Cheese Making Heat Exchange and Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cheese-making process requires significant energy to heat incoming milk, as it is typically done at elevated temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and process that utilizes the heat energy from outgoing whey to heat incoming milk through a heat exchange device and thermal storage system, allowing for efficient energy reuse in the cheese-making process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat energy is used to heat incoming milk in the cheese-making process, then the milk can be heated to the required elevated temperature for curdling, but significant energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the outgoing whey (a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded) and uses it to preheat the incoming cold milk. This converts the harmful waste heat into a beneficial resource, reducing the energy required for milk heating while maintaining the required processing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures and recovers thermal energy from the whey that would normally be discarded after separation. Through heat exchangers, the thermal energy is transferred to the incoming milk, converting waste into a useful resource and reducing overall energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat exchange system with thermal storage is implemented to recover whey heat energy, then energy savings are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage system serves multiple functions: it stores excess heat from whey when milk heating demand is low, supplies heat when demand exceeds available whey heat, and balances the thermal energy flow throughout the process. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing both energy recovery and energy management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage device pre-heats incoming milk using stored heat energy before the milk enters the main heating process. This preliminary heating action reduces the energy burden on the primary heating system and allows for more efficient use of available thermal resources
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 results in substantial energy savings by recycling heat from whey to heat milk, optimizing energy use in the cheese-making process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange device operatively positioned between the whey conduit and the milk conduit
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchange device includes a heat transfer circuit including a heat transfer conduit, a heat transfer medium (e.g., comprising water) positioned in the heat transfer conduit
Implementation Method 3
The thermal storage device allows heat energy from the whey to be accumulated and stored for future use in heating incoming milk
Implementation Method 4
a thermal storage device in thermal contact with the heat exchange device
Implementation Method 5
the heat transfer circuit further includes a pump capable of circulating the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making cheese including a whey conduit, a milk conduit, and a heat exchange device between the whey conduit and the milk conduit. Preferably, the heat exchange device includes a heat transfer circuit including a heat transfer conduit, heat transfer medium in the heat transfer conduit, a whey heat exchanger between the whey conduit and the heat transfer conduit, and a milk heat exchanger between the heat transfer conduit and the milk conduit. A thermal storage device can be in thermal contact with the heat exchange device to allow heat energy from the whey to be accumulated and stored for future use in heating incoming milk. The thermal storage device includes a thermal storage conduit, a thermal storage heat exchanger between the heat exchange device and the thermal storage conduit, thermal storage medium in the thermal storage conduit, and a thermal storage tank.