Adaptive Descaling Control for Food Apparatus Fluid Chambers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning fluid-receiving devices in foodstuff-processing apparatuses, such as vapor generators, lack optimal adaptation to environmental conditions, leading to inefficient descaling processes with potential for overdosing, insufficient cleaning, or prolonged interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts cleaning operations based on predetermined time intervals and cleaning agent dosages according to the degree of cleaning and cleaning speed, using sensors to determine the inner chamber's volume changes and water hardness, optimizing action times and intervals to ensure effective cleaning while minimizing chemical use and operational disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning operations are performed at fixed intervals with predetermined dosages, then the cleaning process is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions leading to overdosing or insufficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the degree of cleaning at multiple time points during the cleaning process, calculating cleaning speed, and using this information to dynamically adjust the exposure duration and dosage of cleaning agents in subsequent cleaning operations, thereby adapting to actual cleaning effectiveness and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-interval cleaning schedule into a dynamic system where cleaning parameters (exposure duration, dosage, intervals) are continuously adjusted based on measured cleaning speed and degree of cleaning, allowing the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions and scale formation rates
2Reliability
If higher dosages of cleaning agents are used to ensure thorough descaling, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the degree of cleaning and cleaning speed to determine the actual cleaning effectiveness, then adjusts the dosage of cleaning agents accordingly, using only the necessary amount to achieve the desired cleaning result without excessive chemical use that would harm the environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the dosage parameter of cleaning agents based on measured cleaning speed and degree of cleaning, adjusting the concentration and amount of cleaning chemicals to match the actual cleaning needs, thereby reducing environmental pollution while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
3Reliability
If more frequent cleaning operations are performed to maintain optimal cleaning state, then scale formation is better controlled, but operational interruptions and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic cleaning operations with dynamically adjusted intervals, using measurements of cleaning speed and degree of cleaning to determine optimal timing, thereby maintaining cleaning quality while minimizing unnecessary frequent cleaning cycles that would cause operational interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors its own cleaning state through sensors and automatically adjusts cleaning schedules and parameters, enabling the apparatus to self-regulate cleaning frequency based on actual scale formation rates, thus reducing unnecessary operational interruptions
4Reliability
If longer exposure duration to cleaning agents is used to improve descaling, then cleaning thoroughness increases, but cleaning process time and operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the exposure duration of cleaning agents based on real-time measurements of cleaning speed and degree of cleaning, shortening or lengthening the action time as needed to achieve optimal descaling thoroughness while minimizing unnecessary extension of the cleaning process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time parameter of cleaning agent exposure based on measured cleaning effectiveness, adjusting the duration to match the actual cleaning needs at each stage, thereby achieving thorough descaling without unnecessarily prolonged cleaning operations that would increase operational interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
A process for conducting cleaning operations at predetermined time intervals in a chamber or container of a fluid-receiving device of a foodstuff-processing apparatus first comprises receiving a first fluid in the chamber or container. Then, first and second degrees of cleaning are determined at first and second moments in time, respectively. Then, a first difference between the first and second degrees of cleaning is determined. In a first case, in which the second degree of cleaning lies below a first limit value, the action duration of the at least one cleaning agent during at least one subsequent cleaning operation is set depending on the first degree of cleaning. In a second case, in which the second degree of cleaning lies above the first limit value, a greater amount of cleaning agent is supplied and/or the time interval between two subsequent, successive cleaning operations is shortened.