Automated Clean-In-Place Unit for Beverage Lines Using Ozonated Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cleaning draught beer dispensing lines require frequent disassembly and reassembly of components, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and significant downtime, posing risks to personnel and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated Clean-In-Place unit utilizing a control valve with ozonated water and pressurized gas capabilities, allowing for simultaneous or sequential flow of ozonated water and pressurized gas through the dispensing lines without disassembly, using an electrolytic ozone generator for on-demand production of ozonated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chemical cleaning methods are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but personnel safety deteriorates due to hazardous chemical exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone (O3), a strong oxidant, as the cleaning agent instead of conventional caustic or acidic chemicals. Ozone effectively removes organic material and disinfects dispensing lines through oxidation, eliminating the need for hazardous chemical handling while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical cleaning system with an automated mechanical/CIP system that uses ozone generated on-demand. The automated CIP unit with control valves and ozone generation eliminates manual chemical handling, substituting the harmful chemical process with a safer automated ozone-based system.
2Reliability
If manual disassembly and reassembly of keg couplers is performed, then cleaning access is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning where the CIP unit automatically connects to the keg coupler and performs cleaning without manual disassembly. The automated system inserts cleaning elements into the dispensing lines and performs cleaning in-place, eliminating the need for personnel to manually disconnect and reconnected kegs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning cleaning elements and ozone generation capability at the keg coupler interface. The automated CIP unit is ready to connect and begin cleaning immediately when a keg is attached, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and preparation steps.
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning systems are used, then cleaning capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cleaning functions into a single integrated CIP unit. The control valve assembly combines ozone generation, fluid control, and cleaning element integration into one compact unit that attaches directly to the keg coupler, eliminating the need for separate cleaning equipment and multiple assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The CIP unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with various keg coupler types and dispensing line configurations. The single unit performs multiple functions including ozone generation, fluid control, cleaning element deployment, and system monitoring, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automated system effectively cleans and disinfects dispensing lines with minimal human intervention, reducing chemical exposure, and minimizing downtime, while ensuring reliable and repeatable results without the need for harsh chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
using an electrolytic ozone generator for on-demand production of ozonated water
Implementation Method 2
The automated system effectively cleans and disinfects dispensing lines with minimal human intervention
Implementation Method 3
allowing for simultaneous or sequential flow of ozonated water and pressurized gas through the dispensing lines
Data Source
AI summary
An automated Clean-In-Place unit (4;41) is configured for cleaning at least one beverage dispensing line (DL) between a take-off station and a dispensing station of a beverage dispensing system. The automated Clean-In-Place unit (4;41) comprises a keg coupler, a cleaning coupler and/or a coupling unit (3) consisting of said couplers mounted to or mountable to any of a keg (1) containing the beverage (15), to a compressible beverage container, or to both the keg (1) and the compressible beverage container, said keg coupler, cleaning coupler and/or coupling unit (3) consisting of said couplers has at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b) and at least one coupler outlet (28). The automated Clean-In-Place unit (4;41) comprises a control valve (20) comprising an outlet port (23) arranged to provide fluid communication with the at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b), a first inlet port (19) arranged to provide fluid communication with a source of ozonated water (18), and optionally a second inlet port (22) arranged to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas (21).