Double-Flow Counter-Current Pasteurizer With Independent Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pasteurizers for pourable products in containers face mechanical complexity due to hydraulic connections between conditioning liquid collectors and dispensers, leading to high energy consumption and limited flexibility in heat treatment modes.
Innovation Solution
A counter-current double-flow pasteurizer design with independent conditioning liquid circuits for each flow, allowing simultaneous pasteurization and cooling without hydraulic connections, enabling energy savings and simplified mechanical configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional plate heat exchangers are used for pasteurization, then the equipment structure is simple, but the heating and cooling processes cannot be independently controlled leading to temperature fluctuations and product quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pasteurizer is divided into separate heating and cooling sections with independent flow paths. The heating section includes heating plates and heating medium circulation channels, while the cooling section includes cooling plates and cooling medium circulation channels. This segmentation allows independent control of heating and cooling processes, enabling precise temperature management for different product requirements.
2Productivity
If conventional single-flow pasteurizers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the pasteurization efficiency and heat exchange effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pasteurizer employs a double-flow counter-current configuration where product flow and heating/cooling medium flows are dynamically optimized for maximum heat exchange efficiency. The independent circulation systems allow dynamic adjustment of flow rates and temperatures to match varying production demands, significantly improving pasteurization efficiency compared to static single-flow designs.
3Manufacturing precision
If temperature control is not precisely regulated during pasteurization, then the equipment operation is simple, but product quality consistency and safety cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The pasteurizer incorporates temperature sensors and control systems in both heating and cooling sections that continuously monitor product temperature and adjust heating/cooling medium flow rates accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures precise temperature control throughout the pasteurization process, maintaining product quality consistency and safety while preventing overheating or under-pasteurization.
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 design achieves uniform heat treatment, reduces mechanical complexity, and allows rapid mode switching between pasteurization and cooling, enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a pasteurization system comprising a heat exchanger having a heating section and a cooling section
Implementation Method 2
heating medium circulation channels defined between said heating plates
Implementation Method 3
cooling section comprising a plurality of cooling plates
Implementation Method 4
cooling medium circulation channels defined between said cooling plates
Implementation Method 5
double-flow pasteurizer with conditioning control
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A pasteurizer for pasteurizing containers filled with a pourable product, and to a packaging apparatus comprising the pasteurizer. The pasteurizer can simultaneously treat at least two flows of containers, and may be used to obtain energy savings, a simpler mechanical configuration, a greater uniformity of heat treatment of the two flows, easier integration of the pasteurizer into the apparatus, and greater versatility of the pasteurizer.