Hybrid Beverage Cooling Buffer for Large-Volume Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage cooling systems face challenges in efficiently cooling large volumes of beverages with varying temperatures and compositions while maintaining consistency and energy efficiency, with ice bath coolers being maintenance-intensive and dry block coolers being energy-intensive for larger volumes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cooling system integrating a dry block cooling unit and one or more cooling buffer units, combining rapid initial cooling with consistent temperature maintenance, using a control system to regulate operation and flow based on temperature and flow data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If ice bath coolers are used to cool beverages, then cooling capacity is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and hygiene becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cooling function into two separate components: a dry block cooler for initial rapid cooling and a cooling buffer for temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the dry block being simple to maintain and the buffer providing stable temperature without requiring beverage as coolant.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the temperature maintenance function from the ice bath cooler and places it in a separate cooling buffer. This removes the hygiene and maintenance issues associated with using beverage as coolant while preserving the temperature stability benefit.
2Ease of repair
If dry block coolers are used to cool beverages, then ease of maintenance is improved, but energy consumption increases for larger volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The dry block cooler performs preliminary rapid cooling of the beverage before it enters the cooling buffer. This preliminary action reduces the thermal load on the buffer, allowing the buffer to maintain temperature with minimal energy input rather than continuously fighting against warm beverage input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers cold energy by having the cooling buffer store chilled beverage that can be recirculated or used to pre-cool incoming beverage, reducing the energy required by the dry block cooler and maintaining efficiency during extended operation.
3Ease of operation
If dry block coolers are used to cool beverages, then ease of operation is improved, but cooling capacity is insufficient for large volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the rapid cooling capability of the dry block cooler with the high heat capacity of the cooling buffer to create a hybrid system that can handle large volumes efficiently. The dry block provides quick temperature reduction while the buffer provides sustained cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling buffer acts as an intermediary between the dry block cooler and the beverage dispensing system. It absorbs thermal fluctuations and provides a stable cold reservoir that can handle variable demand without requiring the dry block to operate continuously at high capacity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If cooling buffer units are used to maintain beverage temperature, then temperature consistency is improved, but response time to temperature changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The dry block cooler is used to pre-chill the beverage and the buffer in advance, so when cooling is needed, the system can respond quickly by dispensing pre-chilled beverage from the buffer without waiting for the buffer to cool down first.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic recirculation of beverage through the cooling buffer and dry block to maintain temperature without continuous operation. This periodic action keeps the buffer chilled while allowing quick response to demand by dispensing from the pre-chilled buffer.
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 system achieves efficient cooling with reduced maintenance and energy consumption, ensuring consistent beverage temperatures and versatility in handling different beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a dry block cooling unit positioned downstream of the primary cooling buffer unit, the dry block cooling unit including a phase change cooling unit and a heat exchange block in fluid connection with the beverage supply conduit
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange block in fluid connection with the beverage supply conduit
Implementation Method 3
a primary cooling buffer unit comprising optionally a thermally insulated compartment comprising a fluid/solid reservoir in thermal contact with the beverage supply conduit
Implementation Method 4
a primary cooling buffer unit comprising optionally a thermally insulated compartment comprising a fluid/solid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage cooling system comprising: a beverage inlet; a beverage (conduit system comprising at least one beverage supply conduit; a primary cooling buffer unit positioned in fluid connection with the beverage supply conduit, the primary cooling buffer unit optionally comprising a thermally insulated compartment comprising a fluid/solid reservoir in thermal contact with the beverage supply conduit; a dry block cooling unit positioned downstream of the primary cooling buffer unit, the dry block cooling unit including a phase change cooling unit and a heat exchange block in fluid connection with the beverage supply conduit, a chilled beverage outlet, and a control system comprising at least one temperature sensor and at least one flow controller, wherein the control system is configured to regulate the operation of the phase change cooling unit and beverage flow based on temperature data from the temperature sensors and flow data.