Beverage Cooling System With Dedicated Ice Water Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high energy consumption and low efficiency of central refrigeration systems in breweries, particularly in cooling processes, lead to significant costs and environmental impact due to the need for a wide range of temperature supplies and extensive piping, resulting in low utilization and high energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A dual cooling system is introduced, where a central cooling device supplies cold to all consumers except those requiring ice water, which is produced by a separate, high-efficiency ice water cooling device specifically designed for this purpose, allowing for precise ice water production and reduced piping efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central refrigeration system is used to supply cold to multiple consumers at different temperature levels, then the system can meet diverse cooling requirements, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to partial load operation and high piping losses
Solution Approach 1:
The central refrigeration system is segmented into two separate systems: a first refrigeration system for supplying cold to consumers requiring temperatures below 0°C, and a second refrigeration system specifically for producing ice water at temperatures between 0°C and 10°C. This segmentation allows each system to operate at optimal load conditions, improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining the ability to meet diverse cooling requirements.
2Reliability
If a central refrigeration system is designed to meet maximum cooling requirements with safety buffers, then all consumer demands can be satisfied, but the energy consumption increases due to operating at high capacity continuously
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cooling load into two separate refrigeration systems, each system can be sized to meet only its specific consumer requirements rather than the total maximum demand. The first system serves consumers needing sub-zero temperatures, while the second system serves ice water consumers, allowing both to operate at lower, more efficient capacity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The second refrigeration system is positioned locally near ice water consumers to minimize piping losses and enable precise control of ice water production. This local placement allows the system to meet exact cooling demands without excessive capacity buffers, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If ice water is produced using the central refrigeration system, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to the system not being optimized for ice water production
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration infrastructure is segmented into a dedicated second refrigeration system for ice water production, which can be optimized specifically for this function. This separate system can include specialized components such as ice water storage tanks positioned close to consumers and cooling elements tuned for producing water at 0°C to 10°C, achieving superior energy efficiency compared to using a general-purpose central refrigeration system.
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
This approach enhances energy efficiency, reduces costs, and minimizes environmental impact by achieving higher utilization rates and lower energy consumption, particularly in breweries, through the use of a dedicated ice water cooling device and strategic placement near consumers, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing waste heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
a second cooling device which (with regard to its cooling function) is designed exclusively for producing ice water by cooling water to a minimum second temperature
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling device for cooling at least one medium (for example, a coolant such as glycol or a consumer such as a fermentation tank) to a minimum first temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plant for beverage production, in particular beer production, comprising a first cooling device configured for cooling at least one medium to a minimum first temperature, and a second cooling device configured exclusively for producing ice water by cooling water to a minimum second temperature above the first temperature, and configured separately from the first cooling device.