Brewery Piping Bypass Lines for Media Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piping systems for tank farms, such as those in breweries, face significant media losses and contamination issues during line extensions and cleaning processes, leading to product, water, and disinfectant wastage due to mixed phases and uncertain line cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a decentralized filling and emptying block system with bypass lines that allow for optimal media separation, enabling the recycling of media and minimizing losses by routing cleaning fluids from the filling block to the emptying block, thus ensuring immediate reuse of tank groups and lines after cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the medium is supplied through ring lines to multiple tanks, then the system can efficiently serve multiple tanks, but the medium and subsequent medium mix in the supply lines causing large product losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the supply lines into separate segments: a first supply line dedicated for medium supply and a second supply line dedicated for subsequent medium supply. This segmentation prevents mixing of different media in the same line, eliminating product loss while maintaining the ability to serve multiple tanks through the ring line configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate storage chambers at the ends of the ring lines that act as buffers between the first and second supply lines. These intermediaries allow the system to switch between medium types without direct mixing in the supply lines, preventing product loss while maintaining system productivity.
2Area of stationary object
If line extensions are performed to reach all tanks, then complete coverage is achieved, but large quantities of medium must be pushed out and discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The supply system is segmented into first and second supply lines that can be independently controlled. When extending lines to new tanks, only the necessary segment needs to be flushed, rather than flushing the entire extended network. This reduces medium loss during line extensions while maintaining complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary flushing of only the specific line segment that needs extension, rather than flushing the entire system. This preliminary action is targeted and efficient, minimizing medium loss while ensuring the extended portion is properly prepared.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections are made to tanks for filling and emptying, then complete functionality is achieved, but contamination and oxygen access become risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple connection functions into integrated filling and emptying blocks that connect to the ring lines. These blocks provide multiple connection points (for wort supply, discharge, CIP liquids) in a unified structure that maintains hygienic conditions and prevents oxygen access, while preserving complete filling and emptying functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling and emptying blocks act as intermediary components between the ring lines and the tanks. These intermediaries provide sealed connection points for multiple functions (filling, emptying, CIP) that prevent contamination and oxygen access, while maintaining the versatility needed for complete tank operation.
4Reliability
If cleaning fluids are routed through the entire system, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but water and cleaning agent waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into specific line segments that can be cleaned independently. Instead of routing cleaning fluids through the entire system, only the affected segments are cleaned. This maintains thorough cleaning of necessary areas while significantly reducing water and cleaning agent waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning approach applies local quality by directing cleaning fluids only to the specific segments that require cleaning, rather than treating the entire system uniformly. This localized cleaning maintains reliability of cleaned areas while minimizing resource consumption.
Data Source
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a piping system and a corresponding operating method for a brewery having a plurality of tanks collated into a plurality of tank groups disposed in parallel to each other by means of ring lines, a filling block comprising at least one supply line connected to the corresponding ring line by means of a corresponding valve for supplying a medium, a drain block having at least one drain line connected to the ring line by means of a corresponding valve, wherein the end of at least one supply line is connect to at least one drain by means of a corresponding bypass line.