Bidirectional Cleaning of Dynamic Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers require a large amount of cleaning compound and a long cleaning time to effectively clean the interior, leading to incomplete removal of previous confectionery mass during mass changes, which can contaminate new confectionery products.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic heat exchanger design that alternates the conveying direction of the cleaning mass through the heat exchanger, combined with a high-volume flow pump and reversible mixing tools, ensures thorough cleaning by reaching all interior parts, reducing the required cleaning compound volume and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the heat exchanger is cleaned using conventional single-direction conveying, then the cleaning process is simple to operate, but the cleaning is incomplete and requires large amounts of cleaning compound and long cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mass is conveyed through the heat exchanger in alternating directions (first forward, then backward). This bidirectional conveying ensures that the cleaning mass reaches all interior surfaces including dead spaces that would be inaccessible in a single-direction system, thereby improving cleaning thoroughness while reducing the total volume of cleaning compound needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying direction of the cleaning mass is periodically reversed during the cleaning process. This periodic alternation between forward and backward conveying creates repeated exposure of all heat exchanger surfaces to the cleaning mass, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and reducing the required cleaning time and compound volume.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heat exchanger is cleaned using conventional single-direction conveying, then the equipment structure is simple, but the cleaning time is long and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By conveying the cleaning mass in alternating directions, the system ensures comprehensive coverage of all heat exchanger surfaces including previously inaccessible areas. This eliminates the need for prolonged cleaning periods, thereby reducing cleaning time and minimizing productivity loss during mass changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system dynamically switches between forward and backward motion during the cleaning cycle. This dynamic bidirectional conveying optimizes the cleaning process by continuously exposing different surfaces to the cleaning mass, thereby achieving thorough cleaning in a shorter time period.
3Reliability
If the heat exchanger is cleaned using conventional methods, then the device complexity is low, but contamination risk during mass changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alternating bidirectional conveying of cleaning mass ensures that all interior surfaces of the heat exchanger are thoroughly cleaned, including dead spaces that accumulate residual confectionery mass. This comprehensive cleaning effectively prevents contamination during subsequent mass changes, improving reliability without requiring complex additional devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing conveying system is made multi-functional by enabling it to convey cleaning mass in both forward and backward directions. This universal application of the conveying mechanism for both product transport and bidirectional cleaning eliminates the need for separate cleaning equipment, maintaining device simplicity while enhancing contamination prevention.
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 solution significantly reduces the volume of cleaning compound needed and shortens the cleaning time, achieving a more thorough cleaning process by ensuring all areas of the heat exchanger are accessed, thereby preventing contamination during mass changes.
Implementation Method 1
A pump (22) is provided for conveying the cleaning mass through the heat exchanger (1)
Implementation Method 2
mixing tools (5) connected to the drive shaft (4) and serving to mix the confectionery mass as it passes through the temperature control device (2)
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanger for treating the temperature of a fat-containing confectionery mass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Dynamic heat exchanger (1) comprises a drive shaft (4) drivable by a drive, and mixing tools (5) which are connected to the drive shaft, for mixing the confectionery mass during its passage through the heat exchanger, an input (8), through which the confectionery mass is introducible into the heat exchanger, an output (9), through which the confectionery mass processed in terms of temperature, exits from the heat exchanger, a container, into which a cleaning composition is fillable, a first conduit, which connects the container to the input, and a pump for conveying the cleaning composition. Dynamic heat exchanger (1) comprises (a) a drive shaft (4) drivable by a drive, and mixing tools (5), which are connected to the drive shaft, for mixing confectionery mass during its passage through the heat exchanger, (b) an input (8), through which the confectionery mass is introducible into the heat exchanger, (c) an output (9), through which the confectionery mass processed in terms of temperature, can exit from the heat exchanger, (d) a container, into which a cleaning composition is fillable, (e) a first conduit which connects the container to the input, thus the cleaning composition is conveyable by a first conveying direction from the input towards the output by the heat exchanger, (f) a second conduit, which connects the container to the output in such a manner that the cleaning composition is conveyable in a second conveying direction, from the output towards the input by the heat exchanger, and (g) a pump for conveying the cleaning composition by the heat exchanger, where the pump is designed and arranged in such a manner that the cleaning composition with at least double the volume flow as compared to the volume flow of the confectionery mass, is conveyable by the heat exchanger. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a cleaning device for cleaning the above dynamic heat exchanger; (2) cleaning the above dynamic heat exchanger comprising (i) charging a cleaning composition into the container, (ii) conveying the cleaning composition into the input of the heat exchanger towards the output of the heat exchanger through the first conduit in a first conveying direction, which connects the input of the heat exchanger with the container, and removing the cleaning composition from the first conduit, where the cleaning composition with at least double the volume flow as compared to the volume flow of the confectionery mass, is promoted through the heat exchanger, and (iii) conveying the cleaning composition into the output of the heat exchanger towards the input of the heat exchanger through the second conduit in a second conveying direction, which connects the output of the heat exchanger with the container, and removing the cleaning composition from the second conduit; and (3) designing the above heat exchanger as a tempering machine, a tubular heat exchanger, a de-crystallizer or a pre-cooler, and the cleaning device comprising the cleaning composition including cocoa butter, chocolate, fatty mass, oil or water.