Cold Plate Beverage Cooling Control to Prevent Beer Foaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing systems face issues with excessive foaming when beer is warmed above 30°F, leading to waste and decreased profits due to the instability of carbon dioxide gas in the beverage, which becomes exacerbated by turbulence during dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A microprocessor-controlled beverage dispensing system with a refrigerant cooling subsystem, including a cold plate, accumulator, compressor, and thermal expansion valve, that maintains the cold plate temperature within a preferred range using electronic sensors and solenoid valves to manage refrigerant flow, preventing excessive foaming by ensuring the beer remains chilled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the beverage is cooled to maintain gas stability, then foaming is reduced, but the risk of freeze-up increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs temperature sensors that continuously monitor the cold plate temperature and provide feedback to the microprocessor. When the temperature approaches the freeze-up threshold, the controller automatically adjusts or shuts off refrigerant flow, preventing freezing while maintaining optimal cooling for gas stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow parameters based on real-time temperature conditions. By changing the flow rate, pressure, or timing of refrigerant delivery, the system maintains beverage temperature in the optimal range for gas stability without exceeding the freeze-up threshold.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a refrigerant cooling system is used to maintain beverage temperature, then gas stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate serves multiple functions: it cools the beverage lines, provides a mounting surface for the beverage container, and acts as a heat exchange medium. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining gas stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a microprocessor-controlled refrigerant expansion valve that automatically regulates refrigerant flow based on temperature sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex mechanical thermostats. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal cooling for gas stability.
3Temperature
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain temperature, then beverage cooling is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The microprocessor monitors temperature and activates the compressor only when the beverage temperature rises above the target range, allowing the system to maintain temperature efficiently while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate maintains residual cooling capacity between compressor cycles, keeping the beverage lines cold without active compression. This continuous passive cooling effect extends the intervals between compressor activations, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining beverage temperature.
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 effectively maintains the beverage at a stable temperature, reducing foaming and waste, and optimizing the operation of the compressor to minimize energy consumption and prevent freeze-up, thus enhancing the dispensing process and reducing losses.
Implementation Method 1
A beverage cooling system is positioned within said housing, said cooling system comprising a reservoir capable of receiving a supply of refrigerant, a cold plate in fluid communication with said refrigerant reservoir, wherein the refrigerant lines extend through said cold plate, wherein beverage lines also extend through said cold plate adjacent to said refrigerant lines
Implementation Method 2
A thermal expansion valve is provided downstream of the reservoir upstream of and close to the refrigerant inlet of the cold plate, for metering refrigerant into the cold plate in response to a thermal bulb at the outlet of the refrigerant lines on the cold plate
Implementation Method 3
The cooling system further includes an accumulator, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a thermal expansion valve positioned between said refrigerant reservoir and said cold plate
Implementation Method 4
The cooling system further includes an accumulator, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a thermal expansion valve positioned between said refrigerant reservoir and said cold plate
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-controlled beverage dispenser is disclosed, which provides a cold plate having disposed therein beverage lines and refrigerant lines. The refrigerant lines may be connected to a cooling system, such as a heat exchanger, which is configured to remove heat from the cold plate. The beverage lines may be connected to a beverage supply for dispensing a desired beverage. Valves and a pressure sensor in the refrigerant line are connected to a microprocessor. At regular intervals, the microprocessor closes the valves, waits a short time, and then takes a pressure reading, which corresponds to a temperature. If the temperature falls below a desired value, then the cooling system is shut off. This permits the microprocessor to closely control the temperature of the beverage being dispensed.