each temperature sensor over the course of the roasting operation. The temperature T1 upstream of the activated carbon filter increases much more rapidly than the temperature T2 downstream of the filter. This can be explained by the fact that the activated carbon acts as a thermal buffer, and the heat energy of the smoke is lost to heating the activated carbon.

[0142] In contrast, in Figure 4B it can be observed that the behavior of temperatures T1 and T2 over time during the roasting operation is very similar and close to each other when the activated carbon holder 2211 is not present. This difference in the observed behavior of the two temperatures in Figure 4B, which deviates from the normal difference in the behavior of the two temperatures when the filter is in place in Figure 4A, can be used to detect the fact that the activated carbon holder is not placed inside the filter and to display a corresponding alarm.

[0143] The difference in behavior between T1 and T2 shown in FIG. 4A corresponds to a difference in behavior predetermined by experiment during a normal coffee bean roasting operation, preferably starting from a system of roaster and cold smoke processing unit.

[0144] In one practical and simplest mode, the control system 3: Calculating a difference ΔT between temperatures (T1, T2) at least at one time t0 after the start of operation; indicating an alarm if the difference ΔT is below a predetermined temperature threshold ΔT0 associated with the time t0; It can operate as follows.

[0145] Based on the predetermined situation shown in Figure 4A, the monitored temperatures are measured during a roasting operation that has been initiated immediately after a recent maintenance operation, such as replacing the activated carbon filter holder 2211. A difference ΔT between the above temperatures T1 and T2 can be calculated at a certain predetermined time t0, and if the difference is below a corresponding predetermined temperature threshold ΔT0, an alarm is displayed, prompting the operator to check the presence of a filter in the smoke processing unit.

[0146] Based on the illustrated FIGS. 4A and 4B, at times t' and t'', the corresponding differences ΔT' and ΔT" between the monitored temperatures T1 and T2 in FIG. 4B appear to be less than the corresponding differences ΔT' and ΔT" between the monitored temperatures T1 and T2 in FIG. 4A. By setting a predetermined temperature difference threshold ΔT0 at the corresponding time t0, the difference ΔT(t0) between the temperatures T1 and T2 at that time t0 can be compared with the threshold ΔT0.

[0147] Preferably, time t0 is set as low as possible while still allowing for observation of the temperature difference, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, time t0 can be set to 300 seconds.

[0148] The comparison of the temperature difference with the threshold value ΔT 0 can take into account a certain margin of error due to measurement errors (sensor position, sensor sensitivity).

[0149] The predetermined parameters of time and the associated temperature difference (t0; ΔT0) can be made adjustable in the roasting system settings. Adjustments can be due to changes in the properties of the carbon filter (e.g. due to changes in the sourcing of the adsorbent material), too high or too low sensitivity in the indication of the alarm, improvement of the predetermined parameters in addition to experimentation by many means, especially machine learning.

[0150] In one preferred embodiment, the control system 3 comprises: calculating a ratio R2 / R1 between the rate of rise of the first measured temperature R1=dT1 / dt and the rate of rise of the second measured temperature R2=dT2 / dt at the same predetermined time t0; The above ratio R2 / R1 is a predetermined threshold value R 2 / 1 If the value falls below this, an alarm will be displayed. It can operate as follows.

[0151] For example, in a smoke filtering unit such as that shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined threshold R 2 / 1 was set to 0.7, a threshold value chosen to provide an accurate determination of the absence of a carbon bag and to avoid false alarms to the operator.

[0152] Thus, with the threshold set at 0.7, if the ratio R2 / R1 exceeds 0.7 at 300 seconds, an alarm is displayed.

[0153] Similar to the above, the predetermined parameters of time and ratio (t0; R2 / R1) can be made adjustable in the roasting system settings.

[0154] The rate of rise, often identified as RoR, is a common parameter estimated from monitored temperatures in roasting equipment. In the present method, the rates of rise R1 and R2 are calculated from the temperatures T1 and T2 monitored by the temperature sensors 24 and 26, respectively.

[0155] In either mode, an alarm will generally prompt the operator to check for the presence of an activated carbon filter before a new roast operation is performed.

[0156] Although illustrated with an activated carbon filter, the method can be implemented with other filtering devices as well.

[0157] 5 shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except that the first temperature sensor 24 is located upstream of the PM filter 223. Thus, a pair of temperature sensors surrounds the three filtering devices. If, following maintenance and removal of the filtering devices 221, 222, and 223, roasting operations are initiated without one of them being reinstalled in the smoke processing unit, the behavior of the first and second measured temperatures at sensors 24 and 26 will be more similar than if the missing filtering device were reinstalled. However, in this particular embodiment, due to the fact that at least two of the three filtering devices are present, the similarity of the behavior of these temperatures is not as straightforward as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0158] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the observed behavioral differences between the monitored temperatures T1 and T2 are compared to predetermined behavioral differences corresponding to the presence of three removable filtering devices 221, 222, and 223 positioned between the two temperature sensors.

[0159] These predetermined behavior differences are pre-established by experimentation on the system during roasting operation, preferably starting with the cold system.

[0160] If the observed behavioral difference deviates from the predetermined behavioral difference, an alarm is displayed, which may be displayed to alert the operator to the possibility of a missing one of the three filtering devices 221, 222, 223. By opening the smoke treatment unit, the operator can quickly check the risk.

[0161] In certain modes, deviation can be estimated by comparing the ratio R2 / R1 to a predetermined threshold corresponding to the absence of at least one of the removable filtering devices.

[0162] As mentioned above, this predetermined threshold value can be stored in the control system's memory 31. It can be updated by manual input via a user interface (either the system or a mobile device) or via a remote server and communication interface 32 if some of the filtering devices differ from the original configuration (e.g., changes in the nature or amount of sorbent in a supply of removable filtering devices).

[0163] FIG. 6 shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except that a third temperature sensor 27 is located upstream of the PM filter 223 .

[0164] The smoke treatment unit 3 can therefore be considered to comprise at least two pairs of temperature sensors.

[0165] One includes sensors 24 and 26, as described above in connection with FIG. 1, allowing for detection of the absence of an activated carbon bag.

[0166] One includes sensors 24 and 27, allowing the detection of one of the electrostatic filter 222 and / or PM filter 223 located between these sensors. Following maintenance and removal of these filtering devices 222, 223, if a roasting operation is started without one of them being reinstalled in the smoke treatment unit, the behavior of the first and second measured temperatures at sensors 24 and 27 will be more similar than if the missing filtering device was reinstalled.

[0167] The principles explained with respect to FIG. 5 apply as well.

[0168] Figure 7 shows a system with several smoke treatment units 3. Such a configuration can be adapted to treat large volumes of smoke, for example from roasting in two roasters 1. The smoke outlets of the roasters are connected to an inlet duct device 34 configured to guide the smoke to at least one of the smoke treatment units 3. An outlet duct device 35 is configured to guide the smoke treated by the smoke treatment unit 3 to the outlet of the system. Depending on the volume of smoke emitted, the smoke can be sent to one, two, or three smoke treatment units. Temperature sensors 24, 26 are arranged in the inlet and outlet duct devices and allow detection of the absence of a filtering device in at least one of the smoke treatment units 3, in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 5.

[0169] One advantage of this method is that it can be performed using temperature sensors that are not specifically dedicated to performing this method. Temperature sensors located inside the smoke treatment unit for other process control purposes can additionally be used to provide information about the presence of essential parts of the smoke treatment unit after maintenance operations. Rather than adding a sensor dedicated to detecting the presence of the filtering device, existing temperature sensors can be used to detect incorrect reinstallation, such as a sensor that establishes contact with the filter (such as a switch contact), an optical sensor, a sensor that can read the magnetic field of the filter's magnetic element, or an RFID device that can read the filter's RFID tag.

[0170] While the invention has been described with reference to the above-described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0171] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0172] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 1. Roasting equipment 11 Smoke outlet 12 Roasting Chamber 121 Upper exit 13 User Interface 2 Smoke Processing Unit 21 Smoke collection device 22 Smoke filtering subunit 221 Activated carbon filter 2211 Activated carbon holder 2212 Box 2213 Cover 222 Electrostatic Precipitator 223 PM filter 23 Smoke Driver 25 Exit 24, 26, 27 Temperature sensors 3. Control System 30 Processing Unit 31 Memory Unit 32 Communication Interface 33 Power supply 34 Inlet Duct Device 35 Exit Duct Device 10 Systems

Claims

1. A method for inspecting a roasting system (10), said system comprising: at least one roasting device (1) that generates smoke during heating of coffee beans; at least one smoke treatment unit (2) configured to treat at least a portion of the smoke flow generated by said at least one roasting apparatus, said at least one smoke treatment unit comprising at least one removable filtering device (221, 222, 223); a smoke driver (23) configured to propel smoke from the roasting apparatus (1) to the at least one filtering device, The at least one smoke processing unit (2) comprises at least one pair of first and second temperature sensors, the first temperature sensor (24) measuring a temperature T １ and the second temperature sensor (26) is configured to measure a temperature T of the smoke flow downstream of the at least one removable filtering device. ２ configured to measure The method comprises: operating the roaster to produce hot gases; monitoring the first and second temperatures measured by one of the pair of first and second temperature sensors at least during the operation; observing a difference between the monitored behavior of the first temperature and the monitored behavior of the second temperature over time; comparing the observed behavioral difference to a predetermined behavioral difference corresponding to the presence of the at least one removable filtering device between the two temperature sensors; indicating an alarm if the observed behavioral difference deviates from the predetermined behavioral difference; A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating the roasting apparatus to generate hot gases is a coffee bean roasting operation, a preheating operation of the roasting apparatus, or an initialization operation of at least one filtering device.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the removable filtering device (221, 222, 223) is washable, disposable, or recyclable.

4. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined behavioral difference is selected according to a property of the at least one removable filtering device disposed between the first and second temperature sensors of the pair.

5. In the step of observing a difference between the behavior of the monitored first temperature and the behavior of the monitored second temperature, １ , T ２ ) is a difference ΔT between at least one time t ０ is calculated in The difference ΔT is the time t ０ A predetermined temperature threshold ΔT associated with ０ If the temperature is below 100°C, the alarm is displayed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the step of observing the difference between the monitored behavior of the first temperature and the monitored behavior of the second temperature, ０ The rate of increase R of the first measured temperature １ = dT １ / dt and the predetermined time t ０ The rate of increase R of the second measured temperature ２ = dT ２ / dt and the ratio R ２ / R １ is calculated, The ratio R ２ / R １ is a predetermined threshold R ２／１ If the temperature is below 100°C, the alarm is displayed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensor (24) of a pair is arranged immediately upstream of one removable filtering device (221) and the second temperature sensor (26) of the pair is arranged immediately downstream of the removable filtering device (221) along the smoke flow.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the removable filtering device is an adsorbent material filter, the filter comprising a removable adsorbent material bag (2211).

9. A predetermined time t ０ The rate of increase R of the first measured temperature １ = dT １ / dt and the predetermined time t ０ The rate of increase R of the second measured temperature ２ = dT ２ / dt and the ratio R ２ / R １ is calculated, The ratio R ２ / R １ is greater than a predetermined threshold and the threshold is less than 1, the alarm is displayed.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The smoke treatment unit (2) several removable filtering devices (221, 222, 223) arranged in series according to the direction of smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit; several pairs of first and second temperature sensors, each pair associated with one dedicated removable filtering device, and according to the smoke flow direction, the first temperature sensor (24) of the pair is located immediately before the dedicated removable filtering device (221) and the second temperature sensor (26) of the pair is located immediately after the dedicated removable filtering device (221); The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. the smoke treatment unit (2) comprises several removable filtering devices (221, 222, 223) arranged in series according to the direction of smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit, For at least one pair of temperature sensors: The first temperature sensor (24) measures the temperature T of the smoke flow upstream of at least two removable filtering devices. １ are positioned to measure The second temperature sensor (26) measures a temperature T of the smoke flow downstream of the at least two removable filtering devices. ２ is arranged to measure The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. The system comprises: a number of smoke treatment units (2), each configured to direct and treat at least a portion of the smoke through a dedicated path; an inlet duct device for guiding smoke emitted by the at least one roasting apparatus to at least one of the smoke processing units; an outlet duct device for guiding smoke treated by the smoke treatment unit to an outlet of the system; For at least one pair of temperature sensors: The first temperature sensor (24) measures the temperature T of the smoke flow upstream of the inlet duct device. １ are positioned to measure The second temperature sensor (26) measures the temperature T of the smoke stream downstream of the exit duct device. ２ is arranged to measure The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A system (10) for roasting coffee beans, said system comprising: at least one roasting device (1); at least one smoke treatment unit (2) configured to treat at least a portion of the smoke stream generated by said at least one roasting device, at least one smoke processing unit (2) comprising at least one removable filtering device (221, 222, 223) and at least one pair of first and second temperature sensors, the first temperature sensor (24) configured to measure a temperature T1 of the smoke flow upstream of the removable filtering device and the second temperature sensor (26) configured to measure a temperature T2 of the smoke flow downstream of the removable filtering device; a smoke driver (23) configured to propel smoke generated by the roasting apparatus (1) through the smoke processing unit; a control system (3) operable to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; A system (10) comprising:

14. A computer program comprising instructions for causing a system according to claim 13 to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 14.

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