Heat treatment of liquid food, feed and pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Heat treatment system comprising: - a heating arrangement arranged to heat a product to a first predetermined temperature to form a heated product; - a holder section provided downstream of the heating arrangement for receiving the heated product from the heating arrangement and arranged to hold the heated product for a predetermined time to form a held product; - a cooling arrangement provided downstream of the holder section for receiving the held product from the holder section and arranged to cool the held product to a second predetermined temperature to form a treated product; - a separator arrangement arranged to separate a first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state.

Description

[0001] Title: Heat treatment of liquid food, feed and pharmaceuticals

[0002] The invention relates to a heat treatment system and a method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system.

[0003] Consumers, such as animals and humans, may consume products by ingestion. These products may for example be food, feed and pharmaceuticals and may for example be in a liquid state, e.g. a beverage, or in a semi-liquid state, e.g. a paste. These products that may have been produced using complex industrial processes.

[0004] Products that are ingested by consumers, e.g. food products and pharmaceuticals, may be produced using complex industrial processes.

[0005] Commonly, before such an industrially prepared product is prepared for being shipment to a consumer, it may need to be pasteurized, sterilized or exposed to other heat-treatments. The purpose of said heat treatments is to weak and I or to reduce the amount of, or remove all, micro-organisms in the products that may form a health risk for consumers ingesting said products. Heating and afterwards cooling the product before it can be packed and shipped to a consumer may be an energy intensive process, in particular when done at industrial scale.

[0006] While pasteurizing, sterilizing and other heat treatments are without a doubt important for safety, it has a downside that a significant amount of energy is used. Next to the environmental impact, the heat treatment process may thus also be relatively costly step in the production process. Steps have been made to improve the energy efficiency, e.g. by using heat exchangers, there is an ever present need in further improving the systems while minimizing the impact on the environment and reducing the costs associated with providing sufficient and safe food to consumers.

[0007] The invention aims to counteract the above disadvantages, preferably while retaining the advantages. More specifically, the invention aims to provide for a system and a method of heat treating products, e.g. liquid consumer products such as liquid foods and pharmaceuticals, capable of reducing and I or weakening micro-organisms to acceptable levels, at an industrial level while reducing the overall amount of energy required.

[0008] Therefore, the invention provides for a heat treatment system, in particular the heat treatment system according to claim 1. The heat treatment system comprises a heating arrangement arranged to heat a product to a first predetermined temperature to form a heated product and a holder section provided downstream of the heating arrangement. The holder is arranged to receive the heated product from the heating arrangement and arranged to hold the product for a predetermined time to form a held product. The treatment system further comprises a cooling arrangement provided downstream of the holder section for receiving the held product from the holder section. The cooling arrangement is arranged to cool the product to a second predetermined temperature to form a treated product. The heating arrangement and the holding section can be integrally formed as a single system, forming a sub-system of the heat treatment system, capable of both heating the product to the predetermined temperature and then keeping the product at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time. The first predetermined temperature depends on a number of factors, including the purpose of the heating arrangement, e.g. sterilizing or pasteurizing, the product to be treated, e.g. soda beverages, milk, pharmaceuticals, and the pressure at which the system is operated. In particular, the operating pressure in the heating arrangement may as well affect the time a product has to be held, and I or the temperature the product has to maintain for that time.

[0009] Throughput of the system, which may be expressed as the mass flow rate or a volumetric measurement, may at least partially depend on the pressure drop over the system, i.e. between input and output.

[0010] In the context of the invention a product can be any product intended for consummation by a consumer that requires heat treatment, for example for safety reasons, is produced at industrial scale, i.e. in large quantities, and is not in a solid state as the product needs to flow through the heat treatment system and thus requires to be a liquid, a gas, or a suspension I emulsion. For example, the product can be a beverage, such as a soda and milk, a pharmaceutical product such as sunscreen or feed such as whole milk.

[0011] The heat treatment system further comprises a separator arrangement arranged to separate a first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that in case the working fluid does not need separation during use of the system, the separator arrangement may be provided as a container. In such a case, working fluid in a liquid phase may accumulate in the container, e.g. when the heat treatment system is not in use. When the compressor, downstream of the separator arrangement, is activated the pressure in the container may drop such that the working fluid in the liquid phase may evaporate to a working fluid in a gaseous phase.

[0012] The heating system further comprises a heating circuit in fluid connection with the separator arrangement. The heating circuit comprises a first compressor and a first expansion valve provided downstream of the first compressor. The first compressor is arranged to pressurize the first working fluid downstream of the compressor and upstream of the first expansion valve. Additionally, the heating system comprises a cooling circuit in fluid connection with the separator arrangement. The heating circuit and cooling circuit both form a closed loop as in so far that the working fluid flow starts at the separator arrangement and ends at the separator arrangement. The working fluid can be any fluid that can be operated at a sufficiently high pressure in gaseous phase, is not damaging to the compressor and preferably has a relatively low impact on the environment. In a special example, the heat treatment system according to the invention may be operated having water as a working liquid. Water can be advantageous as it may be a non-toxic product having minimal or no environmental impact. Additionally or alternatively, the water may comprise inhibitors that may affect the heat treatment system to which it comes in to contact with.

[0013] The first expansion valve can be arranged to reduce the pressure of the first working fluid passing through the first expansion valve during use of the system. Upstream of the first expansion valve, and downstream of the heating arrangement, the first working fluid is at least partially in a gaseous state, e.g. a two-phase flow in which the working fluid is in a liquid phase and gaseous phase or in a single-phase flow in which the working fluid is in a liquid phase only. The first expansion valve facilitates that the working fluid upstream of the first expansion valve has a sufficiently high pressure in the heating arrangement. The first expansion valve may be provide a fixed opening in order to facilitate the pressure drop, i.e. an orifice, or may be provided as a valve or control valve that may be adjusted depending on the required pressure of the working liquid in the heating arrangement. By controlling the pressure, the predetermined temperature may be controlled. For example, by increasing the pressure in the heating arrangement a higher predetermined temperature may be achieved. It will however be clear to the skilled person that the pressure in the heating arrangement cannot be higher than the maximum allowable pressure at the exit of the compressor. Conversely, if a lower predetermined temperature is preferred, the opening of the valve may be increased such that the pressure in the heating arrangement is reduced.

[0014] For sterilization purposes, a predetermined time between 3 and 7 minutes at a first predetermined temperature between 120 and 135 degrees Celsius may be used, depending on the operating pressure. For pasteurization purposes a predetermined time between 20 and 30 minutes at a first predetermined temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius may be used. In both cases, the product may be at a pressure between 0 - 10 bar(g), or 1-11 bar(a), while being heated in the heating arrangement. For special purposes, e.g. special food products, the predetermined time may be between 1 and 10 minutes at a first predetermined temperature between 110 and 145 degrees Celsius for sterilization. For pasteurization, the predetermined time may be between 10 and 40 minutes and the first predetermined temperature between 55 and 80 degrees Celsius at a pressure between atmospheric pressure and up to 500 bar(g) while being heated.

[0015] Downstream of the heating arrangement, the working liquid has been at least partially evaporated and flows back as a liquid to the separator arrangement. The heating arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature and the cooling arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the held product to the second predetermined temperature. This may for example be facilitated by having the heating arrangement form a heating exchanger with the heating circuit and the cooling arrangement with the cooling arrangement respectively.

[0016] Advantageously, the described heating arrangement may significantly reduce energy consumption, as will be shown later.

[0017] Additionally, since the system may even be operated using water as a working liquid, an environmentally neutral working liquid may be used as opposed to working liquids that may be toxic or have significant impact on greenhouse gasses when, accidently, released to the air.

[0018] The compressor can be arranged to operate at high temperatures, e.g. around the first predetermined temperature, without being damaged due to excessive ware or due to load and thermal expansion of various components such as the cylinders in the cylinder housing and the rotor. This may for example be achieved by providing materials suitable for operation at high temperature or by improving the internal cooling system of the compressor. The heating arrangement can comprise a condensating section arranged to heat a product to a third predetermined temperature to form a semi-heated product and a heated section provided downstream of the condensating section arranged to heat the semi-heated product to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product. The cooling section can comprise an evaporation section arranged to cool a held product to a fourth predetermined temperature to form a semi-treated product and a cooling section provided downstream of the condensating section arranged to cool the semi-treated product to the second predetermined temperature to form the treated product. The heating arrangement and cooling arrangement can thus comprise of multiple stages, e.g. two, wherein each stage partially heats or cools, depending on the location in the system. From this it also follows that the third predetermined temperature is a temperature between the temperature of the product entering the system and the first predetermined temperature. The fourth predetermined temperature is a temperature between the first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature.

[0019] The separator arrangement can comprise a first separator and a second separator arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid, e.g. a refrigerant, respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state. The heat treatment system can further comprise an evaporation circuit comprising a third cold section and a fourth cold section arranged to connect the evaporation section to the first separator such that the first separator is provided upstream and downstream of the evaporation section respectively.

[0020] The heat treatment system can further comprise a condensating circuit in fluid connection with the second separator and an evaporation circuit in fluid connection with the first separator. The condensating circuit can comprise a second compressor and a second expansion valve provided downstream of the second compressor. The second compressor can be arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the second compressor and upstream of the second expansion valve. The condensating section can be arranged to cooperate with the condensating circuit to heat the held product to a third predetermined temperature. The heating section can be arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature. The heating circuit can be in fluid connecting with the first separator. The evaporation section can be arranged to cooperate with the evaporation circuit to cool the product to a fourth predetermined temperature. The cooling section can be arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the product to the second predetermined temperature. The cooling circuit can be in fluid connection with the second separator. The first compressor can be arranged to transport the first working fluid in a gaseous state from the first separator to the heating section. The second expansion valve can be arranged to reduce the pressure of the second working fluid passing through the second expansion valve during use of the system. Upstream of the second expansion valve, and downstream of the condensating section, the second working fluid is at least partially in a gaseous state, e.g. a two-phase flow in which the working fluid is in a liquid phase and gaseous phase or in a single-phase flow in which the working fluid is in a liquid phase only. The condensating section can be arranged to cooperate with the condensating circuit to heat the held product to the third predetermined temperature and the evaporation section can be arranged to cooperate with the evaporation circuit to cool the product to the fourth predetermined temperature. Thus, effectively two systems have been created that partially heat and cool the product, a low temperature heating loop and a high temperature heating loop. In such an example, the low temperature heating loop comprises the condensating circuit and the cooling circuit. The high temperature heating loop than may comprise the heating circuit and the evaporation circuit. The high temperature heating loop can be arranged to heat semi-heated product from the third predetermined temperature to the first predetermined temperature, i.e. to the final treatment temperature, and from the first predetermined temperature to the fourth predetermined temperature. The low temperature heating loop can be arranged to heat the product from input temperature to the third predetermined temperature and, further downstream, from the fourth predetermined temperature to the second predetermined temperature, i.e. the temperature of the treated product. This configuration is even more energy efficient than the previously disclosed system. Thus it may also be capable of heating and cooling more, allowing for a wider use of water as the first and I or second working liquid, and also for applications with a higher throughput.

[0021] Alternatively, the heating arrangement can comprise a first primary heat exchanger and a high temperature circuit in fluid connection with the first primary heat exchanger. The high temperature circuit can be arranged to cooperate with the primary heat exchanger to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product. The cooling arrangement may comprise a second primary heat exchanger and a low temperature circuit in fluid connection with the second primary heat exchanger. The low temperature circuit can be arranged to cooperate with the second heat exchanger to cool the held product to form the treated product. The high temperature circuit can comprise a first auxiliary heat exchanger and a second auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the first primary heat exchanger respectively, the low temperature circuit can comprise a third auxiliary heat exchanger and a fourth auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the second primary heat exchanger respectively. The separator arrangement can comprise a first separator and a second separator arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state. The heat treatment system can further comprise a heater circuit in fluid connection with the second separator, said heater circuit comprising a second compressor and a second expansion valve provided downstream of the second compressor. The second compressor can be arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the compressor and upstream of the second expansion valve. Additionally, the system can further comprise a chiller circuit in fluid connection with the first separator and a third primary heat exchanger comprising an auxiliary hot side and an auxiliary cold side. The auxiliary hot side can be arranged to for making a first fluid connection between the high temperature circuit, downstream of the second auxiliary heat exchanger, and the low temperature circuit, upstream of the third auxiliary heat exchanger. The auxiliary cold side can be arranged to form a second fluid connection between the low temperature circuit, downstream of the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger, and the high temperature circuit, upstream of the first auxiliary heat exchanger. The third primary heat exchanger can be arranged to transfer heat from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side. The heating circuit can be in fluid connection with the first separator and can be arranged to cooperate with the first auxiliary heat exchanger to heat the high temperature circuit. The chiller circuit can be arranged to cooperate with the second auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the high temperature circuit. The heater circuit can be arranged to cooperate with the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger to heat the low temperature circuit. The cooling circuit can be in fluid connection with the second separator and arranged t cooperate with the third auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the low temperature circuit. In this configuration, an auxiliary loop together with at least four auxiliary heat exchangers may be used to more efficiently transfer the heat from the heating and heater circuit to the product while simultaneously use the cooling circuit and chiller circuit to efficiently cool the held product to the predetermined second temperature. In a numerical example shown later, it will be shown that the configuration requires less energy provided to the system to efficiently treat the product. The heat treatment system can further comprise a pump provided downstream of the holder section and upstream of the cooling arrangement. The pump, e.g. a booster pump, may be used as a process safety measure that prevents cross contamination from the treated product by regular product, i.e. untreated product. By pressurizing the held product, it is ensured that the pressure in the system where held product is higher than the pressure in the system where the product is, an undetected leakage in the system at a location where the product and held product may come in to contact with each other, the held product is leaked in to the untreated product and not vice-versa.

[0022] The heat treatment system can further comprise an exchange section comprising a first hot side and a first cold side. The first hot side can be provided downstream of the holding section and upstream of the cooling arrangement and the first cold side can be provided upstream of the heating arrangement. The first hot side is arranged to transfer heat to the first cold side during use of the system. The exchange section may be a commonly available heat exchanger, further improving energy efficiency of the system. The exchange section may be arranged to indirectly heat the first cold side during use of the system, e.g. by providing an additional loop with an auxiliary working fluid. Effectively, the auxiliary working fluid may thus act as a buffer, which prevent contamination between product present in the hot side and product present in the cold side, as the product in the hot side may be held product and the product in the cold said may be untreated product.

[0023] The heat treatment system can further comprise a buffer section and the exchange section can further comprise a second hot side, a second cold side. The second hot side is provided downstream of the first hot side and upstream of the buffer section, the second cold side can be provided downstream of the cooling arrangement and upstream of the first cold side. The buffer section can be provided upstream of the cooling arrangement. The second hot side can be arranged to transfer heat to the second cold side during us. The buffer section may allow for further process control. Once it has been determined that for a reason the held product was not heated at a sufficiently high temperature or not held sufficiently long at the predetermined temperature, the incorrect batch may be diverted to a buffer section, e.g. a tank or vessel. This product may be treated again, such that it complies with heating and holding requirements corresponding to the product. In order to facilitate this, a line may be provided between the buffer section and the inlet of the heating arrangement. Such a line may be controllably opened and closed using valves. The buffer section is advantageously provided downstream of the first hot section, e.g. a section in which some heat of the held product was transferred to the untreated product and as a result the treated product is at a lower temperature than the first predetermined temperature, i.e. the treatment temperature. This may prevent held product from entering the buffer at a too high temperature, which may cause boiling or evaporation of the product entering the buffer and I or product present in the buffer.

[0024] The heating arrangement can cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature via an intermediate heat exchanger. The intermediate heat exchanger may act as an extra heating process control measure, as there is an extra component between the heating arrangement and the heating circuit. Thus, if the heating circuit starts to leak at a location that the working fluid otherwise may come in to contact with the product, the working fluid will leak in to the intermediate heat exchanger instead of the product to be treated.

[0025] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided for a method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system, preferably the heat treatment system according to the first aspect of the invention. The method comprises the steps of: - feeding liquid consumer product at a input temperature to a heating arrangement at a predetermined throughput;

[0026] - pressurizing a first working fluid using a first compressor, wherein the pressurized first working fluid is in a gaseous state, and feeding the pressurized first working fluid to a heating arrangement;

[0027] - heating the liquid consumer product in the heating arrangement to a predetermined first temperature, by condensating the pressurized first working fluid, thereby forming heated liquid consumer product, and feeding the condensated first working fluid to a separator arrangement;

[0028] - holding the heated liquid consumer product for a predetermined amount of time, thereby forming held liquid consumer product;

[0029] - separating the first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the separator arrangement and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to a cooling arrangement;

[0030] - cooling the held liquid consumer product in the cooling arrangement to a second predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid first working fluid, thereby forming treated liquid consumer product, and feeding the evaporated first working liquid to the separator arrangement.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the heating arrangement can comprise a condensating section and a heating section, the cooling arrangement can comprise an evaporation section and a cooling section and the separator arrangement can comprise a first and second separator. Then the the method may further comprise the steps of:

[0032] - pressurizing a second working fluid in a second compressor, wherein said pressurized second working fluid is in a gaseous state, and feeding the pressurized second working fluid to the condensating section;

[0033] - heating the liquid consumer product in the condensating section to a third predetermined temperature, by condensating the pressurized second working fluid, thereby forming semi-heated liquid consumer product, and feeding the condensated second working fluid to a second separator;

[0034] - further heating the semi-heated liquid consumer product in a heating section to a first predetermined temperature, by condensating the first pressurized first working fluid, thereby forming heated liquid consumer product, and feeding the condensated first working fluid to the first separator;

[0035] - separating the first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the first separator and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the first compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to the evaporation section;

[0036] - separating the second working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the second separator and feeding the gaseous second working fluid to the second compressor and feeding the liquid second working fluid to the cooling section;

[0037] - pre-cooling the held liquid consumer product in the evaporation section to a fourth predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid first working fluid, thereby forming pre-cooled liquid consumer product, and feeding the evaporated first working fluid to the first separator; and

[0038] - cooling the pre-cooled liquid consumer product in the cooling arrangement to the second predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid second working fluid, thereby forming treated liquid consumer product, and feeding the evaporated second working fluid to the second separator.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the heat treatment system may further comprise a third primary heat exchanger comprising an auxiliary hot side, an auxiliary cold side. The separator arrangement may comprise a first separator and second separator. The heating arrangement may comprise a first primary heat exchanger and a high temperature circuit in fluid connection with the primary heat exchanger. The high temperature circuit can be arranged to cooperate with the primary heat exchanger. The cooling arrangement can comprise a second primary heat exchanger and a low temperature circuit in fluid connection with the second primary heat exchanger. The high temperature circuit may comprise a first auxiliary heat exchanger and a second auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the primary heat exchanger respectively. The low temperature circuit can comprise a third auxiliary heat exchanger and a fourth auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the second primary heat exchanger respectively. The high temperature circuit and the low temperature circuit may comprise a third working fluid. Then the method may further comprise the steps of:

[0040] - pressurizing a second working fluid using a second compressor, wherein said pressurized second working fluid is in a gaseous state, and feeding the pressurized second working fluid to the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger;

[0041] - heating the third working fluid in the high temperature circuit by condensing the pressurized first working fluid in the first auxiliary heat exchanger;

[0042] - heating the liquid consumer product in the first primary heat exchanger to the first predetermined temperature by cooperating with the heated third working fluid;

[0043] - cooling the third working fluid by evaporating the liquid first working fluid in the second auxiliary heat exchanger;

[0044] - separating the first working fluid in in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the first separator and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the first compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to the chiller section;

[0045] - cooling the third working fluid using the third primary heat exchanger by exposing the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side such that heat is transferred from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side; - heating the third working fluid in the low temperature circuit by condensing the pressurized second working fluid in the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger;

[0046] - cooling the heated liquid consumer product in the second primary heat exchanger to the second predetermined temperature by cooperating with the third working fluid;

[0047] - separating the second working fluid in a second separator in a gaseous state and a liquid state and feeding the gaseous second working fluid to the second compressor and feeding the liquid second working fluid to the cooling section; and

[0048] - heating the third working fluid using the third primary heat exchanger by exposing the auxiliary cold side to the auxiliary hot side such that the heat is transferred from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side.

[0049] The predetermined throughput can be between 1 and 500.0001 / hr, preferably between 1000 and 200.0001 / hr, more preferably between 20.000 and 100.0001 / hr.

[0050] A temperature difference between the input temperature and the first predetermined temperature can be between 50 and 200 degrees Celsius, preferably between 55 and 150 degrees Celsius, more preferably between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius. The temperature of the heated product in the holding section needs to be maintained above the treatment temperature, e.g. the first predetermined temperature. From this, it may follow that there is also temperature difference between the input temperature and the temperature of the heated product in the holding section of between 50 and 200 degrees Celsius, preferably between 55 and 150 degrees Celius, more preferably between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius.

[0051] A temperature difference between the input temperature and the second predetermined temperature can be less than 50 degrees Celsius, preferably less than 5 degrees Celius, more preferably near 0 degrees Celsius.

[0052] The first working fluid and I or the second working fluid can be water, for example water comprising additives, or ammonia. This may depend on the temperature at which the corresponding working fluids need to operate. For example, water may be a suitable working fluid in a range between 80 - 180 degrees Celsius. At lower temperature, e.g. below 80 degrees Celsius, ammonia may be a suitable working fluid instead.

[0053] Further advantageous aspects of the invention are set out in the description and appended claims.

[0054] The technical features described in the paragraphs and sentences above can be isolated from the context, and the isolated technical features from the different paragraphs and sentences can be combined. Such combinations are herewith specifically disclosed in this description.

[0055] The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.

[0056] In the drawings:

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of a heat treatment system according to the prior art;

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a heat treatment system according to an example of the invention;

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a heat treatment system according to a further example of the invention;

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a heat treatment system according to an even further example of the invention;

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of an additional example of a heat treatment system according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of an example of an expansion of the heat treatment system of Fig. 5; and

[0062] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of a heat treatment system according to an additional example of the invention.

[0063] It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations that are given by way of non-limited examples. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0064] Fig. 1 depicts a commonly used heat treatment system 100. The heat treatment system comprises a heating arrangement 101, a holding section 102 and a cooling arrangement 103. A product 104, such as a liquid food, feed or pharmaceutical product, is fed to the heating arrangement 101. Here, the product 104 is heated to a predetermined first temperature, depending on the purpose. For example, if the product 104 is to be sterilized, the predetermined first temperature may be north of 130 degrees Celsius, while if the product is pasteurized, the predetermined first temperature may be lower, e.g. between 66 and 72 degrees Celsius. As will be clear to the skilled person, the exact temperature depends on the product, the purpose and the pressure at which the process takes place. The product 104 is heated in the heating arrangement 101 by cooperating with a heat flow 108. Heat energy that was not transferred to the product 104 leaves the system again as rest warmth 109. The heated product 105 is stored in a holding section 102 for a predetermined amount of time, which depends on the product (e.g. milk, beverages, pharmaceutics or others), while keeping the heated product 105 at or above the predetermined first temperature. The holding section 102 may be a separate component of the heat treatment system 100 or may be an integrated part of the heating arrangement 101. After the predetermined amount of time has expired, the held product 106 is fed to the cooling arrangement 103 in which the temperature of the held product 106 is reduced, e.g. to room temperature or below. Heat can be extracted from the held product 106 in the cooling arrangement 103 by cooperating with a flow of cold liquid 110, such as ice water. The cold liquid 110 heats up, due to exposure to the held product 106, and gets removed from the cooling arrangement 103 as waste water 111.

[0065] Turning to Fig. 2 a flowchart of a heat treatment system 15 according to an example of the invention is shown. The heat treatment system 15 comprises a heating arrangement 1 arranged to heat a product 4 to a first predetermined temperature and a holder section 2 provided downstream of the heating arrangement 1 for receiving the heated product 5 from the heating arrangement 1 and arranged to hold the heated product 5 for a predetermined time, at the first predetermined temperature, to form a held product 6. The heat treatment system 15 further comprises a cooling arrangement 3 provided downstream of the holder section 2 for receiving the held product 6 from the holder section 2 and arranged to cool the held product 6 to a second predetermined temperature to form a treated product 7, e.g. a cooled end product. The heat treatment system 15 further has a separator arrangement 12 arranged to separate a first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state, a heating circuit and a cooling circuit (Y). The heating circuit is in fluid connection with the separator arrangement 12 and comprises a first compressor 13 and a first expansion valve 14 downstream of the first compressor 13. The first compressor 13 is arranged to pressurize the first working fluid downstream of the compressor 13 and upstream of the first expansion valve 14. In the example, the heating circuit comprises a first hot section 9 and a second hot section 8 arranged to connect the heating arrangement 1 to the separator 12 such that the separator arrangement 12 is provided upstream and downstream of the heating arrangement 1 respectively for providing thermal energy to the heating arrangement 1 by condensation of the working fluid. The cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the separator arrangement 12. In the example, the cooling circuit comprises a first cold section 10 and a second cold section 11 arranged to connect the cooling arrangement 3 to the separator arrangement 12 such that the separator arrangement 12 is provided upstream and downstream of the cooling arrangement 3 respectively for extracting thermal energy from the cooling arrangement 3 by evaporation of the working fluid. In other words, the heating circuit and the cooling circuit circularly connect the heating arrangement 1 and the cooling arrangement 3 to the separator arrangement 12 respectively, such that a flow that starts in the separator arrangement 12 ends up back in the separator arrangement 12. In the example, the first compressor 13 is provided in the first hot section 9 and is arranged to transport the first working fluid in gaseous state from the separator arrangement 12 to the heating arrangement 1. The second hot section 8 comprises the first expansion valve 14 arranged to reduce the pressure of the first working fluid passing through the first expansion valve 14 during use of the system, such that the first working fluid is in a liquid state once it reaches the separator arrangement 12. In other words, upstream of the first expansion valve 14 the first working fluid has a higher pressure than downstream of the first expansion valve 14. In the shown example, the first expansion valve 14 is provided, and functions as, as an orifice. The heating arrangement 1 is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product 4 to the first predetermined temperature and the cooling arrangement 3 is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the held product 6 to the second predetermined temperature. In the example, the cooperation between the heating circuit and the heating arrangement 1 and between the cooling circuit and the cooling arrangement 3 is provided by heat exchangers provided in the heating arrangement 1 and cooling arrangement 3 respectively.

[0066] Turning to Fig. 3, a flowchart according to a further example of the invention is depicted. In the example, the heat treatment system 15 of the example of Fig. 1 has been further expanded upon, in order to further improve energy efficiency. The heat treatment system 15 further comprises an exchange section 16 comprising a first hot side and a first cold side. The first hot side is provided downstream of the holding section 2 and upstream of the cooling arrangement 3. The first hot side is arranged to transfer heat to the first cold side during use of the system, effectively being a heat exchanger. Held product 6, having a temperature relatively high temperature, e.g. close to the first predetermined temperature, enters the exchange section 16. Simultaneously, product 4 enters the exchange section 16 having a relatively low temperature, e.g. a temperature below the first predetermined temperature. In the exchange section 16 the held product 6 transfers some heat to the product 4, thereby forming increasing the temperature of the product while decreasing the temperature of the held product 6. As a result, the product 4 needs to be heated less to reach the first predetermined temperature while the held product 6 needs to be cooled less to reach the second predetermined temperature, thereby reducing energy needed by the heat treatment system 15 to produce a treated product 7 from a product 4.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart according to an even further example of the invention. In the example, the heat treatment system 15 of Fig. 2 has been further expanded by incorporating technical measures that improve process safety and process quality control. For example, the exchange section 16 has been expanded with exchange section 16’ such that a buffer section 22, e.g. a tank or vessel, can been provided in between. When it has been determined that the held product 6 does not meet quality requirements, for example due to not being heated sufficiently long or to a sufficiently high temperature due to human error, mechanical failure or due to other reasons, the bad held product 6’ can be diverted to the buffer section 22 by opening a path to the buffer section 22 and blocking the path to the cooling arrangement 3 using valve arrangement 21. As an additional example, the heat treatment system 15 comprises a pump 19 downstream of the holder section 2 and upstream of the cooling arrangement 3, specifically upstream of the exchange section 16. The pump 19 is arranged to pressurize the held product 6 to a pressure that is higher than pressure of the product 4 that is fed to the heating arrangement 1. By having a higher pressure in the held product 6 than in the product 4, it can be prevented that in case of a leakage in the exchange sections 16, 25, product 4 can contaminate the held product 6. Thus, it can be ensured that in case of a small leakage, which might be undetectable, can contaminate the held product 6 and also the treated product 7 after the held product 6 has been cooled to the second predetermined temperature. In an another example, the hot circuit can be physically separated by an intermediate heat exchanger 20, for product quality purposes. The heating arrangement 1 than cooperates with the heating circuit to heat the product 4 to the first predetermined temperature via the intermediate heat exchanger 20. The gaseous working liquid is condensated, forming thermal energy in the intermediate heat exchanger 20, thereby heating an auxiliary fluid present in the first auxiliary hot side 8’ and second auxiliary hot side 9’ that transfers its heat to the product 4 in the heating arrangement 1. By physically separating the heating circuit from the heating arrangement 1, working fluids may be used that can otherwise negatively affect the product 4 if they come in to contact due to an undetected leakage. In such a case, the working fluid would leak into the auxiliary working fluid, but not in the product 4 or the heated product 5.

[0068] In Fig. 5 a flowchart of a further, even more energy efficient, heat treatment system 15 according to the invention is shown. In the example, the heating arrangement, e.g. the heating arrangement 1 of Fig. 2, comprises a condensating section 31 arranged to heat the product 4 to a third predetermined temperature to form a semi-heated product 4’ and a heating section 32 provided downstream of the condensating section 31 arranged to heat the semi-heated product 4’ to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product 5. In other words, the heating arrangement 1 as for example shown in Fig. 2 is separated in two distinct heating steps. Comparably, the cooling arrangement, e.g. the cooling arrangement 3 of Fig. 2, comprises an evaporation section 33 arranged to cool the held product 6 to a fourth predetermined temperature to form a semi-treated product 6’ and a cooling section 34 arranged to cool the semitreated product to the second predetermined temperature to form the treated product 7. This allows for the held product 5 to be cooled in two distinct cooling steps to form the treated product 7. In practice, the third and fourth predetermined temperature may fluctuate, depending on the duty. As a result, the third and fourth temperature may be understood as a range of temperatures around the predetermined corresponding predetermined temperature. The separator arrangement, e.g. the separator arrangement 12 of Fig. 2, comprises a first separator 12’ and a second separator 12” arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state. Combined with a further expansion valve 14’ and a further compressor 13, this may allow for the separate heating and separate cooling steps to be provided of energy (e.g. heating I cooling) more efficiently.

[0069] Therefore, the example of the heat treatment system 15 further comprises an evaporation circuit in fluid connection with the first separator 12’. In the example, the evaporation circuit comprises a third cold section 23 and a fourth cold section 24 arranged to connect the evaporation section 33 to the first separator 12’ such that the first separator 12’ is provided upstream and downstream of the evaporation 33 section respectively.

[0070] Additionally, the heat treatment system 15 of the example further comprises a condensating circuit in fluid communication with the second separator 12”. The condensating circuit comprises a second compressor 13’ and a second expansion valve 14’ provided downstream of the second compressor 13’. The second compressor 13’ is arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the second compressor and upstream of the second expansion valve 14’. In the example, the condensating circuit comprises a third hot section 25 and a fourth hot 26 section arranged to connect the condensating section 31 to the second separator 12” such that the second separator 12” is provided upstream and downstream of the condensating section 31 respectively. In the example, the heating section 32 is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature. The heating circuit is in fluid connection with the first separator 12’ . In the example, the heating circuit comprises a first hot section 9 arranged to connect the heating section 32 downstream of the first separator 12‘ and the second hot section 8 is arranged to connect the heating section 32 upstream of the first separator 12’.

[0071] The cooling section 34 is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the product to the second predetermined temperature. The cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the second separator 12”. In the example, the cooling circuit comprises the first cold section 10 and the second cold section 11. The first cold section 10 and the second cold section 11 are arranged to connect the cooling section 34 to the second separator 12” such that the second separator 12” is provided upstream and downstream of the cooling section 34 respectively.

[0072] The heating section 32 is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature. In the example of Fig. 5, the first compressor 13 is arranged to transport the first working fluid in a gaseous state from the first separator 12’ to the heating section 32 and the second compressor 13’, comprised by the third hot section 25, is arranged to transport the second working fluid in a gaseous state from the second separator 12” to the condensating section 31. The fourth hot section 26 comprises the second expansion valve 14’ arranged to reduce the pressure of the second working fluid passing through the second expansion valve 14’ during use of the system. The condensating section 31 is arranged to cooperate with the condensating circuit to heat the held product 6 to the third predetermined temperature and the evaporation section 33 is arranged to cooperate with the evaporation circuit to cool the product 4 to the fourth predetermined temperature.

[0073] Turning to Fig. 6, a flowchart of a further example of the heat treatment system 15 according to the invention is shown. The system 15 is a more advanced configuration than depicted in Fig. 5. Specifically, some of the safety and control features depicted in Fig. 4 have been included. For example, pump 19 has been provided in order to pressurize the held product 6 as well as the exchange section 16, 16’, for improving the total energy efficiency of the system 15, and the buffer section 22 for improving process control. These components have been discussed in Fig. 4 above, but it will be clear, and is now shown, to the skilled person that they may be applied in the heat treatment system of Fig. 3 as well.

[0074] Turning to Fig. 7 a flowchart of a further example of the heat treatment system 15 according to the invention is shown. In the example, the heating arrangement 1 comprises a first primary heat exchanger 41 and a high temperature circuit 42 in fluid connection with the first primary heat exchanger 41, said high temperature circuit 42 arranged to cooperate with the primary heat exchanger 41 to heat the product 4 to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product 5. The cooling arrangement 3 comprises a second primary heat exchanger 43 and a low temperature circuit 44 in fluid connection with the second primary heat exchanger 43. The low temperature circuit 44 is arranged to cooperate with the second heat exchanger 43 to cool the held product 6 to form the treated product 7. The high temperature circuit 42 comprises a first auxiliary heat exchanger 45 and a second auxiliary heat exchanger 46 provided upstream and downstream of the first primary heat exchanger 41 respectively. The low temperature circuit 44 comprises a third auxiliary heat exchanger 47 and a fourth auxiliary heat exchanger 48 provided upstream and downstream of the second primary heat exchanger 43 respectively. The separator arrangement 12 comprises a first separator 12’ and a second separator 12” arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state. The heat treatment system 15 further comprises a heater circuit in fluid connection with the second separator 12” and a chiller circuit in fluid connection with the first separator 12’. The heater circuit comprises a second compressor 13’ and a second expansion valve 14’ provided downstream of the second compressor 13’. The second compressor 13’ is arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the compressor 13’ and upstream of the second expansion valve 14’.

[0075] In the example, the heating system 15 comprises a third primary heat exchanger 49 comprising an auxihary hot side 50 and an auxiliary cold side 51. The auxiliary hot side 50 is arranged to form a first fluid connection between the high temperature circuit 42, downstream of the second auxiliary heat exchanger 46, and the low temperature circuit 44, upstream of the third auxiliary heat exchanger 47. The auxiliary cold side 51 is arranged to form a second fluid connection between the low temperature circuit 44, downstream of the fourth auxihary heat exchanger 48, and the high temperature circuit 42, upstream of the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45. Thus, a loop is formed such that a third working fluid can be transported through the high temperature circuit 42 and the low temperature circuit 44 in a circular way, e.g.. the third working fluid may be transported first through the high temperature circuit 42, before being transported through the low temperature circuit 44, after which the third working fluid may be transported through the high temperature circuit 42 again. The third primary heat exchanger 49 is arranged to transfer heat from the auxiliary hot side 50 to the auxihary cold side 51, such that a hot side of the loop formed by the high temperature circuit and the low temperature circuit, cooperates with a cold side of said loop.

[0076] In the example, the heating circuit comprises first hot section 9 and second hot section 8. The chiller circuit comprises third cold section 23 and fourth cold section 24. The heating circuit and the chiller circuit operate on a relatively low temperature compared to the heater circuit and the cooling circuit. As a result, the heating circuit and chiller circuit may operate on water, i.e. by having water as the first working fluid. The cooling circuit comprises first cold section 10 and second cold section 11, the heater circuit comprises the third hot section 25 and the fourth hot section 26. This section operates at a relatively high temperature, and as a result ammonia may be used as a second working fluid.

[0077] In the example, the heating circuit is in fluid connection with the first separator 12’ and arranged to cooperate with the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45 to heat the high temperature circuit 44, the chiller circuit is arranged to cooperate with the second auxiliary heat exchanger 46 to cool the high temperature circuit 42, the heater circuit is arranged to cooperate with the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger 48 to heat the low temperature circuit 44 and the cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the second separator 12” and arranged to cooperate with the third auxiliary heat exchanger 47 to cool the low temperature circuit 44.

[0078] Thus, three loops having a working fluid may be distinguished. The first loop, comprising the first working fluid, is a relatively low temperature system and as a result may have water as a working fluid. The water is separated in the first separator 12’, such that water in a gaseous phase may be fed to the first compressor 13. The working fluid, e.g. water, is pressurized between the first compressor 13’ and the first pressure valve 14. In the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger 48, the gaseous working fluid is condensed, and the resulting the phase change heats the third working fluid via the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger. The first working fluid is transported back to the first separator 12’, wherein the working fluid in a liquid phase is transported to the third auxiliary heat exchanger. In the third auxiliary heat exchanger, the first working fluid is evaporated and the third working fluid is cooled. The evaporated first working fluid is transported to the first separator 12’. For the second working fluid, a comparable loop can be distinguished. The second working fluid, e.g. ammonia, is transported in gaseous state to the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45 in which it is condensed the third working fluid is heated. The second working fluid in a liquid state is transported to the second auxiliary heat exchanger 46 in which it is evaporated and thus cooling the third working fluid. In the shown example, the third working fluid passes through seven heat exchangers, in a circular or looped fashion. For example, the third working fluid first passes through the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45 before passing subsequently through the first primary heat exchanger 41, the second auxiliary heat exchanger 46, the third primary heat exchanger 49, the third auxiliary heat exchanger 47, the second primary heat exchanger 43, the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger 48 and for a second time through the third primary heat exchanger 49 before being transported back to the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45. In this loop, the third working fluid first is heated in the first auxiliary heat exchanger 45. In the first primary heat exchanger 41 the third working fluid transfers the heat to the product 4, such that the product 4 is heated to the first predetermined temperature. As a result, the third working fluid is cooled. The third working fluid is further cooled when subsequently passing through the second auxiliary heat exchanger 46, the third primary heat exchanger 49 and the third auxiliary heat exchanger 47. In the second primary heat exchanger 43, the now relatively cold third working fluid is used to cool the held product 6 such as to form the treated product 7. As a result, the third working fluid is heated once more. The third working fluid is further heated when passing through the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger 48 and when passing through the third primary heat exchanger 49 for a second time.

[0079] In the example, the treated product 7 is further cooled using ice water 51, e.g. by providing the piping through which the treated product 7 is transported in a vessel comprising water comprising ice. In the shown example, this may be needed to further cool the treated product 7, depending on the requirements of the final product 7’.

[0080] A comparative example, based on a simulation, between Fig. 1, the system according to the state to the art, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 is shown in the table below. In the comparative example, a product is sterilized at a temperature of 132 degrees Celsius, at a throughput of 20.000 kg / h and having a heat capacity of 4.000 J / kgK. The first predetermined temperature is equal to the sterilization temperature, i.e. 132 degrees Celsius. The product at the inlet, e.g. when coming from storage, has a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius, which is also the temperature of the treated product, i.e. the second predetermined temperature. The example of Fig. 3 is expanded such that the treated product, after being cooled by the cooling arrangement, is further cooled using ice water.

[0081] Sterilization at 132 degrees Prior art Example Example Fig. Celsius (Fig. 1) Fig. 3 7

[0082] First working fluid R1234ze Ammonia Flow of first working fluid - 22.000 kg / h 22.000 kg / h Second working fluid - Water Water Flow of the second working fluid - 22.000 kg / h 22.000 kg / h Third working fluid - - Water Flow of third working fluid - - 22.000 kg / h First predetermined temperature 132 °C 132 °C 132 °C Product inlet temperature 5 °C 5 °C 5 °C Second predetermined 5 °C 5 °C 5 °C temperature

[0083] Flow to sterilize 20000 kg / h 20000 kg / h 20000 kg / h Product heat capacity 3930-3940 3930-3940 3930-3940

[0084] J / kgK J / kgK J / kgK Total energy heating in heating 2777 kW 175 kW 210 kW

[0085]

[0086] section Total energy recuperated O kW 2685 kW 2777 kW Heat loss 3 kW 3.5 kW 6.2 kW Total energy cooling in cooling 2774 kW 92.1 kW 129 kW kW arrangement + ice water

[0087] Electrical consumption pumps 5.25 kW 7.29 kW 6.31 kW Electrical consumption first - 97.3 kW 35 + 18.5 W compressor and second

[0088] compressor

[0089] Estimate gas consumption 332 Nm3 / / h 0 Nm7 / h 0 Nm3 / / h Energy consumption icew. 617 kW 20.5 kW 9 kW Estimated electrical 621 kW 125 kW 67.8 kW

[0090]

[0091] consumption

[0092] Comparing the results shown in the table, it can be seen that the examples of the invention do not consume any gas and the estimated electrical consumption is significantly lower than that of the heat treatment system according to the prior art. Comparing the examples of Fig. 1 and Fig 4, it can be seen that the embodiment of Fig. 4 uses l / 6thof the electricity than that of the example shown in Fig. 1. The difference between Fig. 7 and Fig.

[0093] 1 is even larger, wherein the electrical energy consumption of the example shown in Fig. 7 only consumes 11% of the electrical energy needed as the example of the prior art.

[0094] Many variations will be apparent to the skilled person in the art. For example, the various technical features of the heat treatment system are shown in the flow diagrams and are mentioned in the claims as separate devices, but it will be clear to the skilled person that the devices may be integrally formed, e.g. providing the heating arrangement and the holding section in apparatus, as long as the various steps can be performed.

[0095] Furthermore, the applications of the system and method in the examples given should be understood as examples only, as system and method may be used for a much wider range of products. Finally, the product entering the heat treatment system may be pre-treated or the treated product leaving the treatment system may be further treated, e.g. further heated or cooled etc.

Claims

Claims1. Heat treatment system comprising:- a heating arrangement arranged to heat a product to a first predetermined temperature to form a heated product;- a holder section provided downstream of the heating arrangement for receiving the heated product from the heating arrangement and arranged to hold the heated product for a predetermined time to form a held product;- a cooling arrangement provided downstream of the holder section for receiving the held product from the holder section and arranged to cool the held product to a second predetermined temperature to form a treated product;- a separator arrangement arranged to separate a first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state;- a heating circuit in fluid connection with the separator arrangement, said heating circuit comprising a first compressor and a first expansion valve provided downstream of the first compressor, said first compressor arranged to pressurize the first working fluid downstream of the compressor and upstream of the first expansion valve;- a cooling circuit in fluid connection with the separator arrangement; and- wherein the heating arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature; and- wherein the cooling arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the product to the second predetermined temperature.

2. Heat treatment system according to claim 1,- wherein the heating arrangement comprises a condensating section arranged to heat the product to a third predetermined temperature to form a semi-heated product and a heating section provided downstream of the condensating section arranged to heat the semi-heated product to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product;- wherein the cooling arrangement comprises an evaporation section arranged to cool the held product to a fourth predetermined temperature to form a semi-treated product and a cooling section provided downstream of the condensating section arranged to cool the semi-treated product to the second predetermined temperature to form the treated product; and- wherein the separator arrangement comprises a first separator and a second separator arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state;- wherein the heat treatment system further comprises:- a condensating circuit in fluid connection with the second separator, said condensating circuit comprising a second compressor and a second expansion valve provided downstream of the second compressor, said second compressor arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the second compressor and upstream of the second expansion valve;- an evaporation circuit in fluid connection with the first separator; and- wherein the condensating section is arranged to cooperate with the condensating circuit to heat the held product to a third predetermined temperature- wherein the heating section is arranged to cooperate with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature and wherein the heating circuit is in fluid connection with the first separator;- wherein the evaporation section is arranged to cooperate with the evaporation circuit to cool the product to a fourth predetermined temperature; and- wherein the cooling section is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit to cool the product to the second predetermined temperature and wherein the cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the second separator.

3. Heat treatment system according to claim 1,-wherein the heating arrangement comprises a first primary heat exchanger and a high temperature circuit in fluid connection with the first primary heat exchanger, said high temperature circuit arranged to cooperate with the primary heat exchanger to heat the product to the first predetermined temperature to form the heated product;- wherein the cooling arrangement comprises a second primary heat exchanger and a low temperature circuit in fluid connection with the second primary heat exchanger, wherein the low temperature circuit is arranged to cooperate with the second heat exchanger to cool the held product to form the treated product;- wherein the high temperature circuit comprises a first auxihary heat exchanger and a second auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the first primary heat exchanger respectively;- wherein the low temperature circuit comprises a third auxiliary heat exchanger and a fourth auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the second primary heat exchanger respectively;- wherein the separator arrangement comprises a first separator and a second separator arranged to separate a first working fluid and a second working fluid respectively in a gaseous state and a liquid state;- wherein the heat treatment system further comprises - a heater circuit in fluid connection with the second separator, said heater circuit comprising a second compressor and a second expansionvalve provided downstream of the second compressor, said second compressor arranged to pressurize the second working fluid downstream of the compressor and upstream of the second expansion valve;- a chiller circuit in fluid connection with the first separator;- a third primary heat exchanger comprising an auxiliary hot side and an auxihary cold side;- wherein the auxihary hot side is arranged to form a first fluid connection between the high temperature circuit, downstream of the second auxiliary heat exchanger, and the low temperature circuit, upstream of the third auxiliary heat exchanger;- wherein the auxihary cold side is arranged to form a second fluid connection between the low temperature circuit, downstream of the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger, and the high temperature circuit, upstream of the first auxihary heat exchanger;- wherein the third primary heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side; and- wherein the heating circuit is in fluid connection with the first separator and arranged to cooperate with the first auxiliary heat exchanger to heat the high temperature circuit;- wherein the chiller circuit is arranged to cooperate with the second auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the high temperature circuit;- wherein the heater circuit is arranged to cooperate with the fourth auxihary heat exchanger to heat the low temperature circuit; and - wherein the cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the second separator and arranged to cooperate with the third auxiliary heat exchanger to cool the low temperature circuit.

4. Heat treatment system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pump provided downstream of the holder section and upstream of the cooling arrangement.

5. Heat treatment system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an exchange section comprising a first hot side and a first cold side;wherein the first hot side is provided downstream of the holding section and upstream of the cooling arrangement;wherein the first cold side is provided upstream of the heating arrangement; andwherein the first hot side is arranged to transfer heat to the first cold side during use.

6. Heat treatment system according to claim 5, further comprising a buffer section, and wherein the exchange section further comprises a second hot side, a second cold side;wherein the second hot side is provided downstream of the first hot side and upstream of the buffer section;wherein the buffer section is provided upstream of the cooling arrangement;wherein the second cold side is provided downstream of the cooling arrangement and upstream of the first cold side; andwherein the second hot side is arranged to transfer heat to the second cold side during use.

7. Heat treatment system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating arrangement cooperates with the heating circuit to heat the product to the first predetermine temperature via an intermediate heat exchanger.

8. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system, preferably the heat treatment system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:- feeding liquid consumer product at a input temperature to a heating arrangement at a predetermined throughput;- pressurizing a first working fluid using a first compressor, wherein the pressurized first working fluid is in a gaseous state, and feeding the pressurized first working fluid to a heating arrangement;- heating the liquid consumer product in the heating arrangement to a predetermined first temperature, by condensing the pressurized first working fluid, thereby forming heated liquid consumer product and feeding the condensated first working fluid to a separator arrangement;- holding the heated liquid consumer product for a predetermined amount of time, thereby forming held liquid consumer product;- separating the first working fluid in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the separator arrangement and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the first compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to a cooling arrangement;- cooling the held liquid consumer product in the cooling arrangement to a second predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid first working fluid, thereby forming treated liquid consumer product, and feeding the evaporated first working liquid to the separator arrangement.

9. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system according to claim 8, wherein the heating arrangement comprises a condensating section and a heating section, the cooling arrangement comprises an evaporation section and a cooling section and the separator arrangement comprises a first and second separator, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:- pressurizing a second working fluid using a second compressor, wherein said pressurized second working fluid is in a gaseous state, and feeding the pressurized second working fluid to the condensating section;- heating the liquid consumer product in the condensating section to a third predetermined temperature, by condensing the pressurized second working fluid, thereby forming semi -heated liquid consumer product, and feeding the condensated second working fluid to the second separator;- further heating the semi-heated liquid consumer product in a heating section to the first predetermined temperature, by condensing the pressurized first working fluid, thereby forming heated liquid consumer product, and feeding the condensated first working fluid to the first separator;- separating the first working fluid in in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the first separator and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the first compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to the evaporation section;- separating the second working fluid in a second separator in a gaseous state and a liquid state and feeding the gaseous second working fluid to the second compressor and feeding the liquid second working fluid to the cooling section;- pre-cooling the held liquid consumer product in the evaporation section to a fourth predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid first working fluid, thereby forming pre-cooled liquid consumer product and feeding the evaporated first working fluid to the first separator; and- cooling the pre-cooled liquid consumer product in the cooling arrangement to a second predetermined temperature, by evaporating the liquid second working fluid, thereby forming treated liquid consumer product and feeding the evaporated second working fluid to the second separator.

10. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system according to claim 8,- wherein the heat treatment system further comprises a third primary heat exchanger comprising an auxiliary hot side and an auxiliary cold side;- wherein the separator arrangement comprises a first separator and a second separator;- wherein the heating arrangement comprises a first primary heat exchanger and a high temperature circuit in fluid connection with the first primary heat exchanger, wherein the high temperature circuit is arranged to cooperate with the primary heat exchanger;- wherein the cooling arrangement comprises a second primary heat exchanger and a low temperature circuit in fluid connection with the second primary heat exchanger;- wherein the high temperature circuit comprises a first auxihary heat exchanger and a second auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the first primary heat exchanger; and- wherein the low temperature circuit comprises a third auxiliary heat exchanger and a fourth auxiliary heat exchanger provided upstream and downstream of the second primary heat exchanger;- wherein the auxihary hot side is arranged to form a first fluid connection between the high temperature circuit, downstream of the second auxiliary heat exchanger, and the low temperature circuit, upstream of the third auxiliary heat exchanger;- wherein the auxihary cold side is arranged to form a second fluid between the low temperature circuit, downstream of the fourth auxihary heat exchanger, and the high temperature circuit, upstream of the first auxiliary heat exchanger; and- wherein in the high temperature circuit and low temperature circuit comprise a third working fluid;wherein the method further comprises the steps of:- pressurizing a second working fluid using a second compressor, wherein said pressurized second working fluid is in a gaseous state, andfeeding the pressurized second working fluid to the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger;- heating the third working fluid in the high temperature circuit by condensing the pressurized first working fluid in the first auxiliary heat exchanger;- heating the liquid consumer product in the first primary heat exchanger to the first predetermined temperature by cooperating with the heated third working fluid;- cooling the third working fluid by evaporating the liquid first working fluid in the second auxiliary heat exchanger;- separating the first working fluid in in a gaseous state and a liquid state in the first separator and feeding the gaseous first working fluid to the first compressor and feeding the liquid first working fluid to the chiller section;- cooling the third working fluid using the third primary heat exchanger by exposing the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side such that heat is transferred from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side;- heating the third working fluid in the low temperature circuit by condensing the pressurized second working fluid in the fourth auxiliary heat exchanger;- cooling the heated liquid consumer product in the second primary heat exchanger to the second predetermined temperature by cooperating with the third working fluid;- separating the second working fluid in a second separator in a gaseous state and a liquid state and feeding the gaseous second working fluid to the second compressor and feeding the liquid second working fluid to the cooling section; and- heating the third working fluid using the third primary heat exchanger by exposing the auxiliary cold side to the auxiliary hot side such that the heat is transferred from the auxiliary hot side to the auxiliary cold side.

11. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system according to any of the claims 8-10, wherein the predetermined throughput is between 1 and 500.0001 / hr, preferably between 1.000 and 200.0001 / hr, more preferably between 2.000 and 100.000 1 / hr.

12. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system according to any of the claims 8-11, wherein a temperature difference between the input temperature and the first predetermined temperature is between 50 and 200 degrees Celsius, preferably between 55 and 150 degrees Celsius, more preferably between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius.

13. Method of treating liquid consumer product using a heat treatment system according to any of the claims 8-12, wherein the temperature difference between the input temperature and the second predetermined temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius, preferably less than 5 degrees Celius, more preferably near 0 degrees Celsius.

14. Method of treating liquid consumer product according to any of the claims 8-13, wherein one of the first working fluid, the second working fluid and the third working fluid can be water or ammonia.

Images