A coolant recirculation apparatus for a beverage dispense system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispense systems face high energy consumption due to motor power usage, coolant agitation, and excess capacity, leading to increased energy losses and reduced mechanical component lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent control unit that adjusts the pump and agitator mechanisms based on coolant temperature changes and demand, optimizing their operation to minimize energy consumption while maintaining effective performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant is continuously pumped and agitated at high capacity to maintain cooling performance, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and agitator mechanisms operate at variable speeds rather than constant high speed. The control unit adjusts their operation dynamically based on real-time temperature sensor feedback, matching the cooling capacity to actual demand and reducing energy consumption when full capacity is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors monitor the coolant temperature and provide feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the pump and agitator speeds accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures cooling effectiveness is maintained while minimizing energy usage by operating at the lowest necessary capacity.
2Temperature
If pump and agitator mechanisms operate continuously at high capacity, then cooling performance is maintained, but mechanical component lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and agitator operate at variable speeds matched to actual cooling demand rather than running continuously at maximum capacity. This reduced operational stress extends the lifespan of mechanical components while maintaining effective cooling performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates at partial capacity rather than excessive capacity. The control unit adjusts pump and agitator speeds to provide only the cooling necessary to maintain target temperatures, reducing wear and tear on mechanical components.
3Temperature
If excess cooling capacity is provided in the system, then cooling performance is ensured, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling capacity to match demand rather than operating at fixed excess capacity. The control unit modulates pump and agitator speeds based on temperature sensor feedback, ensuring cooling performance is maintained without the energy waste associated with oversized continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pump speed, agitator speed) based on actual cooling demand. Rather than maintaining fixed high-capacity operation, the parameters are adjusted to match the minimum required cooling level, reducing energy losses while ensuring performance.
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
Reduces energy consumption by providing a proportional response to temperature changes and demand fluctuations, ensuring efficient cooling without unnecessary energy usage and extending the lifespan of mechanical components.
Implementation Method 1
an ice bank is formed on the evaporator to a predetermined thickness and heat transferred to the coolant from beverage passing through the product coils is dissipated by melting the ice bank
Implementation Method 2
An agitator is provided to agitate the coolant within the coolant reservoir and distribute heat via the coolant to the ice bank
Implementation Method 3
A pump is typically provided to pump coolant around the coolant circuit
Implementation Method 4
one or more product coils, all of which are normally submerged in the coolant. In operation, an ice bank is formed on the evaporator to a predetermined thickness and heat transferred to the coolant from beverage passing through the product coils
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Coolant recirculation apparatus for a beverage dispense system 100 includes a pump mechanism 124 arranged to recirculate coolant via a coolant circuit from a coolant reservoir 108 to a beverage dispense location 106a-c at which beverage is dispensed and an agitation mechanism 114 arranged to agitate coolant within the coolant reservoir. A data sensor 130a, b is arranged to sense temperature data associated with the coolant and a control unit 126 is arranged to control the rate of operation of the agitation mechanism and the pump mechanism in response to the temperature data and the number and/or type of dispense points. The dispense points may be one or more condensing or non-condensing dispense points or a combination thereof.